Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Situated in the heart of Big 5 wilderness terrain, Makweti Safari Lodge offers five individual, intimate and luxurious suites, some with a private plunge pool. The lodge offers fine dining overlooking the panoramic bush surroundings and is a member of the by-invitation-only Chaine des Rotisseurs (a hallmark of fine cuisine). The camp is unfenced bringing elephant, lion, rhino and other wildlife to the surrounding waterholes on your doorstep. The game drive safaris are conducted in open safari vehicles with expert guides assuring an astounding experience of the diverse wildlife in the reserve, including the big 5. Other facilities available at the lodge for guests use include the outdoor swimming pool, lounge area, spa and art gallery.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Makweti lodge is situated in the 36 000 ha Welgevonden nature reserve a mere 2.5 hours drive from Johannesburg. This lodge is just one of a few lodges that is not fenced in by electrical fences. We had the privilege to visit this lodge in March 2020. We were intrigued with the outstanding service by all the personnel, signature style food served by the chef and the authentic African interior and the pristine layout of the premises. The 10 chalets are extremely private,each with its own private plunge pool. The chalets are extremely luxurious, and the bathroom has an indoor and private outdoor shower. The wild drive sessions with Jo was the best we ever went on. His passion and knowledge of the African bush and animals was impressive and very informative. Thank you, Charlotte and team, for making us feel so welcome. Makweti is highly recommended without a doubt.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Chalet 2 and 4
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked a lodge in the same park for our 20 year anniversary at Clifftops who canceled our reservation the night before we flew to Johannesburg. The team at Makweti came to the rescue and made our anniversary the most memorable experience of a lifetime. This lodge is not ultra-modern and is built of stones with thatch but the beauty of Makweti is that it has a focus on the two most important things. The culinary experience, which is indescribable... from impala bites to passion fruit creme brulee. and of course the safari experience. Our guide served morning coffee while we watched the elephants and again sundowners while we watched the animals play. The rooms are perfect and if you are lucky you will have an elephant come and drink from your private splash pool. For our anniversary dinner a private little table was set by candlelight in the library... how thoughtful. What struck me the most was how clean and well looked after everything was. Nothing was old and outdated because of Covid. You often see older cutlery or staff uniforms or blankets after Covid, but Makweti has kept the 5-star standard. Interesting fact. The lodges in the area may employ 7 staff members for a specific stand, Makweti bought two stands so they could employ double the staff for a better guest experience. That way your Safari vehicle is never full, you have your own driver, food is prepared faster, and more. This is definitely a lodge I will return to and the fact that more than 80% of the clients are return customers speak for itself. Well done on keeping up the standard Makweti.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Ask if you want a room with a private pool and you can tell them if you want the suite that is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I confess I have been delaying our review because I couldn’t decide if I wanted to keep Makweti a secret or share this amazing place with others… we just loved it. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Africa many times in my youth – it holds a special place in my heart. I had a special plan to help my ‘old teenagers’ fall in love with Africa whilst caring for it too. I needed a place that allowed them to experience Africa – quietly & without 20 ‘zebra coloured landrovers’ buzzing about – searching for a kill. I wanted my boys to care about the wildlife & love it for what it was – in its own home. Makweti & especially Neil – our truly exceptional guide – delivered, better than even I’d hoped. We all fell in love with Makweti & its quiet passive experiences. It is the most magical place. I wanted an open camp – not all encased in fences – Makweti delivered this element of openness. The staff were exceptional in all areas. The other guests were delightful, the food was truly delicious & the daily changing table decorations, were – wonderful & hugely memorable. Then there are the animals – other than leopard – we saw it all – several times. There is nothing Neil doesn’t know about the flora, fauna, insects, birds… actually just about everything & he has huge respect for it all – we all learnt a lot & the boys really enjoyed learning. (If only they’d paid that much attention in school!!) If you want to relax in the most comfortable & wonderfully equipped cottages – each with its own plunge pool – that you may need to share with a passing elephant – & want to enjoy everything in harmony within their natural surroundings & see the most beautiful animals & birds – as they should be seen, then Makweti is definitely for you. If you just want to rush around chasing the kill with all the other overcrowded trucks, then – please don’t go to Makweti.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a fantastic intimate lodge, accommodating 10 guests and with 2 game vehicles. The chalets are very private, most having their own splash pool on the deck and overlook spectacular views. This lodge is a connoisseur's dream as the food is excellent and the wine list outstanding. The management team is very professional but also charming and friendly. Neil was also our game ranger and I find it hard to describe just how exceptional he is. We have been to many game reserves and have friends who are also very good guides with their own places but none of them have the knowledge of Neil. Neil knows everything about anything. He anticipated all the animals movements and ensured we arrived at exactly the right time for the best viewing and we had some truly outstanding viewings. He also knows all the birds and insects and how animals communicate with each other by leaving various signs along the way. There are very few people who can spot a chameleon chilling on a bush when driving back to the lodge in the dark. We felt very privileged to have had Neil.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent 4 nights at Makweti in early February and our experience exceeded our expectations. Reservations were customized by Premier Travel who arranged a pre-safari visit to Capetown, followed by private charter flight (with 6 friends) landing on a dirt airfield a half hour from the lodge.
The staff at Makweti was attentive, friendly and very accommodating. Local food was expertly prepared and the South African wines were delicious.
Our guides were knowledgeable and we were all completely bowled over by the density and proximity of the animals: elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, impala, warthogs. It was a moving and beautiful experience.
To add to the fun, during the morning safari we stopped for coffee/ tea and a snack; and in the pre-dinner safari we stopped for cocktails (naturally, gin and single malt liquors were available!). The experience of a lifetime!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The perfect place to clear your mind and enjoy the nature. The place has no Wi-Fi connection no cell phone signals to allow you to enjoy every and each moment in the nature between the bush and the wild life. The food was amazing and the staff were very helpful. It could be better to have the wifi in the main lodge where we have our meal instead of going to the office to use the internet. Other than that , it was all great and amazing experience.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our second visit to Makweti in 3 years. The location, setting and staff are all fantastic. The lodge nestles into the surroundings beautifully and decorated in an authentic southern african way. There are only 5 rooms which creates an intimate environment and allows you to get to know the other guests. The staff are great and work extremely hard. The food was varied, plentiful and delicious.
The lodge, in places, is looking a bit tired, but is still very comfortable. We booked last minute and had the last available room which was in a lovely location with one deck overlooking the stream and another terrace looking out towards the waterhole. The room itself however was a tad tired in places. The staff work extremely hard and to a schedule which means that there isn't too much flexibility in terms of extending game drives. Although you can't really expect that degree of flexibility at this price. On the whole, very good value for money.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Makweti is truly a hidden gem. From start to finish this was one of the best game lodge experiences. The Makweti team are incredibly passionate and dedicated to what they do and this is evident in fantastic food, service and above all incredible game drives. There is absolutely nothing negative to say about our stay and highly recommend it to anyone considering a trip to a game lodge for some serious relaxation and taking in the sights and sounds of the bush.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The experience of a life time at Makweti Safari Lodge, the whole trip was spectacular the room and lodge were tastefully decorated. The staff Were super friendly and helpful food delicious. The plunge pool was something!! Neil and Jessica made the whole experience better! Our guide Neil was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate all kind of wildlife, answering all our questions and Always goes to extra mile to find Giraffes because he knew Giraffes are my favorite animals. and he made it happens. Perfect place to be in touch with nature. Would definitely recommend and go back.
Thank you
Alan & Dawn
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makweti Reservations, General Manager at Makweti Safari Lodge
Responded 14 Feb 2023
Thank you for your review. We're delighted at the prospect of your retun. Until then, the giraffe will stand tall! Best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My goodness I simply can not put into words! We will be forever grateful to everyone at Makweti for providing us with memories to last a lifetime! Everything and i mean everything was just perfection! The food was out of this world, huge kudos to the chef and team the effort that goes into to absolutely everything they serve is incredible. Rion providing us with lots of knowledge about the area and pairing some stunning wines with our meals - he never got it wrong! Our welcome home & dinner drummers, cleaning staff, management, guides i mean every single person you pass is simply incredible. The lookout was absolutely fantastic and we would get lost for hours up there just watching out and wondering what the next animal to pass would be!
Last but certainly not least Byron our guide! Just wow and thank you! You were knowledgeable, friendly, had fun with us, got to know us and made us feel so very very welcome! You are a jewel in the Makweti crown and they are very lucky to have you and we were very lucky yo have you as our guide! Say hi to Jacks for us ;-)
I am so very sad its over but you've opened our eyes to the bush and how wonderful it is and we hope to one day be back!
Don't ever think should i if you are coming here just DO IT! You will not be disappointed. We were told we were at home and we truly felt that! Thank you Team Makweti from the bottom of our hearts.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Don't take too many clothes you wont need them! Pack something nice and warm for the morning drives
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your enquiry
The Makweti experience is inclusive of all meals.
The day begins with a light refreshment before the early morning safari.
A full breakfast is served on returning to the camp. Breakfast comprises of a cold buffet of cereals, fruit platter, cheese and cold meats with a pastry. A hot breakfast follows.
Lunch is served at around 14:30, and is followed by a dessert. On some occasions we offer a high tea in the bush.
Dinner is a served meal, comprising at least three courses.
Should you wish our team to pair a suitable wine, we are able to offer this service, at an additional charge.
There are more places to choose from in the Welgevonden Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 13,363 - RÂ 16,165 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
makweti safari hotel welgevonden game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaLimpopo ProvinceWaterbergWelgevonden Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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