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Madikwe
Why visit Madikwe Game Reserve?
Rugged, remote and malaria free, Madikwe is an outstanding conservation success story. Home to the Big 5 plus cheetah, wild dog and a variety of birdlife, Madikwe may be lesser known than Kruger but with diverse landscapes accompanying the animal action, and fewer lodges and vehicles than its famous cousin, it offers a first-class safari experience.
A wide range of lodges caters to all requirements, from family-friendly lodges to beautifully romantic hideaways perfect for anyone celebrating a special occasion.
Madikwe
Cheeetah
Children's activities
Pool views!
Fine dining
Madikwe’s Highlights
- Being malaria-free, and relatively easy to access by road or a short flight from Johannesburg, Madikwe is a popular choice with families and there are plenty of family-friendly lodges geared up to ensure even the littlest travellers have a great time. Safari homes and villas are also available for exclusive use – fully catered, they offer families a relaxed, ‘home-from-home’ experience in the bush.
- There is no self-driving in Madikwe (other than to arrive at your lodge) so game drives are with highly knowledgeable rangers who are trained on animal tracking and behaviour. They aim to maximise your wildlife viewings - if you have a specific animal you would like to see they will do their best to find them for you. You can also enjoy game drives at night when predators are on the prowl and the nocturnal species appear.
- Besides the Big 5 and a thriving population of endangered wild dogs, Madikwe has over 60 species of mammals including cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hippos and hyenas and more than 300 bird species.
- Day visitors are not permitted and vehicle numbers are carefully managed, so the wildlife viewings and the overall experience is exclusive.
- Thanks to Madikwe’s remote location near the Botswana border and the Kalahari Desert, there is no light pollution, making the stargazing truly exceptional.
Where to stay in Madikwe
"The best trip we have ever had and we have had some wonderful holidays. Africa is a very special place - we will definitely be returning to South Africa."
Mr S via The Travel Shop
" Just want to say a huge thank you for organising this honeymoon for us! It’s been even better than we ever imagined it could be. I couldn’t even tell you a highlight because I felt like we had one every day! "
Mr & Mrs R
When to travel to Madikwe
Madikwe is great to visit at any time of year, but the cooler and drier months from April to November are best for viewing wildlife - the grass is shorter, the vegetation less dense and the animals easier to spot.
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We're here to help you!
We love to share our knowledge and passion with anyone planning a visit, whether you’re a first time visitor or have been multiple times and are looking for something a little bit different.
Call us on 01904 619428 or get in touch.
Madikwe
Madikwe Game Reserve lies on the South Africa/Botswana border. It is accessible from Johannesburg within a few hours’ drive and only a 1-2 hour drive from Gaborone airport in Botswana.
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