Voucher valid for use between 6 Oct 2026 and 20 Dec 2026.
Inclusions
Accommodation
Room or Rondavel, subject to availability at time of booking
Drinks
Water, Tea & Coffee
Meals
Breakfast, Light Lunch & Dinner
Experience
Two Daily Game Drives
Surprise
The Secret Getaway 10th Birthday Bonus! We're celebrating a decade of Secret Getaway with 10 months of spectacular getaway prizes! Every qualifying getaway voucher purchase earns an automatic entry into our monthly draw. Winners will be announced in the first Secret Getaway Insiders' Mailer each month.
What we love
When can I travel?
Voucher valid for use between 6 Oct 2026 and 20 Dec 2026.
SADC Residents Only | Simple T&Cs: Vouchers allow flexibility to book your dates immediately or later on for spontaneous travel. If you change your mind before booking, or don't make a booking before the voucher expires, convert your voucher to 100% credit towards an alternate getaway or request a refund via your Secret Getaway online wallet section. Once your booking is confirmed with the hotel, their own T&Cs will apply.
Amenities
Pool
Wi-Fi
Game Drives
Lounge
Aircon
Location
- All beverages not listed under inclusions.
- All transfers
- Transfers from the Front Gate @ R570 per trip
- Conservation Levy of R130 per person, per night - payable directly to the lodge - which goes toward funding the anti-poaching unit, reserve maintenance, animal welfare and future conservation efforts
- Any additional activities requested
- This is an unfenced game lodge in a Big 5 Reserve.
- Children 12 years and above stay at the adult rate. (For 2 children a second voucher can be purchased. For 1 or more than 2 children, please contact [email protected] for a quote).
Makongo Hills is an Eco-Lodge and Big 5 retreat with breathtaking views and big skies. A home away from home, offering affordable accommodation perfectly suited to couples, small groups, or families.
This is a fully catered lodge and meals are prepared with a proudly local flavour. They are passionate about conservation and sustainability and as an off-the-grid lodge, working to reduce their carbon footprint. They are particularly involved in the upliftment and upskilling of the local community, as well as projects to protect the endangered African rhino.
Everyone, from the cooks to the rangers, work hard at tailoring an experience that will allow you to find your piece of wilderness heaven. Makongo Hills Lodge is set in the Mkuze Valley Wilderness, one of only 2 lodges on this 15,000 hectare reserve. Here you’ll find a malaria-free, secluded, biodiversity area, home to the Big 5 and a large variety of other animals and birdlife.
Bhubesi (Lion) Room: This lovely light room overlooks the Amaqonqo Hills and early wildlife grazers on the lawn. The Giraffe room has a king size bed, an en suite bathroom and a private deck.
Idube (Zebra) Room: This lovely room has great views onto the historic Amaqonqo Hills. It has its own private deck. The room has an en-suite bathroom and access to tea and coffee making facilities in the dining area of the main Lodge.
Nyati (Buffalo) Room: If desired, the Nyati room can be linked to the Lion room by an interleading passageway. It is perfect for families. The room also has tea and coffee making facilities.
Ubhejane (Black Rhino) Rondavel: Lovely rondavel with a king-size bed in a perfectly private part of the garden. The unit also has an en-suite bathroom shower.
Ingwe (Leopard) Rondavel: Your own private space but not too far from the homestead. This Rondavel has a private deck and overlooks the setting sun each evening. The unit also has an en-suite bathroom and tea and coffee making facilities.
Ndlovu (Elephant) Rondavel: Your own private space but not too far from the homestead. Sundowners Rondavel has a private deck and overlooks the setting sun each evening. The unit also has an en-suite bathroom and tea and coffee making facilities.
Makongo Hills is located on the Battlefields route, approximately 5.5 hours from Johannesburg and 4.5 hours from Durban. Make Makongo Hills your base to explore the deeply historic and cultural destination of Zululand.
Phenomenally wild and beautiful, the defining feature of Makongo Hills is its remoteness. The 15,000 hectare reserve incorporates a diversity of habitats. In the Acacia woodland area you will find, amongst others, lion, leopards, giraffe and elephant, the thickets are secure spots for the nyala, shy bushbuck and kudu, the grasslands teem with wildebeest, zebra and buffalo; sightings of rhino, cheetah, hyena and other species. Birdlife is abundant throughout.
Game Drives - Explore the varying landscape with expert field guides, who have a deep understanding and respect for this precious wilderness area. You will be taken on 2 drives each day in the lodge's 4×4 Land Cruiser: An early morning adventure, breaking for tea/coffee and rusks deep in the African bushveld, then back to the lodge for breakfast. An afternoon drive with a sundowner at one of their amazing viewpoints; or a night drive, experiencing the nocturnal species and magnificent Zululand skies.
Birding - An avian-rich destination, Makongo Hills is home to a myriad of some of the country’s most beloved bird species.The reserve’s range of diverse habitats; from rolling grassland, riverine sand forest, acacia woodland and extensive riverine cliff faces, makes it an absolute birder’s paradise. Enjoy connecting with the flurry of colour and natural beauty from the safety of the Bird Hide, or the comfort of a game drive.
Stargazing - The secluded location means there are no city lights to detract from the night sky. The Celestron telescope means you can get closer to Africa’s heavenly constellations and shooting stars.
