Located in a private game reserve that is unknown to many is the modern and rather charming Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. The lodge sits on a hilltop amongst a canopy of giant trees and has access to over 75,000 hectares of untamed wilderness.
Only five hours drive from the city of Johannesburg and bordering with Botswana, Madikwe Game Reserve is a wildlife haven to be reckoned with, boasting 66 large mammal species, including the iconic Big 5 and about 300 resident and migrant bird species. It is also one of the best places in Africa to see cheetah and wild dogs roam freely.
Being a malaria free game reserve, Madikwe It is the perfect destination for a family safari getaway, with no need for the family to take anti-malaria medication.
The lodge features ten gorgeous glass-fronted suites that are incredibly spacious. Each suite boasts a comfortable living room, bedroom, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, private viewing deck and plunge pool. Children aged 10 years and older are welcome at the main lodge, with one child accommodated in the suite with their parents.
For larger families or those families who prefer exclusivity, Little Madikwe Hills boasts a 2-bedroom Private Villa with its own private kitchen and entertainment area. Two additional standard suites can be reserved to form a private 4-bedroom lodge. The lodge comes with its own game drive vehicle and ranger, as well as a personal butler and chef to see to your family’s needs.
The activities on offer at the lodge include morning and late afternoon game drives in state of the art open game vehicles that have been fitted with comfortable bucket seats and fold-down armrests. Guests to the lodge can also enjoy guided bush walks, some relaxation in the spa, take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or workout in the gym.
A Junior Rangers programme is available for the kids to enjoy, offering a hands on experience in the bush as they learn about animal tracks, termites, elephant dung and other incredible wildlife. It is a collection of fun activities that are led by the team of rangers and includes move nights, treasure hunts, face painting, animal face masks and clay modelling. The kids also receive a certificate when they have successfully completed the ‘Big 5’ experience in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
