The Kruger, South Africa

Makanyi Private Game Lodge

Name: Makanyi Private Game Lodge
Address: Africa

Luxury suites in the private Timbavati Game Reserve

Intimate, responsible and modern, Makanyi Lodge is a recent addition to Timbavati, a private game reserve flanking the unfenced western edge of the Kruger National Park renowned for its game viewing and white lion prides.

Set amidst the bush overlooking the surrounding wilderness, Makanyi’s seven luxury suites have huge beds, a sitting area with its own fireplace, a beautiful bathroom with a spacious shower and separate bathtub, a private deck and an outdoor shower. Two of the suites are special pool suites, located furthest from the main lodge and featuring four-poster beds and their own private plunge pool.

The Main Lodge enjoys stunning views of the dam, a draw for all manner of wildlife. Sun loungers around the pool are perfect for sunbathing, reading or dozing, whilst the cosy loft serves as a quiet reading area or lounge to enjoy TV or a movie. In the main area there are sofas by the roaring fireplace and a supremely well stocked bar. Dining can be a private affair or enjoyed in the lodge’s outdoor boma and dining room.

Explore the reserve on expertly guided game drives and bush walks – tracking rhino on foot is an unbeatable thrill and true privilege. Star gazing here is also sublime, the fishing is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and a professional wildlife photographer can be arranged to spend the day with you sharing knowledge how to take the best pictures in this most amazing of settings. The area surrounding Makanyi also offers a wealth attractions such as a wildlife rehabilitation centre, cultural tours, hot air ballooning, helicopter safaris and more.

Highlights

Game drives

Bush walks

Star gazing

Fishing

Photographic and art safaris

Seven luxury suites

Main lodge with bar, lounge and pool

Spa and gym

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Trip Inspiration

Get inspired with our South Africa example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

10 Day trip

Spend ten days on a privately guided safari through Kenya and Tanzania, exploring the wildlife-rich landscapes of the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. At both camps, enjoy the exclusivity of your own private guide and vehicle, giving you complete flexibility to shape each day as you wish. Alongside game drives, there's the opportunity to venture out on immersive walking safaris. For a truly unforgettable perspective, take to the skies at sunrise in a hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara. Time your visit between August and September to witness the Great Migration’s dramatic river crossings.

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11–days Day trip

An adrenaline filled adventure for families with older children who want to dive head first into the exciting landscapes of Namibia.

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12 Day trip

Embark on a guided driving tour through some of Namibia’s most spellbinding landscapes and natural wonders.

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Plan your trip to South Africa

Whatever you want from your adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start planning

Places to combine Makanyi Private Game Lodge with

Alphonse Island

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Platte Island

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island

Only reachable by plane from the Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé, Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island offers an unparalleled level of privacy, paired with extraordinary biodiversity.

Mahe Island

Cheval Blanc Seychelles

Curving alongside Anse Intendance on Mahé Island’s wilder, southwest coast is Cheval Blanc Seychelles – a place of raw natural beauty, framed by imposing granite boulders and the mottled blue hues of the Indian Ocean.

Maasai Mara

Serian Kimya Kimya

Tucked into a secluded riverside within the vast expanse of the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya, Serian’s Kimya Kimya is an intimate retreat offering the opportunity to experience the magical Maasai Mara. The camp is located in Ngare Serian’s private conservancy, which borders the main Maasai Mara Reserve. The area allows for off-road driving and guided walking safaris, meaning more intimate, immersive encounters that bring you closer to the land, its wildlife and its stories.

Kimya Kimya is designed to accommodate just six guests, making it one of the most exclusive accommodations in the region. Crafted from timber and canvas, the main suite spans two stories and offers a front-row seat to the river’s daily drama. From the upper level, a deep bush bath sits poised above the flowing water-an invitation to enjoy a soak whilst elephants wander by and hippos swim in the pools below. The suite also features both indoor and outdoor dining areas, a plush mosquito-netted bed and open-air showers. Two additional tented suites are located nearby, ideal for families or small groups. Each is designed with spacious en suite bathrooms and private decks, offering serene vantage points for a morning coffee or quiet contemplation after a day of adventure.

The camp includes a dedicated private vehicle, expert guide and personal chef, allowing you the freedom to tailor each day to your preferences. Rise with the sun for a walking safari across the plains, follow predator tracks through golden savannahs or simply linger in camp, lulled by the sounds of the river. In the evening, enjoy fireside aperitifs or lantern-lit dinners beneath the stars.