Kukummi Lodge - formerly Mackaya Bella Country Lodge

You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful location to stay in the Drakensberg. Watching the sun rise and set over champagne castle was a magical experience. Ryan and Danny were fantastic hosts, we felt like we were staying with old friends and really enjoyed there company. The food was exceptional and worth every penny. We loved sleeping under thatch! Thanks for making our stay so relaxing.

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We had an amazing time at Mackaya; it felt like a home away from home. Ryan and Danny are amazing and friendly hosts, always ready to assist us with any needs we had. It was not a problem to provide a vegetarian meal for our family. The food was absolutely yummie! They also helped us prepare a birthday surprise for my husband (welcome with bubbles, beautiful birthday cake). We also got the chance to make our own South-African "stokbrood", which was very fun to do! Danny and Ryan have a lot of knowledge about the surrounding nature and the history and are happy to tell you about it. The view from the garden is fantastic, and you get the chance to see a lot of beautiful birds! The property itself is well-maintained and the rooms are nice, and we loved their attention to detail and all that they provided for us. Also the fire place in the main building was very cosy. We also want to thank Amina for her help and Thalente and Ntombi for their kindness and excellent cooking skills. Overall, it was a very nice experience, and we hope to visit again! We highly recommend Mackaya for a relaxing getaway, with amazing and friendly hosts, and comfortable, beautiful rooms. 10/10 recommend!

Geen minpunten

A Home Away from Home at Mackaya We had an amazing time at Mackaya; it truly felt like a home away from home. Ryan and Danny are exceptional hosts, always ready to assist with any needs we had. They even catered to my vegan dietary requirements, and I still remember the delicious stroganoff, smoothie and apple pie Danny made for us—absolutely yum! They made us feel like long-time friends, showing us around and ensuring we felt both at home and special. We went on a hike with Danny, who is incredibly knowledgeable. I’m eagerly waiting for some footage from the Bush cam ;)! Ryan also took us on a stroll around the area, where we learned so many new and interesting things about the ecosystem. Both of them are informative and knowledgeable. Upon arrival, it was already dark, and we were quite anxious since there were no street lamps around. However, Ryan stepped in, waited for us at the main entrance, and led us all the way to the villa. The property itself is well-maintained and beautifully designed, but what made our stay truly special were these two amazing hosts. Amina, who works remotely, was also very responsive and willing to help in any way she could. Talent, another team member, was friendly and excellent at her job. Overall, it was a wholesome experience, and we will definitely visit again. Leaving the property felt like leaving old friends behind. We even received bonus lemons from the private orchard upon departure! My husband, daughter, and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning soon. I highly recommend Mackaya for a relaxing getaway, with good company, amazing and friendly hosts, and comfortable, beautiful rooms. 10/10 recommend!

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Very secluded from everything. Ryan and Danny are amazing hosts and see to your every need. We spent our evenings by the fire having great conversations with them and other guests… even played a game of 30 seconds. It felt like spending the weekend with friends. The location is awesome for cool walks in the forest.

The road leading into the property is very rocky but we were warned upfront to only take the road with an SUV and if we are comfortable. They do offer to pick you up at the entrance.

We had such a wonderful time

Everything was just incredible... Views for DAYS!!!! The food was amazing, we were comfortable and made to feel at home every minute we were at the lodge. The hikes were stunning with so much on the lodge doorstep! Ryan and Danny are fabulous! Lots of laughs and storytelling, made our trip! We will definitely be back!!!

A very secluded lodge with fantastic views over the valley and the Drakensberg mountains. We picked Mackaya Bella based on its location and private atmosphere, as well as great past reviews - and we indeed can conclude that it was an amazing decision to stay here (it's a pity we only did 2 nights, having stayed here, I think the reasonable minimum is 3 nights to be able to enjoy the trails to the fullest - but we were really short on time). There are currently only 3 guest accommodations at the property, and we did enjoy very personalised service. Ryan reached out in advance to offer free transfer should we not felt that our car was able to pass on the countryside road (which is currently under upgrade to cater for cars with low ground clearance. However, we were perfectly able to make it with Toyota Corolla), as well as some details on the dinner menu (the food was really fantastic, we totally recommend picking up package with dinner included). The room was spacious, with enough space for several large suitcases, it featured fully stocked bathroom with shower and a separate toilet, as well as tea/coffee amenities and a fan (which we didn't need, as open windows provided enough ventilation). There were 2 WiFi networks (incl. one via Starlink), which worked rather well - compared to many other hotels we've stayed in South Africa (well, given the location, we were surprised that the internet was available at all....). The breakfast was great with numerous options to order as well as buffet - and we were able to make use of tea/coffee/water facilities in the shared lounge. Another good thing - there were plenty of table games available, which was a good opportunity to spend time after a hike. Finally, the folks running this lodge - Ryan and Danny - were absolutely friendly and forthcoming, Danny organised a private guided hike for us, and we did enjoy a bit of a discussion during the breakfast time. To wrap it up, it was a 5* experience.

It is not a criticism to the lodge per se, rather that we picked a shoulder season for the visit - and got caught by a storm at night, which made driving back a little more challenging (we had Toyota Corolla with low ground clearance). However, Ryan and Danny did offer to drive us back with their car, while Ryan would drive our car without luggage (thus maximising ground clearance) to the gate. It worked out perfectly - separate huge thanks for the guys for going an extra mile here.

Everything

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The secluded area has the most spectacular views - exactly what we were looking for. Charming hosts.

Access is only possible with a vehicle with high clearance / 4x4 in the wet season (some driving skill required). A charge for transport to / from the lodge is mandatory should visitors not have a suitable vehicle. The cost of dinner is prohibitive for SA visitors with a very limited offering. Rooms not serviced unless requested.

The property is in an amazing part of the Drakensburg with the soundings stunning and little to zero noise at most times of the day