Makutsi Main Camp is set on about 10 hectares of tropical and landscaped gardens that provide guests with plenty of quiet places to relax and take in the surroundings. The camp is rustic, clean and well organized, offering privacy and personal attention to each and every guest. Nestled among indigenous trees, Makutsi offers two warm thermal mineral water pools and a number of activities for guests, allowing for adventure and relaxation to be combined.
Details
Overview
First 5 singles No Single Supplement!
Itinerary Highlights
- Experience a variety of excursions, including game drives and sightseeing in the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains and Blyde River Canyon
- Relax in the two warm thermal mineral water pools between safaris and excursions
- Enjoy your own private safari whilst walking in camp or sitting on their private terrace, as the unfenced camp allows for the free roaming of monkeys, elephants and more
- Observe animal behaviour and listen to the sounds of the bush at Hippo Hide, a viewing deck overlooking a small pond
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive at Makutsi Safari Springs
- Day 2: Game Drive Activities
- Day 3: Kruger National Park
- Day 4: Simba Safari
- Day 5: Drakensberg Mountains and Blyde River Canyon
- Day 6: Game Drive in the Game Reserve
- Day 7: Departure
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrive at Makutsi Safari Springs
On arrival at the airport, our representative will pick you up and transfer you approximately 1 hour to the safari lodge. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing and getting to know the camp and the mineral springs. Dinner is served this evening in the traditional open air "Lapa".
Day 2: Game Drive Activities
Before breakfast our ranger will take you for a 3-hour morning game drive in an open Land Rover. Most of the African wildlife can be encountered here, including elephant, rhino, zebra, lion, giraffe, crocodile, hippo, leopard...the list goes on! Return for breakfast, you deserve a rest and time to enjoy the Makutsi Springs. In the early afternoon, depart for another 3-hour game drive before returning in time for a sundowner at the Makutsi Lapa.
Day 3: Kruger National Park
Depart at 5am for a full day’s game viewing in the world famous Kruger National Park. The early hours of the day are used for finding as much game as possible. Your guide will take a picnic style breakfast along, and a stop is made at one of the many rest areas to enjoy it. After breakfast, you will head off on more game exploration until lunch time (at your own expense), when you stop at one of the camps inside the Kruger National Park.
After lunch, head off again for more game viewing before returning to Makutsi around 4-5pm.\
Day 4: Simba Safari
This morning is at your leisure. Enjoy the warm mineral pools or your own private safari while sitting on your terrace, reading a good book.
Depart Makutsi at 3pm for a 5-hour game drive. Around sunset, light snacks and drinks will be enjoyed during a short Sundowner break. After snacks, continue your safari in search of the various nocturnal animals. Take a jacket along in winter, as it can get chilly once the sun disappears. Return to Makutsi Main Camp around 8pm when dinner will be served.
Day 5: Drakensberg Mountains and Blyde River Canyon
After breakfast depart at 9am for a day of sightseeing in the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains and Blyde River Canyon. Several stops are made along the way, including the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels viewpoint overlooking the Blyde Dam. Changes to the itinerary may be made subject to weather conditions.
A lunch stop will be made (at own expense) before returning to Makutsi around 4-5pm. This day offers opportunities to purchase locally made crafts and curios.
Day 6: Game Drive in the Game Reserve
Enjoy your third 3-hour game drive in an open landrover on the Makutsi Game Reserve, either early in the morning or in the afternoon. For the remainder of the day, enjoy relaxing in the pools, reading on your terrace, visiting the Hippo Hide... whatever you wish!
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast this morning you will say goodbye to Makutsi as you are transferred back to the airport for your onward flight.
***SEQUENCE OF THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Departs Daily
| Dates | Room | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Nov 2024 - 31 Oct 2025 | NZD$2528pp | ||
| African Style Rondavel (Bungalow) | NZD$2528pp | First 5 singles No Single Supplement! | |
| 01 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2026 | NZD$2750pp |
PLEASE NOTE: Makutsi closes annually for three weeks each June for a scheduled break and maintenance.
- 2025: closed 7 June to 29 June 2025
- 2026: closed 6 June to 28 June 2026
About the Hotel
Room Types
African Style Rondavel (Bungalow)
These bungalows feature en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold water, electricity, a mini-bar, coffee/tea facilities, ceiling fans, air-cons, mosquito nets and a private terrace with lounge chair. Bath and pool towels are provided in rooms.
Whats included?
- Return Airport Transfers (HDS or PHW)
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner
- 6 Nights Accommodation at Main Camp
- 3 x 3-hour Game Drives
- 1 x 5-hour Game Drive
- Kruger National Park excursion
- Blyde River Canyon excursion
What’s not included?
- Any item not mentioned as included
Notes
PLEASE NOTE: Makutsi closes annually for three weeks each June for a scheduled break and maintenance.
- 2025: closed 7 June to 29 June 2025
- 2026: closed 6 June to 28 June 2026
- Please note the itinerary is subject to change, you will receive your final itinerary on the day of arrival.
- Children under 13 years pay 50%
- Any walking safari activities are not for children under 16 years of age
- First 5 singles no single supplement, thereafter 25% supplement of package price charged per single
- Latest possible arrival at Makutsi is 16h00
- When organising a transfer to MQP, don’t book the early flight. Earliest possible flight is the 11h35 departure.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Africa
From its endless deserts and burning sunsets, to its abundance of wildlife and diversity of culture, the African Safari has it all. There is nowhere else on the planet with such incredible natural beauty and rich traditions than Africa. Discover your own Africa with a tailored tour through some of the most dynamic and stunningly beautiful natural landscapes the world has to offer.
Downloadable travel guide
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