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Makumu Private Game Lodge
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Makumu Private Game Lodge
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Makumu Private Game Lodge
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About the lodge
An overview of Makumu Private Game Lodge.
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
Highlights
- Makumu Private Game Lodge is an intimate luxury lodge situated in the ‘Big Five’ Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger.
- Each luxury suite is large and spacious to reflect the open air and space of the African bush.
- Enjoy thrilling game drives and bush walks, tracking big game on foot.
You Should Know
- Children aged 8 years old and above are welcome at the lodge.
The Detail
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 is large and spacious, offering a King Suite and a smaller Impi Suite.
Game viewing at Makumu is opportunistic, with no time constraints or 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.
Price Includes
- All game viewing activities (morning and afternoon drives, walking safaris, tracking big game on foot, bird watching).
- All meals, teas, coffees, and a selection of local beverages, including beers, wines, and soft drinks.
The same as booking direct
Rates and pricing.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 31 Dec 2026
Why book through us
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup. What you get on top is a specialist who knows Makumu Private Game Lodge personally, looks after every detail of the trip, and stays reachable on WhatsApp from the moment you enquire to the day you come home.
By season
Green season
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Dec 2026
Full Board - All meals, selection of local beverages and all game viewing activities
R 15 730
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Honeymoon offer
For couples celebrating a wedding.
Documented from Gorongosa Safaris's 2026 rate sheet. A formal offer you can claim, not marketing language.
Honeymoon Package
Private dinner on one of the nights; romantic turndown service
Makumu Private Game Lodge offers a Honeymoon Package for all honeymooners staying a minimum of 3 nights. Inclusions are a private dinner on one of the nights and a romantic turndown service.
- Minimum stay
- 3 nights
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Terms and eligibility may change. Your specialist confirms all offers at the time of booking.
Photographic safari options
Built for photographers.
Specific photographic infrastructure available at Makumu Lodge, taken from Gorongosa Safaris's published rate sheets, not marketing copy.
Hide
Photographic Bunker - iThumbela
Makumu's ground-level photographic bunker, nicknamed iThumbela ('place to hide' in Shangaan), is located a 20-minute drive from the lodge overlooking a wildlife-rich waterhole. At approximately 800 mm above ground at its front, it places photographers at eye level with the water for dramatic wildlife shots. The bunker is 6 m long, 2.4 m wide and 2 m high, with capacity for up to 6 photographers. Booked as a full-day exclusive-use activity, it includes a private game vehicle, private ranger and refreshments.
6 m x 2.4 m x 2 m underground bunker; ~800 mm of front above ground; max 6 guests (6 bar stools for photographers + comfortable couch); camera bean bags provided; coffee & tea facilities; cooler box with guests' drink choices; resource books & magazines. Guests must bring their own camera equipment. Includes: exclusive use for 1–6 guests, private game vehicle, private ranger, refreshments, tea & coffee.
- Cost
- R 15 970 per day
- Availability
- Full day exclusive use; advance booking required; priced separately (excluded from standard rates)
Photographic package
Photographic Safaris
In addition to the Photographic Bunker, Makumu offers dedicated Photographic Safaris as a bookable additional activity, available as a full-day exclusive-use experience. Pricing and full details are available on request.
Listed alongside the Photographic Bunker as a full-day exclusive-use additional activity. More information and prices on request.
- Availability
- Full day exclusive use; advance booking required; excluded from standard rates; more information and prices on request
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Family policies
Travelling with children.
What our safari specialists know about bringing children to Makumu Private Game Lodge: minimum ages, activities, family rooms and child rates, current as of May 2026. They plan family trips here all the time, so anything below that needs arranging, they will sort. For the bigger picture, see our guide to safari with children .
Minimum ages
- Stay
- 8+
- Game drives
- 8+
- Walking safari
- 16+
Programmes & care
No dedicated kids' programme.
Accommodation
Family unit available.
Child rates
FIT bookings: children aged 8+ welcome at full adult rate. All ages welcome on exclusive-use bookings. Klaserie Conservation Levy applies per person per night for ages 12+ (children under 12 exempt).
Notable exceptions
- Walking safaris are restricted to guests aged 16 and over. On standard FIT bookings the lodge minimum age is 8; however, all ages are welcome when the whole lodge is booked on an exclusive-use basis (max 12 people across 6 suites / 3 villas). The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve Conservation Levy is charged per person per night for ages 12+; children under 12 are exempt from the levy.
Water safari
Out on the water.
Mokoro, canoe, kayak and boat options at Makumu Lodge. The silent dugout mokoro is a different product to a motorised sundowner cruise — check the category on each.
Canoe safari
Boating and Canoeing (Seasonal)
Boating and canoeing are included activities at the Gorongosa Safaris camps (Wild Camp and Muzimu Lodge), available on a seasonal basis as part of the fully inclusive rate. These water-based activities are offered alongside safari drives and guided walks as part of the standard activity programme.
Seasonal availability. Included in the fully inclusive rate. No additional cost stated. Specific duration, group size, or guide qualifications not detailed in the excerpts.
- Cost
- complimentary
- Availability
- seasonal
Boat cruise
Boat Safaris
Boat safaris are listed as a key activity at both Gorongosa Wild Camp and Muzimu Lodge within Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. These are included as part of the camps' fully inclusive activity offering alongside safari drives and bush walks.
Included in fully inclusive rate. No further details on duration, vessel type, or group size provided in the excerpts.
- Cost
- complimentary
Canoe safari
Canoeing
Canoeing is listed as a distinct activity available to guests at both Gorongosa Wild Camp and Muzimu Lodge within Gorongosa National Park. It forms part of the broader suite of included activities at both properties.
Included in fully inclusive rate. No further details on duration, vessel type, or group size provided in the excerpts.
- Cost
- complimentary
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Imagery
A closer look.
21 photographs · click any image to expand
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your dream safari at Makumu Private Game Lodge.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Makumu Private Game Lodge: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Ready when you are
Let's design your stay.
Your specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours with availability, exact pricing, and suggestions for what to combine it with.