Kitara, Madikwe or Makanyane? Choosing your Last Word safari lodge

Last Word has three Big Five safari lodges. Last Word Kitara is in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger. Last Word Madikwe and Last Word Makanyane are both in the malaria-free Madikwe area of North West Province. All three are small, and every stay includes three meals a day, two game drives a day, tea and coffee, selected beverages including premium wines and spirits, and VAT. What sets them apart is the setting, the way you explore and who they suit best.

The three lodges at a glance

Last Word Kitara: the river lodge in the Greater Kruger

Kitara stands on the banks of the Klaserie River, inside the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Guests explore about 8,000 hectares of private traversing, and vehicle numbers are kept low, so sightings stay uncrowded. Game drives go out twice a day with an experienced guide and a tracker. The river is a daily path for elephants, and many guests watch them walk past from their own patio.

The six Luxury Suites are all the same size, 70 square metres, and all look over the river. Each takes a maximum of two guests and has a bath, an indoor shower and an outdoor shower. There is an infinity pool and a viewing deck above the river. Besides game drives you can go on guided bush walks, arranged subject to weather, season, guide availability and safety conditions. With only six suites, Kitara can also be booked exclusively for your group.

Children: Kitara welcomes guests from 12 years, who pay the adult rate. When the whole lodge is booked under our Exclusive Use package, younger children are welcome and the game drives can be arranged with no minimum age. Guests under 16 do not take part in guided bush walks.

Malaria: Kitara is situated in a malaria area. Please consult your doctor or a travel clinic for advice before travelling.

Last Word Madikwe: the waterhole that brings the Big Five to you

At Last Word Madikwe the best sightings often happen at the lodge itself. The lodge is built around an active waterhole that draws wildlife throughout the day. You can watch from the lodge and the garden, or go down to the underground photographic hide for a close-up view at eye level with the animals. It is a favourite with photographers.

Game drives explore about 75,000 hectares of the Madikwe Game Reserve, twice a day, led by experienced guides. Guided nature walks take place on the fenced private land around the lodge and are suitable for children, at the guide's discretion. Madikwe is malaria-free, which makes it an easy choice for families and for travellers who prefer not to take malaria tablets.

There are six Classic Suites. For families and groups there is a Private Villa with three bedrooms for up to six guests, which comes with its own private safari vehicle.

Children: all ages are welcome. Children under 6 do not join the normal scheduled game drives, but a one-hour Kiddie's Bumble can be arranged, subject to availability. Children aged 1 to 11 may qualify for the child rate, depending on the room set-up. On our Family Adventure package, wildlife safaris can be arranged with no minimum age and timed around your family.

Last Word Makanyane: safari at a quieter pace

Makanyane lies beside the Marico River on 1,800 hectares of private land, with access to traverse the wider Madikwe Game Reserve. The private land gives extra flexibility for safari experiences planned around you. There are eight Luxury Suites, all facing the river, each for a maximum of two guests.

The river draws wildlife and birds all day, so there is always something to watch between drives. Game drives are led by experienced guides. Guided bush walks can be arranged for guests aged 16 and over, with the pace and distance tailored to you, at the guide's discretion and depending on conditions on the day. Like Madikwe, Makanyane is malaria-free.

Children: Makanyane welcomes guests from 12 years.

What to expect on safari

A day at all three lodges follows the rhythm of the animals:

1. Early morning game drive. You set out early, when the animals are most active.
2. Breakfast back at the lodge, then time at the pool, in the hide at Madikwe, or on a guided walk.
3. Lunch and a quiet afternoon. The bush slows down in the midday heat, and so do you.
4. Afternoon game drive into the evening, with sundowners in the bush.
5. Dinner, often in the boma under the stars.

Game drive times

These times are approximate and can move a little with the season, the weather and the sightings. Summer is October to March, winter is April to September.

Three meals a day, two game drives a day, tea and coffee, selected beverages including premium wines and spirits, and VAT are included at every lodge. Selections from the Reserve Wine List are charged separately. Conservation levies, gate fees and applicable landing fees are separate reserve charges that go to the reserves; there is no gate fee at Makanyane, which has its own private gate.

Which lodge should you choose?

• Your first safari, or travelling with young children: Last Word Madikwe. It is malaria-free, welcomes all ages and has the Private Villa with its own safari vehicle.
• Honeymoon or a special trip for two: Last Word Kitara, or Last Word Makanyane if you want it extra quiet.
• A private safari for your own group: book Last Word Kitara exclusively, or the Private Villa at Last Word Madikwe.
• No malaria tablets: Last Word Madikwe or Last Word Makanyane.
• Can't decide between the Kruger and Madikwe? Our 9-Night Journey lets you choose Kitara or Madikwe, combined with Franschhoek and Cape Town.

Not sure yet? Our Reservations team will happily talk it through with you. Call +27 21 794 6561 or email stay@thelastword.co.za. To plan the journey itself, see our guide Getting to the Last Word hotels and lodges.