Luxury Lodges · Klaserie Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Makumu Private Game Lodge
Overview
Welcome to the Home of Endless Views (Makumu means ‘endless view’ in the Xitsonga language).
Makumu Private Game Lodge, located in the ‘Big Five’ Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is an intimate oasis surrounded by the harshness, unpredictability and unspoiled appeal of the African bushveld
Six luxurious and beautifully appointed suites in three villas, accommodating a maximum of twelve guests, ensure an exclusive blend of absolute comfort, style and privacy. Inspired by the Bushman, Ndebele and Zulu tribes of Africa, the suites are decorated with their own unique character. Each villa is large and spacious, offering a King Suite and smaller Impi Suite.
To preserve the authentic, back-to-nature experience, lighting is done using candles and lanterns. For comfort, each suite is fitted with international plug points, air conditioning and fans.
Game viewing at Makumu is opportunistic, with no time constraints nor schedules. The highly skilled ranger and tracker team offer morning and afternoon game drives, walking, tracking and quiet observation from a hide - all part of the Makumu experience. Makumu Private Game Lodge has also recently introduced 'iThumbela', which loosely translated from the Xitsonga language means ‘place to hide'. This is a photographic bunker, sunken below ground and overlooking a watering hole, offering guests the opportunity to photograph wildlife coming to the water to cool down or drink, at ground level.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
Bushman Impi Suite
The bow and quiver of arrows will leave you in no doubt as to the theme of this room, from the earth colours of the bed cover to the printed bedding.5m x 6m, en-suite...
Bushman King Suite
The bow and quiver of arrows will leave you in no doubt as to the theme of this room, from the earth colours of the bed cover to the printed bedding. Luxury suite featuring...
Bushman Villa
The bow and quiver of arrows will leave you in no doubt as to the theme of this room, from the earthy colours of the bed cover to the printed bedding. Leather, eggshell beadwork,...
Ndebele Impi Suite
Decorated with a contemporary African theme, in bold yet vibrant earthly colours, our Ndebele suite offers warmth, solitude and elegance. Overlooking the dry riverbed, this suite holds beautiful bushveld views. 5m x 6m, en-suite...
Ndebele King Suite
Decorated with a contemporary African theme, in bold yet vibrant earthly colours, our Ndebele King Suite offers warmth, solitude and elegance. Overlooking the dry riverbed our luxury suite with bath and shower. King bed.6m...
Ndebele Villa
Decorated with a contemporary African theme, in bold and vibrant earthly colours, our Ndebele Suites offer warmth, solitude and elegance. It is the southern Ndebele’s typically striking, artistic and colourful flair that inspired these...
Zulu Impi Suite
Decorated in the theme of the Zulu, our Suites offers spaciousness, elegance, unparalleled intimacy, and seclusion. Overlooking the camp waterhole, the game viewing holds spectacular potential.5m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with shower only, viewing...
Zulu King Suite
Decorated in the theme of the Zulu, our King Suite offers spaciousness, elegance, unparalleled intimacy, and seclusion. Overlooking the camp waterhole, the game viewing holds spectacular potential, also offering a large bathroom en-suite.6m x...
Zulu Villa
Decorated in the theme of the Zulu, our Zulu suites offer spaciousness, elegance and seclusion. Warfare and decoration were a central pillar within the Zulu tradition, and typical décor consists of spears and shields,...
Details
Good to know
Accommodation & amenities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, External Shower, Fan, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mosquito Nets, Oil/Paraffin Lamps, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Languages spoken
Afrikaans, English, German, Italian, Xhosa
Ideal for
Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
On-site activities
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Massages, Night Drives, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided)
Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available)
Nearby activities
Adrenaline Activities, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours, Wine Tasting
Property facilities
Air conditioner, Bar, Children Friendly, Cinema, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Gym on property, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service, Outdoor Pool / Pool Deck, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian, Wine Tasting
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
Makumu Private Game Lodge, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Majestic Giraffe
Leopard & Hyena Sharing a Kill
Elephant Herd
Look out for the calf pulling up the rear!
Leopard Cub
8 month old male leopard cub acting like an adult - not a care in the world!
Hello from Makumu!
Elephants drinking from the Swimming Pool
This is Us
Interview with owner of Makumu Private Game Lodge, Stefan Breuer
Candlelight at Makumu
Footage by Tommy Brown
iThumbela our Photographic Bunker
Footage by Tommy Brown
Activities
What you can do
Bush Cinema Experience
Book the lodge exclusively and enhance your experience with the Bush Cinema. Expert guides will escort you to a picturesque riverbed beneath Makumu, where lanterns create a magical atmosphere for an extraordinary evening. Enjoy a welcoming drink, Makumu Pizza by the fire, and settle into oversized beanbags for a unique cinematic experience surrounded by the African bush. The Bush Cinema at Makumu Private Game Lodge is the perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and wildlife immersion—an exceptional addition to your exclusive getaway in nature.
Bush Dinner
Another special treat for our guests when visiting us during the wet season, is our Bush dinners in an open clearing. This is where we come together to tell stories and share once in a lifetime moments with new friends. Only available for guests staying 4 nights or longer. Weather and season dependent.
Eco Children Visit
Makumu Private Game Lodge supports Eco Children, a non-profit organisation that was initiate by the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve which focuses on hands-on environmental education and whole school development.
Game Drives
Conducted twice daily or as you prefer, in open Land Rovers with an armed ranger and a tracker, normally conducted early morning and late afternoon to search for the more elusive and nocturnal animals by spotlight.Game viewing opportunities abound. From the early morning birdlife as the sun peeks over the horizon, to our resident warthog family that frequents the lodge lawns during the day as well as the elephant herds that choose to quench their thirst in our swimming pool, there is always the possibility of a sighting.Pearl-spotted owl, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, zebra, warthog, elephant and vervet monkey are among the frequent visitors — not forgetting a variety of antelope: kudu, impala, waterbuck and nyala.
Gym and Entertainment Area
Makumu offers guests basic exercise equipment for those who may miss their daily trip to the gym. Makumu also has an entertainment area in the main lodge where guests can enjoy a game of pool.
Helicopter Experience
Experience one of our panorama route sightseeing and adventure flights by helicopter.
Hide
Spend quiet time in our hide overlooking the watering hole and watch as the wildlife come and go to quench their thirst in the hot African sun. For the more adventurous, the treehouse also provides guests with endless views of the Klaserie as well as the opportunity to spot wildlife from up high!
Massages
Enjoy a massage with stunning views and natural sounds of the bush....
Photographic Bunker
Looking for a different photographic perspective? Makumu's ground-level photographic bunker offers the opportunity to be at eye level with the water to take spectacular shots of wildlife visiting the watering hole. Nicknamed iThumbela, loosely translated meaning “place to hide” in the Shangaan language, this is the perfect vantage point for the perfect shot!
Photographic Bunker - iThumbela
Looking for a different photographic perspective? Makumu's ground-level photographic bunker offers the opportunity to be at eye level with the water to take spectacular shots of wildlife visiting the watering hole. Nicknamed iThumbela, loosely translated meaning “place to hide” in the Shangaan language, this is the perfect vantage point for the perfect shot!
Walking Safari
“On foot, the pulse of Africa comes through your boot. You are an animal among others, chary of the shadowed places, of sudden quiet in the air” – Petere Matthiessen, The Tree Where Man Was Born Join our highly skilled guides on foot to track big game in the surrounds, from antelope to elephant and experience the ultimate feeling of being one with the African bushveld. A fresh footprint in the dust, the faint sound of a breaking branch, wet mud rubbed on a tree, the presence of birds or a sudden quiet in the air are all part of the tracking experience. The senses are heightened searching for clues, sounds or smells to indicate an animal is nearby.
Weddings at Makumu
Makumu Private Game Lodge is ideal for celebrating a honeymoon, an intimate wedding or a special occasion for up to 12 guests – offering you a private and relaxinglocation to celebrate your special day. Makumu is also a favorite for special engagements. Tailored to meet your needs, stunning views and luxurious accommodation arejust a few of the amazing things we offer. Rates: Wedding Package Rate (excludes cost of accommodation) Nett and non-commissionable
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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