As the year draws to a close, many of us crave time – to breathe, to reconnect and to be truly present with the people we love. Creating space for quality time with family and friends is the ideal antidote to life’s unrelenting pace, which is why a private safari is the perfect way to take a break. After all, in a world that moves fast and rewards busyness, the most meaningful gift you can give isn’t something wrapped in paper – it’s an experience shared and remembered.
1. Space to yourself
Hidden in the far north of the Kruger National Park, within the raw, untamed beauty of the Makuleke private concession, Pel’s Post is a rare find – a luxurious exclusive-use safari lodge overlooking the Luvuvhu River surrounded by 26,500 hectares of pristine wilderness. This part of the Kruger is known for its dramatic scenery, with vast floodplains, sandstone ridges and ancient baobabs creating one of South Africa’s most photogenic wilderness settings The remote location is complemented by extremely low vehicle density – access is limited to guests of only two lodges in the concession, allowing for long, slow game drives and the luxury of having wildlife sightings all to yourself.
With just four open-plan suites, Pel’s Post accommodates up to eight guests in comfort and privacy, making it ideal for families and friends looking to reconnect in nature. A large central lodge area with a lounge, dining room, bar and pool deck provides opportunities for spending time in each other’s company, while the spacious, free-standing suites offer a calm escape for quiet moments.
2. Your own team, your own safari
Booking Pel’s Post exclusively means the entire lodge, and a dedicated hospitality team, is all yours. A lodge host, butler, chef and guide are all included, as is your own vehicle and the flexibility to engage with the wilderness as much – or as little – as you like.
Morning and evening private game drives reveal the region’s remarkable biodiversity – you’ll find everything from elephants to elephant shrews in this part of the Park. There’s also the option to replace a traditional drive with a Sound Safari – a unique sensory experience that uses specialised audio equipment to help you truly tune into the landscape and its hidden rhythms – or a guided bush walk through the concession
Between safaris, unwind with a spa treatment overlooking the Luvuvhu River, relax on the deck with a book or simply take in the uninterrupted views of the wilderness below. Evenings are designed around connection: bush banquets under ancient baobabs, stargazing into the unfiltered night sky, and quiet conversations by the fire as the night sounds of Kruger unfold around you. However you choose to spend your time, the days are yours to do with what you will.
3. Family-friendly luxury
One of the greatest advantages of an exclusive-use safari lodge is freedom. When booked out by a single group, Pel’s Post welcomes children of all ages , giving families the opportunity to experience the northern Kruger together. There’s space to play, explore and learn; all within a completely private environment guided by expert rangers who bring the bush to life for younger guests.
Twin daybeds in each guest suite are perfect for little ones sharing with a grown-up or two, while teens and older kids can enjoy the independence of their own standalone space, with parents just a few steps of the boardwalk away. Meals are catered according to your preferences and requirements, ensuring that even our smallest (and often most selective!) guests are thoughtfully considered – it’s just another way that we create the welcoming feeling of home.
4. A priceless gift
A private safari like the one you can experience at Pel’s Post offers incredible value, and not just of the financial kind. An exclusive-use stay at Pel’s Post in the Northern Kruger offers more than tangible luxury – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that deepens bonds and creates lasting memories.
Beyond the secluded wilderness setting and moments of meaningful connection, the rate includes luxurious accommodation in a contemporary lodge that’s just for you, two game drives per day, all meals, snacks and drinks (even the generous mini bar in each suite) plus complimentary laundry and WiFi. And while all these creature comforts are certainly nice to have, the real gift is in the experience – in a world full of noise, Pel’s Post reminds us that true abundance lies in time spent together, surrounded by nature, silence and wonder.
5. Real R&R
The combination of exclusive use and the tranquility of a remote wilderness creates the ideal environment for deep, restorative rest that’s increasingly rare in our overstimulated world. Without the social energy required to interact with unfamiliar guests, you can fully let your guard down and recharge in the company of those who know you best. There’s no pressure to make polite conversation over meals, no need to navigate group dynamics with strangers and no concern about disturbing others if you want to sleep in or retreat to your room early.
The bush itself encourages a natural slowing down – the rhythm of sunrise and sunset, the unhurried pace of wildlife watching, the absence of digital distractions – while the privacy of exclusive use means you can embrace this restoration entirely on your own terms. Whether that means afternoon naps on the deck, quiet reading time by the pool, or simply sitting in comfortable silence with your loved ones as the African sunset unfolds, you have the mental and emotional space to truly unwind and return home genuinely refreshed rather than needing a vacation from your vacation.
Pel’s Post and its sister lodge, The Outpost, are situated in the Makuleke private concession in Pafuri; a vast and untouched wilderness just waiting to be explored. You can check rates and availability online using our Booking Page, or visit our Special Offers section to take advantage of our discounted rates.