Simply Abu Dhabi XXX

L ocated in the southern sector of the Timbavati—a private nature and game reserve—Makanyi Lodge offers visitors the experience of a lifetime. An area of prime game viewing, home to the ‘Big Five’, as well as the renowned (albeit elusive) white lions, the Timbavati has been hailed as one of the most exclusive game viewing areas in South Africa, thanks to its remote location. Off the beaten track and away from the tourist trail, the Timbavati sits on the outskirts of the Greater Kruger National Park, an area of over 2.4 million hectares in which animals roam freely, and Makanyi Safari Lodge is one of very few commercial lodges in the area which allows direct access to this vast area, giving the lodge the advantage of offering its guests a truly wild, authentic and private experience. Home to owner Jessica Gold, an Anglo-Italian whose passion for conservation, hospitality and safaris, combined with her young son’s adoration for animals and nature, Makanyi Lodge is a truly welcoming and special place for all. Jessica’s equally passionate team are on hand to ensure guests not only create lasting memories but learn more about this exquisite gem in the heart of South Africa. Already comprising five luxury suites that sleep up to 10 guests, and two luxury pool suites, Makanyi Lodge’s accommodation offers approximately 140 square metres of space each, making them some of the largest rooms to be found in the bush. Now in its second year, the stunning resort has gone one better and launched its new private villa available to guests looking for that added extra privacy and a more home-from-home feel. The new two-bedroomed, self-contained private escape (which opened to guests in January 2018) sleeps up to four adults and is the ideal retreat for groups of friends or couples travelling together. Set away from the main lodge and with 366 square metres of space (including a large outdoor deck), the villa features two en-suite bedrooms, each with their own shower and separate freestanding bath, a large living room, dining room and kitchen, which opens onto a vast outdoor deck with its own boma and private swimming pool. On the deck, guests can relax and unwind after an exhilarating day, with a view of the setting sun and shining stars. All suites overlook the magnificent dam and feature king-size beds, a relaxing living area with its own fireplace, vast en-suite bathrooms, a private deck with sun loungers, and access to either a communal or private pool. Ever conscious of its surroundings, Makanyi’s stylish decor blends form and function with subtle elegance. A contemporary wooden frame and thatched-roof design is complemented with stylish furnishings, local artefacts and chrome finishings, all of which give Makanyi a fresh and welcoming atmosphere. Whilst the main interior atrium area is an open cavernous space, smaller, more intimate nooks have been created for dining areas and a library with deep set sofas.