The Outpost

The Outpost Lodge is located in the Makuleke Park covering over 26,500 hectares of pristine Kruger bushveld.

The Outpost Lodge, Kruger National Park is set in the Limpopo Province, this park nestles in the largest and wildest area of South Africa's Kruger National Park and is bordered by the Limpopo River and Zimbabwe to the north and by the famous Crooks Corner and Mozambique to the east.

The Pafuri airstrip allows guests to fly directly into the Kruger National Park. The safari begins on arrival; guests are met by an open 4x4 safari vehicle and a guide for their transfer to The Outpost. The transfer is a pleasant 45-minute scenic drive through the Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park, with some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities on the way.

Visitors to the Makuleke Contractual Park can experience a great variety of game ranging from elephants and buffalo to over 350 bird species. Exclusive to this region of the Kruger National Park is the Nyala, an antelope that does not wander to the south of the reserve. The topography is characterised by a variety of Mopane woodlands, Fever Tree forests, Acacia thickets and some of the oldest Baobab specimens which make for breathtaking scenery.

The Outpost’s design is one of the clean and bright lines using a combination of elements including steel, concrete and open space. This current design highlights the attractive surroundings while preserving the wilderness surrounding it. Designers and architects alike have ensured that prudent water management and operative sun-orientation has been implemented to minimise energy consumption at this unique safari lodge in the Kruger National Park.

The twelve open-plan luxurious accommodation suites provide magnificent panoramic views of the untamed bushveld and river. Special touches include Nguni cowhides on the ottomans and bright pillows allowing guests to soak up the wonders of their surroundings while appreciating the luxury of their en-suite suites.

The luxury spaces are joined to the main building by an attractive walkway made from Zimbabwean teak. For honeymooners, the most private and romantic Honeymoon Suite awaits where guests enjoy tranquillity and romance throughout their stay. The main building is an embodiment of the Lodge with its open space and expansive views. Overlooking the outdoor swimming pool, guests can relax on the terrace with luxurious daybeds and comfortable chairs provided by the lodge.

Rejuvenating massage treatments are available in the privacy of the guests’ suites. The spectacular vistas from the suites combined with the relaxing massage treatments make for an out-of-this-world combination of comfort, wellness, and beauty.

An incredible 26,500 hectares of some of the wildest and most biologically diverse areas of the Kruger National Park makes for the most fascinating and memorable safari encounters a guest can ask for, whether via safari drives or on walking safaris. Meanwhile, the area’s rich historical and cultural heritage is quickly investigated by guided visits to Crooks Corner and the Thulamela archaeological site overlooking the Luvuvhu River or by a visit to the Makuleke Village.

Guests are taken on safari drives in the early morning and then again in the late afternoon which leads into the early evening. The safaris are accompanied by qualified and experienced guides in open 4x4 safari vehicles. These thrilling drives through the reserve are not restricted to the public roads in the Kruger National Park and therefore mostly take place on tracks formerly reserved for the use of park officials.

The beautiful and peaceful Luvuvhu River has hippos and crocodiles. The area is also the favourite grazing area for the elephants during the winter months while leopards thrive in the thick bushveld and prey on the local antelope.

Birding specialists will find the variety of unusual birds astounding, and these include the Pel’s fishing owl, the black-throat wattle-eyed, African crowned eagle and the racket-tailed roller.

Sharing a border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the Makuleke Contractual Park is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people and is one of the most diverse and scenic regions of the Kruger National Park

About Pafuri / Makuleke Concession

The Pafuri area is one of the few true wilderness areas left in South Africa. Large herds of elephant occupy the area during the dry season while several herds of buffalo are resident. There are resident prides of lion and the Luvuvhu riparian system supports a healthy population of leopard. A small white rhino population also exists. The area is well-known for its strong nyala and eland population however as well as other regional specials like four-toed elephant shrew, Sharpe's grysbok and even a small herd of sable. On the easternmost boundary at "Crooks Corner" the Luvuvhu supports a large population of hippo and crocodile. The concession is widely regarded as one of the best birding areas in South Africa with specialties such as Pel's Fishing Owl, Black-throated Wattle-Eye, Three-banded Courser, Racket-Tailed Roller and Dickinson's Kestrel seen regularly.