Luxury Lodges · iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa
Makakatana
Overview
Makakatana Bay Lodge is a family-owned wetland safari lodge inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park on Lake St Lucia, offering calm, guided days across estuary, bush and Indian Ocean from one base.
From the lodge jetty, sunrise and sunset eco-boat outings move quietly through hippo channels and reedbeds; our estuary-led guiding keeps pace unhurried and conservation-first. Signature full-day experiences include the Estuary Boat Trip (±30–45-minute game-drive transfer to an exclusive Narrows pickup; lunch onboard, slow exploration) and the Beach Day (lake crossing to Perrier’s Rocks, sheltered bay, short dune-forest walk), paired with Western Shores game drives.
Makakatana is also a birding hotspot with access to wetlands, pans and forest edges, plus after-dinner night drives that focus on nocturnal ecology and the wetland soundscape—often the best window for leopard and hyena activity.
Recommended stay length is 3–4 nights to combine boat day, beach day, drives, and sunrise/sunset boats, with optional add-ons such as Hluhluwe–iMfolozi day trips and guided Eastern Shores walks.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
FAMILY SUITE
The Family Suites accommodate 2 adults in a King bed in the main room.There is an inter-leading room for kids that sleeps 2 people on 2 single beds.A 3rd single bed can be added...
HONEYMOON SUITE
HONEYMOON SUITE - King Bed,Telephone, Aircon, Heating, Fan, Private Decks, Separate Bathroom with indoor bath & Toilet, Outside Shower, Dressing Area, Minibar, Dressing Table, Tea & Coffee Tray, Insect Proof Screen Doors.
Luxury Suite - KING
King Bed, Standard Room - Has a day bed for 3rd person.Telephone, Aircon, Heating, Fan, Private Decks, Separate Bathroom with indoor shower & seperate toilet that opens to an outside Shower & Bath, (Nothing...
Luxury Suite - TWIN
Twin Room with a day bed for for 3rd person, preferably child 6yrs +Standard Room - Forest SettingTelephone, Aircon, Heating, Fan, Private Decks.There is a separate Bathroom with indoor shower & Toilet. The indoor...
Details
Good to know
Accommodation & amenities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, External Shower, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Languages spoken
Afrikaans, English, Zulu
Ideal for
Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Flora, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
On-site activities
Bird Watching, Boating, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, High Tea, Night Drives, Safaris
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available)
Nearby activities
Animal Encounters, Beach, Big 5, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Catch-and-release Fishing, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Golf, Horse Riding, Night Drives, River Cruises, Safaris, Snorkelling, Tennis Court, Turtle Tracking
Property facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Air conditioner, Bar, Internet Access (Complimentary), Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
Makakatana 2021 Official video
A day in the life at Makakatana in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Makakatana Bay Lodge
An aerial visual of where Makakatana takes you
Hyena in My Face
A bit of panic when a hyena put his nose in my window at Makakatana.
360 Aerial view over Makakatana
360 Aerial view over Makakatana - iSimangaliso
Hippo Stampede
Hippo Stampede
Activities
What you can do
Afternoon Game Drive — Western Shores
Warm-light drive from the lodge with flexible routing through coastal forest, grassland and open pans. Good general game and raptors; stops at scenic lookouts. Ends near sunset; timing varies by season.
Eastern Shores Guided Walking Safari (Add-On, Outsourced)
Licensed walking guides lead a 2.5–4 hr morning walk in coastal forest and grassland. Track interpretation, safety briefing, and strict spacing protocols throughout.
Fishing — Estuary, Surf or Deep-Sea (Outsourced)
Catch-and-release charters with permitted skippers. Options include estuary and surf sessions; deep-sea launches from St Lucia. Weather/tide and permit dependent; all tackle provided.
Full-Day Beach Trip — Eastern Shores & Perrier’s Rocks (Signature)
Lake crossing and dune-forest drive to a sheltered bay at our private concession within iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Time at the beach (swim/snorkel when safe), picnic behind the dunes. Return via a Western Shores game-drive routing. Sea-state and conditions apply.
Full-Day Estuary Boat Trip — The Narrows (Signature)
Depart lodge by vehicle for a ±30–45 min game-drive transfer to an exclusive pickup in the Narrows within iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Unhurried estuary exploration through hippo pods, croc banks and prime birding stretches; lunch onboard in a sheltered section. Return to lodge via scenic game-drive.
Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Big-Five Day Trip (Add-On)
Curated full-day excursion to South Africa’s oldest proclaimed reserve. Routing planned around current conditions; brunch/comfort stops included. Best for guests prioritising classic Big-Five prospects.
Morning Game Drive — Western Shores
Unhurried first-light drive from the lodge across pans, coastal forest and grassland on the Western Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Focus on early movement of grazers, predators settling, and active birdlife. Routing adapts to conditions and guest interests.
Night Drive — Western Shores
Departs after dinner (exact time varies by season). A calm, after-dark exploration focused on nocturnal ecology and the soundscape of the wetlands—frogs, nightjars and rustling reeds. This is the best window for leopard and hyena activity. Spotlighting is used with care; routes adapt to wind, moon and conditions.
Sunrise Eco-Boat Safari — Makakatana Bay
Calm first-light cruise from the lodge’s jetty on Lake St Lucia on Solar Powered Eco-Boats. Slow navigation of Makakatana Bay for hippo, crocodile and signature waterbirds. Interpretive guiding with minimal disturbance. Weather dependent.
Sunset Eco-Boat Safari — Makakatana Bay
Late-afternoon lake cruise on our Solar Powered Eco-Boats from the lodge’s jetty. Soft light, active birdlife, and relaxed viewing of hippos and crocodiles along reedbeds. Weather dependent.
Turtle Tracking (Nov–Feb, Night, Outsourced)
Regulated night beach patrols to view loggerhead/leatherback activity. Limited permits; strict guidelines apply. Weather/tide dependent.
Whale Watching (Jun–Nov, Outsourced)
Boat-based trips from St Lucia during the humpback migration (±2–2.5 hrs at sea). Highly weather/sea-state dependent.
Ready to plan your stay?
Tell us your dates and we'll handle the rest — flights, transfers and the lodge itself.
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