Madikwe Game Reserve
Set in a malaria-free area in the historic North West province, near the border with Botswana, the 76 000 hectare (187 800 acre) Madikwe Game Reserve supports a diverse combination of bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari. Madikwe is famed for Operation Phoenix, the world’s largest game translocation exercise. Established almost 20 years ago, the reserve successfully reintroduced more than 8 000 animals of 28 species, including lion, elephant and buffalo, as well as black and white rhino. This area is now home to the famous Big Five, as well as the endangered African wild dog and 350 bird species.
Apart from wildlife, the region also boasts a rich history, ranging from Stone Age relics to the passage of Mzilikazi and a range of European explorers and missionaries. Madikwe is well known for the Mafikeng Road (the main road running through the Reserve), the artery that once linked the trading route from Cape Town to Bulawayo in the early 1800s. The likes of William Cornwallis Harris, David Livingstone and Cecil John Rhodes travelled through here, battling and forming everlasting friendships with the local people, the Tswana-Sotho. The renowned South African author Herman Charles Bosman also spent several months living in what is the present reserve and many of his books celebrate the unique characters and atmosphere of the region.
Madikwe - An African phoenix
The rich red timbres of the African earth are reflected in the warm tones of Madikwe Safari Lodge. Cradled between rolling hills, just 20 suites are clustered in three intimate camps. With huge circular fireplaces at the heart of every suite and big glass doors to blur the boundary between inside and out, Madikwe embodies the warm, bold heart of this spectacularly rugged corner of Africa. Spacious wooden decks embrace inviting plunge pools, and book-filled shelves in quiet corners entice and captivate.
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Guest Stories
“We were treated like royalty and I especially loved the decked out, beautiful rooms, with your own private splash pool outside. I would have loved a warm jaccuzi too. The food was very South African, and the vast variety of food and interesting tastes kept us totally indulged! The game was fantastic and the rangers had a great knowledge of the birds and plants. I also really appreciated the small touches, like a massage, the candles and braai set up in the middle of one of our trips.”
Lara-Lee Price -
&Beyond Safari Shop
Whether it's practical, comfortable gear for an upcoming safari or a special souvenir from Africa, our Safari Shop can help find what you're looking for. It stocks a range of quality outdoor clothing and accessories which you can choose from online, or email us for any of the goodies you'd find in a Safari Shop at our lodges.
Downloadable Reserve Info
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