Amakhosi is located in a blend of savannah, wetlands and mountains. This luxury Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of Zululand’s Mkuze River in the Amakhosi private game reserve. Artistic décor, African fusion cuisine and prompt attentive service, makes Amakhosi a bush lodge a stand out in the region.

The St. Lucia Wetlands and Sodwana Bay are a mere 2.5 hours away from the lodge and are well worth incorporating into any itinerary. Rediscover yourself and the richness of life in ‘The Place of Kings’. Situated past Pongola on the road to Nongoma, where King Goodwill Zwelethini has his palaces, Amakhosi Safari Lodge gives majestic new meaning to a royal bush experience and welcome. Personal attention rules, from the warm hand-towels, sherry and smiles that greet guests, to the plush comfort of the six large thatched chalets and two Umntwana Honeymoon Suites strung along the Mkuze River.

The six luxurious river suites capture nature through ceiling-high windows and private viewing decks across the river. Each suite accommodates two adults with an air conditioned lounge, bedroom, bathroom with a separate shower and toilet, safe, bath robes, fully stocked mini-bar and a tea and coffee tray. Built in a shape of a Zulu shield and decorated in a typical Zulu style with a colourful modern touch, all suites are easily accessible from the main lodge.

“IsiGodlo” (meaning “chiefs residence) This private home is Exclusive and located a leopard’s leap away from the main lodge, this hidden gem accommodates four deserving guests and offers you a share of paradise. Relax in your suite or in a rock-fringed lodge swimming pool and watch the flash of the Lilac-breasted Roller or Malachite Kingfisher, but when darkness falls, listen for the roar of the lions . . .

You can also unwind, revitalize and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul in the unique African surrounding of the Amakhosi river SPA, here guests can enjoy holistic body, skin and beauty rituals; rejuvenating massages and soothing treatments by Africology, these are designed to relax the body and bring harmony to the spirit while preserving youthfulness and enhancing health and vitality.

This is Big 5 territory and what you don’t view from your deck, expert guides invariably will deliver on dawn and dusk game drives. Conversation around the fire at night is of close encounters with lionesses and playful cubs, sand-bathing elephants and streaking cheetah. But equally engrossing are the adventurous guide’s encounters with smaller creatures, from delicate bark spiders to glossy dung beetles; and anecdotes about the trees and medicinal plants of the reserve.

Depending on the season, you can choose from fishing, walking, cultural and frogging safaris. Most evenings centre on the 5* plated bush dinners produced in the Amakhosi kitchen. Guests linger contentedly on the expansive lodge deck and reconnect themselves with nature through the sounds of the bush, then retire to the friendliness of the bar, or doze around a fire pit, where traditional Zulus and later, fireflies.

The Amakhosi Private Game Reserve is made up of a varied ecosystem. This diversity includes savannah, mountains and wetlands which makes it the ideal home to the "Big Five" as well as giraffe, warthog and hyena not to mention over 15 different antelope species, hippopotamus and crocodile. The wetlands offer no less than 400 bird species, a place of paradise and comfort.