Loved by Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa Makhato Lodges guests
Wild Life Centre tour
homemade products
excellent burgers
communal pool
comfortable beds
"Very tranquil place with lots of animals roaming around."
Rynette from South Africa
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"Booked Makhato 104, the chalet is beautiful, exactly as on the pictures."
Kutlwano from South Africa
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"The house was spacious, clean and had everything we needed."
Evelyn from United States
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"This place was quiet and peaceful."
Natalie from South Africa
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"We also enjoyed the animals that came to visit during our stay."
Reginald from South Africa
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Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa Makhato Lodges - 4-star bush retreat in Bela-Bela with game drives and full-service spa
Accommodation
Makhato Lodges offer self-catering holiday homes with a seating area and flat-screen TV. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, microwave, toaster, fridge, and stovetop. Some homes include a pool table in the kids' room and an outdoor shower.
Dining
The on-site restaurant serves pizza, chicken schnitzel, and burgers. A coffee house operates within the reserve, and a deli and shop sell homemade products. Guests can also use the BBQ facilities at their lodge.
Spa & Wellness
Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa provides a full-service spa with body treatments, facials, and massages including couples massage. Guests can book spa packages and enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The spa offers waxing services and manicures and pedicures.
Activities
Game drives allow guests to feed eland, zebras, and ostriches from their hands. Cycling, hiking, and horse riding trails cross the reserve, and quad biking and archery are available. The Wild Life Centre offers interactive encounters with bush babies and nyalas.
Family & Kids
Kids' outdoor play equipment is provided, and a bingo session runs on site. Some holiday homes have a pool table in the children's room. The reserve's golf cart or large vehicle is recommended for getting around the 3-5 km gravel roads between lodges and facilities.
Highlights
Location: 1.5-hour drive from Johannesburg, within a nature reserve
Accommodation: Self-catering holiday homes with fully equipped kitchen
Dining: On-site restaurant, coffee house, and deli with homemade products
Wellness: Full-service spa with body treatments, facials, and massages
Activities: Game drives with animal feeding, quad biking, archery, horse riding
Family: Kids' outdoor play equipment and pool table in some units
“Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa stands out as a genuinely tranquil escape, particularly appealing for its proximity to Johannesburg and the constant presence of wildlife right outside the lodge. The Makhato units are well-equipped for self-catering, and the dedicated communal pool offers a more relaxed alternative to the main entertainment area. I found the spa treatments and the restaurant's offerings to be particularly noteworthy advantages for a restorative getaway.”
James DavidEditor-in-Chief at Zalimpopo
Select your room type
Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa Makhato Lodges offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Holiday Home Makhato 105
2 persons
180 m²
2 Single beds
room details
Holiday Home Makhato 19
2 persons
180 m²
2 Single beds
room details
Holiday Home Makhato 80
2 persons
180 m²
2 Single beds
room details
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Price and Room Availability Calendar
Check availability and prices for your dates now!
July 2026 - July 2027
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Check-in/ Check-out
Facilities
Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa Makhato Lodges offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences