Review: Makanyi Private Game Lodge

The seven-room Makanyi Private Game Lodge is full-on luxury with the feel of a family home—which makes sense, given its provenance. British owner Jessica Gold bought the private property and turned it into a safari in 2015, conforming to a classic aesthetic of thatched-roof villas in terra cotta tones. This is place is relaxed, void of stodginess, and perfect for people looking for a more intimate experience.

Makanyi is special in that it's set in a section of the Timbavati where there are no other lodges, just a few private homes, so you really feel like you have the entire bush to yourself. Vehicles only accommodate six (as opposed to the nine or ten on most game drives – a rare and unusual treat) to better seek out that pride of lions feasting on buffalo, or pack of rare African dogs, or elusive leopard stalking impala. You could decide to spend a whole drive following the lions if you want, with no other vehicles rushing you (or disturbing the view). Even at the lodge itself, you'll get lucky with amazing sightings—we saw an elephant roaming around the grounds from our bed one afternoon, and a giraffe by the watering hole as we ate breakfast.