Explore South Africa’s premier game reserve
Situated on the border with Botswana close to the Kalahari Desert, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth-largest game reserve in South Africa. As one of the lesser-known reserves, this hidden gem is regarded as one of the best conservation areas in Africa and offers visitors a Big 5 safari experience over 750 km.
Roughly a four-and-a half hours’ drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Madikwe offers a number of luxurious lodges as well as community lodges in a malaria-free zone.
The reserve is home to approximately 66 large mammal and roughly 300 bird species.
You will find all this flora and fauna in an area comprising vast open plains of grasslands, woodlands, rocky outcrops and mountains.
The Big 5 are represented in the reserve and you are likely to spot lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos or buffalos. During your visit you will also have the rare privilege of possibly seeing highly endangered African wild dogs.
In 1994, a small group of six wild dogs were introduced into Madikwe. This founding group has seen a challenging time with rabies outbreaks, territorial clashes and encounters with lions.
Despite the odds, Madikwe now has a thriving wild dog population with three hunting packs roaming the area. They are somewhat accustomed to safari vehicles, offering spectacular photographic opportunities. Madikwe Game Reserve’s conservation efforts to protect the ‘painted dog’ are in place to help conserve this majestic species.
Community-based conservation
The reserve is one-of-a-kind and is known for its involvement with the local communities. Community lodges are owned and run by the local people, creating a healthy economic environment.
The roads to Madikwe
Madikwe Game Reserve has a combination of gravel and tar roads. Final access to all the lodges in the park are via gravel roads.
Conditions of these roads vary depending on the season and the weather. Most (2×4) smaller vehicles will be able to make their way around the reserve but we advise against the use of sports cars and vehicles with low ground clearance.
You may be required to drive 10 to 30 km on gravel roads before you enter the park depending on which gates you enter through. Always drive slowly in the park.
Its history
Before Madikwe was an official game reserve, work had already begun to remove many of the derelict farm buildings, non-indigenous plants and the hundreds of kilometres of old fencing.
Many of these old buildings have been spared and turned into workshops and park offices. Some of the outposts have also been left and are being used to house reserve staff and game scouts.
The area where Madikwe Game Reserve stands today was previously farming land, used for farming cattle and arable agriculture.
The farming culture in the area was largely a failure, due to bad farming practices and mismanagement, and the vegetation had degraded to unusable levels.
This land has been opened up to a few select private farms. The farm owners are required to abide by Parks Board rules as there are still restrictions as to where private vehicles can drive.
Other developments include community lodges that are run by local villages. The profits from these community lodges are then used to uplift local communities.
The area
Madikwe Game Reserve consists of vast open plains of woodlands and grasslands. The reserve is bisected by the rugged Rant van Tweedepoort and is bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains. It has been enclosed in a 150 km perimeter electric fence to protect larger animals.
The famous Mafikeng Road runs through the area and was a historical route long before the reserve was established. Its path was used by traders, missionaries and explorers.
King Mzilikazi of the Matabele tribe passed through the Madikwe area many years ago on his way to expanding the Matabele kingdom.
The lodge is one of the few game reserves in the world that has been established on the grounds of being the most sustainable and suitable land use in the area.
No day visitors are allowed in Madikwe, maintaining exclusivity and allowing for uncrowded game-viewing opportunities. This malaria-free reserve is a perfect family destination, and most lodges provide activities specifically tailored for children, allowing parents to relax and unwind.
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