After three nights at Sun City, enjoy a final breakfast before you are transferred in a private SUV to Madikwe Safari Lodge in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. The reserve is renowned for its superb Big 5 game viewing and reliable sightings of white rhino. Cheetah and wild dog are also regularly spotted here, making up the Magnificent 7, and are a major draw card for safari enthusiasts.
Situated between rolling hills, the luxurious lodge overlooks game-rich plains bisected by the majestic Marico River, which cuts a life-giving swathe through this marvelous landscape. Encounters on expertly guided 4x4 game drives are generally limited to a maximum of three vehicles per sighting to maintain exclusivity and ensure the well-being of the animals. You will check into the Lelapa section of the lodge, which is ideal for families travelling with children under 16. Your suite’s veranda is a private refuge, with magnificent views, where you have the luxury of a plunge pool for refreshing afternoon dips. On chilly nights, curl up in front of the fireplace in your elegant suite and, when the weather is warm, cool off in your alfresco shower immersed in the captivating wilderness.
Barbecue dinners are enjoyed around a roaring campfire, accompanied by African song and dance. For a truly intimate wilderness experience, expert guides escort you through the bush on foot, introducing the diverse array of flora and fauna found on the reserve. Identify the tracks of a cheetah and learn how they differ from those of the leopard. Rub the leaves of an acacia tree and listen to your guide as he imparts his knowledge about its health benefits for both humans and our 4-legged friends. Bird watching on the reserve is phenomenal and your guide is always available to assist with identification. Before retiring to your suite for the night, turn your eyes to the pitch-black skies and spot brilliant star constellations as you learn more about African astronomy.
Children can enjoy a kids’ game drive in the late morning, lessons in bushcraft, spoor tracking and dung identification, and trips to the Ecology House, where they can learn more about South Africa’s plants, animals and birds.