The Madikwe River Lodge is a beautiful place to relax and unwind. It is located on the banks of the Groot Marico River in the middle of the Madikwe Game Reserve.
The malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve near the border with Botswana is a special wilderness area set aside in one of South Africa’s most remote places. The area around Madikwe is full of myths and legends, and its cultural pull goes back to the Stone Age. Because of this, it attracts a lot of tourists.
It is in the area where Southern Africa’s bushveld and the Kalahari’s thornveld meet. There is a lot of wildlife there because of this location. This was not always the case, though. Operation Phoenix was one of the biggest moves of animals done by people, when, over the course of seven years, more than 8 000 animals were moved to make a wildlife sanctuary that could support itself financially.
Madikwe River Lodge is a great place to stop if you are driving between Johannesburg and Gaborone. The Groot Marico River is right next to the Madikwe River Lodge, so you can watch animals right up close.
The surrounding wilderness is full of animals, such as African wild dogs and cheetahs, which, along with the “Big Five,” make up the “Madikwe Super Seven.” The lodge offers twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks, and more than enough places to relax and take in the view.
Families are also welcome at Madikwe River Lodge, so bring the kids! There are well-equipped Deluxe River Chalets, Deluxe River Family Chalets, and a Luxury River Chalet for you to stay in. Dinners in the boma by the fire, breakfasts in the bush, and a helpful staff are always ready to make everyone happy.
Madikwe River Lodge has sixteen split-level thatched chalets for guests to stay in. All of the units have their own bathrooms, living rooms, air conditioning, bar fridges, and private decks with views of the river.
It is made up of deluxe river chalets, deluxe river family chalets, luxury river chalets, and deluxe river chalets.
Each one-bedroom unit has a bathroom with a shower and can sleep two people (single or double). The private balcony is a great place to watch the sunrise with a hot cup of tea.
There are six family rooms for families who want to travel and need a place to rest. There are either twin beds or double beds and a sleeper couch in these one-bedroom units. Little ones can also get a cot if they ask for one.
Luxury river chalets have a private lounge area that leads out to a private balcony with a view of the Groot Marico River. They also have a bathroom that is attached to the room and an outdoor shower.
They have a double bed or two single beds and can sleep a maximum of two people. They have a private bathroom with a bath and an outdoor shower, a private balcony with a seating area, air conditioning, a bar fridge, coffee/tea making facilities, basic toiletries, and a hairdryer.
General facilities at Madikwe River Lodge include an outdoor swimming pool, communal lounge, boma and firepit, conference centre, private airstrip, curio shop, and babysitting services by request
Dining is a highlight of any day with a head chef and team that are always on standby to whip up something tasty.
Breakfast is served in the dining room, lunch on the viewing deck, with dinner in the outside boma and bush breakfasts are also available on request.
Should you want to fly into or out of Madikwe River Lodge with a light aircraft, the airstrip is only 20 minutes’ drive away for a 45-minute flight to or from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The curio shop offers ample options to pick up some treasures to take home with you, including a range of handmade crafts sourced from local artists.
Madikwe River Lodge also offers unique conference facilities combined with river facing accommodation.
In the Madikwe Reserve, you can see a lot of different animals, including all of the Big Five. The lodge offer twice-daily private game drives led by qualified rangers. For parents that travel with kids younger than six, a special family safari will be set up.
Highly skilled and armed tracker guides also lead special bush walks. Even though big game animals usually get all the attention, there are a lot of smaller animals that are interesting to learn about. From tiny dung beetles to beautiful bat-eared foxes, walking around in the bush is a great way to find all the small animals that most people do not notice.
If you like to watch birds, you are sure to enjoy the many local choristers that fly through the Madikwe area. The Groot Marico River is a great place to see and hear a lot of native birds, so keep your eyes and ears open. The African fish eagle, the Pel’s fishing owl, and the Brown-hooded Kingfisher are all at the top of the list.
At Madikwe River Lodge, dinners are enjoyed by the fire in an outdoor boma and, if you ask, they can arrange a special bush breakfast.
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 Yes, there are six family rooms available with either twin beds or double beds and a sleeper couch. Cots for babies are also available upon request.
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The lodge’s private airstrip is only a 20-minute drive away and offers a 45-minute flight connection to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Madikwe Reserve is home to various animals, including the Big Five. Guests can enjoy twice-daily private game drives led by qualified rangers.