Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Rain greens the bush; denser foliage makes wildlife harder to see.
Summer rain brings greener bush and thicker vegetation, making wildlife harder to spot.
Makanyi Private Game Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa · Private reserve
Lodge describes itself as: Luxury. Self-declared by the lodge, not an official grade.Lodge
Ultra-luxury · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Andrew Clunies-Ross · Source ↗
All inclusive (AI)
All meals, House beverages, including alcoholic drinks, South African house wines and MCC and 4 more
8 rooms
Makanyi Suite, Makanyi Pool Suite · Sleeps up to 16 guests
Children 12 and over
By air
1 hr 30 min from Hoedspruit East Gate Airport
Wi-Fi in rooms
From about A$2,660
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Makanyi Private Game Lodge
Makanyi Private Game Lodge has eight suites in the Timbavati Nature Reserve, part of Greater Kruger. Private decks, indoor and outdoor showers, fireplaces and free-standing baths give the rooms space for time between safaris, while two Pool Suites add private plunge pools. Two daily game drives are included alongside meals, house beverages and laundry. The main lodge has a pool, spa, gym and library. Children aged 12 and over are welcome, with younger children accepted only on exclusive-use bookings. It suits couples wanting a small lodge with room to unwind after wildlife viewing.
“Eight suites keep the lodge small, while fireplaces, outdoor showers and two daily game drives balance comfort with time in the bush. The Pool Suites are a good fit for couples wanting their own plunge pool.”
Best for
HoneymoonersLuxury seekersPhotographersGroups
Known for
What you can expect to see
Big Five
Big Five safaris in the Timbavati Nature Reserve are paired with spacious suites and private decks.
Your stay
What's included
Board: All inclusive (AI)
Special offer: Stay 4, pay 3 for travel from 1 June to 19 December 2026 and 10 January to 31 March 2027. Offers cannot be combined; conservation levies remain payable for every night.
Included
- All meals
- House beverages, including alcoholic drinks, South African house wines and MCC
- Two daily game drives
- Laundry
- Winter bush walks for medically fit guests aged 16 to 65
- Seasonal star gazing
- Walking safaris
- Game drives
Not included
- Park fees
The Timbavati conservation levy is ZAR660 per person per night in 2026 and ZAR700 in 2027, payable in advance. Self-drive guests also pay a gate levy of ZAR340 per vehicle per entry in 2026.
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Transfers
- Gratuities
Airport transfers, spa treatments, private vehicles, specialist photographic safaris, photoshoots and special-order wines, champagnes and liqueurs cost extra. Payment through the Pay Genius link carries a 5% surcharge; gratuities are discretionary.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Library
- Restaurant
- Bar
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Private deck
- Mini bar
- Tea/coffee station
- In-room WiFi
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 16 guests
- Makanyi Suite6 at the property · sleeps 2 adults and 1 child · One third guest aged 12 to 18 sharing; 50% of the adult sharing rate, with proof of age. · Private deck, Indoor and outdoor showers, Free-standing bathtub, Lounge area, Fireplace, Mini bar and fridge, Tea and coffee facilities, In-suite safe
- Makanyi Pool Suite2 at the property · sleeps 2 adults · Private plunge pool, Private deck, Indoor and outdoor showers, Free-standing bathtub, Lounge area, Fireplace, Mini bar and fridge, In-suite safe
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Hoedspruit East Gate Airport
- 1 hr 30 min transfer
- Makanyi Private Game Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · 1 hr 30 min from Hoedspruit East Gate Airport
- Transfers
- Road transfers take about 90 minutes from Hoedspruit East Gate Airport and 3 hours 30 minutes from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. For self-drive arrivals, follow the lodge directions and reserve signs rather than navigation apps.
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 14:00
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Children
- Ages 12 and over
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Exclusive use
- Available
- Malaria
- Low malaria risk
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Green season
- March: Green season
- April: Dry season, best game viewing
- May: Dry season, best game viewing
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Green season
- November: Green season
- December: Green season
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Green season
Month-by-month notes
Feb
Green seasonWildlife: Rain greens the bush; denser foliage makes wildlife harder to see.
Summer rain brings greener bush and thicker vegetation, making wildlife harder to spot.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Rain greens the bush; denser foliage makes wildlife harder to see.
Summer rain brings greener bush and thicker vegetation, making wildlife harder to spot.
Apr
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Sparse vegetation and limited water improve game viewing.
Dry conditions bring thinner vegetation and better game viewing, with cold mornings and evenings.
May
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Sparse vegetation and limited water improve game viewing.
Dry conditions bring thinner vegetation and better game viewing, with cold mornings and evenings.
Jun
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Sparse vegetation and limited water improve game viewing.
Dry conditions bring thinner vegetation and better game viewing, with cold mornings and evenings.
Jul
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Sparse vegetation and limited water improve game viewing.
Dry conditions bring thinner vegetation and better game viewing, with cold mornings and evenings.
Aug
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Sparse vegetation and limited water improve game viewing.
Dry conditions bring thinner vegetation and better game viewing, with cold mornings and evenings.
Sep
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Sparse vegetation and limited water improve game viewing.
Dry conditions bring thinner vegetation and better game viewing, with cold mornings and evenings.
Oct
Green seasonWildlife: Rain greens the bush; denser foliage makes wildlife harder to see.
Summer rain brings greener bush and thicker vegetation, making wildlife harder to spot.
Nov
Green seasonWildlife: Rain greens the bush; denser foliage makes wildlife harder to see.
Summer rain brings greener bush and thicker vegetation, making wildlife harder to spot.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Rain greens the bush; denser foliage makes wildlife harder to see.
Summer rain brings greener bush and thicker vegetation, making wildlife harder to spot.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Details checked October 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.