Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province

About Madikwe Game Reserve

The Madikwe Game Reserve covers about 680 square kilometres (750 square kilometres if we include the newly-incorporated private land) of gorgeous bush. It is just north of the little town of Groot Marico and stretches all the way up to the Botswana border. This is about 4.5 hours' drive or a one-hour flight from Johannesburg.

Did you know? Set close to the Botswana border in a malaria-free area, Madikwe has provided wild game viewing for some 20 years and is famous for Operation Phoenix. Madikwe Game Reserve describe their approach as ‘people-based wildlife conservation'.

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the largest malaria-free Big 5 game reserves in South Africa. In addition to being only a few hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, it is only a stone's throw away from the Kalahari Desert too. It is run as a partnership between the State, the private sector, and local communities - a groundbreaking approach to wildlife conservation that serves as a model to inspire similar conservation elsewhere in the country.

Whilst the State, in the form of the park's board, is responsible for infrastructure and game stocks, the private sector runs a number of successful game lodges. All of these employ locals from Supingstad, Molatedi and Lekgophung. What's more, a portion of the profits from the Madikwe Game Reserve game lodges go towards funding local community development.

What was once a series of low-yield cattle farms has been transformed into the acclaimed, exquisite Madikwe Game Reserve. Here, visitors from all over the world come together to enjoy authentic African safaris, bush walks, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the wildlife.

Madikwe is home to leopard, elephant, lion, buffalo, cheetah and rhino, huge numbers of plains game, and over 350 bird types. It is one of the best reserves in the country at which to see African wild dogs. In fact, the park is home to an astounding three hunting packs.

Best time of year:
All year round as the animals do not migrate

What makes Madikwe unique:
The unusual way of running things; a good chance of spotting the African wild dog; and the reserve's special ‘top ten' - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino, hippo, giraffe, wild dog, hyena and cheetah.

Highlights:
Day and night game drives, bush and nature walks.

Need to Know

WhereMadikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe, 2865, North West Province, South Africa

WhenBest during daylight hours.

OvernightStay in Madikwe Accommodation, North West Province

Disclaimer

Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.

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