Park Info

Park Info

The Madikwe Game Reserve is a protected area in South Africa, part of the latest park developments in the country. Named after the Madikwe or Marico River, on whose basin it is located, it was opened in 1991 and comprises 750 km² of bushland north of the small town Groot-Marico up to the Botswana border.

In this section you will get a in-depth look into the Madikwe Game Reserve and learn more about the history of the reserve, the communities, directions, seasons and useful travel tips. Feel free to use the menu on the right to browse through the different topics.

Why Madikwe?

Closed to outside visitors, the Reserve opens up exclusively for you as a guest of one of the 4- and 5-Star rated lodges. By day, exceptional field rangers cover a broad mix of habitats while out on thrilling game drives and leisurely bush walks. Some guests choose to retreat into decadent safari-style spa treatments. By night, sumptuous cuisine and world-class wines are enjoyed under the African stars.

These are some of the highlights:

Luxurious Safari Lodges – Experience renowned opulence in one of the private lodges. Madikwe Game Reserve boasts only superlative, supremely comfortable suites. Some are even award winners. These accommodations are available on either a full board, or a fully inclusive basis.

Intimate & Romantic – All of the lodges in Madikwe are designed to host a select number of guests. Most feature no more than eight suites or chalets, making them ideal for a romantic getaway. For those seeking total seclusion, a selection of lodges are available for exclusive use.

Spectacular Game Viewing – Regarded as one of the top conservation areas in all of Africa, Madikwe Game Reserve is home to the “Big Five” – elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard – as well as the rare African wild dog, giraffe, zebra, springbok, ostrich, antelope, hippo, cheetah and hyena. This is Africa at its wildest.

Effortless Accessibility – Madikwe is just 3 ½ hours by car from Johannesburg and Pretoria. There are also flights available from major airports and all rates include VIP transfer from the reserve’s airstrip to your lodge of choice.

Community & Sustainability – The Reserve is a magical place that has also uplifted the economy of those communities that surround it.  Each safari lodge participates in local projects – often related to either education or the environment, or both – and some are owned entirely by a village.

Spirit of Madikwe – This is a land deeply immersed in history, dating back to the Stone Age and the Little Ice Age; then the arrival of the Portuguese, the British, the hunters and the missionaries. The spirits of Mzilikazi, Dr. David Livingstone, Sir Cornwallis Harris and Herman Charles Bosman still roam Madikwe.