The Outpost Lodge is located in the Makuleke Park covering over 26,010 hectares of pristine Kruger bushveld.

The Outpost Lodge, Kruger National Park is set in the Limpopo Province, this park nestles in the largest and wildest area of South Africa's Kruger National Park and is bordered by the Limpopo River and Zimbabwe to the north and by the famous Crooks Corner and Mozambique to the east.

The Pafuri airstrip allows guests to fly directly into the Kruger National Park. The safari begins on arrival; guests are met by an open 4x4 safari vehicle and a guide for their transfer to The Outpost. The transfer is a pleasant 45-minute scenic drive through the Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park, with some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities on the way.

Visitors to the Makuleke Contractual Park can experience a great variety of game ranging from elephants and buffalo to over 350 bird species. Exclusive to this region of the Kruger National Park is the Nyala, an antelope that does not wander to the south of the reserve. The topography is characterised by a variety of Mopane woodlands, Fever Tree forests, Acacia thickets and some of the oldest Baobab specimens which make for breathtaking scenery.

The Outpost’s design is one of the clean and bright lines using a combination of elements including steel, concrete and open space. This current design highlights the attractive surroundings while preserving the wilderness surrounding it. Designers and architects alike have ensured that prudent water management and operative sun-orientation has been implemented to minimise energy consumption at this unique safari lodge in the Kruger National Park.

The twelve open-plan luxurious accommodation suites provide magnificent panoramic views of the untamed bushveld and river. Special touches include Nguni cowhides on the ottomans and bright pillows allowing guests to soak up the wonders of their surroundings while appreciating the luxury of their en-suite suites.

The luxury spaces are joined to the main building by an attractive walkway made from Zimbabwean teak. For honeymooners, the most private and romantic Honeymoon Suite awaits where guests enjoy tranquillity and romance throughout their stay.

The main building is an embodiment of the Lodge with its open space and expansive views. Overlooking the outdoor swimming pool, guests can relax on the terrace with luxurious daybeds and comfortable chairs provided by the lodge.

The modern bar defines the lounge and dining spaces while the room, with its impressive array of books, is the ideal place for a good read.

Breakfast and lunch may be served in the dining area or at a picnic while guests are out on a safari. Dinner is served in the enclosed courtyard or on the swimming pool deck enabling guests to enjoy the majestic stars.

Rejuvenating massage treatments are available in the privacy of the guests’ suites. The spectacular vistas from the suites combined with the relaxing massage treatments make for an out-of-this-world combination of comfort, wellness, and beauty.

An incredible 26,500 hectares of some of the wildest and most biologically diverse areas of the Kruger National Park makes for the most fascinating and memorable safari encounters a guest can ask for, whether via safari drives or on walking safaris.

Meanwhile, the area’s rich historical and cultural heritage is quickly investigated by guided visits to Crooks Corner and the Thulamela archaeological site overlooking the Luvuvhu River or by a visit to the Makuleke Village.

Guests are taken on safari drives in the early morning and then again in the late afternoon which leads into the early evening. The safaris are accompanied by qualified and experienced guides in open 4x4 safari vehicles. These thrilling drives through the reserve are not restricted to the public roads in the Kruger National Park and therefore mostly take place on tracks formerly reserved for the use of park officials.

The peaceful location is combined with its splendid beauty, and an array of safari activities makes it a superb venue for company getaways, team building events, and unforgettable weddings. Conference delegates can leave the urban jungle behind them and enjoy the sounds and smells of the African bush for a few days. The Lodge can accommodate 24 guests while a minimum of 16 guests ensures exclusive use of the lodge and tailor-made packages.

The Makuleke Contractual Park (Pafuri), one of just a few of true wilderness areas left in South Africa, is rich in history and offers vegetation very different to anything else in the Kruger National Park. The trees in the area are huge, and the topography of this region is diverse ranging from majestic mountains, impressive gorges, shady forests, mopane woodlands and vast open savannah bushveld.

The beautiful and peaceful Levuvhu River has hippos and crocodiles. The area is also the favourite grazing area for the elephants during the winter months while leopards thrive in the thick bushveld and prey on the local antelope.

Birding specialists will find the variety of unusual birds astounding, and these include the Pel’s fishing owl, the black-throat wattle-eyed, African crowned eagle and the racket-tailed roller.

Sharing a border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the Makuleke Contractual Park is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people and is one of the most diverse and scenic regions of the Kruger National Park.

There are daily flights and road transfers to and from the lodge which can be organised on request. There are three airports in the Kruger National Park area, namely the Phalaborwa Airport for the northern section, the Hoedspruit Airport for the central region and the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport or OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for the South of the country. Charter flights from either of these airports as well as of others are also available upon request.

There is a 1011 meter gravel runway in the concession, where travellers are met by an open 4x4 safari vehicle and a guide transfer guests to the lodge. A 45-minute scenic drive with some wildlife viewing on the way. Road transfers are available through The Outpost's preferred suppliers from Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa, and Polokwane, these routes all include a one and a half to two-hour drive through the park.

Access by road and air:

• Flight transfer or private charter into Pafuri airstrip
• Road transfers are available from any airport to the lodge
• The Outpost - Polokwane (PTG) Airport ( about 3 hours)
• The Outpost - Phalaborwa (PHW) Airport ( about 4 hours)
• The Outpost - Hoedspruit (HDS) Airport ( about 4h30 hours).

Makuleke Contractual Park:

• Almost 80% of the Kruger National Park’s diversity live here
• 26 502 ha Big 5 Park with only three concessionaires
• Over 352 bird species identified
• Listed Ramsar Wetland Site
• Traces of early humankind.

Location

• Makuleke Contractual Park, Northern Kruger National Park
• Limpopo Province, South Africa
• Travers over 26 520 hectares.
• 653 km from Johannesburg (about a 6-hour drive).

Room types:

• Luxury Suites
• Honeymoon Suite.

Quick facts:

• 26 510ha Contractual Park, in the heart of the Limpopo Transfrontier “Peace” Park
• Sharing a border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Southern Africa
• Untouched "Big 5" Wilderness with only three concessionaires allowed to traverse
• Unique typography with a broad diversity of landscape
• Diverse eco-system: almost 80% of the Kruger National Parks diversity.
• Birder’s paradise: over 352 recorded species with an impressive list of specials
• Listed Ramsar Site: wetlands of international importance
• Traces of early humankind discovered in the area
• Baobab trees carbon dating back 1400 years
• Lanner Gorge: rocks dating back 250 million years
• Crooks Corner: the confluence of 3 countries and two rivers
• Thulamela Ruins: stone ruins of a royal citadel, dating back to between the 15th and 17th centuries.

Accommodation features:

• Unique open luxury spaces in the rooms
• Beautiful panoramic views
• State-of-the-art remote controlled weather screens
• Stunning bathroom with stone bath and shower overlooking the bush
• Double basin
• King-sized bed with goose down duvets
• Mosquito Netting
• Lounge and a private terrace with daybed
• Eco-friendly cooling system.
• Well stocked mini-bar
• Nespresso coffee machines
• Mosquito repellent
• Robes and slippers
• Hairdryer and safe
• Umbrella.

Facilities:

• Dining room
• Bar
• Wine cellar
• Swimming pool
• Superb South African wines
• Deck with spectacular views
• Lounge with fireplace
• Library
• Fictional, non-fictional books and novels
• In-room massage therapies.

Activities:

• Two safari drives daily
• Bushwalks & walking safaris
• Private safaris
• Birding safaris
• Village tour
• Historical tour - Thulamela Ruins
• History tour - Crooks Corner
• Spa treatments.

Safari drives:

• Tea, filter coffee and snacks on a morning safari drive
• Drinks and snacks on an afternoon safari drive
• Big 5’ wildlife viewing
• State of the art Land Rovers.