TREAT YOURSELF
MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
See the Big Five in style in South Africa’s fifth-largest reserve. It’s run collectively by the North West Parks Board, the local community and the private sector, and offers a luxury stay in a dramatic landscape: plains punctuated by inselbergs and mountains.
DO THIS: There are no day visitors allowed in Madikwe, or game drives in personal vehicles. So, when you go on a guided game drive, you’ll have more of the reserve to yourself. It will be easier to see that wild dog when you’re not staring at the brake lights of the SUV in front of you! Daily conservation fee: R165 p.p. Entry fee: R180 p.p.
ACCOMMODATION: About 20 privately owned luxury lodges and camps operate in the reserve. There is no central reservations office for all of the lodges, but you can see a summary of the facilities on the Madikwe Travel Experts website. Rates range from about R3 695 p.p. sharing to more than R15 000 p.p. sharing for the more high-end lodges. Some offer discounted rates for SADC residents and great last-minute booking specials (more than 50%) – keep an eye on
madikwegamereserve.co.za/specials
Where? About 110 km north of Zeerust.
Contact: 018 350 9931; northwestparks.org.za