A new chapter in South Africa’s luxury safari story begins on 1 December 2025, as Toro River at Toro River Lodges officially opens within the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve in Limpopo. Under the Newmark Hotels & Reserves portfolio, this exclusive new destination brings a refined yet authentic safari experience to one of the Lowveld’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Nestled along the banks of the Makhutswi River and shaded by ancient jackalberry, marula, and wild-fig trees, Toro River captures the essence of the bush while offering an unmatched level of sophistication and comfort.
Intimate by design, Toro River at Toro River Lodges features just five luxurious suites — three River Suites and two Luxury Suites — each designed to immerse guests in nature without sacrificing modern elegance. Every suite opens onto a private deck overlooking the river, where guests might spot elephants at play or listen to the rhythmic call of the African fish eagle. The interiors are a careful balance of warmth and authenticity: textured natural materials, soft lighting, and handcrafted finishes that evoke the surrounding landscape. It’s a space that feels both deeply African and undeniably contemporary, embodying Newmark’s signature approach to understated opulence.
Located within a 26 000-hectare conservancy west of the Kruger National Park, the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve is celebrated for its progressive conservation ethos. It’s home to the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo — as well as a diverse range of wildlife and bird species. Guests at Toro River can look forward to twice-daily game drives led by expert rangers and trackers, as well as guided walking safaris that allow for a slower, more sensory encounter with the bush. Each outing is tailored to reveal the richness of the environment, from the drama of predator sightings to the quiet wonder of discovering a fresh spoor at dawn.
Dining at Toro River is more than a complement to the safari experience — it’s a centrepiece. The culinary philosophy draws inspiration from African traditions and locally sourced ingredients, transforming simple, honest produce into refined meals that celebrate seasonality and place. Guests can enjoy breakfast beneath the trees, linger over leisurely lunches on the pool deck, or gather around the boma fire for dinner under the stars. Every meal is prepared with a sense of connection to the land and people that make it possible — an approach that will resonate with travellers who believe that food tells the story of a destination.
The Toro River experience seamlessly merges sophistication with sustainability. Built along the riverbank with minimal environmental disturbance, the lodge’s architecture and operations align with the Greater Makalali’s commitment to conservation and community upliftment. Every guest stay contributes to long-term projects that protect endangered species and support local livelihoods. This harmony between indulgence and integrity sets Toro River apart — luxury not as excess, but as mindfulness.
While the lodge promises high-end service and exclusivity, its intimacy is deliberate. With only five suites, Toro River at Toro River Lodges offers personal attention that larger lodges often cannot. Guests are known by name, preferences remembered, and experiences curated to individual pace and interest. For couples seeking romance, it’s a place of quiet seclusion; for small groups or families, it’s an opportunity to reconnect away from distraction. Children over six are welcome, ensuring a serene yet inclusive environment.
In keeping with Newmark’s broader vision, Toro River also reflects the brand’s deepening investment in South Africa’s sustainable tourism landscape. The lodge’s partnership within the Greater Makalali Reserve strengthens the link between eco-tourism and conservation, a model increasingly vital for protected areas in the region. Guests are not just observers of wildlife, but contributors to a greater purpose — preserving wilderness for future generations.
Accessibility is straightforward yet adds to the sense of escape. The lodge lies about a six-hour drive from Johannesburg or a short transfer from Hoedspruit Airport, where scheduled flights from major cities arrive daily. Once inside the reserve, the journey transitions from tar to gravel roads that meander through mopane thickets and open plains — the kind of drive where anticipation builds with every passing kilometre. Those seeking a seamless arrival can opt for private transfers arranged through Newmark.
For travellers looking to extend their stay, the Greater Makalali region offers proximity to other luxury properties such as Garonga Safari Camp, Jabulani Safari, and Kapama Private Game Reserve, while nearby Hoedspruit provides charming cafés, local art studios, and access to conservation centres like the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Food enthusiasts will also appreciate the culinary scene in Tzaneen and Hazyview, where farm-to-table experiences and artisanal produce bring local flavour to life.
Toro River at Toro River Lodges stands as a modern interpretation of the safari tradition — one that blends adventure and serenity, design and wilderness, indulgence and purpose. It doesn’t seek to compete with the landscape, but rather to live in harmony with it. As the sun dips behind the Drakensberg escarpment and the bushveld comes alive with nocturnal sounds, guests will find that Toro River’s greatest luxury is its sense of stillness — the rare privilege of being fully present in Africa’s wild heart.