- For payments on Makutsi: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. (No Amex)
- Makutsi has no cash bar. All drinks (and other extras) are put on a room bill, and can be paid on the day of your departure.
- Electricity - South Africa's electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz
- There is a telephone that clients can use at the reception, and a Desktop with internet connection at the Safari Shop.
- Please remember to change some money into Rand at the airport as you will not be able to change money once on Makutsi. Most places accept credit cards, but here and there some cash might come in handy.
Makutsi Packing list
The following is a list of what not to forget. Please be aware that some of these items (clothing, insect repellent) will depend on what season you will be travelling in (winters can get surprisingly cold in Africa). Don't overpack, remember to leave some room for souvernirs. Also remember that while at Makutsi you will have access to daily laundry service.
Safari hat, clothing in neutral colours (Khaki, light brown/green, tan. Avoid bright colours & white for improved game viewing), Safari jacket and items like gloves and beenies when coming in winter, comfortable non-synthetic short- and long sleeved safari shirts (2 or 3 of each), comfortable non-synthetic shorts and long trousers (2 or 3 of each), Swimming costume, Flip-flops or sport sandals, comfortable hiking/walking shoes.
Insect repellent, sunscreen, malaria tablets, binoculars, flashlight or headlamp, camera gear and all that you need to recharge your digital equipment, travel alarm clock,adaptor, reading material.
Climate
In South Africa the average number of sunshine hours is amongst the highest in the world. The Lowveld where Makutsi is situated, is a summer rainfall area but despite the occasional shower, the average daytime temperature between September and March is a very hot 30°C / 86°F. When the sun sets, it cools down by approximately 10°C / 18°F. Winters are mild with a daytime temperature that is normally above 20°C / 68°F. At night it gets considerably colder with the temperature dropping well below 10°C / 46.4°F although it hardly ever reaches freezing-point.
Please remember that below weather descriptions are averages !!
Summer
NOVEMBER (Min Temp 59°F 15°C - Max Temp 93°F 34°C
The days become warmer and the chances of afternoon showers greater. The general appearance of the bush is now green and the grass starts to coppice, this will attract the grazers like Zebra, Wildebeest and Buffalo. The flow of the Makutsi River canl also increase and become more steady. Plenty of migrating birds will arrive to take advantage of the summer conditions, some of them would have come from further north in Africa and some would fly all the way from Europe. The end of the month could see the arrival of the first Impala lambs.
DECEMBER (Min Temp 61°F 16°C - Max Temp 97°F 36°C)
This is indeed a busy time on Makutsi, as the lambing of the Impalas and the calving of the Wildebeest gets into full swing. The predators take full advantage of the abundance of youngsters and the evenings are full of action. The characteristic Woodland Kingfisher arrive and their trill like call joins the melody of songs as many of the birds begin to make their nests. The welcome thunder storms are followed by hatches of insects that bird and mammal take full advantage of. The long hot days result in a great amount of movement in the cooler evenings as the animals appear to be taking full advantage of this time of abundance.
JANUARY (Min Temp 68°F 20°C - Max Temp 97°F 36°C)
The first month of the year is characterized by lush vegetation that has been generated by the early summer rains. The grass is normally long, particularly along the riverine vegetation, The larger of the herbivores, such as Kudu, Zebra and Waterbuck give birth at this time, the thick vegetation allows them to hide their young while they browse nearby. Temperatures can soar into the late thirties of Celsius, sometimes thunder showers in the late afternoon bring welcome relief from the heat. The game is spread out because of the abundance of water and good grazing. They no longer need to congregate around the Makutsi River which should flow strongly in the summer, sometimes reaching flood levels.
FEBRUARY (Min Temp 68°F 20°C - Max Temp 97°F 36°C)
Considered to be one of the warmest months of the bushveld summer. February is characterized by the animals moving only when it is cool enough. The chances of thunder showers are not as great as those of January and the heat is drier at this time of year. The general color of the reserve is still green and the vegetation remains thick.
MARCH (Min Temp 61°F 16°C - Max Temp 90°F 32°C)
The heat diminishes slightly towards the end of March and the chance of rain is less this time of year. The young of the different animals born in the early summer now have sturdy legs and are better equipped in their escape from predators. The flow of the Makutsi River should still be good and normally natural pan water is still easily available for the animals.
Autumn
APRIL (Min Temp 50°F 10°C - Max Temp 86°F 30°C)
April brings with it the changes of the year and is often when the very short bushveld fall takes place. The pan water dries up a little and most of the animals will start relying more on the Makutsi River for their water. The temperatures are quite pleasant, but can vary between hot during the day to chilly in the evenings. The Round-leaf Teak and Combretums start changing their colours from green to yellow and brown.
MAY (Min Temp 41°F 5°C - Max Temp 86°F 30°C)
This month is the turning point of the year and is the most definitive of the transformation from summer to winter. The temperature difference between day and night is more pronounced, the evenings require warmer clothing, but the days are very pleasant. The ground water begins to dry up now and game starts concentrating closer to the Makutsi River. This results in the predators moving to the favourite water points in hopeful anticipation of a successful ambush. The deciduous trees start to lose their leaves and the bush has a more open feel to it. The visibility is also starting to get better and one can look further into the bush from the road.
Winter
JUNE (Min Temp 36°F 2°C - Max Temp 82°F 28°C)
Winter is now upon us, when setting out in the morning it is better to "dress to strip". A simple explanation for this is that the temperature will change by at least ten to fifteen degrees Celsius from the time you head out on your drive till the time you get back. The evenings are different in that you have to take the necessary extra clothing along with you to ward off the dropping temperatures. Predator viewing is at its best at this time of year, the lack of vegetation and established water points make tracking and finding the large cats easier. The cooler days often result in the cats moving during the day in search of prey, and many a kill has been witnessed in broad daylight.
JULY (Min Temp 36°F 2°C - Max Temp 82°F 28°C)
In many respects July is similar to June, the only difference is that it is drier, and animals such as the Rhinoceros and Buffalo make daily journeys to the river area to drink. Elephants only leave the river bed in the evening when it is cooler, spending the day feeding on the remaining lush vegetation. Towards the end of the month it does start to warm up slightly during the day, but the evenings are still cold.
AUGUST (Min Temp 41°F 5°C - Max Temp 86°F 30°C)
August is the driest of the months, the temperature rises during the day and although the nights are cool the days are very pleasant. There are many regular visitors to Makutsi who rate August as the best time of the year to come to see the animals. The grass is now a gold to brown colour and tends to thin out a good deal.
Spring
SEPTEMBER (Min Temp 50°F 10°C - Max Temp 90°F 32°C)
September is a month of great contrasts, the bush is still dry, but many of the trees begin to blossom; the brilliant red of the Weeping Boer-bean, the yellow of the Knobthorn trees or the combination of white and yellow on the Transvaal Gardenia. All of these shower a brilliance over what is now a very dry month for the bush. The last of the winter chills are spent and the days can become hot again. Viewing continues to be exceptional with the lack of water and sparse ground cover.
OCTOBER (Min Temp 59°F 15°C - Max Temp 93°F 34°C)
The bushveld is now waiting in anticipation for rain, the days warm up enough to create thunder storms in the afternoons. The storms do not usually bring much rain, but certainly enough to start the early growth of the bush and flush a fresh green colour. The trees have mostly lost their blossoms and new green leaves shoot, satisfying the Giraffe, Kudu and other browsers. |
