Jaci’s Lodges
Madikwe Safaris
3 Day Madikwe Bush House Safari
- 3 Days
From
3 Day Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge
- 3 Days
From
3 Day Jaci’s Safari Lodge
- 3 Days
From
3 Day Madikwe Hills Game Lodge Safari
- 3 Days
From
4 Day Madikwe Bush House Safari
- 4 Days
From
5 Day Madikwe Bush House Safari
- 5 Days
From
4 Day Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge
- 4 Days
From
4 Day Jaci’s Safari Lodge
- 4 Days
From
4 Day Madikwe Hills Game Lodge Safari
- 4 Days
From
In South Africa’s North-West Province, in the beautiful Madikwe Game Reserve, you will find Jaci’s Lodges. It is the perfect place to stay for unbeatable game viewing, unique luxury accommodations, great service, and custom safari activities.
Madikwe Game Reserve was established in 1991 and consists of vast open plains of woodlands and grasslands.
Through the reserve runs the well-known historical Mafikeng Road. Before the reserve was established, people like traders, hunters, missionaries, and explorers used its path.
Before this, the area was far away and had a bad economy. It needed to be helped, and a feasibility study showed that wildlife-based tourism was the best way to do that. It is one of the few game reserves in the world that was set up because it was the best way to use the land in the area.
Jaci’s Lodges is the place to go if you want a real, friendly, and welcoming safari experience. At Jaci’s Lodges, the focus is on giving guests personal attention and great service, as well as providing them with luxurious lodging.
Jaci and Jan van Heteren started Jaci’s Lodges and own and run it together. They have worked together for over 30 years to make their dream of a wildlife and safari experience that goes above and beyond what guests expect, come true.
Jaci’s Lodges is a great example of how well the van Heterens know what couples, groups, and families need in an authentic, high-end safari holiday with no worries, great food, and luxury amenities.
They are also very passionate about empowering and lifting up the people who make The Jaci’s Experience so unique. 50 people, most of them living in the area, work together to run Jaci’s Lodges.
Their two luxury lodges – Jaci’s Safari Lodge and Jaci’s Tree Lodge – offer two very different safari experiences for families and couples who want to get back to nature.
Jaci’s Tree Lodge is built on the edge of the Marico River, high up in the trees. Sit in your room and watch the animals in the forest play in the treetops.
At Jaci’s Safari Lodge, guests can relax in a peaceful place and meet some of Africa’s most interesting animals. In addition to the double suites, the Safari Lodge has two exclusive family suites that offer the highest level of luxury: the Nare Suite, which can fit up to 6 people, and the Safari Suite, which can fit up to 8 people.
Accommodation
At Jaci’s Safari Lodge, you can relax in a refreshing, real safari setting. From our eclectic, down-to-earth safari haven, visitors can see some of Africa’s most impressive animals. All guests at Jaci’s Safari Lodge can go to the Thutlwa Lookout deck, which is a great place to relax and watch the beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Madikwe.
Jaci’s Safari Lodge has 6 luxurious tents for guests to stay in. Each tent has an African theme and is decorated with rich, vibrant colours and textures. Each suite has a large mosaic bathroom, an outdoor shower, and a private deck where you can enjoy the views.
The 2 Starbed Suites are the essence of bushveld romance. They are decorated with bright splashes of colour and custom finishes. The rooftop extensions give guests the unique chance to sleep under a blanket of African stars, surrounded by the quiet and peace of the bushveld.
The Nare and Safari family suites have their own private plunge pools, guides, and game-drive vehicles.
At Jaci’s Tree Lodge guests stay in 8 Treehouse Suites, which are custom-built treehouse-style structures on stilts. They are connected by elevated walkways, and each one has great views of the riverine forest around it and of the famous Marico River.
These wooden “treehouses” with thatched roofs blend in with their surroundings, making it easy for guests to relax and get in touch with the nature around them.
Tree Lodge guests can also enjoy the submerged Terrapin Hide, which is a favourite of both amateur and professional photographers, the Naledi Treehouse, which has an unbeatable view of the active waterhole and a KolKol hot tub, and the Tlou Deck, which is the best place to watch the sunset and eat outside at the lodge.
Jaci’s Madikwe House is a safari hideaway for up to 10 guests that is like a home away from home. The house has a private chef, housekeeper, waiter, pool, KolKol hot tub, pizza oven, private game viewing vehicle, and a private field guide. There are 4 separate bedrooms in the main house, and the guest cottage next door has an extra room for two people.
From the large deck, you can see amazing views of the reserve and often see elephant herds going to and from the waterhole, waterbuck grazing under the trees, and bushbuck wandering by…
Facilities
General facilities at Jaci’s Lodges include a dining area, bar, swimming pool, boma, Wi-Fi, viewing, deck, and outdoor dining.
Guests are encouraged to eat as many of their meals as they can under the stars. This traditional South African way of eating is a super way to really improve any safari at Jaci’s Lodges.
At both Jaci’s Tree Lodge and Jaci’s Safari Lodge, guests can cool off from the heat of the bushveld in beautiful, shady swimming pools. Children are not allowed near the pools unless an adult is there to watch them. The pool has steps and shallow areas, but diving is not allowed.
Activities
Guests at Jaci’s Lodges can do a lot of different things to make the most of their safari.
Madikwe has been home to more than 350 different kinds of birds which makes Jaci’s Lodges a real paradise for bird watchers.
Guests who stay at Jaci’s Tree Lodge have access to instructions, equipment, and a place to play Bush boules.
Between Jaci’s Safari and Jaci’s Tree Lodges, you can take a walk along the famous Marico River. The beautiful endemic forest is home to many different kinds of birds, and you might even see elephants swimming in the Marico River. Along this path is an outdoor “bush gym”.
All guests can use the Bushveld gym, which has a variety of outdoor gym equipment set up along the river path. Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
Parts of Madikwe can be explored on foot with a guide from Jaci’s Lodges who knows the walking trails well. Safari walks depend on whether or not a trained, on-site trails guide is available. The length of walks can change based on the number of guests, the weather, and the times of game drives. On safari walks, there is no room for kids younger than 16 years old though.
Local massage therapists are proud entrepreneurs who are well-trained and skilled. They run their own business well and are excited to offer guests a great selection of classic massage treatments with an African twist.
Conservation safaris at Jaci’s Lodges are designed to help ordinary bush lovers help protect wildlife in the Madikwe Game Reserve and its surrounding areas. This project includes exciting ways to help protect wildlife in the reserve, like notching and microchipping rhinos, putting collars on elephants, branding lions, and gathering information for North West Parks Board field rangers to help them manage Madikwe’s key species, like lions and rhinos, and the relocation of African wild dogs.
Each conservation safari is led by a group of professionals, such as a wildlife vet, a low-level-flying helicopter pilot, and field rangers who help the team get the job done quickly and well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of accommodation can I expect in Jaci’s lodges?
Jaci’s lodges offer various accommodation types, from luxurious tents and Starbed Suites, Nare & Safari Family Suites with Private Plunge Pools, Treehouse Suites connected by elevated walkways, as well as their Madikwe House for up to 10 guests – each providing its own distinctive safari experience!
What facilities are available at Jaci’s lodges?
Jaci’s Lodges provide guests with various facilities designed to enhance their safari experience, such as dining areas, bars, swimming pools, bomas (outdoor seating areas), WiFi connectivity, viewing deck and an outdoor dining space. One unique aspect is encouraging guests to dine under the stars following traditional South African dining traditions; additionally both Jaci’s Tree Lodge and Safari Lodge feature inviting swimming pools that provide welcome relief from bushveld heat; however children must always be supervised when swimming while diving is prohibited.
What activities are available at Jaci’s lodges?
Jaci’s Lodges offers its guests an exciting range of activities to enhance their safari experience, such as birding enthusiasts spotting over 350 bird species; those staying at Jaci’s Tree Lodge may participate in Bush boules competitions! An idyllic walk along Marico River provides birdwatchers and elephant spotters an opportunity to spot them, in addition to offering access to an outdoor “bush gym.” Guided safari walks also allow an up-close examination of Madikwe; these excursions must be undertaken by guests aged 16 years and over. Relaxation options available include massage services with an African flair. In addition, guests can actively contribute to wildlife conservation through activities like rhino notching, elephant collar placement and branding led by experienced professionals.
