Overview
Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa's largest reserves and its finest malaria-free Big Five destination, set against the Botswana border in the North West Province. It is where we send families and first-time safari travellers, because it pairs reliable Big Five viewing with the peace of mind of a malaria-free zone.
The reserve was created by rehabilitating former farmland into a 750-square-kilometre wilderness, and it now holds the Big Five alongside one of Africa's most important wild dog populations and more than 300 bird species. Its lodges range from community-owned camps to some of the most exclusive private houses in the country.
Because Madikwe is less known than the Greater Kruger, it stays uncrowded, and its lodges are exclusive to their guests. We book the ones we have stayed in ourselves, and match you to the right one for your family or your pace.
Country
Interests
Best time
Min nights
Malaria
Why go?
- Wild dog here are a genuine draw rather than a lucky extra
- Rehabilitated farmland turned wilderness, so the conservation story is recent and real
- Community-owned camps through to exclusive private houses, so the range of styles is wide
- Quieter than the Kruger, which shows most when you pull up at a sighting
- An easy add to a Johannesburg arrival or a Cape Town leg
Experiences here
Boma Dinners & Outdoor Dining
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Spa & Wellness Experiences
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Before you book a Madikwe safari
Malaria-free and family-friendly bring most guests to Madikwe, and these are the questions that usually follow.
Yes, tipping is customary at safari lodges, and it is one of the questions we get asked most, especially by US travellers, since the local conventions differ from home. Guides, trackers, and lodge staff are typically tipped in cash, often through a shared staff box, and we brief every guest on the going rate before you travel.
The dry winter, roughly May to September, is best for game viewing, though the reserve rewards a visit year-round.
Very. It is malaria-free, uncrowded, and many lodges welcome children with tailored activities and family units.
Yes. Madikwe holds all of the Big Five, and it is also one of the best places in Africa to see wild dog.
Yes. Madikwe is a malaria-free reserve, which makes it one of the best Big Five destinations for families with young children and for first-time safari travellers.