Family-Owned and Run Private Game Reserve
Family-Run Since the 1970s
Near Kruger National Park
Surrounded by Nature
Welcome To Makutsi Safari Springs
Makutsi Safari Springs is a privately owned game reserve in the heart of the UNESCO Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region — between the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon — near Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Surrounded by wildlife, natural mineral springs, and deep bush tranquillity — Makutsi is a little African paradise, away from home.
We offer 1-week packages and longer, including private accommodation, daily breakfast and dinner, safaris in open Game Viewers, and excursions to some of South Africa’s most spectacular landmarks. English-speaking Nature Guides accompany you on all safaris and excursions.
Where You'll Stay

Main Camp
Makutsi Main Camp offers African style Rondavels (Bungalows), scattered around the open and spacious Makutsi Camp. All Rondavels have en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold water, electricity, a mini-bar, coffee/tea facilities, ceiling fans, air-cons, mosquito nets and a private terrace with lounge chair. Bath and pool towels are provided in rooms.

Tented Camp
Surrounded by thousands of hectares of private bushveld, Makutsi Tented Camp can sleep up to 8 people in 4 twin/double safari tents under thatch. All tents have electricity, a private covered deck, standing fan as well as an en-suite bathroom with hot/cold showers and flush toilets.
Main Camp
Thatched rondavels set among tropical gardens, natural mineral spring pools, and the sounds of the African bush on your private terrace.
Tented Camp
Four comfortable safari tents perched on rocky koppies, with sweeping views across the lowveld. The base for Makutsi’s walking safaris.
Safaris & Experiences
Makutsi covers thousands of hectares of African bushveld, explored on open Game Viewer game drives. Our guides are trained to focus on all aspects of nature — from the Big Five to birds, insects, tracks, and the stories the bush has to tell.
As a private reserve, only experienced and qualified guides drive on the property — ensuring professional, respectful wildlife encounters. No more than two vehicles are ever with any animal at once, giving wildlife space and guests the unhurried, intimate sightings that make Makutsi special.
Surrounding Makutsi are many beautiful and famous landmarks, including the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. Day excursions to these destinations are conducted in comfortable minibuses with opening windows — a personal and relaxed way to explore more of South Africa, and a great opportunity for guests and guides to get to know each other along the way.
Open Game Viewer Game Drives
Walking Safaris
Blyde River Canyon Excursion
Daily Breakfast & Dinner Included
Mineral Springs
The gold of Makutsi is our water. Warm mineral spring water emerges naturally from the earth at around 34°C, flowing directly into our outdoor 33-metre pool and indoor Roman Bath. The same water — cooled and aired in storage reservoirs — feeds every rondavel, straight to your shower and tap. Completely natural, chemical-free, and unlike anything you will find at most safari lodges.




What Our Guests Say
EXCELLENT Based on 350 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Elaine MVerified Life at makutsi Love it at makutsi. The atmosphere, people, staff etc cannot fault. I went again in May and it was my fourth time. This trip wasme and my daughter. She has been once and loved it as much as me so we decided to have a girlie 2 weeks. My first time at makutsi the only way I could describe it is it’s like adult fairyland . Once again we had an amazing time. Love just how peaceful it is and also how wildlife can just wander onto the property. Looking forward to many more stays at makutsi. Keep up the great workPosted on Tripadvisor Jenny SVerified As the 4 Safari Sisters from downunder we loved every minute at Makutsi Absolutely fabulous 6 night stay from the warm welcome and safety orientation by Anke to the fond farewell by Karin, Jesco and Anke. You must go. Unmissable. We saw and learnt so much more about South Africa than we thought possible. The Guides were outstanding. Thanks Jesco, Giddy and Scott. Wildlife everywhere. We have returned home very much smarter than when we left! The large Family Rondavel was excellent. We loved the swimming pool, Roman Bath, Hippo Hide and Library. Thank you to all the always cheerful and willing support and service staff. Our close encounter with the leopard is forever emblazoned on our memory ; as is the encounter with the lion pride that walked closely around our vehicle. Every game drive was an adventure We loved them. I saw my African Spirit animal the Giraffe many times. My soul was filled.Posted on Tripadvisor GeorgeVerified Wonderful experience We really enjoyed our 8 day at Makutsi. Staff were friendly & the guides were excellent, especially Rob. Accomodation was roomy & clean. Food was delicious though limited choice. Safari guides were great. Plenty of wild animals to see. Makutsi only accept a max of about 40 guests, so was easy to make new friends with other guests. Many different safari rides. Tented camp was fun & challenging.Posted on Tripadvisor Sheryl BVerified African safari camp We had a most satisfying stay at Matkutsi Springs. The rondaval was a wonderful experience and very well equipped. Although a hair dryer would have been handy. Well organised daily safaris meant that we were able to see the big 5 and some wonderful scenery. The guides were very experienced and mindful of our safety at all times. The food was varied and guests were called to dinner with the playing of two large drums. Magic!Posted on Tripadvisor Resort60313222894Verified Animals Animals Animals We spent 7 days here and it was amazing. 5 star animal viewing, very friendly with homestyle meals. Saw all big 5 with a leopard and cubs a highlight. Animals wandering through camp pretty exciting too. Would recommend Makutsi to anyone wanting a real safari experiencePosted on Tripadvisor alison mVerified Trip of a Lifetime Ive have been meaning to write this review for ages. I just want to say this was a life highlight for me. I had wanted to go on safari since I was about 8 years old. Finally at 60 I managed to do it. From the moment we arrived we had so many pinch me moments. We were lucky to see a pride of lions kill a zebra. I particularly wanted to see a Leopard in a tree and I did! The guides with one exception were friendly , knowledgable and you could tell they loved their job. Our accommodation was fabulous, so much room. The shower was great too. On our first night we heard Lions. For us it was very exciting. The food was great, we loved the fresh bread everyday. The breakfast was always fresh and plentiful. We enjoyed the communal dining experience, we met alot of people. All the staff from housekeeping, reception, bar staff and the guides were just amazing. The day trip to Kruger National Park was great but would have been better in an open vehicle once we got there, if you are into photography it was tricky to get photos. Blyde Canyon was pretty but it would be better as a half day trip. We would love to go back and revisit Makutsi. The staff are soo great, Gradwell, Gidi, Blethuel just fantastic service. Sorry if I spelled their names wrong.Posted on Tripadvisor Elaine MVerified Life at makutsi Love it at makutsi. The atmosphere, people, staff etc cannot fault. I am going again in May and it will be my fourth time. This trip will be me and my daughter. She has been once and loved it as much as me so we are having a girlie 2 weeks. My first time at makutsi the only way I could describe it is it’s like adult fairyland. So looking forward to going back ❤️❤️Posted on Tripadvisor TrailBlazer812751Verified Makutsi Safari Springs I took my family to celebrate my 70th birthday. We were a party of 9 New Zealanders - 5 adults & 4 grandchildren aged from 6 to 15 years. I chose this place because of the many good reviews from Australian visitors. To be frank, our time at Makutsi exceded everyone's expectations, we had the most special time. The camp set up is just lovely with the bouganvillia, dining area, library, swimming pools, viewing places & tennis court. The accommodation is impressively luxurious. Wild life is all around & you can't leave your accommodation after 5.30pm or before 7am. You get picked up for dinner & dropped back later. You can hear the lions roar, they're so close. The excursions were fabulous, we had such great wildlife viewings, especially of the big cats. The guides were knowledgeable & personable. Makutsi has very ethical viewing regulations & comfortable vehicles for the excursions. And last but not least - terrific food. Since we've been back, everyone has randomly said 'thanks Mum/Nan, that was soooo good'!Posted on Tripadvisor Michelle BVerified The most Incredible Safari Lodge What an incredible place, you have to go the staff are incredible the guides are so knowledgeable. Everything was so great from the food down to the service the Rondevelt's, the pools. I couldn't fault anything Karen and Anke made sure I had the best time, the animals were incredible from the leopards to the lions, elephants, cheetahs, warthogs, giraffes, hyenas and so much more they all turned on the charm for us. The guides Bethleuw, Keith, Gidi, Rob, Diecus, Pride, Jesco are all so great at what they do and care so much for every animal so much it is the best place.Posted on Tripadvisor Margrith GVerified Einmal MAKUTSI, immer wieder MAKUTSI. 12 x Gärtner. so wurden wir am Flughafen empfangen. Ein Erlebnis, das wir nie vergessen werden. Zweimal waren wir als Paar im Makutsi. Zu meinem runden Geburtstag wünschte ich mir mit der ganzen Familie (12 Personen) im Makutsi zu sein. Unsere Rondavels waren in perfekter Nähe beisammen. Jeder hatte seinen Freiraum und doch war man sich so nahe. Der Pool war für alle Genuss. Sogar von dort waren vorbeihuschende Tiere zu beobachten. Alles war sauber und sehr gepflegt. Von der Qualität des Essens waren wir völlig überrascht. Es war immer von guter Qualität, aber es ist wirklich nochmals besser geworden. Es war wiederum eine unvergessliche Zeit: Die Beobachtungen auf Safaris, das Geniessen der Landschaft mit so tollen Guides. Auch meine ornithologischen Wünsche wurden voll erfüllt. und Rob wächst mir immer näher ans Herz. Aber nicht nur er, sondern das ganze Makutsiteam. Zwei Geburtstagsfeiern in unserer Familie werden Dank des Küchenteams unvergesslich bleiben. Gemütliche Stunden in der Lapa schweissten auch viele Gäste zusammen. Niemand fühlt sich alleine. Ein unvergesslicher Urlaub, den wir alle nur empfehlen können. Wir waren in unserer Familie zwischen 7 und 85 Jahre und für alle war es sehr harmonisch. Den fast täglichen Besuch der Hippohide genossen wir alle. Wir danken der Familie Weber und dem ganzen Makutsiteam für die wunderbare Zeit. Macht weiter so. Wir freuen uns schon heute aufs nächste Mal. Margrith und Otto Gärtner Umgebung Zürich