Makanyane Safari Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
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MAKANYANE SAFARI
LODGE -
MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
A
new luxurious and exclusive safari lodge, Makanyane is situated on
private land within the magnificent 75,000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe
Game Reserve - home to the Big 5 and a myriad of other animal and
bird species. Makanyane, which lies hidden in lush riverside forest,
offers unforgettable wildlife experiences, exquisite accommodation
and cuisine as well as outstanding personal service.
Makanyane Safari
Lodge was designed by a team of award winning architects to effortlessly
blend with the surrounding bush. The relaxed yet luxurious interiors
complement the design perfectly, tastefully enhancing the atmosphere
of comfort in this idyllic environment.
The lodge consists of a beautiful
main building and eight stunning suites, which lie hidden in the
lush forest, offering spectacular views over the tranquil Marico
River. Situated on 1,800 hectares of private ground within the Madikwe
Game Reserve along South Africa's border with Botswana, the lodge
has accommodation for a maximum of sixteen guests, ensuring that
each
guest has privacy
and
individual
attention.
Visit Makanyane Safari Lodge to experience the drama and mystery of
Africa's vast natural history, exhilarating wildlife, ancient legends
and rich cultural history and to relax and revitalise body and mind. |
Accommodations For
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Makanyane Safari Lodge can accommodate a total of sixteen guests. Accommodation
comprises eight luxurious double suites, each with it's own lounge,
en-suite bathroom and shower, secluded outside shower as well as private
game viewing and sun deck with a spectacular view of the surrounding
bush.
Each suite is air conditioned and
heated and has underfloor heating in the bathroom, a fireplace,
mini bar, fridge, hot beverage facilities,
mini-safe, overhead fans and direct dial telephones and
are fully air-conditioned and heated. Bath robes,
hairdryers, insect spray, mosquito repellent, sun block, shampoo,
conditioner and body lotions are all available in the suite. International
adapters are available.
A stroll along the shady path winding
through the riverine forest will bring you to your romantic and
secluded suite. As in the main lodge,
rich African textures abound, walls of natural rock and dried tree
trunks merge with rough teak doors and contrast with the overhanging
thatch. The glass walled bedroom suites allow uninterrupted views
of the river and the surrounding bush. The open-fronted lounge with its private sundeck is the perfect
place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush. The call
of the fish eagle echoes down the river as elephants, escaping the
heat of the day, plunge into the deep water and disturb the sleeping
hippo.
The spectacular bathrooms have under-floor heating as well as indoor
and outdoor showers. The wide, folding doors can be opened to allow
the sounds and scents of the surrounding bush to join you in the
luxurious freestanding bathtub. The understated luxury of your suite
flawlessly compliments your untamed surroundings.
Facilities
Located on the edge of a ravine, Makanyane's dramatic
main lodge overlooks a stream-filled waterhole shaded by a dense canopy
of trees. Enormous
ancient Leadwood trees in the lounge and the dining room support the
sweeping thatch roof. The spacious lounge area has two rock fireplaces
and opens out onto a wide wooden deck hanging over the ravine and waterhole
below.
On this wooden
deck is the well stocked bar with its sweeping roof. The gracious
dining room also opens onto the vast deck area, perfect
for enjoying a meal under the trees while watching game drink below.
The main lodge has a curio shop where you can browse for souvenirs,
a library area and an extensive wine cellar.
Upstairs is the air-conditioned den with a viewing deck, the elevated
position providing panoramic views of the grasslands. Sweeping
plains roll out towards the horizon, surrounded by a breathtaking
skyline.
The heated, secluded swimming pool is the ideal place to soak
up the African sun, while enjoying the idyllic scenery.
Close to the main lodge is the boma, an open air dining area enclosed
by bush, reeds and trees. The boma is the perfect place to enjoy
dinner next to a blazing fire. Sit back and enjoy the view out
over the Marico River, the stars blinking through the canopy of
leaves above you.
Not far from the main lodge,
an isolated viewing deck stands on the edge of the plains.
In this tranquil, tree shaded place, you
can enjoy a quiet drink, while watching elephants stride through
herds of waterbuck, zebra and impala grazing in these breathtaking
grasslands. You may even see lion or cheetah moving through the
grass, their vigilant stare searching for their next meal.
Gym and Spa
The well equipped gym and bush spa is just the place to work up
an appetite, or to simply pamper yourself. Tucked away in the forest,
this air-conditioned facility has all that you need for a gentle
workout or more strenuous exercise. Alternatively, treat yourself
to massage or aromatherapy from Makanyane's onsite masseuse.
Business
A computer with full internet
access is available for the use of guests together with fax services.
Satellite television and
video are also provided. Makanyane has air conditioned conference facilities for 16 people.
Dining
Makanyane prides itself on the exceptional
quality of its food and wines, adding another memorable dimension
to your stay. The food is skilfully and imaginatively prepared
by David Stevens,
the executive chef who developed his considerable skills in five
star hotels around the World. David has blended his European and
African experiences with the flavours and fresh local produce of
the area to create delicious and memorable dining experiences.
The delicious cuisine is
complimented by superb South African wines from Makanyane's
extensive cellar. As
well as offering classic wines
such as Kanonkop's Paul Sauer and Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance,
they have gone to great lengths to search out excellent quality,
value and range in their wine list. This
ensures that for wine lovers, Makanyane is a real treat.
Activities
Activities at Makanyane revolve around relaxing your body and mind
and experiencing the rich details of your surroundings.
To experience the vibrant
bush life around you, allow yourself to be led through Madikwe's
75,000 hectare environment, either on foot or in an open vehicle.
Makanyane's dedicated professional rangers will guide you on
dawn and dusk excursions into the
wild. You will travel through the bush in open safari vehicles
specially designed to provide comfort and safety. Alternatively,
enjoy the thrill of walking through this untamed wilderness.
Whatever your preference, your rangers will share their wealth
of knowledge with you, giving you insight into the endless intricacy
of the African ecosystem.
Enjoy Champagne as the setting
sun gently illuminates the sky before darkness falls over the
bush around you. As you set off again, a shielded spotlight helps
to reveal the secretive creatures of the African night. Brown
hyena, genet, civet, bushbaby, aardvark, pangolin and owls are
just some of the species to be seen in this dark wonderland. During midday hours, relax by
lounging at the heated swimming pool, strip away the stress of
city living
with
a massage
or
aromatherapy on your private
deck or in the bush spa, unwind by exercising in the gym, or simply
catch up on your quiet time by selecting a book from the library
and settling down in the den or on one of the outside decks to
read.
Watch
the wildlife, oblivious to your presence, from one of the bush
hides
overlooking
a waterhole
or facing plains that stretch
to the horizon. You could even sleep out under the stars while
nocturnal life continues around your secure, elevated deck.
Look-outs and Hides
Rustic hides have
been placed in certain idyllic locations on Makanyane's private
and
exclusive
land. One
of these hides overlooks a waterhole
hidden deep in the bush, a favourite place for animals and birds
to drink. Another looks over the vast plains, providing observers
with an ever-changing view of animals moving across the breathtaking
landscape. Those reluctant to surrender
to the luxury of their suite can continue their African experience
by sleeping out under a velvet
canopy pierced with uncountable stars. To allow guests to experience
the ambience of the bush at night, beds will be made up on the
upper deck of a hide hidden deep in the bush, next to a waterhole.
The overnight hide brings you even closer to the sounds and experiences
of the African bush at night.
Wildlife
& Environment
Madikwe Game Reserve
The 75,000 hectare Madikwe
Game Reserve is South Africa's second largest game reserve and
Makanyane is situated on 1,800 hectares of private ground within
the reserve. The reserve is a joint venture embracing the North
West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities.
Madikwe
is situated in the North West Province
of South Africa, some
eighty kilometres north of the town of Zeerust. The Dwarsberg range of hills forms
the southern boundary of the reserve, while the border of the neighbouring
Botswana forms the northern boundary. The Marico River, the only
perennial river in the reserve, runs along the eastern boundary
and the main Zeerust-Gaborone road forms the western boundary of
the reserve
Established in 1991, Madikwe was the site of operation Phoenix
- the largest translocation of game ever undertaken - with over
10,000 animals reintroduced into the reserve. Madikwe Game Reserve
is more than just an incredible malaria-free safari destination,
it is an internationally significant conservation initiative.
Madikwe Game Reserve has an astonishing
array of wildlife. Elephant, rhino (black and white), lion, leopard,
buffalo, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, brown hyena,
spotted hyena, springbok, eland, kudu, wildebeest, warthog, crocodile
and Chacma baboon are some of the larger species to be seen.
Smaller species include rock dassie, African civet, genet, bush
baby, porcupine, and aardvark. Numerous antelope
species also roam the reserve.
Lions laze on Madikwe's wide plains, as zebra and
blue wildebeest keep a wary distance. Both black and white rhino
can be seen in Madikwe and herds of buffalo wander through the
wooded areas of the reserve. The elusive leopard may be spotted
sleeping on the limb of a tree, while comical warthogs forage in
the undergrowth below. The Madikwe Game Reserve is a bird watchers' paradise,
with over 340 species listed here. These include many species of
raptor, such as the Martial Eagle, the African Fish Eagle, the
Secretary Bird and the Pale Chanting Goshawk. Spotted Eagle Owls
are common here, as is the tiny Pearlspotted Owl.
Wild Dogs
Wild Dogs, called Makanyane by the
Tswana people, are also known as Painted Wolves and were once called Cape
Hunting
Dogs. The Wild Dog
is the largest of the wild canids in Africa and is now one of Africa's
most endangered carnivores. It is estimated that less than 5,000 Wild Dogs
still survive in the wild and viable populations are only found in larger
reserves and uninhabited areas in Southern and Eastern Africa. Wild Dogs are extremely gregarious animals and are usually found in
packs of between five and fifteen members. Each pack has a clearly defined
social hierarchy and is led by a dominant (or alpha) male and female.
Working together in these highly organised units, the Wild Dog is an
effective predator, capable of bringing down prey as large as Buffalo.
They are also able to defend themselves against their natural enemies,
Lions and Spotted Hyenas.
The bonds between all the members of the pack are very strong, all the
dogs cooperate in caring for and feeding any pups as well as any sick
or injured members of the pack. In most packs only the dominant (alpha)
male and female successfully reproduce. Although persecution by man,
susceptibility to diseases such as rabies, and diminishing natural areas
have all taken their toll on Africa's Wild Dog population, there is now
a concerted effort to conserve and protect these fascinating animals.
In December 1994, as part of the huge game translocation
operation called Operation Phoenix, wild dogs were relocated into the
Madikwe Game Reserve. Three female dogs, captive bred at a breeding
station for rare and endangered species, were put into an enclosure
in the reserve with three male dogs captured just outside the Kruger
National Park. The six animals formed a new pack and were then released
into the reserve. The project was resoundingly successful and today
the Madikwe Game Reserve has a viable and thriving population of Wild
Dogs. The dogs show no fear of vehicles and provide guests at Makanyane
with wonderful game viewing, offering rare insights into the lives
of these fascinating creatures in their natural environment.
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