South Africa Parks
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.
Makalali is a fenced, private game reserve with two luxury lodges. The 4-star Main Lodge consists of 30 comfortable rooms and the 5-star River Lodge consists of 3 exclusive private camps of six luxury suites each. Both lodges are renowned for their fine dining and excellent service. All of the Big Five and other safari animals are easily spotted.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
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.
Scenery
The main habitats in the parks are savannah woodland and grassland. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Makhitswi River and boasts great views of the Drakensberg escarpment.
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.
Best 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.
