Contact Toro River

NOTE: Access via the Makalali Private Game Reserve main gate is strictly prohibited after 17:00, in alignment with the reserve’s security and wildlife/conservation policy. Please plan your arrival accordingly.

From Johannesburg

• Depending on your location in Johannesburg, take the N1 North and connect to the N4 East in Pretoria, or take the N12 East, which merges into the N4 near eMalahleni (Witbank).
• Continue on the N4 East towards eMalahleni (Witbank), then onward to eMakhazeni (Belfast).
• Take the exit to eMakhazeni (Belfast).
• In eMakhazeni (Belfast), turn right onto Steven Masango Street (R540).
• Continue on the R540.
• Where the R540 meets the R36, turn left toward Mashishing (Lydenburg).
• In Mashishing (Lydenburg), turn left onto Voortrekker Street (R37), then right onto De Clercq Street (still R37, which becomes R36) towards Ohrigstad.
• Follow the R36 to Ohrigstad and continue through the J.G. Strijdom Tunnel.
• Turn left toward Tzaneen at the TOTAL petrol station (still on the R36).
• Note: This is your last opportunity to refuel.
• Continue across the Olifants River, passing The Oaks village.
• Drive past the Phalaborwa turnoff and follow the Makalali signs.
• Turn right at the Harmony D202 road (look for the Makalali signpost on the left of the road) towards Gravelotte – this road becomes a gravel road.
• Proceed through the security boom gate.
• Travel approximately 9 km on the gravel road toward the Makalali Private Game Reserve main gate on your right.
• At the gate checking. Collect a Toro River Lodges remote control.
• Drive down the servitude road between the fences next to the main gate.
• Open the gate, marked Makalali, at the end of the road.
• Follow the Toro River Lodges signs to the lodge. It takes approximately 35 minutes from the main gate to the lodge.

From Nelspruit

• Take the R40 towards White River and on to Hazyview (staying on the R40).
• Travel through Hazyview and on to Bushbuckridge (R40).
• Turn left onto the R531 towards Kampersrus.
• Turn left onto the R527 towards Mashishing (Lydenburg).
• Turn right at the Total garage towards Tzaneen on the R36 (last stop to refuel) — there is a Makalali sign just before this turnoff.
• Continue across the Olifants River, passing The Oaks village.
• Drive past the Phalaborwa turnoff and follow the Makalali signs.
• Turn right at the Harmony D202 road towards Gravelotte (look for the Makalali signpost on the left of the road)  – this road becomes a gravel road.
• Proceed through the security boom gate.
• Travel approximately 9 km on the gravel road toward the Makalali Private Game Reserve main gate on your right.
• At the gate checking. Collect a Toro River Lodges remote control.
• Drive down the servitude road between the fences next to the main gate.
• Open the gate, marked Makalali, at the end of the road.
• Follow the Toro River Lodges signs to the lodge. It takes approximately 35 minutes from the main gate to the lodge.

From Hoedspruit

• Take the R527 towards Mashishing (Lydenburg).
• Turn right at the Total garage towards Tzaneen on the R36 (last stop to refuel) — there is a Makalali sign just before this turnoff.
• Continue across the Olifants River, passing The Oaks village.
• Drive past the Phalaborwa turnoff and follow the Makalali signs.
• Turn right at the Harmony D202 road towards Gravelotte (look for the Makalali signpost on the left of the road) – this road becomes a gravel road.
• Proceed through the security boom gate.
• Travel approximately 9 km on the gravel road toward the Makalali Private Game Reserve main gate on your right.
• At the gate checking. Collect a Toro River Lodges remote control. Drive down the servitude road between the fences next to the main gate.
• Open the gate, marked Makalali, at the end of the road.
• Follow the Toro River Lodges signs to the lodge. It takes approximately 35 minutes from the main gate to the lodge.

Note

Access via the Makalali Private Game Reserve main gate is strictly prohibited after 17:00, in alignment with the reserve’s security and wildlife/conservation policy. Please plan your arrival accordingly.

• Please do not rely on AI-generated directions — follow the above instructions.
• Low-clearance vehicles are not suitable for travel on the gravel road inside the reserve. Pickups at the main gate can be pre-arranged. 
• Drive cautiously on the gravel road — not recommended at night.
• Fuel up before entering the reserve — no petrol stations inside.
• Map apps may not show internal reserve roads — follow signage carefully once you are on the gravel road.

• Fly from O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) to Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit).
• Road transfers to the lodge from the airport can be arranged in advance. 
• FEDERAL Air does flights from ORT (Johannesburg) directly into Makalali Game Reserve. This can be arranged through our booking office.
• Private charter flights to an airstrip within the reserve are also available on request.