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Madikwe Safari

Posted by admin on May 11, 2011 in African Safaris | 0 comments

Madikwe Safari

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, 90 km north of Zeerust, just three hours’ drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is now one of South Africa’s prime safari destinations. Madikwe is a Big Five game reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game and the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities.Madikwe is home to 66 mammal species including the Big Five and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species. It is one of South Africa’s largest game reserves and has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on the grounds of being the most appropriate and sustainable land use for an area.Madikwe represents an extension to this philosophy in that it is run as a joint venture between the State, the private sector and local communities. The success of this approach has made Madikwe the role model for similar ventures being started up elsewhere in South Africa.The reserve consists of vast plains of open woodlands and grasslands, dissected by the rugged Rant van Tweedepoort, and bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains. The area is dotted with huge rocky hills or koppies.Guests are taken on conducted day and night game drives or bush walks. Excellent accommodation is available at various private lodges in the reserve. There are no day visitor facilities; only residents at a lodge may enter the reserve.

Operation Phoenix is one of the largest game translocation exercises in the world. More than 8,000 animals of 28 species have been released into the Madikwe Game Reserve including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, Cape hunting dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, antelope and other herbivores.Operation Phoenix began early in 1991 and was completed in 1997.

One of the most popular lodges within Madikwe reserve is Tuningi Safari Lodge which can accommodate 16 (sixteen) guests in exclusive bush villas and the lodge itself has been designed in such a way that it can be divided for families, intimate groups or VIPs in search of utter privacy – a concept that is unique to Tuningi.All rooms at Tuningi have air conditioning, ceiling fans, gas fireplaces, en-suite bathrooms, beautifully appointed baths, outdoor rock showers and private wrap around wooden decks.As night sets in, lanterns and candles are lit and the mood goes from bush to baroque. Guests return from their game drive to be presented with a bush extravaganza dinner, prepared by Tuningi’s Executive Chef, in the boma with a cozy log fire.

Have a look further on our African Safaris Category to view a large selection of safari lodges from which to choose. Remember that you will benefit from all our Special Preferential Rates should you book your Safari through us.