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    Makakatana Bay Lodge

    ISimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal, St Lucia

    • From:
      R 4,946
    • Savings:
      Save 50%
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    • Overview
    • Additional Info
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    Overview

    Welcome to the sacred family owned and run, Makakatana Bay Lodge. It is situated on the western shores of Lake St Lucia, within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This protected natural wonder gem boasts Africa’s largest estuarine system, Lake St Lucia, that more than 1000 hippo and 1200 crocodile call home, as well as the treasured soaring coastal dune forests sheltering pristine beaches. The Park is brimming with vibrant birds and wildlife, including rhino, buffalo, lion, elephant, hyena, cheetah and leopard.

    The main lodge is the heart of Makakatana, a communal area with personal service designed for relaxation and comfort. All game drives leave from the main lodge, and all meals are served on either the raised deck wrapping around the lodge or at the 'boma' alongside. The lodge has a bar, a curio shop, a nearby wine cellar (affectionately called the 'old crab house') and a nearby private bush pool on the edge of Lake St Lucia.

    There are 3 types of accommodation at Makakatana: Standard Suites, Family Suites and the Honeymoon Suite. All rooms feature tea and coffee facilities, telephones, overhead fans and air-conditioning. The Standard Suites are available in either Double or Twin configurations and are equipped with a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroomand spacious outdoor shower and bath. The five rooms are bright and spacious, integrating comfort and luxury with the natural environment. Set in the dune forest, the grounds surrounding the luxury suites are frequented by warthog, red duiker, nyala, bush babies, and a variety of birdlife. The two Family Suites both sleep a maximum of 4 guests each. The main room has a king bed, and the interleading room has two twin beds. There is a spacious indoor bathroom with a shower that opens onto an outdoor bathroom with a bath and outside shower. The Honeymoon Suites is situated privately with views out onto the vlei. Romantic and intimate, the room is the perfect retreat after a day spent in the bush or exploring the magnificent area. The room has a romantic outdoor shower, as well as a bath fit for two. The private deck is also suitable for private dining, which can be arranged with the lodge manager.

    The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is known for the abundance of wildlife in the reserve and within Lake St Lucia. Each guest’s stay at Makakatana Bay is designed around exploring the amazing sanctuary on an open game drive vehicle or on the private pontoon boat. Take an exceptional cruise along Lake St. Lucia which has become a firm favourite at Makakatana as it allows guests to experience the wildlife from a new perspective. Here guests can watch the resident hippo performance or set your binoculars on the reed birds whilst enjoying the gentle breeze as you learn about the lake from expert guides. Dip your feet in the warm Indian Ocean at one the most pristine coastlines in South Africa. The beach safari offered by the lodge includes a game drive from the western shores through to the eastern shores, allowing guests to explore this amazing World Heritage Site. Here one can spot a breaching whale, a pod of dolphins as well as rhino & buffalo. Head out on a full-day trip to the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Big Five Game Reserve at the crack of dawn which is just a 75-minute drive away.

    At Makakatana they also pride themselves on your fine dining created by their Chef Nadia, who plans her delightful tastes and spaces from the heart, while being inspired by the many beautiful resident fish eagles.

    So, let Hugh and Leigh-Ann Morrison, with their wonderful staff, deliver your once in a lifetime luxury beach, lake and park safari holiday.

    About Makakatana Bay Lodge

    On 27 April 1897 St Lucia was declared a game reserve. The conservation area was a 35,000-hectare lake with a 1km strip of land surrounding the lake. At a later stage, other conservation areas were added. On 1 December 1999 UNESCO declared the lake and adjacent coastal areas a world heritage site. The 328,000-hectare reserve was South Africa’s first world heritage site and encompasses 5 five major ecological zones.

    The park’s centrepiece is the vast Lake St. Lucia, home to large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans and flamingos. Elephants, giraffes and leopards inhabit the grasslands and forests of the nearby Western Shores and Charters Creek areas. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park also has an impressive list of 526 bird species throughout the World Heritage Site.

    Reserve
    • Name
      ISimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal, St Lucia
    • Size
      328,000 hectares
    Children

    6+ welcome (children under the age of 6 are booked subject to special consent of owners, or if there is a group family booking)

    Fast Facts
    • Air Conditioner
    • Camp Unfenced
    • Cellphone Signal
    • Child Friendly
    • Childminders
    • Fans
    • Kiddies Activities
    • Malaria area
    • No Off Road
    • Outside Shower
    • Pool
    • Wheelchair Friendly
    • Wi-Fi
    View others in these regions
    • KwaZulu-Natal
    Why We Love It
    • Makakatana Bay Lodge which is perfectly positioned on the banks of Lake St Lucia within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is in a world of its own giving guests the opportunity to experience unspoiled beaches, vast wetlands and wildlifethrough their various tailor-made activities
    • Each room is surrounded by bush providing privacy and intimacy,however, guests can expect frequent visits from warthogs, red duikers, nyalas, bush babies, and a variety of birdlife which can be viewed from your very own deck
    • The 328,000-hectare reserve was South Africa’s first world heritage site and encompasses 5 five major ecological zones
    • The iSimangaliso Wetland Park has an impressive list of 526 bird species
    • The prehistoric coelacanth, previously thought to be extinct, lives in the murky depths of the surrounding waters
    • Romantic ambience, ideal for honeymooners
    • Full-day safaris to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, a Big 5 game reserve
    Gallery
    Details
    • 5 Standard Rooms

      1 Honeymoon Suite

      2 Family Suites

    • Setting: Perched on the banks of Lake St Lucia
    Activities
    • Boat Safaris
    • Eastern & Western Shore Game Drives
    • Game Drives at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (big 5 game reserve)
    • Whale Watching
    • Dolphin Experience
    • Deep-Sea Fishing
    • Horse Riding
    • Zulu Culture Show
    • Cat Rehabilitation Centre
    Children

    6+ welcome (children under the age of 6 are booked subject to special consent of owners, or if there is a group family booking)

    Children Game Drive Policy
    • Children 6 years and younger are not permitted on the safari drives and it is recommended that families with children younger than 6 years book on the Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis which allows guests to do self-drives in the park
    Gallery
    Rates
    • Per person per night sharing
    • From
      R 4,946
    • Normal selling rate
      R 9,892
    • Save up to
      Save 50%
    • Validity Date
      Valid from 2 July 2025 until 15 December 2025
    • Prices are indicative. Please contact us for a comprehensive quotation.
    Rates Include
    • Luxury accommodation in a Standard Room
    • All meals
    • Scheduled activities
    Closest Airport

    Richard’s Bay Airport

    Drive Time

    1.5 hours from Richard’s Bay Airport

    40 minutes from St Lucia

    3 hours from Durban

    7 hours from Johannesburg

    Download Map
    Reserve
    • Name
      ISimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal, St Lucia
    • Size
      328,000 hectares
    Location
    • Makakatana Bay Lodge, Lake St, Lucia, St Lucia, South Africa

      Get Directions
    View others in these regions
    • KwaZulu-Natal
    Terms and Conditions
    • All rates quoted are per person per night sharing, unless otherwise stated
    • Please chat to one of our Game Lodge experts for the single accommodation & child rates
    • Our 'From' rate reflected is only an indication of the property's pricing. Once we have your exact dates, we will send through a detailed quotation
    • A number of our rates quoted are based on specials for SADC Residents
    • All accommodation will be subject to availability
    • All rates quoted are based on a minimum stay of two nights
    • Any applicable Conservation Levies & Park Fees will be quoted as an additional amount
    • When we specify ‘Off Road’, this applies to Big 5 sightings only
    • Bush Walks will often need to be pre-booked
    • Childminding is generally at an additional cost
    • For our comprehensive T's & C's, please see the link in our main 'navigation bar'
    Children

    6+ welcome (children under the age of 6 are booked subject to special consent of owners, or if there is a group family booking)

    Important Notes
    • Laundry service available
    • Transfer available to and from St Lucia Centre, Durban, Richard’s Bay, Phinda, Hluhluwe, Thanda, Amakhosi, Thonga Beach, Rocktail, Manguzi (Mozambique border) & Mtubatuba (there is a surcharge for after-hours & gate entry fees will be paid by Makakatana Bay Lodge and added to the client's account)
    • Park Entry fees apply at the Dukuduku Gates (near St Lucia) & the Nhlozi Gates (off the N2 at the Charters Creek sign):
      • Vehicle entry fees: R 70 per 1-5 pax vehicle
      • Entry fee: R 118 per adult per stay / R 86 per child per stay
      • Conservation levy: R 120 per adult per night / R 60 per child under 12 per night
      • Community levy: R 7 per person per night
      • Overnight levy: R 12 per person per night
    • Gate opening times:
      • Summer: Nov to March 05h00 to 19h00
      • Winter: April to Oct 06h00 to 18h00
    • No late entries permitted through Dukuduku gates after hours. Arrangements must be made in advance for access through Nhlozi gate
    • There is a Kiddies Menu, but you are required to inform the lodge in advance and confirm with the chef upon arrival
    • Guests must please advise lodge in advance of preferred full day activity if only in for 2 nights or the boat activity will be scheduled
    • All fees quoted are subject to change & will either be pre-paid or settled directly to the Lodge on departure.

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