The Outpost Lodge, Kruger National Park

The Outpost Lodge, Kruger National Park, is a socially responsible lodge in South Africa, which was conceived to benefit the local people of Makuleke Community, but more on that later. First of all …

How Did People Like Us End Up in a Luxury Lodge?

Years ago, I was photographing hippos near a waterhole when a leopard dashed out of the bush and snatched a crocodile from the water (see video clip). It was only my fourth day in Kruger and I had already witnessed something that nobody had ever documented in all of human history. I would be forever hooked on Kruger National Park in South Africa.

There’s no denying that Kruger is one of the premier wildlife-watching destinations on the planet. The diversity of large mammal species is astounding and the size of the park is staggering. Yet, even in a place so spacious, the crowds of human spectators can occasionally become overwhelming, especially in the easily-accessed southern end of the park. That’s why Cristina and I were really looking forward to making the long journey to the northern tip.  Our opportunity came when I entered a competition in South Africa’s Getaway Magazine, calling for essays of amazing Kruger encounters to be used in an upcoming book entitled Kruger Tales.

My leopard vs. crocodile story took first place, and the prize was a two-night stay for two people in a luxury resort in north Kruger: The Outpost Lodge. This was the excuse we needed to plan our next trip to Africa and Kruger became our first destination. A few months later, we flew to Johannesburg, rented a car, and drove five hours to the park. After seven nights of camping and slowly making our way from south to north, we arrived at the top of a long gravel drive through the wilderness and found ourselves in the lap of luxury.

 

The Outpost Lodge is in the north area of Kruger, just a 12min drive from Pafuri gate, and about 40min from the famous Crooks Corner and not far from the central regions of the park.

Amazing Suites, Amazing Design

I must admit, I felt like a bit of an impostor pulling up to The Outpost. We had never stayed in a luxury lodge and, after a week of camping, must have looked like a couple of ragged homeless folks who had snuck in through a hole in the back wall. But we were warmly greeted by three smiling employees including the manager. She led us to the bar where our jaws instantly dropped upon seeing the amazing view.

The Outpost Lodge is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Luvuvhu River (it joins the Limpopo river in the fever tree forests area). From up here, the extensive views of the rolling African sandveld sprinkled with baobabs and acacia trees appears to stretch to the ends of the earth. You can see large herds of elephant from your own room. Once we had tucked our chins back in we were handed an iced tea in a cocktail glass. I could get used to this.

The entire common area is open to the air on three sides, providing stunning views and cooling breezes. The roof, high above, covers a dining area with elegant tables, a modest but modern bar, and a comfortable sitting area populated with cozy chairs and a fireplace. To the right, backed by attractive stone walls, stretches a huge multi-level outdoor terrace housing a clear blue swimming pool and outdoor lounging beds scattered amongst artfully spaced acacia trees.

We loved this open plan design. From the pool you can see the bar and restaurant area.

After a quick tour of the common area, the manager led us down a long boardwalk that seemed to disappear into the wilderness. We soon realized this was the path to the “rooms”. Each one is a separate building raised on stilts overlooking the valley.

But what truly makes the Outpost such an incredible place to stay is the design of these units. Clean lines,  contemporary architecture with clever use of concrete. The suites are one open space and completely open on three sides. You can lie in bed and watch an unobstructed panoramic view of the sun rising over the valley and the beautiful surrounds of the lodge. And more amazing still, you can take a bath in the tub which is perched at the edge of the railing, watching the elephants and buffalo strolling by in the plains below. It felt like we were staying at a honeymoon suite. 

I can confidently rate The Outpost as my number one favorite bathtub in the world. For those moments when you feel like you need a little more privacy, or want to keep the mosquitoes out, you can close the remote-controlled screens from your comfortable reclining sofa.

Great Food, More Great Food, and Even More Great Food

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your stay, mainly because there is nowhere else to eat within a hundred miles. You’ll be very glad about that, because the food here is top notch and plentiful. It took us a few meals before we realized we couldn’t eat all the food they offered us, due to the generous portions and multiple courses, even though we very much wanted to devour every bite.

The restaurant is in the central lodge area, off the main building,  also with open sides, so you feel like you are always eating outside. 

Wildlife, Game Drives and Sundowners

Of course you could just relax at the swimming pool, drool over the view, and eat yourself silly all day, but you’d be missing the main attraction: the wildlife. Every early morning and every late afternoon, the guests are taken on a guided game drive on open safari vehicles around the northern end of Kruger. This is the perfect time to get to know the mopane woodlands, the fever tree forests, and the magic of Kruger park.

Our guide clearly enjoyed his job. His enthusiasm for the land and for the wildlife was obvious and, though on occasion he drove maniacally fast, he did deliver us a few great sightings.

As the sun began to set, Joey arrived in the magical fever-tree forest, stopped his rover, and set up a lovely mini-bar in the wilderness. Snacking on biltong and hors d’oeuvres while sipping an import beer, we watched the baboons cavort in the trees while the sun slowly sank through the army of pale green trunks. 

We all were keen to spot a leopard as Joey said that he sees them at least once a week in the area. However, we were more than happy to settle for a pair of male lions resting under the full moon, a hunting lioness (a member of one resident prides of lion), a rare Pel’s Fishing Owl watching the river, and my personal favorites: a smattering of small mammals that I rarely get a chance to see including large-spotted genets, a civet, lesser and greater bushbabies, and even several four-toed elephant shrews!

Northern Kruger does not generally have the high concentrations of wildlife that are found in the southern end, but with a little more work you can certainly see nearly all of your dream African animals. This is an area that specially delights birders. There are over 450 bird species in Kruger and the north is very productive. And if you like to feel a sense of solitude in the wilderness, heading to the top of Kruger may well be worth your trek.

Another wildlife surprise was readily visible right on the Outpost grounds. There is a colony of Bush Hyrax living in the trees along the boardwalk and you can see them each day scampering around and sunning on the rocks just meters away. Though I had seen Rock Hyrax in many places around southern Africa, this was my first time ever seeing the Bush Hyrax species, and watching them climb nimbly through the branches was a real treat.

And our grand finale, as we were driving away from the Outpost, we spotted no less than four different flap-necked chameleons making there way across the driveway. Drive slowly and keep your eyes peeled!

A True Community Lodge

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Outpost Lodge is that it was conceived to benefit the local community of the makulele concession. In 1969, under apartheid rule, The Makuleke people were forcibly removed from the region. When democracy returned in the 90’s, the land was given back to the Makuleke on the condition that it be used for ecotourism under environmental management of Kruger National Park. Then, the Makuleke Community essentially rented the concession to the Outpost for a period of 30 years, during which 8% goes back to the community and after which the entire lodge is returned to community ownership. The theory is that after the 30 year concession, the community will have all the skills necessary to operate the lodge for their own benefit.

This arrangement represents one of the most advanced integrated conservation and sustainable development models in the world and provides real ownership and control to the Makuleke Community.

The Outpost

The Verdict

If you have a big budget, The Outpost Lodge is a great safari lodge in Kruger National Park to see your dream African animals, get away from the crowds in Kruger, and get pampered a little bit along the way. You’ll sleep better knowing that your stay actually benefits the local people. And best of all, you can go on a game drive right from your bath tub. Find out more about the Outpost Lodge at their website.