About The Outpost

The Outpost lies in a vast wilderness area in the northernmost part of Kruger National Park. This region, called the Makuleke Region, is bordered to the north by the Limpopo River and Zimbabwe and to the east by Crooks Corner and Mozambique.

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

The Outpost comprises one large main building and twelve stand-alone living spaces set against the side of a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River, all connected by a half kilometre long walkway made of Zimbabwean teak. The contemporary design of each Space makes use of concrete and steel with retractable remote controlled screens which may be opened to offer 180-degree views of the river valley below, or closed depending on the weather. The living area of each Space comprises an outdoor terrace with daybed, indoor lounge and bedroom with king size bed under mosquito netting. The award-winning en-suite bathrooms offer full views of the surrounding bushveld, or can be screened off for privacy.

On arrival guests are welcomed into the main building and are treated to the openness and extensive views that embody The Outpost. The modern bar is a focal point and defines the lounge and dining areas. The lounge is flanked by a large book case with an extensive and varied selection of books. This area leads off to the swimming pool deck with large lap pool.

Despite its remote location, The Outpost strives to provide excellent cuisine. Our style of food draws from its African surroundings and care is taken to source the best produce whether available locally or flown in fresh from Johannesburg.

The Outpost offers a variety of places to dine. Breakfast is served under cover in the dining area in the main building with views of the Luvuvhu River Valley. Lunch is either served in the dining area or, depending on your length of stay; a picnic lunch is prepared and served out on safari at the riverside or under the Baobabs. Dinner is either eaten in the enclosed courtyard under the stars or on the deck next to the pool.

The Outpost provides an ideal location for your intimate wedding in our African wilderness. There are a number of beautiful areas within the concession from which you can choose the perfect location.

We can arrange all aspects of your wedding including legal requirements, ministers, photographers, flowers, choirs and the like. Please contact us to discuss your personal requirements for your special day.

The region measures some 24 000 hectares and is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo. The mountainous terrain is attractive to leopard and the region has resident prides of lion. Rhino were recently reintroduced and guests visiting The Outpost are likely to see nyala and tsessebe antelope which are not easy to find elsewhere in the Kruger National Park. The diverse terrain of the region includes mopane woodlands, fever tree forests, acacia thickets and some of the largest and oldest baobab trees.

Guests will be offered a choice of a long or short game excursion in the morning and again in the late afternoon which may extend into the early evening. Game drives are conducted by qualified and experienced guides in open-air four wheel-drive vehicles. Game excursions are not restricted to public roads in Kruger National Park and mostly make use of tracks formerly reserved for the use of Park officials.

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 are conducted in parts of the region not accessible to vehicles including the spectacular Lanner Gorge. The Makuleke Region is renowned for its birding and guests may be able to see scarlet chested sunbirds, broadbilled rollers, redheaded weavers, wattle- eyed flycatchers and owls such as the Pel’s fishing owl, the scops, white-faced, pearl-spotted and giant eagle owl.

The region’s rich historical and cultural heritage can be explored by guided visits to Crooks Corner and the Thulamela archaeological site overlooking the Luvuvhu River. Artefacts 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 alongside the Luvuvhu River to Crooks corner at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers and the border of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. A visit to Thulamela is a half day excursion.

The Outpost celebrates its relationship with the Makuleke Community. The creation 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. A visit to the Makuleke Village is a full day excursion

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