The Outpost,Lodge,Luxury,Kruger,Safari,South Africa,Crook's Corner

In the north where Zimbabwe and Mozambique meet, the lost world of the Makuleke where the Luvuvhu and Matale rivers meet at the very tip of the Kruger Park offers an unruffled tranquillity that relaxes and unburdens the mind.

At Crooks Corner in the North, where South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique meet and the Luvuvhu and Matale rivers join at the very tip of the Kruger Park, lies the lost world of the Makuleke people. The vast concession was awarded to The Outpost as a result of a ground-breaking agreement - The Makuleke people own the land and in addition to staffing the lodge and sharing the profit, they will inherit the whole operation in 30 years time. This culture pervades all, from the exceptional hospitality to the lovingly prepared cuisine and excellent wine cellar and creates an unruffled tranquillity which relaxes and unburdens the mind.

The lodge itself is luxurious minimalist chic. Acclaimed Italian born architect Enrico Daffonchio, combines elements of steel and canvas in The Outpost’s unashamedly contemporary design which intereferes as little as possible with one’s interaction with the environment. Guests are accommodated in twelve living spaces, placed along a walkway, overlooking the river. Clean surfaces, uninterrupted vistas and unadorned building materials conspire to create open, airy spaces - the floor to ceiling windows have retractable canvas screens and offer 180o views, as far as Mozambique.

Apart from large herds of Elephant and Buffalo, this section of the Great Limpopo Peace Park is home to Nyala and Tsessebe antelope and the Samango monkey - species not easy to find elsewhere and the diverse terrain includes Mopane woodlands, Fever tree forests, Acacia thickets and some of the largest and oldest Baobabs on the planet; the home to a varied and unusual birdlife. Game drives in open vehicles will mostly make use of tracks formerly restricted to the use of Park officials and the rare, indigenous game viewing will fascinate safari aficionados. The real rewards are gained on foot, escorted by highly experienced guides, they are conducted in parts otherwise inaccessible and include the spectacular Lanner Gorge.

The region’s rich historical and cultural heritage is an integral part of The Outpost experience. A visit to the Thulamela archeological site overlooking the Luvuvhu River, where C13th artifacts have been found, is a rewarding and humbling experience and, when in the C19th the Ivory Route used to pass by on its way to Europe and the East, the trading centre at the heart of this trade was Crooks Corner.

Notwithstanding its remote location, The Outpost provides the most excellent cuisine - lovingly prepared local delicacies supported by a fusion of the world’s finest cooking and complemented by an unusually impressive wine cellar. This is further enhanced by a warm open service and the peaceful, undisturbed prescence of Old Africa creates a unique experience. A very special place.