Makweti Safari Lodge

We were fortunate to have the entire lodge to ourselves, which made for a very peaceful and private stay. The location is beautiful, with the soothing sound of the river flowing nearby, adding to the overall sense of tranquillity.||Our guide, Joseph, was truly outstanding. His knowledge of birds and wildlife was exceptional, from spotting to identifying bird calls, and his passion really elevated the experience. He was a highlight of our stay and an absolute asset to the lodge.||The general lodge staff were pleasant and well trained; however, we did feel that flexibility was lacking. The team operates very efficiently within their set structure, but any requests outside of the planned schedule were met with resistance. For example, despite being the only two guests at the lodge, it was not possible to adjust meal times when I had a work meeting.||The main area where we felt disappointed was the food. Given the lodge’s five-star rating, the dining experience fell short. I am vegan, and while some effort was made—particularly with desserts—the kitchen struggled to consistently cater for dietary requirements. I was given what I had not eaten for breakfast in a wrap for my lunch (which I did not eat either) while I understand non wastage but this should have never been served again for lunch and it was not what was described in the menu. In our view, a lodge advertising itself at this level should be able to accommodate all guests comfortably. Several menu items were not served as described, which was disappointing, and one breakfast was excessively oily and unfortunately inedible.||Additionally, my husband found that the whisky in our room was empty. When he asked for it to be replenished, gin was provided instead and we were told the other options were locked away. This did not align with the level of service expected at a five-star lodge.||Overall, we still had a lovely stay, thanks largely to the setting and our exceptional guide. With improvements in food quality, flexibility, and attention to guest experience, the lodge has the potential.

I enjoyed a weekend with my wife at the amazing Makweti Safari Lodge. It was such a luxurious safari, I can't overstate how exquisite every factor of our experience was! The food was impeccable, the staff were friendly and attentive, and the lodgings, which are lovely stone-and-thatch buildings, are beautifully decorated with tasteful African furnishings. Our room was spacious, and the air-conditioner was heavenly in the summer heat. The room has everything you could hope for - a massive, comfy bed, mosquito net, plush bedding, a private bathroom, private deck with wilderness views complete with a splash pool to cool down in the heat, outdoor shower, tea and coffee facilities, chilled drinks in a minibar, and even WiFi.... And there are only five rooms, so the feeling of solitude and exclusivity makes it even more special. ||The actual safari experience was terrific. Our guide was engaging and knowledgeable, and the reserve is full of wildlife and scenery to explore. It felt like elephants were rolling down the hills, there are just so many of them! It's also a privilege to see rhino families thriving in the wild, and we even had a brief encounter with a black rhino. To the lodge staff: thank you for making us feel so comfortable at Makweti, for the thoughtful attention to detail, the delicious meals, and the exciting game drives! The weekend felt too short... we hope to return to this special place again one day.

We spent four unforgettable nights at Makweti Safari Lodge, and the entire stay exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, the warm welcome, thoughtful touches, and breathtaking scenery made us feel completely at home. The lodge is stunning—elegantly designed with a focus on comfort while blending beautifully into its natural setting.||Our guide and driver, Byron, deserves a special thank you. His knowledge of the bush and wildlife was remarkable, and his respect for nature truly inspiring. Every game drive with him was both thrilling and educational, and his enthusiasm made the experience even more memorable.||We left Makweti feeling incredibly grateful, with memories we’ll cherish for years to come. It’s the perfect destination for anyone seeking an authentic, luxurious safari in South Africa.

We spent two nights at Makweti by accident, as our initially booked Lodge’s room burned down due to a spontaneous fire. We had no idea what to expect and were extremely positively impressed: rooms are spacious and incredibly beautiful and games have been great (Joseph is a very experienced guide). What deserves an extra shout out though is the service and the food: Jackie has been a lovely host and the food is simply extraordinary - from breakfast to dinner, we highly enjoyed every meal. This place is a gem in Welgevonden! Would love to return.

Our friends, who are very experienced safari travelers, chose Makweti Lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve for our first safari experience, and we couldn’t have been happier! The lodge’s atmosphere made our stay feel truly special. Every member of the team did all to make us feel welcome and comfortable. A special thank you to our guide, Byron, whose knowledge, passion, and warm personality made every game drive an unforgettable adventure. We will cherish these memories forever – all our game drives exceeded all expectations!

What a breathtaking safari escape Makweti is! The lodge is tucked away into a lush part of the Welgevonden Reserve, and is an absolute oasis of tranquility and nature! The lodge and rooms are spacious, clean, and elegantly furnished, yet offered a comfortable, at-home feel that is so easy to relax into. ||The reserve itself is magnificent and wild, with a variety of landscapes - flat plains, thick bushveld, deep rocky gorges, and the most enchanting rivers. We enjoyed several elephant and rhino sightings every day, as well as the thrill of tracking lion (which we eventually caught sight of) and leopard (we came so close... next time!). There are just so many fascinating creatures to find here, and our guide, Ruan, was a delight. He was professional and personable and went the extra mile to make sure we were taken care of and comfortable. He shared his knowledge of the wilderness freely and with contagious enthusiasm, but also allowed us to enjoy the stillness of the open reserve.||The food, oh my word - the food! Makweti's meals are the perfect combination of home-style cooking and five-star dining. South African flavours blended with international cuisine, and served in generous, but not wasteful, portions. Ingredients were fresh, prepared flawlessly, and plated beautifully. Their wine lists and beverage options are also carefully chosen to pair with the menus. My favourite was the boma night - a magical, candlelit meal beneath stars and treetops, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness and a crackling fire.||I took my fiancé to Makweti to celebrate his birthday, and it was without a doubt the best weekend break we've shared. They even surprised us with a decadent chocolate cake on the day of his birthday - the kind of thoughtful service that really shows consideration and passion. We felt this level of service throughout our stay, from all the staff, and will cherish the memories made in Makweti's care.

Where to start... we were completely blown away by Makweti Safari Lodge from start to finish! All of the staff were extremely attentive, professional and made us feel like part of the family! Riaan was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and went above and beyond to make sure our time on the game drives and at the lodge was perfect. He had such respect and care for the wildlife and ensured the tranquility of the Bush was unspoilt. The food well and truly took our breath away; a wide array of delicious South African cuisine was a treat for the tastebuds! The staff's (special mention to Jacqui and Zabiwe) attention to detail made our visit so special, especially the beautifully decorated room for our Honeymoon. We could not recommend Makweti Safari Lodge more highly to anyone wishing for the perfect, authentic Safari experience!

It was so special! Makweti is the most special place on earth. The decoration, the place, the service, the welcome, the food, it's all impeccable. Byron was the best guide, he's amazing and tireless. Everybody should have this experience. We miss you already Makweti!!