Upcoming Lodge Visit | Makongo Hills
Makongo Hills, KZN
There’s a particular excitement that comes with heading out on a bush trip. For me, it begins long before the tyres touch the N2 and the journey officially starts. It starts in the quiet preparation — packing camera gear, charging batteries, formatting memory cards, and imagining the moments I hope to capture through my lens.
This trip feels especially meaningful for a number of reasons. While I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some truly exceptional lodges across South Africa over the years, this will be the first journey where the heart of the experience is not only to explore, but also to intentionally document it — to capture the atmosphere of the lodge and the stillness and unpredictability of the bush, and then translate that into something authentic and enjoyable to share.
As is often the case with my travels into the wilderness, I usually prefer not to over-plan the filming experience itself. Some of the most memorable safari moments happen unexpectedly — around the next bend in the road, or in the fleeting seconds before an animal disappears back into the bush. I’ve always enjoyed allowing those moments to unfold naturally. This trip, however, carries a slightly different balance. While I still want to remain present and soak in the african sights and sounds,, I’m also approaching it with a greater sense of intentionality — Not just enjoying the moments around the lodge, on the vehicle, or around a campfire, but looking to find a balance of enjoyment as well as capturing these moments to share with others.
For this first documented journey, I’ll be travelling to Makongo Hills in northern KwaZulu-Natal, roughly 350 kilometres from home — a drive of about five hours. With podcasts downloaded, an 80s playlist ready to go, and the open road ahead, I know the journey itself will be part of the adventure.
Set within fifteen thousand hectares of untouched wilderness in the Mkuze Valley, Makongo Hills offers a safari experience that I anticipate to feel very different to my recent Kruger trip. The lodge features beautifully designed suites and traditional rondavels, while also catering for more adventurous travellers through its wild camping experiences — something I’m already hoping to return for during the cooler winter months as summer in northern KZN can be brutally hot & uncomfortable with temps easily reaching the high 30’s..
For this particular visit, though, I’ll gladly be embracing the comforts of the lodge itself — enjoying prepared meals, early morning coffees overlooking the bush, and game drives through the rugged KwaZulu-Natal wilderness. There’s something deeply special about sitting on a game vehicle as it rocks gently along a dusty trail, completely immersed in the sounds and rhythm of the bush around you. Camera at the ready, always hopeful for what’s around the next corner.
Over the coming week or so, I’m looking forward to sharing this journey as it unfolds — the lodge, the landscapes, wildlife encounters and everything in between. I hope you’ll enjoy following along with me.
