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Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve

3.5 star property
Wildlife viewing and game drives immerse visitors in natural splendor, while four pools offer refreshment and on-site dining showcases local flavors

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Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve, surrounded by provincial park beauty, offers an all-inclusive wilderness experience. Guests start with a continental breakfast before game viewing, then relax in the garden or cool off in one of four outdoor pools.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • All-inclusive
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning

Room options

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River Lodge Thatched Suites | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, individually decorated

River Lodge Thatched Suites

  • Garden view
  • 51 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Large Single Beds OR 1 King Bed

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Main Lodge Superior Room | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, individually decorated

Main Lodge Superior Room

  • Garden view
  • 38 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Large Single Beds OR 1 King Bed
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About the area

Located in Hoedspruit, Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve is in a provincial park. While the natural beauty of Lourene Game Farm and Blyde Olifants Conservancy can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Drakensig Golf Course. Visit our Hoedspruit travel guide
Map
Limpopo, Hoedspruit, Limpopo, 6191

Getting around

  • Hoedspruit (HDS)
    174 min drive

About this property

Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve

All-inclusive family-friendly hotel in a provincial park
Free continental breakfast, game and wildlife viewing and a free manager's reception are just a few of the amenities provided at Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve. The on-site restaurant, Makalali Dining Hall, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities, such as a terrace and a garden.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • Swimming pool, along with sunloungers and pool umbrellas
  • Free self-parking
  • A safari, a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge) and 4 outdoor pools
  • Babysitting (surcharge), multilingual staff and a porter/bellboy
Room features
All rooms are individually furnished, and offer comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning, in addition to thoughtful touches such as free Internet and safes.
Extra amenities include:
  • Heating and ceiling fans
  • Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
  • Bathrooms with separate baths/showers and free toiletries
  • Decks/patios, wardrobes/cupboards and childcare services

All-inclusive details

This hotel is all-inclusive. On-site food and beverages are included in the room price (some restrictions may apply).

Food and beverages

All buffet meals and snacks included
In-room minibar (all beverages included)

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transport

  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge) on request
  • Free covered self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Free manager's reception (select days)

Restaurants on site

  • Makalali Dining Hall

Things to do

  • 4 outdoor pools
  • Ecotours
  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Library
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • 4 outdoor pools
  • In-room babysitting
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Turndown service

Business services

  • Conference centre

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a provincial park
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 2 floors
  • Communal living room
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Reception hall

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Restaurant dining guides
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 4:30 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Destination fee: ZAR315 per person, per night. This fee does not apply to children under 6 years of age.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Pool access available from 7 AM to 5 PM
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Property is also known as

Makalali Game
Makalali Private Game Reserve Hoedspruit
Makalali Private Game Reserve Lodge Hoedspruit
Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve Hotel
Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve Hoedspruit
Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve All Inclusive
Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve Hotel Hoedspruit

Frequently asked questions

Does Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve have a pool?

Yes, this property has 4 outdoor pools. Pool access is from 7 AM to 5 PM.

Is Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 4:30 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Does Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request.

Are there all-inclusive benefits at Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve?

Yes, the property is all-inclusive.

Where is Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve located?

Located in a provincial park, this family-friendly hotel is 25 mi (40.3 km) from Boabab Tree at Leydsdorp.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Aha Makalali Private Game Reserve Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.4

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

9.2

Staff & service

9.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Incrível , a acomodação é mto boa , quarto amplo , chuveiro incrível. Alimentação boa , e game drive inclusos incrível, com saída as 6:00am e as 4:00pm , com destaque a Isaac e butter os rangers, incríveis ….. Muito satisfeito e retornaria ao local com certeza.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Mert

Liked: Cleanliness

Bad Food and incompetent rangers

Food is much below expectations. Most of the meat served was undercooked including chicken. Service Staff is incompetent as many places in South Africa. We have ordered wine one night and waitress just dropped the bottle in out table and left without opening and serving. Then we had to call another waitress to serve it. You need to tell everything and common sense was missing. English of the ranger for the game drives was not perfect and he was not really talkative or giving information unless asked, he was more like , yeah here is an impala but no information. Also to many questions that we have asked, the answer was “I don’t know”. I think it is worth to stretch the budget a bit more to stay in somewhere nicer.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Zaheer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent for big 5

Excellent for bush lovers
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
非常に洗練された綺麗なホテルで、シャワーやクーラーなどの設備もかなり良かったです。また、宿泊費に含まれている食事もおいしかったし、ゲームドライブも非常に楽しかったです。
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great new hotel - super rooms

We spent a long weekend at this reserve - two adults and a teen. The hotel was lovely - new rooms and well-designed open, communal spaces. We booked two rooms and it was a bonus that they could be made to be interleading. The hotel rooms are exactly that - hotel rooms - and maybe lacking some of the charm of free-standing lodge units but very comfortable and well-appointed. The guide and tracker were friendly and knowledgeable and we enjoyed our game drives. It was great to be able to go off-road to get closer to rhino and cheetah. Whilst this is a big 5 reserve, you do travel the same roads quite a bit but the guide made an effort to vary things up on each drive and to go look for specific animals. The food was nice - and not as "conference-like" as the bigger Ivory Tree Aha resort - but not knock-your-socks-off amazing. The downside of a smaller lodge is slightly less variety and choice - but to me still better than endless buffets. Aha is running some specials where kids stay free. What this meant was that over the long weekend there were lots of noisy children in the pool and running around at the boma dinner. The hotel manager did make a plan for us to go to the quieter pool at the nearby smaller lodge which was very kind of her. Unfortunately though listening to a child play a loud game on a phone all the way through the boma dinner compromised the "peace of the bush" experience. Overall - we would go again. We had a great stay and thought it was good value.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Rennan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Tivemos de trocar as datas da nossa viagem devido à pandemia do Covid-19 e fomos muito bem instruidos e atendidos pela gerente de reservas. Esperamos pela estadia em Novembro.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Antony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great hotel and game park, not so good food

Overall the stay was excellent based on the accommodation and the rangers taking us to see the most amazing array of wild animals. The only downside were the quality of the food and too many over attentive waiters and waitresses who must learn to be not so keen to remove your drink or plate, especially when you or your dining partner are still eating!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Lugar incrível ! Estrutura do hotel impecável, funcionários super atenciosos e simpáticos !! Vimos vários animais em casa Safari, inclusive um grupo de leões caçando GNUS! Carros do Safari com cobertor e capa de chuva ( precisamos !) e com guias muito bem informados !
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Raphaël

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rangers very good. Place and location very good. Food: not good . Very average and always the same. A shame...
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

un séjour inoubliable

magnifique hébergement ,personnel aux petits soins,repas variés et de bonne qualité,des safaris extras bref rien à dire! sans oublier l'apéro en fin de safari du soir en pleine brousse et le café lors de celui du matin! le plus dur est d'arriver (et d'en repartir!)car la piste est ravinée mais après c'est que du bonheur!
notre chambre avec douche intérieure et extérieure
1er safari
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Monica E

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excelente experiencia
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danilo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lugar maravilhoso

Lugar maravilhoso, logo ao chegar tivemos uma recepção com nosso ranger Paulie que nos levou a 2 safaris e conseguimos ver 4 dos big five. Experiência inesquecível. Comida ótima e todos os funcionários do hotel foram muito simpáticos. Recomendo muito
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Sensacional!

Sensacional! Optamos pelo Makalali pela comodidade, não queríamos nos preocupar com nada (Game Drive e Refeições) e foi exatamente assim. Atendimento, organização, limpeza, quartos e refeições excepcionais. Game Drive incrível, vimos os Big Five, eles procuram os animais incansavelmente, entram na mata, inexplicável. Nossa melhor escolha!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nathalie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent séjour, belle et grande réserve. Lodge raffiné, personnel attentionné et dépaysement garanti
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brooke

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Best customer service

The customer service was absolutely above and beyond. You are treated like family. Room and lodge area is absolutely beautiful and the food was amazing. I will definitely book at Makalali again for my next visit!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Mikael

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nära naturen och djuren!

Du bör ha en 4x4 bil för att ta dig till detta fantastiska hotell. Närmare naturen och djuren kommer man inte, dessa stugor ligger långt ut från all annan bebyggelse. Stugorna helt otroliga men maten var inte till belåtenhet med tanke på priset på detta boende. Snopet att receptionen var stängd när vi till slut kom fram, och vi fick köra runt i skogen en stund till vi plötsligt hittade kocken som kunde hjälpa oss.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Safarimazing

We had an amazing stay, all the staff were extremely friendly and it was amazing to be living in the bush with all of the luxury conveniences in a very clean and organised lodge. Shout out to Lovedeliah (camp host), Stanley (game drive tracker), and Louise (game drive guide). The wifi was very weak around the property but you're in the bush so it was ok to be off the grid for a few days!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Bruno

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Muito legal!

A estadia foi realmente maravilhosa! Gostamos do hotel apesar do Safari parecer um grande zoológico! Ficávamos andando em círculos, até que alguém indicava onde está o animal! Vimos todos os Big five, o que foi bem legal! O serviço é bem exclusivo, a comida é excelente, o quarto então, maravilhoso! A única coisa que nos incomodou foi a hora do check out, aonde incluíram uma taxa de quase 500 rands por noite, taxa da qual não fomos informados hora nenhuma. A mesma taxa não foi cobrada de um casal de amigos que saiu horas depois! A diária já era bem cara, realmente a tal taxa foi uma surpresa desagradável! Acho que eles poderiam ser mais claros na chegada!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mariana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful place to stay

Beautiful facilities, super comfortable room, great staff, food was ok but not a highlight. We got to see most animals from very up close on the safari however most of the time we are just driving thru the bushes, I can’t compare to other areas but I guess it’s normal. Only weird thing is paying a lot for an all inclusive resort and having to pay separately for water :/
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Wird unter Hotels.com als All Inklusive beworben, ist es aber nicht Getränke müssen extra bezahlt werden. Zimmersauberkeit lässt zu wünschen übrig(dreckige Handtücher, überall Staub und tote Insekten). Ansonsten Super Lodge, die Ranger sind top. Die Lage ist toll mitten im Busch.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Superbe game reserve

Camp superbe tres exclusif géré par une équipe aux petits soins. Cuisine excellente. Mais surtout deux game drive exceptionnels avec les Big five au rendez vous !!!
Verified

4/10 Poor

Ralph M

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

It has seen its days ... but they are over!

We are repeat guests that will not come back again. The offerings of activities beside game Drives i s zero, food is good prepared but basic (Pap and Chicken and Wors) Far to expensive for what is offered, there is not even a mini bar, the shampoo stinks and the whole lodge has been due for maintennance for more than five years.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Best reserve

A+ Great property, great service
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Giuseppa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A little slice of heaven

Though getting to Makalali is a little tricky, once you get there - it's wonderful. Gorgeous rooms, beautiful views and surroundings, great game drives every day and plenty of food and drink. The staff look after you very well, the rooms have everything you need to relax and enjoy yourself. I had a fantastic stay - saw some amazing animals really up close - and relaxed in a wonderful and peaceful place.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Superb African experience staying at the lodge

I stayed this November for a few days at the Makalali Game Reserve/Lodge. Everything from start to finish I enjoyed fully. From check in by Caroline to Ranger Lawrence was flawless including viewing all of the animals. The separate rooms are in their own buildings along the side of a dry river bed and allow you to view out from you room, front deck or outdoor shower. You walk along a path to where breakfast/lunch are served in African style. I weather permits you are fed dinner outside in a group setting under the stars. If you have Ranger Lawrence for your guide (he has 20 years of experience) sometime along the safari ask him to give you a "Lawrence African Tale"