2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #10 - Makanyi Private Game Lodge

from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary

TIMBAVATI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Timbavati is one of the largest and best known of the Kruger Private Reserves, extending over an enormous 500 square kilometers. The Timbavati is one of South Africa's undiscovered wilderness jewels; home to Africa's big five, in an area renowned for its biodiversity, ranging from savannah woodlands to grasslands and riverine glades. The reserve was established in 1956 by landowners. A unique feature of the Timbavati is the low rate of commercialization, with game lodges that are dedicated to preserving the sense of true wilderness. The reserve is also known for its population of rare white lions.

TRANSFER
Departure time 7:00AM: Transfer by road to the Cape Town Airport where you will be met and assisted with check-in and boarding of your departing flight to Hoedspruit.

CAPE TOWN-HOEDSPRUIT
SA Airlink 4Z657 - Departs 10:30 - Arrives 13:00

TRANSFER
On arrival in Hoedspruit, you will be met and transferred by road to your next accommodation. Should time allow; enjoy an afternoon game viewing activity.

MAKANYI PRIVATE GAME LODGE

Located in the southern sector of the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, Makanyi Private Game Lodge offers an authentic connection to the African wilderness, with breathtaking views over a tranquil dam.

Your suite, decorated in earthy tones, blends luxury and comfort with the spirit of the bush. The lodge features seven luxury suites and a two-bedroom Marula Suite, each with a sitting area and fireplace, en-suite bathroom with a shower, separate bathtub, outdoor shower, and premium amenities.

The main lodge exudes safari chic, with inviting dining and lounge areas, a viewing deck, swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and spa. Attentive staff ensure your stay is as seamless and memorable as the landscape that surrounds you.

Activities:

Morning & afternoon game drives, bush walks, fishing. Optional activities for an additional cost: photographic safaris and art safaris Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated. Walking and water activities are dependent on seasonal conditions and water levels.

Unfortunately, my cold is worse. Sharon and I both had a restless sleep. Up just after 5 am, we packed up the room and had a continental breakfast.

A car picked us up at 7 am and took us to the Capetown Airport. It was about a 50 minute drive.

Rothschild had someone meet us at the curb. He walked us to the luggage checkin, to security and then met us on the other side of security and took us to the gate.

We boarded a 10:30 am flight to Hoedspruit. It was about a two hour flight. We were on the ground just after 12:30 pm. It seemed like we taxied forever to get to the small terminal.

We were met by another driver arranged by Rothschild. After collecting our luggage, we headed to the Makanyi Private Game Lodge. It was about an hour and fifteen drive. Along the way, we saw a number of animals includuing giraffes, zebras and elephants.

We got checked in to our rooms and took a short tour of the facility. The rooms are very nice. I thought that the next lodge was supposed to be nicer, but it is going to be difficult to beat these acommodations.

The rhythm for the next week is going to be very similar. There will be a morning safari from 6 am to 9 am, breakfast at 9:30 am, lunch at 1 pm, an evening safari from 4 pm to 7 pm and then dinner at 7:30 pm.

We went out on the evening safari. Our guide is Carl and our tracker is Rondy. Over the course of the three hours, we saw wildebeests, a den of juvenile hyenas, giraffes, elephants, zebras, impalas, cape buffalo and a saddle billed stork. Driving back in the dark, we got glimpses of an African wild cat and waterbucks.
Back from the safari, we had dinner. I had soup and duck. Sharon also had the duck.

They don't want you wandering between the lodge and our room at night! After dinner, we had a night porter walk us back to the room.

Sharon and I crashed hard about 9:20 pm.