Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve

9.2

Wonderful

40 Guest reviews

9.2

Wonderful

40 Verified Reviews

Read all reviews

Cleanliness9.4/10

Service9.2/10

Comfort9.6/10

Condition9.2/10

Neighborhood9.6/10

Amenities10/10

Excellent for big 5

Excellent for bush lovers

Great new hotel - super rooms

We spent a long weekend at this reserve - two adults and a teen. The hotel was lovely - new rooms and well-designed open, communal spaces. We booked two rooms and it was a bonus that they could be made to be interleading. The hotel rooms are exactly that - hotel rooms - and maybe lacking some of the charm of free-standing lodge units but very comfortable and well-appointed. The guide and tracker were friendly and knowledgeable and we enjoyed our game drives. It was great to be able to go off-road to get closer to rhino and cheetah. Whilst this is a big 5 reserve, you do travel the same roads quite a bit but the guide made an effort to vary things up on each drive and to go look for specific animals. The food was nice - and not as "conference-like" as the bigger Ivory Tree Aha resort - but not knock-your-socks-off amazing. The downside of a smaller lodge is slightly less variety and choice - but to me still better than endless buffets. Aha is running some specials where kids stay free. What this meant was that over the long weekend there were lots of noisy children in the pool and running around at the boma dinner. The hotel manager did make a plan for us to go to the quieter pool at the nearby smaller lodge which was very kind of her. Unfortunately though listening to a child play a loud game on a phone all the way through the boma dinner compromised the "peace of the bush" experience. Overall - we would go again. We had a great stay and thought it was good value.

Great hotel and game park, not so good food

Overall the stay was excellent based on the accommodation and the rangers taking us to see the most amazing array of wild animals. The only downside were the quality of the food and too many over attentive waiters and waitresses who must learn to be not so keen to remove your drink or plate, especially when you or your dining partner are still eating!

Best customer service

The customer service was absolutely above and beyond. You are treated like family. Room and lodge area is absolutely beautiful and the food was amazing. I will definitely book at Makalali again for my next visit!

Safarimazing

We had an amazing stay, all the staff were extremely friendly and it was amazing to be living in the bush with all of the luxury conveniences in a very clean and organised lodge. Shout out to Lovedeliah (camp host), Stanley (game drive tracker), and Louise (game drive guide). The wifi was very weak around the property but you're in the bush so it was ok to be off the grid for a few days!

Beautiful place to stay

Beautiful facilities, super comfortable room, great staff, food was ok but not a highlight. We got to see most animals from very up close on the safari however most of the time we are just driving thru the bushes, I can’t compare to other areas but I guess it’s normal. Only weird thing is paying a lot for an all inclusive resort and having to pay separately for water :/

It has seen its days ... but they are over!

We are repeat guests that will not come back again. The offerings of activities beside game Drives i s zero, food is good prepared but basic (Pap and Chicken and Wors) Far to expensive for what is offered, there is not even a mini bar, the shampoo stinks and the whole lodge has been due for maintennance for more than five years.

Best reserve

A+ Great property, great service

A little slice of heaven

Though getting to Makalali is a little tricky, once you get there - it's wonderful. Gorgeous rooms, beautiful views and surroundings, great game drives every day and plenty of food and drink. The staff look after you very well, the rooms have everything you need to relax and enjoy yourself. I had a fantastic stay - saw some amazing animals really up close - and relaxed in a wonderful and peaceful place.

Superb African experience staying at the lodge

I stayed this November for a few days at the Makalali Game Reserve/Lodge. Everything from start to finish I enjoyed fully. From check in by Caroline to Ranger Lawrence was flawless including viewing all of the animals. The separate rooms are in their own buildings along the side of a dry river bed and allow you to view out from you room, front deck or outdoor shower. You walk along a path to where breakfast/lunch are served in African style. I weather permits you are fed dinner outside in a group setting under the stars. If you have Ranger Lawrence for your guide (he has 20 years of experience) sometime along the safari ask him to give you a "Lawrence African Tale"

Dedicated rangers

Really nice private safari experience. Rangers worked hard to track down the animals and get really right up close.

Great Experience!

Over all experience was excellent! Location of the lodge is in the middle of the jungle without fence, you can see animals like Elephant or Impalas walking pass your room. It was a great experience! The location, room, game drives and the staff are the main points of the lodge. Only few flaws. I wish there is more vareity on the food, dining areas should have separate tables in case guest would like to dine separated from other guests and when it says 'all inclusive' the staff should inform the guests what are chargeable and what are not so you dont get surprised when you check out. All in all, we had a fantastic time.

Room with and African view

The lodge accommodation and room layout is fantastic with a beautiful large and very comfortable bed with a fantastic view out of a floor to roof window and a wonderful fire in the room. The outdoor shower was a great way to wake up. The staff is very accommodating and friendly and unobtrusive. The food had many good ideas and the dinning areas are beautiful while the service was more than satisfactory, but I do think that they could have done better when it comes to the taste. It was almost as if the preparation was rushed. The game drives are really good and the guides are very knowledgeable, but i would have liked a bit more attention to the smaller things like birds, reptiles and insects and maybe a bit of time by a watering hole instead of the constant drive to see the big 5.

Incrível , a acomodação é mto boa , quarto amplo , chuveiro incrível. Alimentação boa , e game drive inclusos incrível, com saída as 6:00am e as 4:00pm , com destaque a Isaac e butter os rangers, incríveis ….. Muito satisfeito e retornaria ao local com certeza.

Bad Food and incompetent rangers

Food is much below expectations. Most of the meat served was undercooked including chicken. Service Staff is incompetent as many places in South Africa. We have ordered wine one night and waitress just dropped the bottle in out table and left without opening and serving. Then we had to call another waitress to serve it. You need to tell everything and common sense was missing. English of the ranger for the game drives was not perfect and he was not really talkative or giving information unless asked, he was more like , yeah here is an impala but no information. Also to many questions that we have asked, the answer was “I don’t know”. I think it is worth to stretch the budget a bit more to stay in somewhere nicer.

非常に洗練された綺麗なホテルで、シャワーやクーラーなどの設備もかなり良かったです。また、宿泊費に含まれている食事もおいしかったし、ゲームドライブも非常に楽しかったです。

Tivemos de trocar as datas da nossa viagem devido à pandemia do Covid-19 e fomos muito bem instruidos e atendidos pela gerente de reservas. Esperamos pela estadia em Novembro.

Lugar incrível ! Estrutura do hotel impecável, funcionários super atenciosos e simpáticos !! Vimos vários animais em casa Safari, inclusive um grupo de leões caçando GNUS! Carros do Safari com cobertor e capa de chuva ( precisamos !) e com guias muito bem informados !

Rangers very good. Place and location very good. Food: not good . Very average and always the same. A shame...

un séjour inoubliable

magnifique hébergement ,personnel aux petits soins,repas variés et de bonne qualité,des safaris extras bref rien à dire! sans oublier l'apéro en fin de safari du soir en pleine brousse et le café lors de celui du matin! le plus dur est d'arriver (et d'en repartir!)car la piste est ravinée mais après c'est que du bonheur!