Madikwe Safari

An easy half-day drive or short charter flight from Johannesburg lies malaria-free Madikwe – one of South Africa’s largest yet least known Big 5 reserves. Lying on the edge of the Kalahari and close to the Botswana border, the 75 000 hectare Madikwe Private Game Reserve is home to a rewarding mix of familiar savannah animals and desert specialists, delivering thrilling, diverse big game safaris that not only meet but regularly exceed visitor expectations.

There is a good chance of spotting Africa’s Big 5 on a Madikwe safari and it’s also one of the best places in the country to see the highly endangered African wild dog. What’s more, the lodges in Madikwe operate like one big family: expert guides keep in radio contact with each other to share sightings and because Madikwe is a private reserve, not only are there no day-tripper crowds but your guide is permitted to go off-road for up-close sightings and to conduct spot-lit night drives.

Since Madikwe is set in a malaria-free safari region, it’s perfect for a families. Indeed, many of our favourite lodges are exceptionally family-friendly and offer tailored game drives and safari activities geared towards kids. But there’s plenty of romance too: honeymooners are well taken care of at our hand-picked selection of secluded and luxurious bush retreats.

Lying just an hour and a half’s drive from Sun City, Madikwe combines well with the championship golf courses, water parks and world-class hotels of South Africa’s favourite holiday resort. You could also round off your safari with a few days on the beaches of Cape Town or Mauritius. Simply browse our range of Madikwe safaris and accommodation or contact one of our Africa Safari Experts and they’ll tailor-make the ideal holiday for you.

What travellers most enjoyed about Madikwe

Private concessions and conservancies

Wildlife and safari