The Outpost

Acclaimed Italian born architect Enrico Daffonchio designed The Outpost. Using simple, clean lines and combining elements of steel and canvas the unashamedly contemporary design of The Outpost emphasizes its beautiful surrounds but blends and preserves the wilderness that is its home.

In the most remote part of Kruger National Park, in a wilderness area previously uninhabited by visitors to the Park lies the vast concession awarded to The Outpost as a result of a ground-breaking agreement between the Makuleke People and the South African National Parks Board. The Makuleke Region fell outside the borders of Kruger National Park until 1969 when, allegedly for security reasons, they were forcibly removed under the Apartheid laws of the day to allow for the Park to extend to the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. After South Africa returned to democracy in the 1990's, the Makulekes instituted a land claim which culminated in an agreement conferring title of the region to the Makuleke people provided it remains part of the Park and is used only for limited ecotourism. The Outpost is the first lodge to be built in this vast region.

Situated in the Makuleke Region in the northernmost part of Kruger National Park, The Outpost rests high on a hill overlooking the flood plains of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers. This region, formerly known as the Pafuri region, is in the northernmost part of Kruger National Park and is bordered to the north by the Limpopo and Zimbabwe and to the East by Crooks Corner and Zimbabwe.

Guests are accommodated in 12 stand- alone en suite living space that are placed alongside a walkway on the side of a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River. The Spaces are of contemporary design with retractable canvas screens and frontage offering a 180-degree views of the Luvuvhu River Valley. The open feel of the rooms is extended into the full bathroom with concrete bath and open shower and a view extending as far as Mozambique.

Game Viewing

The region measures some 24000 hectares and is well known for its abundant wildlife including less common species not evident in the southern and central regions of the park. Apart from large herds of Elephant and Buffalo, guests will be able to see Nyala and Tsessebe antelope which are not easy to find in the more southern regions of the Park. The diverse terrain of the region includes Mopane woodlands, fever tree forests, acacia thickets as well as some of the largest and oldest Baobab specimens. Guests will be offered a choice of a long or short game drive in the morning and again in the mid afternoon. Game drives will be conducted by qualified and experienced guides in open-air four wheel drive vehicles. The vehicles are not restricted to public roads in Kruger National Park and will mostly make use of tracks formerly restricted for the use of Park officials.

Visit Thulamela

The region's rich historical and cultural heritage, can be explored by guided visits to Crooks Corner and the Thulamela archeological site overlooking the Luvuvhu River. Articles dating from 1460 to 1640 have been found tying them to the last phase of the Zimbabwe culture. In the late 19th century, the historic Ivory Route passed along the Luvuvhu River to Crooks corner at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers and the border of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Visit Makuleke Village

The Outpost is in a way a partnership between the lodge and the Makuleke people. The event of the lodge is inextricably linked to the history of the Makuleke people, their forced removal from the region under the Apartheid laws of the old South African government and the subsequent return of title to the Makuleke people. The history of the Makuleke people is best explored by a visit to the Makuleke Village in the capable hands of a Makuleke guide.

Hiking and Birding

Guests who would like to experience the bush on foot may do so after breakfast or as an alternative to a game drive in the early mornings and late afternoons. Walks will be conducted in parts of the region not accessible to vehicles including the spectacular Lanner Gorge. The Makuleke Region is renown for its birding and guests may be able to see Scarlett chested sunbirds, Broadbilled rollers, Redheaded weavers, Wattle- eyed flycatchers and owls such as the Pels Fishing Owl, the Scops, Whitefaced, Pearl-Spotted and Giant Eagle Owl.

Notwithstanding its remote location, The Outpost strives to provide excellent cuisine. The style of food reflects its African surroundings. Care is taken to source the best produce whether available locally or whether it is flown in fresh from Johannesburg.