What a lovely lodge to stay at. When we returned from the evening safari we were ecstatic to see the lodge lit up with candles warming our hearts. The guides, the staff all so personable, warm and fun to be with. Everyone at Makumu was a pleasure to be around. I can't thank you enough for a most exciting, wonderful stay at your private game lodge.
Thanks so much to Cherie, AD, Shelley and Ruan for making our first safari a trip of a lifetime! The lodge was built by the owner for his family and has a really nice family vibe with brunch, afternoon tea and dinner eaten together with other guests, we got to meet other people from all over the world! As well as listening to lions, hyenas and monkeys in the bush whilst we were eating outside! Our Ranger, AD was fantastic and very knowledgable. We spotted the Big Five and so much more, and he made such a big effort to make sure we tracked down the animals we wanted to see. Since the Klaserie is shared with just a few other lodges, the safari was very tranquil and did not feel commercial at all. We were able to track down animals and would only see another 1-3 cars throughout the whole game drive. We were torn between a 3 and a 4 night stay. So glad we went with 4 nights and we could have stayed for so much longer! The whole team is very hospitable and we loved hearing their stories from the bush!…
My wife and I stayed at Makumu for three nights and could not recommend it more. Within 24 hours we had seen the big 5, and each game drive did not disappoint. While a lot of other lodges went out with just a driver on their game drives, each time at Makumu we had both a driver and a tracker, which allowed us to find and see much more. The accommodations were also fantastic. The rooms were large and comfy, and it was great sharing brunch with the other guests and being able to have a drink in the afternoon while watching animals walk by the lodge. All the staff were extremely hospitable and knowledgeable about wildlife and answered our many questions. The food was delicious and afternoon tea was served prior to the evening drive which was a fun treat to experience.
Should have stayed 4 nights instead of 2. The rooms were incredibly spacious and beautifully decorated. At night the entire lodge is lit up by candle light which is lovely. The place was immaculate with endless views and delicious food. Ruan the ranger, and Richard the tracker were knowledgeable and did a great job tracking lions during our stay. Shelley was a fantastic host and the rest of the staff were very friendly and welcoming.
One of my best experiences ever , 5 nights in this lodge with such amazing staff, always there to meet your needs and smiling all the time . Owners take so good care of you and game drives are incredible with amazing and well prepared guides . Food and treats are great and you feel part of this great family. The rooms are so comfortable, pretty with so much space and details are everywhere . They will do more than their best to meet your expectations and needs. You are so well taken care of.
Visited Makumu for 4 nights and this place is totally breathtaking. From the minute you arrive to the day you leave everyone is treated like one big family and nothing is too much trouble. The rooms are all stunning and food, drinks and service first class throughout . The games drives are excellent and the knowledge of rangers and trackers is superb. Driving back one night from a game drive we had one of the most amazing dinner experiences ever . The dining room was moved down into the dry riverbed and we all safe around the fire and had an amazing experience. If you are looking for a safari experience that offers you everything you ever dreamed of this is the place to visit. If I could have given it 6 stars I would have . See you all again in the near future .
There are not many things in life that took my breath away. One for sure, is staying for three nights at this wonderful lodge in the heart of the Klaserie Nature Reserve. The place is just gorgeous. A wonderful array of villas (those are not just 6 rooms) bundled together in a unique atmosphere which gets even better when all of the 250 oil lamps are lit up at dusk. Everything that matters could be found at Makumu, from a luxurious in-suite bathroom to the astounding terrace which guarantees an endless view of the park and of the animals which happen to pass by. Game rides are just flawless under the wise directions of both the guide and the tracker. We were lucky enough to find most of the wildlife we were looking for and the amount of knowledge we learned is absolutely unparalleled. Every detail is taken care of in subtle, elegant fashion from the refreshening towel given to you while back from a ride to the hearthwarming service during a sundown "aperitivo" in the bush. Food is just what I would expect from a journey into the wild that resembles both the culture and the spirit of this land. Quality is great. The kitchen staff is there for you at all times. Everything you want or need is simply there when you want it and the warm welcome you get form the owners, which are pretty much always there for and with you, as well as the managing staff, is just effortless and unique. There was unfortunately only one sad occurance of our stay at Makumu: we had to come home. But we will be back. For sure. Thank You all, the owners, the managers and all of Makumu Family. It has been great.…
To keep this brief, everyone at the lodge treats you like part of their close knit family and all of the staff is incredibly welcoming, friendly and hospitable. The rooms are clean, the decor is absolutely amazing and when you return from your evening game drive, the entire proeprty including your room is illuminated with candles, there are no "lights" (apart from a tiny one in your bathroom). It makes for a very unique, beautiful and special experience. Cherié, Adrian and Alistair thank you so much for an unforgettable experience. The owners were also there and they are the friendliest people you'll ever meet.
What a weekend! Cherie, Adrian and Alistair catered to needs that we never knew we had! From the collection point, throuhg tonthe room, with every touch you could imagine (hot water bottles and a foambath included) through game drives (encountering tthe full big 5 within 24 hours of arrival) they never spared one moment to not treat us like royalty. Food cannot be decribed here, not enough space..... We have a strict "never return to the same place twice" policy, and this time we will be ignoring our own policy soon..... thank you guys!
Over many years we have done multiple safaris, from budget to luxury, from National Parks to Sabie Sands, and Makumu is the standout for us. The staff were amazing, they really made us feel welcome, like family. They joined us for dinner every evening and brunch every morning. Dinner around the fire in the boma was a real highlight. The main lodge really feels like a luxurious home, it's gorgeous, warm and accommodating. It really embraces the romance of the African bush experience. The rooms were beautiful, the candles and lanterns at night were gorgeous and it was beyond what we expected. The food was phenomenal and they really listened to and made sure to accommodate our likes and dislikes. Ruan the main ranger was possibly the best safari guide we have ever had. He was knowledgeable, passionate and really listened to what we wanted to get out of the experience. We saw everything from little spiders to bee eaters and lions at a kill. We did safari drives and a morning walk. We would return to Makumu in a heartbeat and highly recommend it.…
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