This stay was incredible, Simone and Morne made my trip to Kruger so easy and enjoyable, from the packed lunches to the homemade dinners and chats I couldn’t recommend this lodge more. They really make it special, I booked this last minute not really knowing what to expect but I’m so so glad I did! Went as a solo traveller and it was perfect!

Stayed in March 2024

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It was just wonderful. Simone and Morne are the best. The food was delicious and the room really comfortable.

Stayed in March 2024

This is the nicest place we ever stayed at! Simone and Morne are amazing hosts, make you feel at home immediately and do everything to make your stay absolutely perfect. They know the best tours to Kruger and co. and Simone is an incredible cook. We’ve read about it before, but we do have a high standard so we didn’t expect too much, but it seriously was the best food I ever had at any accommodation. The only mistake we made was not staying longer. I would highly recommend to do at least 4 nights and spend at least one day relaxing at Makuwa. We cannot wait to go back some day (not only to stay at Makuwa but also to meet Simone and Morne again). The both of them definitely found their passion and you can feel it in every little detail! :)

Stayed in February 2024

On the way to Makuwa safari lodge welcomed by a leopard couple we found a true chef in Simone and two decades of safari knowledge in Morne in an amazing place. Lions roaring at the campfire in the evening, delicious dinner and breakfast plus the service of Prince as a personal guide in Kruger.

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

The location, the staff, the food. Amazing! Thanks Simone and Morne!

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

The staff was really outstanding. Simone and Morne really made it the perfect stay. Their dedication, service and cooking was the best.

Stayed in February 2024

There is genuinely nothing that we didn’t like about the lodge.

Morne and Simone were welcoming and attentive hosts. They were extremely helpful when our hire car broke down and could not do enough for us. Simone cooking is excellent. She served us dish after dish of delicious food. Morne extremely knowledgeable about the bush and the Kruger National Park and it was wonderful to get his insights to further build our understanding of the challenges. The chalets are stylishly decorated, and whilst there is no air-conditioning or Wi-Fi. This did not detract from this being magical stay. Indeed, when visiting Kruger, not having seems quite appropriate. The lodge is extremely close to Kruger itself, so it is exciting for us guests to hear the noises of the big five in the adjacent park, as well as seeing the antics of baboons as they try to refuse in the huge makuwe tree in the grounds. More entertaining still are Morne effort to scare them off. we would highly recommend this lodge to people visiting Kruger

Stayed in February 2024

Hosts, rooms and food were all great. Thank you very much!

Stayed in January 2024

That was one of the best hotel experiences that I ever had. The place was very clean, very pretty, the room is big, there s a beautiful pool and everything you need. Butttt the food was insane. I had one of the best meal of my life at the dinner. It’s so fresh and so good! I would came back to eat all the time, it’s like you are in a fancy restaurant for a couple of days. Beside the host are THE MOST AMAZING host that you will ever met. Simone and Morne are super careful, super thoughtful, it changes completely our Kruger experience. What can I said? I wish the restaurant was close to My house so I can go every month , it was so good! I highly recommend.

Stayed in January 2024

Very clean with lot of free land around the lodge. Highly dedicated couple looking after the lodge. Excellent meals (vegetarian). Knowledgeable guides Morne and Shane provided lots of information about animals on safari tour. Simone and Morne very accommodating and helpful.

Stayed in October 2023

Breakfast and Dinner were extremely good and fresh made with passion and love personally from the owner Simone. She even cooks individually vegan.gluten free or any other dietary you like. The whole property is very peaceful and quiet directly next to a private game reserve open to the Krüger, so at night you can even here lions roar. The hosts Simone and Monnay have dedicated there live to serve the guests. Since Monay is an experienced ranger from Krűger they also offer game drives to the Krűger which is only about 15 minutes drive away. For us it was a perfect place to relax and explore and enjoy the african nature and hospitality. We would definitely come back.

Stayed in October 2023

The hosts Simone & Morne are amazing. They are welcoming and very caring. They gave us great recommendations, organized different safaris and were always there to help. The food at the lodge was prepared with love and it was delicious, from breakfast to dinner! We can also recommend the bush walk they are offering - Morne has great knowledge of the area, animals, and plants. It was lots of fun to explore the bush with him! Thank you for the unforgettable experience!

Stayed in September 2023

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Simone and Morné are great hosts!! The place is beautiful, rooms are very nice, the garden and all the place is so cozy. We were so greatful for the fire they set outside everyday, there you can meet the other guests and share safari stories. Morné has lots of knowledge of wild life and conversations with him are so delightful and instructive. Simone will give you lots of information before you get there and she´ll take care of you as no one else can, besides she´s an excellent cook, her muffins are the best!! Food there is at a top level. The place is 25 minutes from Orpen gate but the fence of Kruger is right in front of the garden so you can listen to lions and hyenas at night. They organized a game drive for us and it was amazing. We wouldn´t doubt of coming back again!

Stayed in August 2023

We had a great stay at Makuwa! Our hosts were very friendly and helpful, food was super tasteful and we would definitely recommend to stay here be it on your way to Kruger or to visit the park since Orphen gate is only a 20min drive away.

Stayed in September 2023

We booked outside of Kruger for a peaceful and quiet weekend away from the busy tourist packed camps. The daily drive to Kruger was short and we enjoyed seeing animals on route daily. The lodge is the perfect stay outside of Kruger but still close enough as if you were at Kruger. The hospitality is absolutely tops and the food was amazing. It was nice to be able to come back from Kruger late afternoon, relax and have a quiet dinner. We stayed three nights and felt that we could have stayed longer.

Stayed in September 2023

Nothing

Comfort,quality and service met our expectation,but a little far from orpen gate. We will definitly be back

Stayed in August 2023

Good location close to Orpen gate. Wonderful hosts and food. Clean and comfortable.

Stayed in August 2023

Really great food and lovely staff. Orpen Gate close by.

Stayed in August 2023

Everything!! Simone and Morne are the greatest hosts and we were welcomed like home. The lodge is elegant and effective, the yard, the fire the dining patio… wow what a dream!

Stayed in August 2023

Nothing

What a great place run by lovely people. Simone and Morne are amazing hosts who made us very welcome. The lodge location is beautiful with impal greeting us as we arrived. The food and service were fantastic. Morne gave us great advice for our self drive safari in the Kruger and Simone made a fantastic dinner. We really enjoyed sitting round the fire taking to them.

Stayed in July 2023

Great location, easy drive from Hoedspruit and only a short drive to Kruger Orpen Gate on really good roads and beautiful scenery along the way. Tastefully decorated, modern chalets, big sized rooms and meals wow.. amazing food!!! Simone and Morne went out of their way to make our stay so wonderful. Everything from our packed breakfasts to the beautiful sunsets around the fire, we loved everything about Makuwa! Will definitely be back!

Stayed in June 2023

We really had the most amazing time at the Makuwa Lodge and want go thank Simone and Morne for this once in a life time experience! We were all excited to visit the Kruger - but we didn‘t expect that just the Makuwa Lodge in itself was already an amazing experience! We learnt so much about the Bush and wildlife from Morne (we can only recommend his guided walking tours!!) - but not only on the walking tour did we learn about the animals and nature, we could ask him questions at all times and he always explained everything with such great knowledge! Also the place is just beautiful! The rooms, the pool, the camp fire place, … - everything is made with so much love for the detail! We were able to just relax and enjoy the most wonderful dinners and breakfast all made by Simone!! It was a fine-dining experience and something we all looked forward to so much after the Safari tours!! We are already planning our next stay and cannot thank the Makuwa Team enough, for creating this wonderful place! All the very best, and see you soon!!

Stayed in June 2023

room was spacious and clean just feels a bit stuffy when there’s load shedding, because the roof fan doesn’t work and you can’t really open the window because of the insects. a sliding net door over the window would sort out the issue. other than this everything were perfect.

the staff were super friendly and very helpful, the food were excellent almost fine dining quality. atmosphere overall were great.

Stayed in May 2023

Absolutely nothing!

Makuwa is a little gem!!! We had the best experience from check in to check out and everything in between. A beautiful room with persian carpets and lovely decor. And then Simone and Morne... they run the lodge with such love and personal touches from the boma fire burning as soon as you get back from game drive, to packed breakfast should you choose to go on early game drive and then.... the absolute best part.... Simone's cooking!!!! O my word, every meal is freshly prepared and made with love and absolutely delicious! Every night the table settings where so romantic. I can honestly recommend this place to anyone! And so close to Orpen gate. It was an unforgettable stay!

Stayed in May 2023