Let Makakatana Bay Lodge create a unique safari of your dreams with luxury accommodation, spectacular African safaris and activities and breathtaking scenery.There are many different safaris to choose from at Makakatana, each of them promising excitement and enjoyment.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
At 16:00 after tea, depart on the open safari vehicle to the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Disembark at a special place where the Mpate River meets the winding narrows of the Lake St Lucia Estuary. Afternoon drinks and snacks are served while the resident Hippo parade and show-off. Look out for the Nile Crocodile on this safari, as the Mpate River banks are a very densely populated Crocodile breeding ground.
Hippo and Crocodile Boat Cruises in St. Lucia
A boat cruise is offered on Lake St Lucia, the largest marine estuary in Africa. After the boat trip, guests are then driven through the Eastern Shores Game Reserve to Cape Vidal beach for swimming and a picnic lunch.
Snorkelling in Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal is renowned for its glorious stretches of golden beaches, coastal forests and the clear warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Explore the colourful underwater world while snorkelling. You can also enjoy long walks up the beach, or just relax and absorb the glorious sunshine. Mission Rocks, a few kilometers south, provides visitors with hours of fascinating exploration in the rock pools.
Hluhlwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve
Established in 1895, this is the oldest game park in Africa and is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. Makakatana Bay Lodge takes guests on a full day safari to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. Guests will enjoy a full day in this famous Big Five Game Reserve and have a picnic lunch on the banks of the Hluhluwe River.
Animals of the Reserve include: Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Hyena, Giraffe, Zebra, Dyker, Wildebeest, Impala, Reedbuck, Nyala, Kudu, other antelope and many other species of game.
Mokoro Canoe Safari
An early morning Mokoro Canoe Safari is offered into the wetland Narrows, home of the Nile Crocodile and Hippo. This is a typical 'Botswana' type boat safari and Makakatana are fortunate to be able to offer gu ests this unforgettable trip. This safari is substituted with a Wetland Walking Safari in bad weather or in low water levels.
Wetland Walking Safari
Explore the Wetlands on foot and tread where very few people have been before! The Wetlands are home to hundreds of Hippo and Crocodile and smaller game. It is also a great way to bird watch.
Bird Watching Safaris
With 365 species of birds within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Makakatana Rangers will take you on a bird watching walking safari. This is a great opportunity to experience some of the many bird species recorded within the park.
Zulu Cultural Village
This Zulu Village gives you a glimpse into the historical architecture and way of life of the Zulu nation. Traditional Zulu shows are scheduled. This safari may be done as a morning safari leaving the afternoon free to relax around the Lodge or combined with a half day safari to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve.
St Lucia Crocodile Centre
A series of displays depict the Lake St Lucia system from the sea, beach, dune forests, grasslands, to the lake shore. Informative Crocodile exhibits portray the lives of these fascinating reptiles. All the African species of Crocodile can be seen in the various ponds, namely the Nile, Long-snouted and Dwarf Crocodile.
Some of the largest Crocodiles in the country can be found at the Croc Centre. The Crocodile Centre now hosts an impressive collection of snakes. A snake demonstration is given every Saturday afternoon at 14:00.
Visit the Cycad Garden. Have a look at the oldest living fossils. Feeding for public demonstration takes place on Saturday afternoons at 15:00 (weather permitting). A visit to the Crocodile Centre may be substituted with the boat trip and combined with a full day trip to Cape Vidal.
Night Safari Drives
Enjoy a night drive after dinner. The night drive departs at about 20:30 and the safari vehicle drives into the wetlands where Hippo can be seen grazing. Leopard, Serval, Pythons, Porcupines, Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Bushbuck and the occasional herd of Elephant are seen.
Dwarf Chameleons, frogs and nightbirds are also seen on night drives. Guests return to the lodge at about 22:30. The night drive may be substituted with the afternoon Hippo Safari Drive.
Ilala Weavers
Should guests wish to do a half day Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve Safari Makakatana combine the day after a picnic lunch with a visit to Ilala Weavers. They are a KwaZulu Natal based, family owned company that has uplifted rural women by creating a new demand for traditional handwoven Zulu baskets.
At Ilala Weavers one can also visit Thembalethu Craft Village, with traditional handcrafts, from the soul of Africa, and the Zulu Cultural Museum. A huge selection of traditional Zulu hand woven baskets called the 'Ilala Baskets' can be bought here.
