Garonga Safari Company

Hotel · Mopani

Garonga Safari Company

Hotel · Mopani

Selati Portion 12, KT 143, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, 1390, South Africa

Highlights

Chic tents, amazing food, knowledgeable guides, star baths

Selati Portion 12, KT 143, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, 1390, South Africa Get directions

garonga.com

@iescape

Garonga Safari Camp, Makalali Game Reserve, Kruger, South Africa - Explore & Book

"Situated in the 22,000-hectare private Makalali Reserve, west of South Africa's famous Kruger Park, Garonga is a piece of heaven. From the moment you are greeted at the huge sculpted gates and admire the North African-inspired architecture, Garonga’s uniqueness is tangible. Hot towels refresh you after the dusty drive, and after a cool passionfruit cocktail, you feel life’s pressures melt away.All activity is geared to your timescales, not the camp’s. Head out on game drives, or just relax, snooze, sunbathe, daydream and be pampered all day long in the most tranquil and breathtaking of settings. The choice is yours. And for those seeking an intimate bush experience, 'sleep-out' excursions under the stars offer you the chance to sleep among the wildlife, as you wake to the sound of bird song and zebras coming down to the watering hole. As English owner, Bernie Smith, so rightly says, Garonga is a “safari for the soul”. Highs Garonga's unique candlelit outdoor bush bath and romantic sleep out treehouse provide memorable moments during which wilderness and luxury collideSmall, intimate, owner-managed safari camp with wonderful staff, expert guides and uncrowded, unhurried 'Big Five' game-viewingStylish half-tented suites with private decks and indoor/outdoor showers; elephants have been known to wander past...Seriously delicious food and blissful aromatherapy massages, reiki and reflexology sessions in the open-air sala You can book Little Garonga or the MCH tented camp for an exclusive getaway for up to eight Lows Unlike many of the top private reserves in the area, Makalali is fully fenced and not yet linked to the huge Kruger Park. Game viewing is good but slightly more limited, which is reflected in the lower pricesIn winter, night time temperatures can dip to 5C. Electric blankets are put in the beds, but it's essential to bring a woolly hat, jumper and warm jacket for early morning and evening game drivesIn summer, temperatures can soar and there can be significant rainfall especially Jan-Mar. The camp is closed throughout MarchWe have yet to see the latest addition, the MCH tented camp, in person but it looks wonderful" - Davina Mackail

https://www.i-escape.com/garonga-safari-camp

View Postcard for Garonga Safari Company

akpLondon

Google

Excellent facilities, both in our lodge and the main building with great reference books. Very friendly helpful staff and amazing food. Guide and tracker Jeff and Gilbert are so knowledgeable and patient with all our questions. The reserve is in a rugged area with views of the distant Drakensberg mountains, making it very interesting. Great variety of animals to see and many beautiful birds. Doing a bush walk with Jeff and sharing a meal with guests from the main Garonga Lodge were highlights along with the incredible animals and the heated blanket in the bed.

Adventure06650071798

Google

We had the most amazing stay at Little Garonga. It was the absolute highlight of our trip to South Africa. From the minute we arrived, we were looked after in every aspect. The games drives were superb - Kaiser and Godlove were definitely the best team we could have wished for. So passionate about their jobs and letting us experience everything the private reserve had to offer. Watching their process tracking the animals was mesmorizing and then being able to see the animals so close was phenomenal. Robert and the lodge staff were fabulous as well, catering for all our needs. The drinks and meals were delicious and plentiful. Norma was phenomenal in tracking down our lost luggage and having it delivered to the lodge in a timely fashion. The sleepout is an absolute must do. We felt so safe and sleeping under the stars was a once in a lifetime experience. The spa treatment was gorgeous as well and I would highly recommend the Chrystal ball massage. Nothing at Little Garonga was too much to ask for. It was the most incredible part of our trip and we hope to return to this magical place some time soon.

Georgielikethefish

Google

We had an incredible stay at Garonga Safari Camp for our honeymoon this year. The team were so welcoming and friendly - we felt right at home as soon we arrived and were warmly welcomed. It felt like we were visiting family. The food was incredible, as was the service, and our safari lodge had everything we needed to be comfortable - including a heated blanket for those chilly nights. We spotted the big 5 during our three night stay (plus lots of giraffes, Zebras, Kudu, Cheetahs and lots of birds!) and our two guides Kaiser & Godlove were respectful of the animals, and very knowledgeable. We had such a wonderful stay and it was a real highlight of our trip. We even had a massage and a star bath in the African bush, and enjoyed the sleep out experience which was very special. We would definitely recommend Garonga to anyone looking for a special adventure.

N6308OQellieh

Google

We stayed at Garonga Safari Camp in May 2025 as part of our Honeymoon and it was just the most incredible experience. The camp itself is luxuriously appointed, each "tent" is well thought out with supremely comfortable beds, with a nice touch being electric blankets that get turned out as part of their turn down service. ||The game drives are phenomenal, our guide, Oli, and tracker Roy worked tirelessly to find the game within the reserve and we were lucky enough to encounter the Big 5 while we were there for 5 days, all incredible sightings and they took their time whenever we encountered the wildlife.||The food as all amazing, we had two Boma dinners while we were there, with thoughtful cuisine cooked up and a great environment for the social dining experience. On other nights, we could enjoy candlelit and romantic dinners for just the two of us, with incredibly refined dining and a great wine selection.||Finally, the staff make this place - they are all so welcoming, accommodating, friendly and clearly love the environment in which they operate within. We hope to go back one day! Thank you.

MarcusGee

Google

This was the trip of a life time! ||My wife and I visited here on our honeymoon for a 5 night safari, and it was incredible from start to finish. Oli, Roy, Gilbert, Jeff and Phineas are incredible guides and trackers and were able to find the Big Five and Ugly Five on our drives. Molly, Bernie and all the staff at the lodge were welcoming and very friendly. The facilities were amazing - lovely safari tents, drinks bar, and the breakfast balcony to watch the elephants come and drink! ||Thoroughly recommend the sleep out deck, bush walk and star bath - all incredible experiences!||Can’t wait to come back, and will be recommending to all our family and friends. ||Thank you to all the staff and especially the hosts for making our trip so memorable.

Alfredingulli

Google

We have excellent encounters with lions, elephant, giraffes and rinos on the game drives but had to do a bit of searching to find them. The game viewing at the camp water hole hole was exceptional. Loaded with animals even more than seen on the game drives. Elephants in camp were very exciting. Incredible bird life. Wonderful staff.

pattomnotes

Google

We stayed at the MCH Luxury Safari Camp. An amazing experience. From the minute we arrived until final departure each and every event was well planned and executed. The staff, facilities, meals and accommodations are unsurpassed! This trip was well worth the time and expense! Well done to all.

Sharon Young

Google

Garonga safari camp is better than 5 stars. The rooms were so comfortable and clean. The shower pressure is amazing. The outdoor shower is neat. It is so cool to shower while looking at animals at the waterhole hole. The food was delicious. The driver and tracker were so knowledgeable. The experiences they provided were out of this world. The manager, the servers, chefs, housekeepers, the transfer drivers. Everyone worked around the clock to ensure our experience at Garonga was perfect and it was. My only complaint is 5 nights wasn’t Enough.