Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve (more often referred to as plain Makalali) is a fenced private game reserve whose prolific wildlife includes all the Big Five. Its luxury lodges are renowned for their fine dining and excellent service. The two main five-star properties are 30-room Main Lodge and the smaller River Lodge, which is split into three exclusive private camps each with six luxury suites. Other options include Garonga Safari Camp (six luxury tents), Little Garonga (three suites) and four exclusive-use camps.
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Best Time To Go
- May to September (Dry season)
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High Season
- October to March (Rarely crowded)
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Size
- 250km² / 97mi²
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Altitude
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417-637m /1,368-2,090ft
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Pros & Cons
- Excellent wildlife viewing with all of the Big Five present
- Day and night drives and available
- Balloon safaris available
- Cheetah breeding project
- Off-road driving in open safari vehicles
- Several stylish lodges and camps offering great service and food
- Expensive packages and no self-drive option
- Less authentic experience than in bigger ecosystems
Wildlife
Greater Makalali boasts the Big Five and other wildlife including cheetah, wild dog, greater kudu, zebra and giraffe. Because of the relatively small fenced area, numbers of any species are limited, and sightings become slightly predictable, especially if your stay is longer than a few days.
More about Greater Makalali’s wildlifeScenery
The main habitats in the parks are and grassland. The reserve is bisected by the Makhitswi River, a tributary of the Olifants, and it offers great views of the Drakensberg .
Weather & Climate
During winter (May to September), temperatures hover between 11°C/52°F and 26°C/79°F on average. It is generally dry. Remember to bring a warm jacket for chilly early morning game drives. The rain sweeps through in summer (October to April) when temperatures soar, and the humidity can be oppressive.
More about the weather and climateBest Time To Visit
The prime time for spotting wildlife in Makalali is from May to September, as climatic conditions are far more pleasant. Also, the vegetation thins, so smaller animals are more easily seen. This coincides with the low season.
More about the best time to visit