Yotam one of our Zimbabwean guides has just returned from a SAa17 & CVa21 and experienced Makuwa Safari Lodge. He has the following to share with you. 

What an upgrade on the famous Johannesburg to Cape Town accommodated tour known as "Rainbow Route SAa17"!

I have done this tour a few months back but the change of accommodation on the first day of the tour is an absolute first class upgrade. Makuwa Safari Lodge is an excellent two nights stay on this wildlife packed tour. The lodge is owned by Sunway Safaris and located in the Timbavati conservancy which is close to the greater Kruger giving the first comers (guests) a feel of the good they will see and hear on the tour.

The place is named after a big fig tree located in the middle of lodge grounds. "Makuwa“ is the Shangani name of the fig tree fruit. The word "Makuwa“ can be mistakenly described as "white person" as in Tonga, Nambya and Dombe, Zimbabwe language the term means white person, but the actual meaning is a the Shangani name of fig tree fruit.

At many lodges in Africa the arriving guests are welcomed with some kind of traditional African music, dancing or singing but at Makuwa Lodge it's done differently, here you are welcomed by a herd of cape buffalo, zebra, kudu or other antelope as you drive in from the gate!

At night a campfire is set in an open area in the middle of the lodge grounds. You can listen to all sorts of sounds of animals and night birds. It is also a perfect place for star gazing on a clear sky.

The food at the lodge is par excellence African cuisine and the rooms are beautiful, ensuite, with comfortable beds and lots of space to relax comfortably.

Another good thing about Makuwa Safari Lodge is the distance to Orpen Gate of Kruger National Park. It takes only about 20-25 minutes to the gate and you can start game driving straight away towards Satara Rest Camp which is known for great game viewing especially of the cats.

I wouldn't mind doing the same round trip soon because of the days spent at this magnificent accommodation.