North West Province Nature & Game Reserves
The wildlife of the North West Province is best enjoyed by staying at one of the game lodges in the many nature and game reserves of the area, which showcase some of South Africa's fauna and flora to perfection. Although the North West is a massive province, little of it is occupied by people, leaving enormous expanses of land available for game reserves, nature reserves, and national parks.
Some of the best known game reserves in the North West Province are the Madikwe Game Reserve and the Pilanesberg National Park (near Sun City). Both of these reserves are home to the Big Five; which is made up of elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. These animals are thrilling to see and photograph in their natural habitat.
But, these species also share the area with plenty of other fantastic animals like the cheetah, wild dog, hippopotamus, and hyena. Madikwe is free of the threat of malaria and boasts the second-largest elephant population in South Africa. The Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, and Mafikeng Game Reserve are also beautiful places to enjoy the animals and plants of South Africa.
Guided game drives or self-driven safaris are both excellent ways of getting fairly close to some of Africa’s most exciting predators and other animals. A guided tour is conducted by experienced rangers that know and understand the animals and their movements, so they are better able to take their passengers to where the animals are living, eating, drinking or hunting.
The game reserves of the North West are about 4.5 hours' drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Click on the game reserve, national park or nature reserve you wish to visit on the North West Province map or select from the full list below, to view additional information about the reserves and for listings of all lodges listed in the relevant area.
Game & Nature Reserves in North West Province
Staying Overnight
Royal Madikwe Luxury Safari Lodge
The Royal Madikwe offers nothing short of luxurious accommodation, sincere hospitality and spectacular wildlife encounters. Royal Madikwe Luxury ...
Etali Safari Lodge
Out of the heart of the spectacular Madikwe Game Reserve, embraced by pristine bushveld nurtured by Mother Africa's rich red soil, Etali Safari L...
Madikwe Safari Lodge
The rich red timbres of the African earth are reflected in the warm tones of Madikwe Safari Lodge. Cradled between rolling hills, overlooking gam...
Rockfig Lodge Madikwe
Rockfig Lodge offers accommodation in the malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve. The reserve offers some of the finest game viewing opportunities in ...
Nkala Safari Lodge
Situated in the Pilanesberg National Park, Nkala Safari Lodge is an exclusive use lodge. The lodge is ideal for those who would like to explore t...
The Last Word Madikwe
The Bush House is not your typical game lodge. The Lodge is set in the malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve. It is an old farmhouse that after years...
Tau Game Lodge
Tau Game Lodge is situated in the malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve where the Big 5 are among the 27 species which you can expect to see on game ...
Ntamba Safari Lodge
Family owned, Ntamba Safari Lodge is the perfect escape to relax in the African bush. We are a short 35 minute drive from Sun City or 2 hr drive ...
Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge
The Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge nestles in an exclusive use zone in the south-western portion of the 55,000ha Pilanesberg Game Reserve. This game ...
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