Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the lesser known game reserves and the 5th largest. Encompassing grassland, forest and rocky hills, this pristine wilderness borders with Botswana and boasts incredible species of wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and endangered wild dogs whom are mostly seen in Botswana.
Pilanesberg National Park is situated between the Kalahari and the Lowveld and easily accessible from Johannesburg. The 55 000 hectare park promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria free environment.
Both Madikwe and Pilanesberg are Big Five game reserves and offer a wide selection of accommodation options and a number of exciting safari activities including open-vehicle game drives, guided bush walks and bird hides that offer incredible photographic opportunities.
The North West is a great year-round destination. For birding enthusiasts, the hot, wet summer months (November to March) are best. The reserves are at their most beautiful at this time, as the vegetation is lush and green, providing an ideal background for wildlife photography. This is also the animals’ calving season, so it’s perfect for seeing gambolling babies. If you want to combine your safari with a South African beach holiday, this is the best time to visit.
The dry, winter months (June to September) are the most rewarding for game viewing and the weather is pleasant, with warm days and cold nights. During this period, the vegetation thins out significantly and animals congregate around permanent waterholes, making them far easier to spot. Visitors will require warm clothing for the evening and early-morning game drives.
At Safari.com, we have more than 50 accomplished Madikwe travel consultants ready to help you make your Safari dream a reality. With our in-depth knowledge and first-hand experience of the exclusive Madikwe Game Reserve, we’re able to tailor a safari to suit your budget, and our price guarantee ensures that you won’t get it cheaper elsewhere… not even by booking direct. Please let one of our safari experts give you a call to discuss your travel plans, we provide the most convenient flight options with seamless transfers, pre and post safari accommodation, day trips and insider traveler tips or you can go onto Live Chat right now.
Madikwe, Pilanesberg and Sun City lie in South Africa’s wild and unpopulated North West Province. This is a great, malaria-free Big Five area within easy striking distance of Johannesburg. The region has good ecotourism infrastructure, superb scenery and diverse appeal, especially for families.
Madikwe Game Reserve is all about big skies, red earth and wide-open plains in a zone where South Africa’s Bushveld meets the Kalahari Desert. Comprising 760 square kilometres, this reserve has a rich diversity of vegetation which ensures a wide range of fauna and birdlife, as well as topography that’s ideal for game viewing.
The reserve comprises more than a dozen private lodges and doesn’t allow day visitors or self-drive safaris. Most of its lodges are luxurious, top-end affairs and the game viewing throughout is excellent.
Madikwe is a relatively new reserve and an ecological success story. In 1991, when the park was declared, the region comprised a series of degraded cattle farms and the wildlife had all but disappeared. An extensive restocking programme was instituted. Operation Phoenix was reputedly the largest reintroduction of game in the world and, today, the reserve is home to more than 16 000 mammals comprising nearly 100 species.
Occupying an eroded volcanic crater north of Sun City, the 550-square-kilometre Pilanesberg National Park is a wonderfully scenic place to see a variety of South African wildlife. It was conceived in the late 1970s as a weekend escape for nearby city dwellers. But although the park may appear developed in comparison with other South African wilderness areas, it’s not at all zoo-like.
In 1979, Operation Genesis reclaimed this area from agriculture and released 6000 animals into the new park. Today, all the Big Five are here, as well as cheetahs, African wild dogs and 300-plus bird species.
At adjacent Sun City, the creation of entrepreneur Sol Kerzer, Disneyland meets ancient Egypt in Africa’s version of Las Vegas. Filled with gilded statues of animals, acres of manmade beaches, 1200 hotel rooms, a famed golf course and a casino, it’s an entertainment Mecca. Even if you find the resort kitsch, visiting Sun City can be huge fun.
Must see: During your game drive, stop and enjoy a sundowner drink on the banks of the languid, green Marico River and watch a scarlet sun setting over the bushveld.
May 9, 2024
Patient help and guidance to find just…
Patient help and guidance to find just what I wanted.
May 8, 2024
Pascal is a travel angel! Highly recommend him.
We started planning for our safari trip contacting a bunch of different travel advisors but Pascal's service truly stood out to us as the best in the industry. He took care of planning everything from start to finish for our very last minute honeymoon trip (literally a month out and during the busiest safari season). He is extremely meticulous and very responsive to our 100 questions. He shared first hand experiences at each of the different lodges, personal pictures and gave us solid recommendations within our budget. He hopped on a call with us initially to explain all the differences to us first time safari goers, and continued to be very flexible and patient with us as we couldn't decide! We are very excited for our trip and cannot thank Pascal enough for being our first interaction on our upcoming trip.
May 8, 2024
Tanya was very efficient with helping…
Tanya was very efficient with helping ME get the correct booking.
May 8, 2024
Pascal was so responsive
Pascal was so responsive, informative and delightful!! I am grateful for Pascal’s expertise!! Many thanks!! 🙏🏽🦋☮️
May 7, 2024
Very helpful even with ever changing trip!
Anja was very helpful in getting our tour booked for our group. With date changes, time changes, even up to the last minute flight changes, she was on top of things! We will use Safari.com in the future for our Kenya safari trips.
May 7, 2024
Wonderful experience with Safari.com
Wonderful experience with Safari.com. My Safari Agent, Dolan, has 20+ years of experience in booking a memorable safari. He guided me in picking the right lodging and safari within my budget. He offered several options and answered all my questions. His response time was fast, regardless of the international time difference, and we were able to make quick decisions. Highly recommend.
May 7, 2024
Dorothy was very helpful and courteous
Dorothy was very helpful and courteous. Very patient and kept me at ease. One thig did not work she offered something else. Amazing problem solving skills , communication and something I do not see a lot of today.. Great customer service!!!
May 6, 2024
Excellent service
I have been extremely impressed with the communication with John Pascal. He has taken care of my trip and I look forward to my visit. He has reduced my stress!
May 6, 2024
I would like to thank all the staff at…
I would like to thank all the staff at Safari.com. I have just returned from a fabulous trip to South Africa organised with their help. Very helpful, efficient and kind people.