Makweti Safari Lodge – Crafting unforgettable safari experiences since 1995
25 years of experience in treating guests to the most celebrated and remarkable safari encounters is only the beginning.
- Located right in the centre of Welgevonden’s big five territory with sweeping views over the Makweti Gorge and a nearby water source
- Our experienced guides take each guest on an unforgettable journey of discovery through the African bushveld
- Proud member of the “by-invitation-only” Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – the global hallmark of excellence in cuisine and culinary service
- Specialists in tending to the finest detail, from private plunge pools on your personal deck to the classic artifacts found perfectly placed all around the camp
- One of the few unfenced camps in South Africa, allowing wildlife to amble right up to our doorstep
These are only a few of the highlights that beckon guests back to Makweti. The rest is obviously best experienced in person.
Makweti Safari Lodge has always been one of the smaller camps in the “big five” Welgevonden Game Reserve, proving that size is not a defining factor in the creation of unforgettable experiences. To be perfectly frank, it’s a prime advantage, offering guests the opportunity to find solitude, peace and the personal space to connect with nature, while viewing the exquisite, bustling wildlife in an untainted setting.
Makweti’s Indaba Lounge is a perfectly positioned vantage point to take it all in, with views that extend across a natural flood plain and waterhole. A highlight of Makweti, this water source attracts animals of all sizes and stature as they casually traverse through the unfenced camp. The energy reaches an all-time high when local elephant herds decide to satiate their thirst with water from the guest pools, a spontaneous and breath-taking event.
RELISHING IN SEASONAL MAGIC, COLOUR AND FLAVOUR
Views from the teak decks of the lodge across the undulating landscapes overhanging the Makweti Gorge constantly change their colours, while the summer months bring new life to a natural waterfall that flanks the western side of the main lodge.
Seasonal delights extend to the kitchen where our chefs busy themselves creating unforgettable culinary masterpieces with locally sourced, seasonal fruits, vegetables and spices, to be paired with the finest of South African wines. As a proud member of the “by-invitation-only” Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – the global hallmark of excellence in cuisine and culinary service – we are constantly and consistently creating authentic, African-inspired themes that resonate with flavour.
CONSIDERATION OF ALL CREATURE COMFORTS
The intimate nature of Makweti is further solidified by having only ten guests at the lodge at one time. Five air-conditioned suites, built from African stone and thatch, are dotted around the main lodge, accessible by winding pathways through the natural bushveld. Each one accommodates two people and has an expansive, private deck facing one of Welgevonden’s glorious scenes, with four of the five suites being complete with a private plunge pool.
All suites tend to the human need for comfort, with a healthy dose of luxury and indulgence. Melt into the king size beds (which can be exchanged for two twins), invigorate the senses with an outdoor (or indoor) shower, or warm up after a drive with a decadent soak in the Victorian bath tub as the chill rises off the land. Enjoy the views from your suite, as you sip on treats from the minibar.
BIG FIVE GAME VIEWING
Makweti has two game vehicles and three dedicated, skilful guides for our ten guests. The diversity of wildlife in the reserve is simply beyond belief. It’s also best explored through the eyes of our professional guides whose wisdom extends beyond anything learnt in a book. Savour their stories of the wildlife and ecology, infused with African folk-wisdom and personal anecdotes. Walking safaris can be arranged by prior request, tailored to your unique preferences or interests.
WELGEVONDEN GAME RESERVE
Makweti Safari Lodge is nestled within Welgevonden Game Reserve, a malaria-free wilderness of over 40,000-hectares. Our home reserve is ranked among one of the largest in the country, and certainly one of the most pristine. Welgevonden is a part of the UNESCO-declared Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, which is characterised by high-plateau geology, magnificent cloudscapes, crystalline streams and an immense diversity of wild species.
The fact that guests are not permitted to drive their own vehicles within the reserve adds to the exclusive nature of the Makweti experience.
If you are searching for the genuine African experience, allow yourself to be swept away on the adventure of a lifetime with Makweti Safari Lodge.