Any time is the right time to visit Makongo Hills, where few thrills can beat the encounter with Africa’s Big 5, traditionally those animals who pose the greatest danger – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard.
Our Big Five game drives offer an exclusive, intimate window into 15,000 hectares of pristine Zululand wilderness. With very few vehicles traversing the reserve at any one time, you are guaranteed a highly personalized safari, free from crowds or queuing.
Central to this experience are our exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate game guides. They are expert trackers and bush historians who love sharing the secrets of the reserve—from complex animal behaviours to local bird calls. Together with your guide, you will track the iconic lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo across diverse habitats, enjoying unhurried, front-row viewings.
This vast landscape gives the animals true freedom to roam, making every encounter authentic and thrilling. We ensure your safari remains private, quiet and deeply connected to nature, guided by experts who bring the African bush to life.
What To Bring:
Morning drives start chilly, and evening drives cool down quickly after sunset. Neutral-coloured layers (khaki, green, or grey) are ideal.
A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
To ensure you stay comfortable and fully capture every moment on your game drive.
Essential footwear to keep you comfortable throughout your safari experience.
A lightweight, windproof jacket provides protection against the breeze in our open 4x4 vehicles.
Out of respect for fellow guests and the wildlife, we kindly request that all cell phones be switched off or turned to completely silent during game drives.
The variety of habitats – from open grassland and rolling savannah to acacia woodland, riverine thicket, sand forest and rocky riverine cliffs – provides food, shelter and breeding habitat for an extraordinary range of birdlife.
For the keen birder, the reserve offers the pleasure of discovering both familiar African species and some of the more elusive and sought-after birds of northern Zululand. Water-loving species gather around the dams, pans and watercourses, while kingfishers, herons and bee-eaters can be seen along the water’s edge.
Open grasslands provide hunting and foraging grounds for lapwings, cranes, longclaws (also known as Geelkeelkalkoentjie) and Secretary Birds, while the woodland and thickets hold an abundance of smaller birds, including sunbirds, bulbuls, woodpeckers, flycatchers and seed-eaters. The cliffs and larger trees provide important nesting and roosting sites for raptors and other large species
Being off-grid and away from towns and cities means that Makongo Hills has very little artificial light, allowing the natural night sky to remain largely undisturbed.
As the sun sets over the reserve, the changing light is a reminder of the natural rhythms that shape the bush. Once darkness falls, the absence of light pollution allows the stars to become clearly visible, with the Milky Way often stretching across the night sky.
Dark skies are an important part of a healthy natural environment. They provide natural conditions for nocturnal wildlife, insects and birds, whose behaviour and movement can be affected by artificial light.
For guests, this offers a simple opportunity to experience the reserve after dark – from watching the sunset, to sitting quietly around the fire beneath a sky filled with stars. It is another part of what makes protecting wild, undeveloped spaces so valuable.
Make your visit truly unforgettable with carefully crafted enhancements designed to add comfort, romance, adventure, and authenticity to your time with us:
enjoy a harvest table at a scenic viewpoint, sharing fresh, local flavours
we make your Romantic Getaways memorable
Find more pictures and details for bush breakfast experiences.
Enjoy a beautiful harvest table setup at the viewpoint overlooking the scenery.
Exceptional birding and game viewing opportunities directly from the lodge.
Great reads available around the lodge and in all rooms—all pertinent to wildlife, birding, history, and South Africa.
Pre-arranged picnic lunch at the bird hide or bushcamp, or a special romantic meal served on your private deck.
To be discussed with the lodge manager and available if weather and conditions allow.
