Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge is in the spectacular malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. Traversing over 185 000 acres of true untamed Africa. Where the plains still teem with wildlife and the wild dog roam freely amongst the ‘Big 5’ of Africa. (Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino and Leopard). And a range of more than 300 resident and migratory species of birds. The Reserve is bordered by Botswana on the northern boundary and the Dwarsberg mountain range to the South.
Ingeniously set amongst boulders and age-old Tamboti trees, the private game lodge is in the middle of Madikwe. This gives visitors a huge game drive advantage over other lodges situated on the borders of the reserve.
The central area is an important part of everyday life at the Lodge. From the threshold of majestic, age-old East African doors, you immediately feel the cool breeze emanating throughout the central area.
While the main deck overlooking the waterhole is the perfect place to chill during the day under a cool umbrella. The main swimming pool offers cool respite from the harsh African sun. And is a great way to relax with a cocktail in the afternoon.
An intimate, circular room at the Main Lodge has a television with a satellite decoder for anyone who has to watch an important sports game or news. There are also a few books for those who wish to read a bit on the deck of their suites.
The well-stocked curio shop has an assortment of beautiful safari gear, gifts and African memorabilia. More than half of the items in the curio shop come from Community Projects. Thereby helping and benefiting the local communities.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in your suite, reception and the Main Lodge.
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Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge Accommodation
The Lodge offers ten ultra-luxurious 150m² glass-fronted suites. Scattered across the hillside. All of them complete with their own verandah and private plunge pools. A cozy living room with huge slate-clad chimney (perfect to snuggle up in front of an open fire on cooler nights) leads into the peaceful bedroom. With a gigantic pillow-strewn four-poster bed draped in generous layers of muslin. From where it’s possible to lie and gaze in wonder. As herds of wandering animals make their way to the watering hole.
Retreat to a sunbed in the shade of an acacia tree. Or grab a towel and jump into your own personal plunge pool for the ultimate in relaxed game viewing. You’ll be amazed at what passes by just a hundred feet or so from your deck.
The cathedral-like bathrooms are ultra luxurious. A large deep tub takes centre stage in front of fold-back windows that reveal the same wilderness views. A cavernous step-up circular shower is built into the opposite wall. But that’s not all. Just outside the far door is an open-air extension with a private outdoor hot water shower. Perfect after prolonged plunge pool dips.
As the sun goes down, there’s nothing better than a candle lit bath open to the elements. Some nights, you may even find a freshly run bath when you return to your room. With a trail of rose petals leading the way.
This is one of the best accommodation options in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
The Suites
Suite 1 & 2 are next to main lodge with amazing views of a waterhole.
Suites 3 & 4 are right next to each other. This makes it comfortable for families of 4 when mom and dad want the teenagers to stay close by. These suites share a view of another waterhole.
Suite 5 is a romantic open plan room set high up on the hill with spectacular elevated scenic bush and waterhole views.
The Honeymoon Suite (Suite 6) is set high up on the hill. The plunge pool offers a very private feeling surrounded by trees and rocks. The bathroom, with an outside claw-foot bath tub and shower, has a breathtaking scenic view of a watering hole. It really is quite a feat to tear yourself away for your game drives. Especially when you are treated to your own private show of elephants in the waterhole below…
Suite 7 & 8 are high up on the hill. Quite far from Main Lodge with many steps to get to the suites. Therefore, they offer breathtaking scenic views. The resident leopard has been spotted drinking out of the pool of Suite 8 on a few occasions!
Suite 9 & 10 are on ground level with a watering hole close to the suites. Making them a bird lovers paradise. They are also pretty far from the main lodge. They are fairly close together so good for groups of 4. Additionally, they can be joined with the Private Villa forming Little Madikwe private camp for up to 8 guests.
Little Madikwe
The ultimate in luxury and privacy, Little Madikwe boasts an opulent self-contained 2-bedroom Private Villa (±390m²) sleeping 4 to 5 guests. With its own game drive vehicle and game ranger. As well as a villa attendant to take care of your every need! A diverse wine selection, gourmet kitchen and lounge complete the picture.
Your sumptuous gourmet experiences are enjoyed in Little Madikwe’s beautifully decorated and enchanting dining room. And prepared in the state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen by your personal chef. You can even pick up a few culinary tips whilst you watch your meal being prepared! A villa attendant is on hand to respond to the group’s every need. A dedicated game ranger and game viewing vehicle means that Little Madikwe’s guests can enjoy private game drives at their leisure, for as long or as short as they wish.
By reserving suites 9 and 10, Little Madikwe forms a completely private camp accommodating up to 8 guests. Ideal for families and small group safaris. This Private Villa also boasts a large swimming pool and offers extended amenities to groups of guests wanting to truly get away from it all on a wildlife safari in Africa.
A personal luxury is being able to set your own meal and safari game drive times. Making this the ideal, exclusive family escape in Africa.
Madikwe Family Safari
The African bush is a unique and exciting playground for the youngsters. An intriguing experience for all ages. Madikwe Hills goes the extra mile to ensure your kids leave educated and enlightened.
Madikwe Hills Main Lodge caters for children over 10 years. While kids of all ages are welcome at Little Madikwe. From experienced sitters for the babies and fun activities for the kiddies. To informative Junior Ranger programs creating an awareness of this special bush environment, Madikwe Hills creates memorable family experiences.
The Junior Rangers learn all the different interesting aspects of the bush through a range of fun exercises. Kids enjoy a hands-on experience by touching elephant dung, looking at tracks, finding out HOW to track. Learning about termites while standing right next to a large termite mound etc. This is an exciting and education experience for all ages.
The Junior Rangers are given “funwork” not “homework”. A booklet they can complete before or during the afternoon drive which is marked and each child receives a certificates stating they are a Junior Ranger of Madikwe Hills. This program can be run for 1 – 2 hours in one day. Or if the guests are staying for more than two nights it can broken up into two days.
Movie nights are also a highlight when kids enjoy a night of traditional movie fun. With popcorn and snacks, in their pajamas. The fun never stops at Madikwe Hills.
Wining and Dining
The bar entices guests to enjoy a pre-dinner drink and fireside chat with your friendly game rangers and managers. The dining room offers a silver-service experience of memorable proportions. With beautiful artwork on the walls and cutlery and crockery fit for a king. Fine cuisine is accompanied by superb South African wines. An extensive wine cellar is next to the dining room. The cellar is a treat for the avid wine connoisseur as well as the learning amateur.
Fusion food mixed with the finest in African ingredients and decadent local and international flavors. Turning simple ingredients into cuisine of great visual appeal. The traditional Boma evenings are always a highlight.
The chef also goes to great lengths to accommodate guests with specialist dietary requirements (allergies, vegetarian and plant based diets etc). Kosher foods can be arranged on request. You will experience a variety of different healthy venison meats (venison is free range and organic!). Delicious meals will be tailored around individual needs.
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge Activities
Traversing over 75 000 hectares, Madikwe Game Reserve is where the plains still team with game and the acacia savanna symbolizes a paragon of beauty. Madikwe Hills is in the middle of the Reserve, giving you a huge advantage on game drives.
The malaria-free Madikwe Reserve is home not only to the ‘Big 5’ of Africa, but also to a wealth of other fascinating creatures, including the rare Wild Dog. The team at Madikwe Hills looks forward to showing you Africa’s wonderful wildlife. And to fulfilling your every wish. Wildlife can be viewed on game drives, walking safaris, and from the privacy of your suite deck.
Game Drives & Bush Walks
Explore the wonders of the African bush in state-of-the-art open game vehicles with bucket seats ensuring your optimum safety and comfort. Knowledgeable and professional field guides conduct early morning and late afternoon, or evening game drives in search of Africa’s big game and smaller wildlife. On morning game drives, should you be feeling energetic, you may choose to experience an up-close-and-personal glimpse of the African bush on foot with a gentle bush walk* through the bush back to the Lodge. This experience provides exceptional close encounters with the smaller inhabitants of this wilderness. Due to the heat in summer, winter is the best time for walking safaris.
Wildlife Photography
Those with a passion for wildlife photography will be able to get various tips from their ranger on taking the perfect safari picture, while on their game drive. The rangers are avid fans of photography, many of them having entered renowned international and local competitions with great results. The rangers will be happy to assist in any way they can.
Spa and Gym
Enjoy a unique spa treatment based on the study of Africa, Africology, which encapsulate the behavior, experiences and the healing potential of Africa. Set the mind at ease and embrace the energy of the bush. Experience the soul of Africa, not just through an emotional, but also a physical wellness. Africology brings ancient wisdom to today’s world, by using some of South Africa’s indigenous healing plants, namely Rooibos, Aloe Ferox, Marula and African potato.
The fully-equipped, air-conditioned gym at Madikwe Hills, with treadmill, spinning bike, rowing machine, fitness flyer, weights and bench, dumbbells and barbells and aerobic mats, allows guests to keep up with their fitness regime, or is a place to release the guilt built up after indulging in mouth-watering delights.
How to get to Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve is located in the North-West Province. It is roughly a 3 – 3 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg to the park entrance. And then a further hour onto your accommodation within the park. Charter flights on light aircraft can be arranged. These take approximately 45 minutes with a complimentary transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.
The estimated driving time from Gaborone to Madikwe is 1 to 1½ hours.
Best time to visit
Madikwe is in the north of South Africa and it experiences cold, dry winters and hot, wet summers. Green season runs between November to April and dry season from May to October.
Generally, game viewing is more rewarding towards the end of the dry season as wildlife congregates around permanent water and the veld is less-dense, making animals easier to see. The green season (also low season) is marked by afternoon thunderstorms, vibrant green landscapes and excellent bird watching.
The green season usually offers lower rates and fewer visitors, the dry months conversely higher rates but also more visitors. When you choose to visit will ultimately depend on budget and your interests for your safari (such as birding, lowest risk of malaria and your vacation schedule).
It’s good to know that Madikwe is a year-round malaria-free destination and therefore precautions are not necessary. The slightly more arid climate on the border of the Kalahari Desert means the summer days are not as humid.
At Madikwe Hills your game viewing experience is enhanced by only having 6 guests per game vehicle. One room per row.
For guests making use of the child sharing policy, the child will be included in the adults row in the vehicle.
*One child (10 -16 years) sharing a suite with 2 x paying adults pay 50% of the adult sharing rate.
#Please Note: No single supplement for the first single suite confirmed in any one reservation. Second single suite or more pay a 50% supplement on the per person sharing rate. Single occupied rooms might share a row on the game drive vehicle with one other person.
Rates for the additional suites 9 & 10 at Little Madikwe are the same as the Madikwe Hills Main Camp rates
Rates include:
Luxury accommodation.
Two game drives per day.
Three meals daily.
Tea / Coffee.
A wide selection of local beverages, house wines and spirits. High tea canapes & snacks.
Selection of Fruit Juices.
Laundry service.
Road transfers from the Madikwe Airstrip to the lodge.
Rates exclude:
Curio shop purchases.
Cellar wines and premium spirits.
Telephone calls.
Spa treatments.
Park Entry Fees – Road & Air (Entrance and landing fees are subject to change without prior notification).
Lodge transfers.
Airport Tax.
Conservation Fee.
Book our 8 night South Africa Luxury Trilogy Safari which includes Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge.
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge Destination Safari Wedding
We also do weddings at Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. Will add to our wedding packages soon. In the meantime, feel free to contact us for your wedding requirements.
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