Lodges in Madikwe Game Reserve
Tau Game Lodge
The Bush House
Etali Safari Lodge
Jaci’s Safari Lodge
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge
Madikwe Safari Lodge
Motswiri Private Lodge
Rhulani Safari Lodge
Thakadu River Camp
Tuningi Safari Lodge
Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge
Rockfig Lodge Madikwe
Jaci’s Tree Lodge
Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge
Jaci’s Madikwe House
Madikwe Safari Lodge Dithaba Camp
Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge
Lelapa Lodge
Morukuru Owner’s House
Morukuru River House
The Royal Madikwe
Mateya Safari Lodge
Molori Safari Lodge
About the reserve :
As one of the largest game reserves in South Africa, Madikwe Game Reserve is home to a spectacular diversity of fauna and flora. Located in the North West Province and bordering Botswana in the north, Madikwe is approximately 40 km from Gaborone and a 3 to 4 hour drive from Johannesburg.
Considered a prime safari destination with excellent luxury accommodation options, this malaria- free game reserve spans over 75 000 hectares of breath-taking views and is home to the famous Big Five, the endangered African wild dog and a large variety of other mammal and bird life.
Activities available to guests include guided safari game drives; bushwalks and kids’ club activities. The reserve is also located within an hour’s drive to the Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City entertainment world.
Madikwe Game Reserve boasts an excellent location close to the Kalahari Desert and offers an exclusive and memorable safari experience to guests.
Directions to
By Air :
Most visitors to South Africa fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The easiest way to get to Madikwe Game Reserve is to fly from Johannesburg. The flight takes approximately 1 hour.
There is an executive daily air shuttle service offered by Federal Airlines available between Johannesburg International Airport and Madikwe Game Reserve. The service departs from the Federal Air Executive Lounge at Johannesburg International Airport and operates the latest model Cessna Grand Caravans as well as twin-engine piston aircraft.
By Road :
It is also possible to rent a car and drive to the reserve, which is situated adjacent to the Botswana border, about 360 km from Johannesburg. The trip takes about 4 to 4½ hours*.
These are the main gate entrances into the reserve:
- Wonderboom Gate
- Tau Gate
- Abjaterskop Gate
- Motledi Gate
- Derdepoort Gate
Most of the lodges and camps on the western side of the park are accessed via the Wonderboom Gate while accommodation in the eastern and central part of the park is largely accessed via the Abjaterskop Gate.
Directions by road as follows :
- From Johannesburg head north on the N1 towards the N4 Toll Road.
- Take the N4 Toll Road north-west towards Rustenburg, Swartruggens, Groot Marico, and Zeerust.
- Once in Zeerust turn right at the second stop street into President Street. There you’ll see a signpost on the left marked “Madikwe Game Reserve/Gaborone” and a First National Bank on the corner to your right.
- Follow the R49 towards the reserve for approximately 97 km.
- The first entrance to the reserve is Abjaterskop Gate.
- The second entrance to the reserve is the Wonderboom Gate exactly 7 km on from the first gate.
- PLEASE NOTE THAT MADIKWE GAME RESERVE ENTRANCE GATES CLOSE AT 18H00 AND OPEN AT 06H00
The Madikwe region is rich in history, having seen the passage of the famed warrior King Mzilikazi of the Matabele tribe passing through the area many years ago on his way to expanding the Matabele kingdom.The famous Mafikeng Road runs through the area and was a historical route used by traders, missionaries and explorers, including Dr David Livingstone and Sir Cornwallis Harris. Renowned South African writer Herman Charles Bosman celebrates the area in many of his books.
Predominantly grasslands and semi-arid Kalahari bushveld- intermingled with lone mountains and rocky outcrops- as well as the Dwarsberg Mountains that border the game reserve to the south, Madikwe is a great destination with impressive biodiversity. The Madikwe Dam takes centre stage while the Marico River meanders through the reserve, providing lush banks and a permanent water source for resident wildlife.
The Sun City entertainment complex and Pilanesberg National Park are just over an hour’s drive from Madikwe Game Reserve.
Expect to see the Big Five over the course of a 2-3 night stay. The Big Five include the elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. In addition to the Big Five, animals that are regularly sighted include giraffe, zebra, warthog, spotted hyena, baboon, hippo, impala, kudu, and many more. Lesser seen mammals such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena and aardwolf can also be spotted.
Madikwe Game Reserve is also home to over 300 bird species- including ostrich, pelicans and martial eagles.
In addition to the famous mammals and birds, countless species of reptiles and insects can be found in Madikwe.From the enormous Nile crocodile to the beautiful African monarch butterfly, these often-overlooked creatures play a vital role in the reserve’s delicate ecosystem. Discovering the secret world of Madikwe’s reptiles and insects offers a fresh perspective on the interconnected tapestry of life that exists within the reserve.
