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The magnificent Madikwe Safari Lodge is situated in the Madikwe Private Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa, right on the Botswana Border. This beautiful Madikwe Safari lodge is an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg.
The lodge comprises three separate private lodges offering 20 luxury suites in total.
Madikwe Safari Lodge offers accommodation in three luxury lodges, each with its own appeal. The right lodge for you will depend on whether you are travelling with the family, with a group of friends or on your own, and on your personality.
ABOUT MADIKWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
The pristine Madikwe Private Game Reserve situated in the Northwest Province of South Africa, right on the Botswana border, is currently the fifth largest game reserve in the country. It comprises 75 000 hectares of vast wilderness.
As it is lesser known it is a hidden gem and home to approximately 66 large mammal and 300 bird species. The reserve offers stellar Big Five viewing (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), as well as a variety of other species such as giraffe, the elusive African wild dog, brown hyena, oryx and aardwolf, to name but a few.
Before the South African Government declared Madikwe a reserve, the land was used for farming, but, as the soil is too poor to sustain farming practices, it was decided it would be best to utilise the area as a national park in order to assist with the upliftment of local disadvantaged communities. More than 10 000 mammals were then relocated from other national parks in South Africa. The habitat comprises vast open plains of grasslands, woodlands, rocky outcrops and single mountains. The park is bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains.
Madikwe is run as a joint venture between the state, private sector and local communities, making it a trend-setting model for other similar ventures in the country.
Madikwe is an area rich in heritage. It was named after the Madikwe or Marico River, and the nearby town, Groot Marico, is also named after the river. Groot Marico was founded by the Voortrekkers, the early pioneers of this land, in the 1850s but only proclaimed in 1948. Legendary South Africa writer Herman Charles Bosman made the area famous, often writing about Marico in his books, in which he referred to this area as “carrying the authentic stamp of South Africa”
Cuisine
The secret to Makdiwe’s culinary success is its passionate and create chefs, as well as the healthy and fresh ingredients, which form the basis of all the dishes.
Brimming with flavour, and with distinct African flair, the food at Madikwe Safari Lodge is hearty and wholesome, and satisfies all palates.
Meals are paired with the finest South African and international vintages, and the presentation of the dishes are unpretentious yet contemporary. Freshly home-baked delicacies ensure that there is always something scrumptious for the sweet tooth among us.
Whether served in the dining room, on the deck, in the open-air boma, or even the heart of the bush, meals will delight and surprise.
The lodge caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences and even boasts a kid’s menu, specifically designed to appeal to younger palates.
Main Lodge
The luxurious Madikwe Safari lodge harmonizes perfectly with the natural surroundings of the location and ensures an unforgettable adventure in this unique reserve. The main lodge is nestled on the slope of a hill overlooking the Madikwe plains.
Earthy materials such as thatch, wood and stone reflect its wilderness environment to perfection, and the colonial roofs and chimneys have been carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding bushveld.
The earthy tones of the decor, in cream, brown and beiges, afford the lodges tranquil and colonial feel. Light in design, great care was taken to have as little impact as possible on the environment during construction. Elements such as the tree trunks that protrude through the decks and are visible throughout all the spaces, reminds the nature lover that he finds himself in a bush haven in Africa. Luxurious, yet with a slight untamed touch, the lodge’s interiors are warm and inviting.
The lounge with its swinging chairs and scattered cushions in rich fabrics, offers a snug space where guests can relax with a good book or entertain themselves with a board game. Spilling onto the deck with its plunge pool and breathtaking views of the wilderness, life at Madikwe Safari Lodge is unhurried and centred around the wilderness. The fireplace provides a cosy retreat in winter where adventures of the bush are shared among friends.
Whether you take some time out from the safari activities at the bar, or indulge in a spa treatment on your deck, relaxation and rejuvenation takes centre stage here. Coupled with stellar service and attention to detail, Madikwe Safari Lodge offers an unsurpassed safari experience to the discerning traveller.
Madikwe Safari Lodge Main Lodge Facilities
• Lounge
• Dining area
• Deck with pool
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Fireplace
• Spa
• Library
• Wine cellar
• Boma
Madikwe Safari Lodge Services
• 24-Hour security
• Secure parking
• Kiddies club
• Laundry service
• Internet connectivity
• Room service
• Card facility.
Madikwe Safari Lodge Accommodation
Guest to Madikwe Safari Lodge can choose from three opulent lodges, each with its own appeal. These lodges offer accommodation in a total of 20 luxury suites.
The lodges are:
• Lelapa Lodge
• Dithaba Lodge
• Kopano Lodge.
Children of all ages are welcome at Madikwe Safari Lodge. They can participate in a custom-designed children’s programme which will entertain, educate and delight.
Madikwe Safari Lodge General Suite Facilities
• Air-conditioning
• Lounge area
• Deck with pool
• En-suite bathroom with in- and outdoor shower
• Dressing gowns
• Pure cotton linen
• Hairdryer
• Double bed (convertible to single)
• Fireplace
• Wi-Fi (at Lelapa Lodge)
• Minibar
• Telephone
• Safe
• Tea/coffee-making facilities
• Private safari vehicle (subject to availability).
• Madikwe Safari Lodge Lelapa Lodge
Lelapa, meaning “family”, offers luxurious accommodation in 12 suites, tailor-made for families. Each spacious suite coexists harmoniously with nature, and boasts stylishly decorated spaces in which to relax and unwind.
Amenities include a double bed (convertible to twins), a wood-burning fireplace, en-suite bathroom with in- and outdoor shower, and private deck with plunge pool. A range of deluxe amenities such as air-conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar, hairdryer, safe, and a direct-dial telephone, to name but a few, ensure a luxury safari experience in this pristine wilderness.
The lodge’s communal pool provides the perfect venue for spending many pleasant hours with family and friends, lazing in the sun whilst immersing yourself in the beauty of this landscape.
Two of the rooms at Lelapa Lodge are family suites with a second bedroom with children’s bunk beds and a sleeper couch.
A tailor-made kids’ menu of activities will keep the young ones entertained to afford parents more time for relaxation.
• Madikwe Safari Lodge Kopano Lodge
Tailored to smaller groups, Kopano Lodge comprises just 4 suites, and can accommodate a maximum of 8 guests. Meaning “small gathering”, Kopano offers an intimate safari holiday where the hoot of an owl, or the whoop of a hyena, announces each fine-dining experience in the stylish communal area.
Suites boast an en-suite bathroom with in-and outdoor shower, deck with plunge pool and double bed (convertible to twins), as well as a range of luxury amenities such as air-conditioning, fireplace, ceiling fan, safe, minibar, and telephone, to name a few.
Children 16 and older are welcome at Kopano Lodge.
• Madikwe Safari Lodge Dithaba Lodge
Nature lovers in search of seclusion and silence will love Dithaba lodge. With only 4 suites, it is well-suited to small families or a small group of friends. Here you can immerse yourself in nature without any hindrances.
Each suite has its own splash pool and comes with double bed (convertible to twins), en-suite bathroom with in- and outdoor shower, minibar, safe, hairdryer and telephone, as well as a range of other luxury amenities.
Children are only allowed if the lodge is booked for exclusive use by the same party.
This lodge also lends itself to small conferences.
SAFARIS
YOUR PRIVATE AFRICAN SAFARI
Guests can head out into the wilderness daily in open safari vehicles under the guidance of an experienced ranger and tracker. Early morning and late-afternoon/ early evening safaris are conducted daily. The morning drive head out at sunrise, and the afternoon drive just before sunset. These are the times when the animals are most active, as they usually seek shelter at the heat of the day.
Your guide and will share surprising facts of the African bush with you, whilst tracking your favourite species for an up-close encounter. Apart from the iconic Big Five, you can also expect to encounter more elusive species such as the African wild dog, which is a signature species of this reserve.
Searching for nocturnal animals in the spotlight after sunset is a thrilling experience as the brief reflection of a pair of eyes in the bush, will have you upright in your seat. Your guide will choose scenic spots en-route where you can indulge in some refreshments.
BUSHWALKS
Heading out on foot into the African wilderness offers a whole new perspective on this wild land which is Africa. An armed ranger will lead you into the bush and explain the secrets of the fauna and flora of this area, while tracking a wide range of game species.
You will have a pre-trail briefing first during which your guide will explain the route and what to expect on the walk. Your safety is paramount and first-aid kits and hand-held radios are standard equipment on walks.
This exercise involves all the senses and will definitely get the adrenalin pumping. The anticipation of what awaits around the next bush, will have you on high alert.
Bushwalks take place in the early morning after breakfast and are about 2 hours in duration. No children under 16 are allowed. Guest over the age of 16 must provide a medical certificate, proving them fit for this activity. Remember to pack comfortable walking shoes!
• Birdwatching
The Madikwe Game Reserve is home to a wide variety of bird species which can be enjoyed during interactive bushwalks or even from the privacy of your deck.
Avid birdwatchers can expect sightings of the voilet-eared waxbill, crimson-breasted shrike, Cape vulture and black-breasted snake eagle, to name but a few. The expert guides will glade share their wealth of knowledge of your feathered friends. Delight awaits in your binocular lenses.
• Rhino-tagging
Molori Safari is involved in rhino conservation efforts and guests can by arrangement be part of an extraordinary hands-on rhino tagging experience – involving the notching, DNA sampling and micro chipping of the rhino’s horns. Guests can work on the ground with the vet and ecologist, in close proximity to the sedated rhino, or take to the air in a helicopter during the rhino search. The rhino tagging conservation experience is charged as a separate cost and must be arranged a week in advance. Guests of all ages can participate, with a high level of parental monitoring required for younger children. The rhino tagging experience begins early morning, between 6:30 and 7:00am, and runs into the early afternoon. Lunch is taken to guests in the bush or a late lunch can be arranged on return to the lodge.
* This experience can be enjoyed at extra cost and must be pre-booked.
• Wellness
Madikwe offers a number of spa and beauty treatments. Wellness means walking in the wild, breathing fresh air, sleeping well and eating freshly prepared food.
Pamper yourself and indulge in a relaxing and revitalising treatment with Madikwe’s qualified therapist, all in the privacy of your suite. Treatments include facials, massages, reflexology, hand- and foot treatments, as well as a range of treatments for the young ones.
All products used are 100% organic.
• Children’s programme
The Eco House is an educational entertainment centre, specifically designed for children.The facility is a hive of activity where children can partake in a range of activities bound to keep them entertained and their parents relaxed. This experience is unique to Madikwe Safari Lodge and has been designed in consultation with the owner parents, guest parents and managers of North West Parks.
• Honeymoons
Madikwe is the place of romance. Spending your honeymoon here will create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s your first breakaway as a couple or your second honeymoon, you want it to be an unforgettable experience.
The suites at Kopano Lodge, Dithaba Lodge and Lelapa Lodge are private and spacious, each with its own private swimming pool boasting a breathtaking view over the surrounding landscape. In Winter (May through to August) the wood burning fireplace makes for a beautiful turndown, and the perfect accompaniment to falling asleep as the crackling light flickers throughout the room.
Madikwe Safari Lodge is located on the banks of the Groot Marico River in the central east region of Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa, bordering Botswana. It is an easy 4-hour drive from Johannesburg.
Copyright © MoAfrika Tours 2024
MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).