Makalali Main Lodge - Makalali Private Game Reserve - Kruger Private Reserves

Makalali Main Lodge, in the Makalali Private Game Reserve, is located close to the mighty Drakensberg mountains west of the Kruger Park, this ethnic bush retreat lies on 26 000 hectares of bushveld in the North-eastern Lowveld, South Africa. Flights can be arranged into Hoedspruit Airport and from here transfers organized. Makalali Game Reserve boasts the ‘Big Five’ - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Other characteristic species are cheetah, giraffe, zebra and kudu.

Makalali Main Lodge is a newly built 5 star lodge, comprising of 30 comfortably designed standard rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. The rooms are air-conditioned and feature luxurious interiors with classic leather and wood furnishings.

Makalali Main Lodge has a central dining area where guests can enjoy an array of African cuisine. The outside boma is ideal for an evening under the African sky. The spa offers a variety of soothing treatments and the pool area offers the perfect place to unwind and take in the sounds of the African bush.

Dining at Makalali Private Game Lodge is a culinary adventure. The cuisine is a combination of regional African cuisine which represents a melting pot of cooking styles that have evolved over the centuries of exploration on this great continent.

Makalali Main Lodge - Image Gallery

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Guests Reviews

The best safari oasis  
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We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see

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August 19, 2026   Cardiff, UK    Website   
The best safari oasis  
Mandy H    August 19, 2026   Cardiff, UK    Website   
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We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience

Best in the bushes  
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What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone

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May 6, 2026   ZA    Website   
Best in the bushes  
Candice Tehini    May 6, 2026   ZA    Website   
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What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.

From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.

Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.

Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.

100% Recommended  
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Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%

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July 26, 2026   CL    Website   
100% Recommended  
Sven Gysling    July 26, 2026   CL    Website   
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Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  
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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us


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September 23, 2026   GB    Website   
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  
Annelize Taylor    September 23, 2026   GB    Website   
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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!

Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.

Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!

Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  
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Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly

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September 23, 2026   ZA    Website   
Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  
Andrew W.    September 23, 2026   ZA    Website   
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Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.


Makalali Main Lodge

The Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve (GMPGR), together with the Pidwa Wilderness Reserve forms the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve (GMNR), is currently a 25,000-hectare game reserve and a registered Protected Area (PA). The GMNR is situated outside Gravelotte in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, in the triangle between Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa and Tzaneen. The reserve overlooks the majestic Drakensberg mountain range in the Limpopo Province. It is bisected by the perennial Makhutswi River, a tributary of the Olifant’s River, and includes approximately 10 km of the Selati River frontage. The Reserve was established to promote the conservation of the land and wildlife within its boundaries.
Makalali Private Lodge’s contemporary 5 star Main Lodge was completed in November 2017. Accommodating a total of 60 guests in 30 rooms, this grand yet beautifully simple structure was designed to enhance the organic beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Natural light, fresh free-flowing air, open space and spectacular views of both sky and bush are uninterrupted within the living areas of the lodge. Each of Makalali Main Lodge’s 30 rooms, spread across 3 detached river-facing units, is ideally positioned with optimum vantage over the surrounding bush.
Get an early start to the day and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells that accompany the dawning of a new day. Depending on the time of year, morning and afternoon game drives depart at different times.
From Hoedspruit 55.8 km. About 54 mins 1. Head east 60 m 2. Turn left 0.3 km 3. Turn left onto Rotsvy Rd 2.2 km 4. Turn right onto Klaserie Rd/R40 0.3 km 5. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto R527 32.1 km 6. Turn right onto R36 10.7 km 7. Turn right 9.6 km 8. Turn left 0.6 km

Rate Includes

- 3 Meals per Day - Air Conditioning - Balcony / Deck - Dressing Gowns - En-Suite - Hair Dryer - Luxury Accommodation - Mini Bar - Outside Shower - Safe - Shower - Tea / Coffee

Enquiry Form - Makalali Main Lodge