Madikwe Game Reserve

Discover the allure of Madikwe Game Reserve, a premier malaria-free safari destination. Renowned for its thriving wild dog populations and exceptional Big Five sightings, Madikwe offers an unforgettable safari experience for families, couples, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

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Overview

Madikwe Game Reserve: Malaria-Free Safari Luxury in South Africa

Discover the allure of Madikwe Game Reserve, a premier malaria-free safari destination in South Africa. Renowned for its thriving wild dog populations and exceptional Big Five sightings, Madikwe offers an unforgettable safari experience for families, couples, and wildlife enthusiasts alike

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the best malaria-free game reserves in South Africa. It lies north-west of Johannesburg in the wide open plains of bushveld, close to the Botswana border. It offers quality game-viewing, excellent safari lodges, as well as a true African ambience.

Madikwe Game Reserve: Conservation

The malaria free Madikwe Reserve is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa at 75,000ha. Plus it boasts a healthy wildlife population with plenty of the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo). You may also be lucky enough to see packs of wild dog on a Madikwe safari, a rare and privileged sighting. Given its open savanna terrain, Madikwe offers plenty of plains game including sable, gemsbok, springbok and giraffe, even cheetah. Plus over 360 recorded bird species.

But Madikwe is not only about luxury and wildlife; it's also a testament to successful conservation and community upliftment. The reserve was established as a joint venture between the government, private sector, and local communities, to restore the land and provide economic benefits through eco-tourism.

Highlighting Madikwe Lodges

Whether you are a honeymoon couple, or a family, there are plenty of Madikwe lodges to suit all tastes. Some are offered as ‘Safari Houses’ on an exclusive use basis. This is ideal for a group of friends or a larger family party.

Madikwe Safari Lodge: three distinct camps—Lelapa (family-friendly), Kopano (intimate), and Dithaba (exclusive-use)—each providing luxury and personalized service.
Jamala Madikwe: An ultra-luxurious lodge known for its exceptional service, gourmet dining, and prime location for game viewing.
Madikwe Hills - luxury at its best, ideal for romantic getways. But Little Madikwe is perfect for a multi-gen family stay.

See more great lodge options below:

Getting to Madikwe Game Reserve:

Madikwe is not the most accessible of game reserves. As it is a 4+ hour drive from Johannesburg. But you can opt to fly-in and out instead. Or why not combine a Madikwe safari with the Marakele National Park in the same broad area.

Ready for a Madikwe safari adventure? Contact us to tailor your perfect getaway to one of Madikwe's exceptional game lodges

Why We Love It

Malaria free Big Five game reserve
Excellent Wild Dog sightings
Wide variety of lodges to choose from
Superb Family Safari programmes with fun activities such as identifying spore, frog hunts, kid’s game drives

On The Map

When to visit Madikwe Game Reserve

Photographers' Dream with Excellent Birding

Madikwe shares a Summer rainfall climate with the rest of the northern part of South Africa, Typically the rains start in November. The rains are heaviest in January and February but usually take the form of late afternoon or evening downpours which are actually welcome as it cools the air and keeps everything lush and green. Temperatures are hot and humid during the day and stay warm in the evening and night. This is not the best season for safari as the bush is lush and verdant so it’s harder to spot the game. Plus animals don’t need to come to rivers and waterholes so much to drink. However birding is excellent and the game-viewing is still reasonable within the private game reserves.

AVG RAINFALL 71 mm

MAX TEMP 32 ℃ / 90 ℉

MIN TEMP 19 ℃ / 66 ℉

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Mild temperatures, good game

This is the start of the dry season and the safari season. By the end of March the rains have stopped, making game-viewing much easier. The landscape is still green and lush but grasses start dying down. The sunsets are superb as the skies are clearer. Nights are cooler but still very pleasant to eat outside though this starts to change in May.

AVG RAINFALL 19 mm

MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 79 ℉

MIN TEMP 9 ℃ / 48 ℉

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Cold dry season, optimal wildlife sightings

Traditionally this is the best time to visit as the dry season continues. The bush is less dense and the animals flock to the waterholes to drink. Daytime temperatures are pleasant (20-22C). But nights can be very cold, because of the altitude. So you will need to have warm clothing once the sun sets. Mornings on the game drive vehicle can be cold so pack warm clothing.

AVG RAINFALL 5 mm

MAX TEMP 22 ℃ / 72 ℉

MIN TEMP 4 ℃ / 39 ℉

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Still great game, Heating up nicely

It starts to warm up again from August onwards. Thought this is technically Spring it is actually just the end of the dry season. So it is the perfect time for safari. The temperatures heat up nicely in September and October prior to the start of the summer rains which usually start in November. However October can bring some early heralding showers.

AVG RAINFALL 38 mm

MAX TEMP 32 ℃ / 90 ℉

MIN TEMP 16 ℃ / 61 ℉

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Popular tours & safaris

Madikwe Safari Getaway 3 Nights

This simple fly-in safari to the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve can easily be added to a tour of the Cape or other destinations.

WHEN Year round

DURATION 4 Nights

FROM ₤ 3,200

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Kids in Style Family Safari

The Kids in Style tour begins with unsurpassed game-viewing at the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve and continues to cosmopolitan Cape Town. It ends on a high point with whale-watching, ...

WHEN Aug - May

DURATION 10 Nights

Impodimo Game Lodge is an attractive 18-bedded lodge on the western side of the well-known malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve with easy access from the Wonderboom gate. It is set along a rocky ridge ...

RATING Premier

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