Mackaya Bella Country Lodge
unnamed road South Africa Farm Rood, Central Drakensberg
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Why people book this hotel
“Ryan and Daniel together with their team are fantastic hosts”
“The hosts Ryan and Danny really made us feel very much at home, were very attent…”
“A beautiful location with breathtaking views”
“An absolutely amazing location, in the heart of a nature reserve”
“The staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and hospitable; they did everythin…”
“Gorgeous views, comfortable accommodation and delicious food”
“In the morning breakfast on the terrace as the mountains come alive”
“Breakfast and dinner are very tasty”
“Very clean and very high standard of service”
Overview
Boasting a garden, Mackaya Bella Country Lodge is situated in Champagne Valley in the KwaZulu-Natal region, 32 km from Winterton Museum and 48 km from Spioenkop Nature Reserve. The property features mountain and garden views, and is 7.3 km from Monks Cowl Country Club. Free private parking is available and the guest house also features a shuttle service for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. With a private bathroom fitted with a shower and free toiletries, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. At the guest house, some units are equipped with a kettle and wine or champagne. À la carte and Full English/Irish breakfast options with warm dishes, fruits and cheese are available each morning at the guest house. Guests are welcome to relax in the on-site bar or lounge, while packed lunches are also available upon request. Guests at Mackaya Bella Country Lodge will be able to enjoy activities in and around Champagne Valley, like hiking and walking tours. The accommodation has a sun terrace and an outdoor fireplace. The nearest airport is Pietermaritzburg Airport, 152 km from Mackaya Bella Country Lodge.
Traveller reviews
Thomas
solo_traveller
June 19, 2026
“Paradise right at the national park”
Ryan and Daniel together with their team are fantastic hosts. The hike to waterfall was beautiful, the hot tub and night a dream and the food and talks at the dinner table and the fireplace made the weekend super special. I would really recommend everybody who wants a break from the city and busy life to relax her and dive into the spectacular nature.
CATHERINE
family_with_children
April 28, 2026
“Natures call to the soul. My response- Yes, I hear you”
The hospitality and care by Ryan, Danny and stuff was exceptional. Individual attention was taken and given. A beautiful location with breathtaking views. It is a place where stories are told and conversations are held. Very clean and very high standard of service
JAY
couple
April 7, 2026
“An absolutely amazing stay”
An absolutely amazing location, in the heart of a nature reserve. The hosts Ryan and Danny really made us feel very much at home, were very attentive to our needs. They also shared lots of useful information about the plants and animal species. The hot tub under an open sky was just fabulous.
Monique
couple
February 25, 2026
“A truly special place”
We had a wonderful stay at Kukummi Lodge. The location is simply phenomenal – surrounded by breathtaking nature, allowing you to completely unwind. It's a truly special place. The staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and hospitable; they did everything they could to ensure we felt comfortable. It must be said, however, that the lodge is a bit dated and could benefit from an update.
Anisha
couple
February 22, 2026
A beautiful lodge nestled in a valley. Gorgeous views, comfortable accommodation and delicious food. Lovely and helpful staff.
Reynolds
couple
February 17, 2026
“A truly wonderful place in a beautiful location”
Location with a fantastic view. Friendliness of staff and good food. Hot tub.
Nozi
couple
January 21, 2026
“Home away from home”
Everything. Mentioning one will not doing justice
Mlungisi
solo_traveller
January 16, 2026
“Nature meets human”
The two owners treated us like Kings. It's different. A home away from home.
Jessica
couple
January 11, 2026
“We had an amazing time here! such a special place with a truly unique vibe. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for a re”
Everything about this place was perfect! it genuinely felt like coming home. From the warm, welcoming atmosphere to the amazing stories, the relaxed vibe, and that incredible view… it all made our stay so special. We loved the hikes (absolutely stunning) and the food was fantastic every single day. But what really made the difference were the owners and staff: kind, attentive, and truly the best you can feel how much heart they put into this place. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere special, with a unique vibe you don’t find everywhere.
henriette
couple
December 15, 2025
“Best stay!”
It’s an adventure. In beautiful Drakensbergen. Ryan is your superhost. Great walks and we had a super comfy tent to sleep in. Big lovely bed. A braai on saturdays. In the morning breakfast on the terrace as the mountains come alive. Go . Don’t hesitate. You will make the most beautiful walks and learn a lot about animals and the San.
Holden
couple
November 1, 2025
“Great location , food, facilities and wonderful staff/hosts 🙌🙏🙌🇿🇦”
Rustic chic, perfect for the location 🙌
Jos
couple
October 8, 2025
The description on Booking doesn’t do this place full justice. A hidden gem in a beautiful valley with breathtaking views on the Drakensbergen. The team goes out-of-their-way to make you feel at home
Mzamo
couple
July 25, 2025
“Rejuvenating, great hospitality from the hosts and an amazing chef.”
Chun Yat
couple
July 20, 2025
“A great mountain retreat to reset and reconnect with nature.”
Warm and gracious hospitality from everyone at Kukummi. Breathtaking scenery of the mountains and surrounding fauna and flora, complimented by the beautiful lodge which is filled with character and charm. It felt like a home-away-from-home while being well cared for by the team.
James
couple
April 18, 2025
“Ryan is an exceptional host, and the lodge is in an idyllic location perfect for exploring the national park”
Gorgeous location, outdoor wood fired spa, delicious food, and the warmest of hospitality from Ryan and his wonderful team
Hans-Peter
solo_traveller
February 28, 2025
“Wonderful lodge in a very special location in the Drakensberge mountain range”
Kukummi is a wonderful lodge in an exceptional location. There are only three guest accommodations - each with its own rondavel. The atmosphere is therefore very personal, which I really liked, travelling on my own this time. Both hosts - Ryan and Danny - are super nice and make you feel like a friend from the moment you arrive. If you are interested, Ryan will be happy to tell you more about the place, the history of the lodge and the plans of the two owners. I was fascinated by his stories and couldn't stop asking more details (hope you didn't mind me bothering, Ryan... ;o) The staff is very attentive and eager to fulfill your every wish. Breakfast and dinner are very tasty. There is not much choice at dinner, but a fixed weekly menu, which is completely understandable given the small size of the hotel. I really enjoyed the meat dishes, but vegetarians also have no problem - Danny, the co-owner, is one himself. Various options were offered for breakfast. My personal favorite was the English breakfast prepared by Dombi - nothing was missing and it was excellently prepared... a dream! You have a wonderful view of the mountains and can go hiking from the lodge, but those who are not so adventurous can also enjoy this very special place in itself. My favorite spot for sunny days was in the meadow by the stream, where you can dip into the clear mountain water whenever it gets too warm. And: don't miss out the hot tub in the evening. It's such a great moment when you stretch out in the large, pleasantly temperate tub, with a cold beer or a glass of wine in your hand... I have every intention of coming back - preferably in September, when everything is in bloom.
Aurora Bezuidenhout
couple
February 17, 2025
“Calm, comfortable and tranquil”
I liked that this is a place to "de-phone" and get back to nature. It is a tranquil and peaceful place. The views and the sounds of nature are so calming. It really is a lovely oasis.
Tracy
couple
February 5, 2025
“quiet environment and excellent happy staff. Will be back and Kukummi Lodge is highly recommended”
good hearty breakfast.
Charlotte
couple
February 1, 2025
“I feel in love with the Kukummi lodge”
The property is beautiful with loads of scenic mountains. Ryan, his partner and staff went above and beyond to accommodate with everything we needed. Will most definitely be going again. The hike trails are amazing
Sonia
couple
January 11, 2025
“A perfect coming home!”
The most amazing part of this hotel is like arriving to your family country house and just being home. The owners were extremely helpful recommending hikes for us, helping us either tips, lending us much needed sandals for the river crossings, and making every moment of our stay memorable. We felt so relaxed and what more can you ask for a vacation. The food was also really good and the entire staff was very kind.
Facilities
Activities
Hiking, Walking tours, Themed dinner nights
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guests have the option to cancel any cleaning services for their accommodation during their stay
Entertainment and family services
Board games/puzzles
Food & Drink
Breakfast options, Special diet menus (on request), Wine/champagne, Bar
Food & drink safety
Breakfast takeaway containers, All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized
General
Indoor fireplace, WiFi available in all areas, Non-smoking rooms, Non-smoking throughout
Internet
WiFi, Free WiFi, Internet services
Outdoors
Garden, Terrace, Sun terrace, Outdoor furniture, Picnic area, Outdoor fireplace
Parking
Parking on site, Private parking, Parking, Free parking, Accessible parking
Physical distancing
Contactless check-in/check-out, Cashless payment available
Reception services
Invoice provided
Safety features
Access to health care professionals, Thermometers for guests provided by property, Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, Process in place to check health of guests, First aid kit available
Self check-in
Passport/ID information collected online before you arrive
Services
Vending machine (drinks), Shared lounge/TV area, Shuttle service, Laundry, Ironing service, Meeting/banquet facilities, Private check-in/check-out, Shuttle service (free), Shuttle service (additional charge), Packed lunches
Double Room
Offering free toiletries and bathrobes, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The spacious double room offers a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, as well as garden views. The unit has 1 bed.
Hotel Policies
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