Makakatana Bay Lodge

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.