You really feel like you have the entire bush to yourself. The lodge is full-on luxury with the feel of a family home... This is place is relaxed, void of stodginess, and perfect for people looking for a more intimate experience.
Condé Nast Traveler (US), December 2016Responsible tourism, conservation and sustainable values play a big role in day-to-day life here. And while the main Lodge and adjoining suites are plush, elegant and understated, they're built from natural materials that wonderfully reflects the earthy, warm and rich shades of the landscape.
Condé Nast Johansens, November 2016A gem... seven suites that blend into the landscape - stone and thatch, wood and leather, huge and open-plan - all with earth tones and tactile fabrics. Glass-walled showers have you eye-to-beady-eye with impala, kudu and waterbuck.
Tatler, January 2016Reader’s Choice Awards 2025
Readers of Conde Nast Traveller (UK & US editions) vote for their top hotels and resorts worldwide.
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2024
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Best Resort: South Africa
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Awards for Excellence 2017
Condé Nast Johansens
101 Best Hotels in The World 2016
The editors at Tatler Travel Guide have selected their 101 favourite hotels around the world based on actual first-hand experience of each and every property.
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2016
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Hotels Own Introduction
Step into a World of Untamed Magic
Entering Makanyi Lodge is like stepping into an enchanted realm—a home in the bush where wonder greets you at every turn. Here, it's not just the breathtaking landscape or extraordinary wildlife that captivates but the deep-rooted passion and dedication of everyone involved. Since its inception seven years ago, Makanyi has been a family-led sanctuary where the love for the wild has bound the same core team and family to an unforgettable way of life.
An Exclusive Safari Sanctuary
Perched on the western edge of the Kruger National Park, within the vast 2.4 million hectares of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Makanyi Lodge offers unrivaled seclusion. The Timbavati is uniquely accessible by both air and road, yet it remains pristine and sparsely populated, with fewer lodges and private residences than you can count on one hand. This distinctive setting grants our guests the ultimate luxury of exploring this striking terrain in true privacy, away from tourist crowds—ensuring a genuinely personal and authentic safari experience.
Discover an Untouched Wilderness
Makanyi Lodge’s location allows for an immersive journey into one of South Africa's most awe-inspiring natural landscapes. Here, you’re free to roam the wild as it was meant to be experienced: unspoiled, intimate, and yours to explore on your own schedule. An unforgettable safari awaits, where the magic of Makanyi and the splendor of Timbavati unite to create a haven of unbridled beauty and adventure.
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