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Address:
Lake St Lucia
iSimangaliso
Zululand
KwaZulu Natal
South Africa

Makakatana Bay Lodge


MAKAKATANA BAY LODGE, 4 STAR LODGE
KWAZULU NATAL LODGE ACCOMMODATION

The Makakatana Bay Lodge is the only privately-owned safari facility on the banks of Lake St Lucia and situated inside the glorious World Heritage Site of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal. This is the continent's largest natural estuary. iSimangaliso is special in that, within its borders, there are wilderness beaches, wetlands and game reserves; all beautiful in their appearance and impressive in their abundance. The Makakatana Bay Lodge has achieved a 4-star rating and prioritises luxurious hospitality; the meeting point of elegance and that ever-sought home-away-from-home feeling.

Accommodation

Makakatana Bay Lodge comprises only six suites, of which three are in the dune forest, where animals like the Warthog, Red Duiker, Nyala, Hippo and Bush Baby frequent. All of the comfortable suites are illuminated by natural light and are spacious and airy. While all rooms enjoy stunning views of the surrounds, two of the suites are extra special. One of the suites boasts views of the vlei, while the other showcases the lake in its pristine beauty.

The Honeymoon Suite promises newlyweds a particularly gorgeous experience as it is secluded and has magnificent views of the vlei.

Each suite has terrace doors, expansive windows, sliding doors (with mosquito gauze) and private decks from where to gaze across the South African bushveld and take in the warm afternoon breeze or crisp morning air. This integration with nature sets these lodge suites apart and creates a completely new experience of this awe-inspiring country.
Each suite is equipped with air-conditioning and heating units to ensure the ultimate comfort of the guests, as well as an en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, service bar fridge, telephone, tea- and coffee station and a private viewing deck.

Facilities

Makakatana Bay Lodge offers several facilities that are tailored to meet the important needs of the valued visitors to South Africa. Personalised service is of paramount importance and the entire lodge can accommodate a maximum of 12 people at a time. There is a bar, a television in the main lounge, a dining room, outdoor dining deck, private bush pool on the bed of the lake, a boma (traditional meeting area) in which to enjoy the local cuisine and a wine cellar called the 'Old Crab House'. Guests may request their meals to be brought to their rooms if extra privacy is desired.

Safaris

Guests of the Makakatana Bay Lodge delight in the variety of fauna and flora in KwaZulu Natal, much of which is represented by the bushveld surrounding the lodge. Safaris are designed to expose different areas of the St Lucia iSimangaliso Wetlands and the game reserve. For guests staying at Makakatana Bay for only one night, a morning- and evening game drive is included in that night's accommodation.

For guests staying a little longer, accommodation includes:

Afternoon Game Drive - enjoy your first exploration on the day of your arrival. This is conducted in an open 4 x 4 safari vehicle.

Boat Trips on Lake St Lucia - The perfect end to a hearty breakfast is a boat trip on the lake, followed by a picnic lunch.

Beach Safaris - After breakfast, embark on a slow safari to the ocean and cool down in the waves. After working up an appetite, a picnic lunch will be served on the sand.

Hluhluwe and uMfolozi Big 5 Game Drive - The Hluhluwe Mfolozi Game Reserve is only about 50 minutes' drive from the lodge. Guests leave the lodge to arrive at the game park at around 06h00, when they explore its expanses in search of the Big 5 (Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Lion and Buffalo) as well as Cheetah, Wild Dog, Hyena, Wildebeest, Nyala, Kudu, Impala, Giraffe and Zebra, amongst many others. A picnic is savoured at brunch, after which visitors relax until they return to Makakatana at 13h30. A light lunch is then served.

Morning Game Drive - This game drive takes place before breakfast and exposes a completely different group of animals than those that are active during the heat of the day. Terms and Conditions for Fully Inclusive Safaris Visitors need to inform the Makakatana Bay Lodge staff of which safaris they will be participating in if they are staying for between one and three nights. All safaris are dependent on the weather.

Optional Extra Safaris
External operators work in conjunction with Makakatana Bay Lodge to ensure that guests have the opportunity to see as much of KwaZulu Natal as possible. These safaris are subject to availability and are charged for at the rates of the operators. The lodge can organise transfers to the various activities, or guests can drive themselves. These activities include air flips, horse riding, SCUBA diving, whale watching, turtle tours, fly fishing, deep-sea fishing, visits to Zulu cultural villages and local basket weavers and bird watching.

Location

The Makakatana Bay Lodge is just off the N2 highway / motorway and is about 30km once you have turned just past the Mtubatuba / St Lucia turnoff.

Directions
From Durban, follow the N2 in a northerly direction. Pass the Empangeni / Richards Bay turnoffs as well as the Mtubatuba / St Lucia turnoff and carry on north for approximately 20km. From Gauteng (Johannesburg / Pretoria), head south on the N2. Pass Pongola, Mkuze and the Hluhluwe turnoffs and carry on for approximately 30km. Look out for the Charters Creek / Makakatana turn-off. Follow the road for just under 15km and then carry on as the road becomes gravelled towards Charters Creek. As the road forks, take the right fork towards Makakatana. Follow the signs to the lodge.

The lodge is approximately 2.5 hours from Durban, one hour from Richards Bay Airport and 6.5 hours from Johannesburg.

GPS Coordinates:
S. 28.238456
E 32.41926