South Africa :: Madikwe Safari Lodge

Madikwe Safari Lodge is situated in the heart of the richly diverse and malaria-free 76 000-hectare (187 800-acre) Madikwe Game Reserve – one of South Africa’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries.

Famed for Operation Phoenix, the world’s largest game translocation exercise with the introduction of more than 8 000 animals, Madikwe’s diverse geology and broad mix of habitats allows a wide range of African wildlife to flourish – including the Big Five, cheetah and a thriving population of wild dog.

Set on a gentle slope nestled between two rolling hills, Madikwe Safari Lodge overlooks game-filled plains with the Dwarsberg Hills in the distance and the Marico River nearby. The region is also imbued in history and has seen the passage of Mzilikazi and a range of explorers, traders, hunters and missionaries, including Dr David Livingstone, Sir Cornwallis Harris and the famous South African author, Herman Charles Bosman. In line with Conservation Corporation Africa’s (CC Africa) vision, Madikwe Game Reserve is run as a joint venture between the North West Parks Board, the private sector and the local communities.

Intimate safari suites: Madikwe Safari Lodge is situated in the heart of the richly diverse, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, offering exceptional game viewing, simple yet sophisticated accommodation, superlative service and unique regional cuisine.

Three exclusive safari camps
Totalling 16 suites
Private plunge pools
Expansive guest areas with sweeping views
Libraries and interpretive centres
African safari shop

Each suite features a sitting area, a bedroom with circular fireplace, a spacious dressing area with personal bar, an en suite bathroom with bath, indoor and outdoor shower and a private plunge pool. The rooms are organic in design and woven copper screens add intriguing detail.

Overlooking Madikwe’s game-filled plains, intimate sitting areas in all three camps feature shaded outdoor seating on expansive covered decks. There are plentiful fireplaces both inside and outdoors with pizza ovens for fun dining, book-filled libraries and a unique safari shop. A covered outdoor living room offers beanbags and cushions on the floor for casual relaxation. The nearby boma is the setting for evocative starlit dinners.

Exciting safari activities at Madikwe: CC Africa-trained rangers will lead you on exciting morning and afternoon/evening game-drives in 4x4 safari vehicles, revealing the magic of Madikwe’s wilderness.

MADIKWE GAME RESERVE: NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is now one of South Africa's prime safari destinations.

Madikwe Game Reserve is home to 66 large mammal species including the Big Five and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species. It is one of South Africa's largest game reserves.

Madikwe has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on the grounds of being the most appropriate and sustainable land use for an area.

Madikwe represents an extension to this philosophy in that it is run as a joint venture between the State, the private sector and local communities. The success of this approach has made Madikwe the role model for similar ventures being started up elsewhere in South Africa.

The reserve consists of vast plains of open woodlands and grasslands, dissected by the rugged Rant van Tweedepoort, and bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains. The area is dotted with huge rocky hills or inselbergs.

The entire reserve has been enclosed in a 150 km perimeter fence which has been electrified to prevent the escape of elephants and the larger predators.

Guests are taken on conducted day and night game drives or bush walks. Excellent accommodation is available at various private lodges in the reserve. There are no day visitor facilities; only residents at a lodge may enter the reserve.

Location:
The 60 000 ha Madikwe Game Reserve is situated in the far north of North West Province, adjacent to the Botswana border. Three hours drive from Pretoria or Johannesburg.

History:
Madikwe was announced to the public in August 1991 and officially became part of the Board's estate on 31 October the same year. A detailed feasibility study showed that wildlife-based tourism was the most beneficial option for this remote and economically depressed area.

How to get there
From Johannesburg travel to the Hartebesspoort Dam, Rustenburg and continue with the N4 to Swartruggens and then Zeerust.

From here take the R505 to the Abjagterskop Gate of Madikwe Game Reserve.

Alternatively travel to Sun City (north west of Rustenburg) and proceed from there to the Derdepoort Gate of the Reserve.

A charter service operates daily to Madikwe from Johannesburg International Airport.

Contact us during office hours (GMT+2): Tel: +27 11 888 4037 Fax: +27 11 888 1041	Copyright © AfricanAdrenalin 2007	AfricanAdrenalin are authorised , & merchants.
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