- Sanctuary Makanyane has eight luxurious and secluded air-conditioned suites
- Malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black and white rhino.
- Expert guides - we understand how essential your guide is to making your luxury safari South Africa unforgettable.
- Sleep out under the stars - unique opportunity to spend a romantic night under the African sky. Not available June and July.
- Exclusive location - Sanctuary Makanyane is located on 1 800 hectares of privately owned ground which is reserved exclusively for our guests
- Exceptional cuisine - fine wines from the award-winning wine list complement the exceptional cuisine
Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge is located in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. The lodge is accessible by road and air.
There are daily shuttle flights between the reserve and Johannesburg International Airport.
TRANSFER TIMES
By air:
- OR Tambo International Airport to Madikwe Game Reserve - 1 hr
By road:
- OR Tambo International Airport to Makanyane Lodge - 3.5 - 5 hrs
- Madikwe Game Reserve airstrip to Makanyane Lodge - 30 mins
Please note there is a luggage restriction of 20kg of soft luggage for the daily scheduled flights.
South Africa is a big country just south of the tropic of Capricorn, but it is the topography and surrounding oceans that influence its climate, rather than the latitude. Although the climate varies from region to region, it is generally mild and sunny throughout the year.
Winter (May – August) in Madikwe Game Reserve is generally cool and dry with temperatures averaging between 3°C (38°F) to 23°C (73°F).
Summer (September – April) is characterised by hot and wet weather, with temperatures averaging between 25°C (77°F) to 40°C (104°F). The area is classed as a semi-arid region, with 500 mm (19.5 inches) of annual rainfall. This is usually as a result of short thunderstorms in the late afternoon or night time during the summer months.
From November to March light summer clothes are best, although do bring a jumper for the evenings. From April to October warmer clothes are advised as the mornings and evenings can be cold. The days are typically warm and summery though. It’s best to bring neutral coloured clothes for the game drives. A complimentary overnight laundry service is offered in the lodge. Comfortable walking shoes or boots, swimwear, sun bock, insect repellent, sun hat and sunglasses are recommended. We have waterproof ponchos in the game-drive vehicles in case you are caught in any rain. Binoculars and good cameras are an absolute must.
South Africa requires all travellers journeying from yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate.
The Madikwe Game Reserve is not a malaria area. Other areas in South Africa are malaria areas, should you be traveling to other parts of the country, please consult your personal physician for more information.
Visa, Diners, Mastercard, Debit cards and American Express cards are all accepted for any purchases at the lodge. Please note that American Express will undergo a 5% surcharge.
You are travelling on an independent itinerary and the cost of your program does not include gratuities. Tipping is a very personal matter and should only be considered when our staff have gone above and beyond for you.
Whilst tipping is entirely at your discretion, we advise US $15 per person, per day. 1/3 of gratuities is allocated to the guide, and the remainder of the balance is divided amongst the rest of the staff. Gratuities can be added to your account upon check out, given to the lodge manager for distribution, or given directly to the individual staff members.
Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge prides itself on its personalised services. Please let us know if you have any special requests, interests, dietary requirements, allergies or medical conditions.
Our honeymoon services include:
• Complimentary spa treatment and welcome gift of sparkling wine and fruit basket
• Private dinners can be set up upon request
• The lodge is also available for private hire for weddings
Child policy: Children aged 12 and over are welcome at the lodge. Children under 12 years are welcome when the lodge is booked exclusively.
Junior Ranger Course (ages 5-10): Children over the age of 5 are taught survival skills, tracking skills, orientation skills and an endless array of exciting and fun facts about the African bush and why it is so vital to conserve it. Children younger than 5, accompanied by an adult, are also welcome to join the fun. Please note this activity is only available when the lodge is booked exclusively
In the kitchens, our team of exceptional chefs combine the freshest local ingredients with flair, talent and imagination to create delicious meals that will add another exciting dimension to your stay with us. European influences and African flavours are mixed to create unique and memorable dining experiences.
Breakfasts are taken with your guide and any other guests sharing your game-drive vehicles so that you can discuss your safari adventures. The remaining meals are typically private meals, with buffet lunches, afternoon teas and a la carte 3 course dinners where you have a choice of main course. Given prior notice, we cater to most dietary needs and requirements.
Meals are served in a variety of locations throughout the lodge, guests can dine on the main deck under the stars, next to the sparkling swimming pool, in our “Boma” surrounded by forest and under a canopy of stars or even enjoy a “bushbraai” out in the reserve, surrounded only by flickering lanterns.
Private meals can also be quickly and easily set up in the privacy of your suite if you would prefer to dine alone. Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Our sumptuous meals are accompanied by exceptional wines from our wine cellar. Our award-winning wine list has received meticulous attention to detail and, as well as offering classic South African wines such as Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer and Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance, we have gone to great lengths to source wines of excellent quality and variety to compile a selection with something to appeal to everyone. Guests can visit our underground cellar to personally select their own wine from our generous selection of delicious offerings.
Meals typically consist of the following:
• Breakfast: Continental and full English breakfast
• Lunch: Buffet with a selection of dishes
• Dinner: Set menu of 3 courses with 2 or 3 main course choices
Summer Schedule: September - April
• Wake Up: 5am
• Light breakfast
• Game Drive: 5:30am
• Breakfast: 9am
• Lunch 1:30pm
• Tea: 4pm
• Game Drive: 4:30pm
• Dinner: 8:30pm
Winter Schedule: May - August
• Wake Up: 6:30am
• Light breakfast
• Game Drive: 7am
• Brunch: 11am
• High Tea: 3pm
• Game Drive: 3:30pm
• Dinner: 7:30pm
Sleep out under the stars †
† Seasonal or on request
Please click here for more information
Local communities
Makanyane Safari Lodge actively supports the local communities in the area. The majority of our staff are Tswana people from the local communities, providing employment and advancement opportunities and an exciting and varied livelihood.
Guests at the lodge can actively participate, either financially or practically, in assisting impoverished local communities, thereby also supporting the Madikwe Game Reserve. The Makanyane Children’s Tree-planting Campaign is part of our programme where children and their parents are involved in planting saplings in the reserve.
A non-refundable 20% deposit is payable within 7 days of confirming a booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to arrival. If a booking is made 60 days or less before arrival, the full cost is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Sanctuary Retreats. Please email proof of payment to reservations.safrica@sanctuaryretreats.com. There is a fee for payments by credit card which is advised at the time of booking or making a payment.
All cancellations should be made in writing. Cancellation charges (calculated on the total value of the booking):
- If cancelation is received more than 60 days prior to arrival - 20%.
- If cancellation is received from 60 days to 31 days prior to arrival - 50%
- If cancellation is received less than 31 days prior to arrival - 100%
Additional fees apply for cancellation of airline tickets and other services, which will be advised as soon as possible after receipt of the written cancellation. Special cancellation terms apply for group bookings and exclusive use of a camp or lodge, which will be advised at time of booking.
