Situated on the banks of the Makhutswi River (meaning place of rest) in the Limpopo province and
nestled on 22 000 hectares of conservancy, Makalali prevails as one of the FINEST PRIVATE GAME LODGES IN THE WORLD. Four exclusive camps, each consisting of six spacious suites adjacent to a stilted Sala set amongst Jackalberry trees, are equipped with ALL THE MODERN CONVENIENCES YOU COULD WISH FOR. Amenities on offer at each camp include a uniquely designed swimming pool, boma, airconditioning, and an enclosed dining and lounge area. Considered one of the LEADING PIONEERS IN ECOTOURISM in South Africa, Makalali Private Game Reserve represents a conservation mission to expand South Africa's green frontier by re-establishing the ancient wildlife migration routes that linked the famous Kruger Park in the east to the lush Drakensberg Mountains in the west. In the process lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, and rhino have all been reintroduced to the wild, making Makalali HOME TO OVER ONE THOUSAND WILD ANIMALS including four of Africa's "Big Five".

Here the ideas of Architect Sylivo Rech were allowed to roam wild. He showed us how to build a lodge under giants that guard the river. With the prize of being voted as the most innovatively designed hotel in the world (Tatler Magazine Travel Award) he did an amazing job. Makalali which means place of rest was originally bought in the early nineties consisting of old cattle farms, situated on the Gravelotte Road between Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. Restocking and regeneration of the veldt were top priorities, but we also wanted to build a lodge with a difference. Sylvio did some drawings, but depending on the site he took the next step. He used the local community to make his ideas take shape – Carpenters, Steelworkers, Plasterers and Thatcher’s. The builders could not quite get used to the idea of building random walls and obscure structures – but they loved his ideas, and his vibrant energy, even when he took a chain and pounded away at the dining room tables to give it character.

Activities

Game Drives in open Landrovers are conducted twice daily. We offer birding safaris, walking safaris, stargazing sessions and team building activities. We are able to arrange tribal Dancing/Drumming. These are performed by local dancers, at an additional cost. Special VIP Turndown with Bubble bath, candles, Rose Petals and Sparkling Wine 340 ml can be arranged at an additional cost.

But let’s not forget the game drives, where you can experience the thrill of the bush rich in game and being home to 4 of the big 5 and various other creatures. This is an exciting reserve sit in a particularly beautiful region of woodland and bush. The Drankensburg mountains along the horizon created an awesome setting, and the Makhutswi River which is a tributary of the Olifants (one of South Africa’s seven major rivers) meanders its way through the reserve with some particular beautiful spots.

The Makalali Team Building program has been designed to accommodate smaller groups that want to have fun together, but at the same time increase the efficiency of their teamwork. All our activities are within the capabilities of the average healthy person, but definitely require a group effort in order to ensure their successful completion. When booking such a program, a specialised Team Building Itinerary will be put together. Individualized team builders are the norm and we require as much info as possible, how trivial it might seem. This will allow your group or party the opportunity to experience the Magic of Makalali by participating in the various game viewing activities.

Some Examples:

Blind navigation: Driver blindfolded – Navigator with bowl of water on lap – rest of team to give directions to navigator. Course 200m zigzag demarcated with hazard tape 300mm clearance on each side of vehicle. Lose 1 point each time tape is touched.

Pole Crossing: 2 left hand wheels of the vehicle to negotiate length of 2 telephone poles joined end to end. (Wheels on poles) Lose 2 points for falling off.

Waiter: Team member to sit on tracker seat with a tray and 10 glasses filled with water. Team to negotiate rocky bumpy section (200m). lose 1 point for each glass spilt.

Pulling: A tow rope gets tied to the vehicle and the whole teams has to pull the vehicle a certain distance in one go

Jousting: Bucket filled with 10 litres of water is suspended from a tree, one team member will be seated on the tracker seat of the landrover with a hook. The suspended bucket has to be emptied into a second bucket held by another team member in the vehicle. Lost 1 point for each litre or part thereof lost

Tyre StandShooting: All team members are to stand on a spare tyre at the same time. Each team is given 15 seconds to practice and thereafter 10 seconds to complete the task. Lose 1 point for each foot not on the tyre. Lose 2 points for each team member not on the tyre.

Facilities

Our guest entertainment area or Conference Centre is situated within close proximity of all our camps and consists of a thatched conference area, outside veranda, bandstand, public toilet and kitchen. It has been designed in such a way so as to accommodate conferences, groups dining together, weddings, gala events, etc. If required, Makalali can arrange Team building activities for delegates during the course of the conference. Makalali will supply conference equipment such as a slide projector with remote, portable screen, overhead projector, white board, flipchart, Television set and a VCR. Any other required equipment can be arranged. Makalali will provide Welcome drinks at check in, refreshments and snacks served during your conference, tea and coffee on hand at all times.

How to get there

Located close to the mighty Drakensberg mountain range, west of the Kruger National Park, this ethnic bush retreat lies in the Gravelotte area of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The distance from Johannesburg to Makalali is 506km

Take the N1 North towards Pretoria take the N4 east to Witbank and onwards to Belfast (Pta to Belfast ± 240km) turn left off the highway to Belfast. In Belfast, turn right at Belfast Toyota onto the Dullstroom / Lydenberg road (R540), at the T-Junction (R540 & R36) turn left to Lydenberg in Lydenberg, at the Ohrigstad sign, turn left and follow the main road of Lydenberg (De Clerq Street) on the Ohrigstad road (R36) follow the R36 through Ohrigstad and through the Strijdom Tunnel turn left towards Tzaneen at the T-Junction (still R36) There is a Total garage on your left – This is also your last petrol stop before the lodge, follow the road over Olifants River, past the Oaks (local village) and past Phalaborwa / Mica turnoff (± 10 km) and follow Makalali signs. Turn right at Gravelotte turnoff, this road becomes a gravel road. Go through the boom gate travel ± 17 km on the gravel road to the Makalali Main Gate on your right hand side.