Madikwe Game Reserve safaris, tours & holiday packages
South Africa's premier malaria-free Big Five reserve
Just a four-hour drive from Johannesburg, Madikwe is studded with a dozen or so exclusive lodges offering world-class game viewing and a family-friendly feel enhanced by the malaria-free location
Extending over 750 square kilometres of North West Province, Madikwe Game Reserve was created from former ranchland in the early 1990s, and was restocked with some 8,000 individual animals belonging to 28 different large mammal species (including all the Big Five).
Closed to day visitors, it now functions much like the private game reserves that abut the Kruger Park, but in a far larger area. Madikwe is home to more than a dozen small camps that offer an all-inclusive upmarket safari experience, the focal point of which is guided game drives in open 4x4s.
Popular Madikwe Game Reserve safaris
These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
Forray into the Wilderness of Sabi Sands and Madikwe (7 days)
Our selection of South Africa's top safari lodges and game reserves are guaranteed to suit every taste and budget
$ 5,362
£ 4,207
R 91,690
€ 4,610
per person
7 days
Sun City and Madikwe Family Safari (6 days)
From Sun City's hedonistic pleasures to the majesty of nature at Madikwe Game Reserve, this journey combines the best of two very different worlds
$ 2,462
£ 1,931
R 42,095
€ 2,116
per person
6 days
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“I first visited Madikwe three years ago not quite knowing what to expect, and returned thinking that it surely ranks close to being South Africa’s best-kept game-viewing secret – fantastic sightings of African wild dogs and elephants were capped by a thrilling close-up encounter with a trio of black rhinos.”
More on Madikwe Game Reserve holidays
Mammal viewing is excellent, with at least 66 species present. Over the course of a couple of days, guests are likely to encounter lions, elephants, white rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and a variety of antelopes, including greater kudu, springbok, red hartebeest and tsessebe.
Madikwe is one of the best places in Africa for sightings of the endangered African wild dog, and night drives often yield encounters with the shy brown hyena. Black rhinos are present but are more elusive, and Madikwe doesn’t compare to the Greater Kruger when it comes to intimate sightings of leopard.
Hemmed in by the perennial Marico River to the east and the Dwarsberg mountains to the south, Madikwe is scenically diverse, dominated by wooded and grassy plains in the east, and rocky hills associated with the rugged Rant van Tweedepoort escarpment in the west. More than 350 bird species have been recorded, ranging from outsized grassland dwellers such as common ostrich and kori bustard to striking Kalahari specials such as pied babbler and violet-eared waxbill.
Madikwe Game Reserve Map
Madikwe Game Reserve's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Madikwe Game Reserve
Anyone who wanting to travel from or to South Africa with a child under the age of 18 years - parents who are travelling with their child but not their spouse and those who wish to send their child on a trip accompanied by someone other than… go there.
No vaccination is mandatory for entering South Africa except for yellow fever for passengers arriving from areas affected by the disease. go there.
Electricity in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and in most of the continent is 220/240 volts. Most safari lodges and camps are not connected to an electrical supply. Solar lighting (backed up by batteries)… go there.
All game reserves in Madikwe, the Pilanesberg and the Eastern Cape are malaria-free. go there.
Tipping is common practice in South Africa. Some guidelines concerning tipping are - in the bars and restaurants, the tipping is normally 10%. The car parks are monitored by guards or watchmen, they will often ask if you want them to keep an… go there.
I would recommend that when you are certain about your dates and if you are happy with the package, quote, booking and price to make a deposit payment to secure your booking. Availability is always a factor, you might find that there is… go there.
Although wildlife viewing is good throughout the year. The warmer months from October to March are more pleasant - the scenery is greener and this is also the time most of the animals are born. However, the park is mostly about its scenery… go there.
The best time to visit Ithala Game Reserve is during the dry winter months, from May to September. During this season it is easier to spot the wildlife since the grass is eaten by herbivores. Expect to encounter and sight birds - such as… go there.
The best time to visit Tankwa Karoo National Park is from autumn through winter to early summer of April to September. However, this is a perfect place to indulge in blessed idleness. If you want to see the landscape and animals, you'll… go there.
Reviews on our Madikwe Game Reserve safaris
Perfectly tailor-made tours that take all your wishes and requests into consideration. All my expectations were beyond fulfilled.
Henrik Wetterstrand
from Sweden
From the first approach to the end, Discover Africa has been excellent. The hotels, service and everything in between was thought of and exceeded all our expectations. The perfect choice! Thanks to all and especially to Megan.
Enrico Liberati
I am copying Megan in case she is back from maternity leave (congrats Megan!). We are having an absolutely WONDERFUL trip. It has far exceeded our expectations! Everything has been perfect, the accommodations, transport, tours, etc. We…
Monica
from South Africa
We could not have been more pleased with "Discover Africa." Our agent, Megan W, was knowledgeable, accommodating and highly responsive. She asked pertinent questions, listened carefully to our needs, then organized a personalized tour- the…
Margery
from United States of America
We went on Safari to Phinda Game reserve which was our choice as was the the choice of 2 nights on the Rovos train.Our agent was quite happy with helping us with anything we requested. We worked out dates of where we wanted to be and when…
Madeline & Reymond Goodman
from Australia
Although our safari was very expensive for us as South Africans we were satisfied that we got a value for money experience. It was a once in a lifetime safari. Knowledgeable, professional guides - experience far beyond our expectations. They…
Uwe and Doreza Kersandt
from South Africa
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