Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth largest game reserve and is also one of the lesser-known parks in South Africa. This makes it a hidden-gem as it is regarded as one of the best conservation areas in Africa and offers the Big 5 in a 680 km2 park.
The park offers a number of luxurious lodges as well as community lodges in a malaria-free zone. The land where Madikwe now stands was previously used as farming land. The poor soil meant that farming was mostly unsuccessful and the South African government then decided that it would best be used as a national park to help economically uplift the disadvantaged area.
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Excellent Viewing
Excellent game viewing opportunities of the Big Five, other wildlife and offers an array of birdlife for bird lovers too.
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Game Drives
Open game vehicle drives are available with experienced game rangers.
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More Opportunities.
Special night drives and unique walking safaris are offered for even more game viewing opportunities.
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Highly Rated Lodges
Several lodge choices are located on the reserve, and all are well-regarded and highly rated.
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Convenience Packages
Most travel packages are all-inclusive for complete convenience.
Special Discounts
Excellent game viewing opportunities of the Big Five, other wildlife and offers
an array of birdlife for bird lovers too.
Activities Spotlight
Wildlife
Madikwe Game Reserve is an excellent Big Five place. Lions are plentiful, but sightings of cheetah and leopard are more hit-and-miss. This is compensated, however, by good sightings of wild dog. Both black and white rhino are present and white rhino are very common. In general, wildlife viewing might be slightly less easy than in the Greater Kruger private reserves, including Sabi Sands, but there are fewer vehicles around resulting in high-quality wildlife experiences. The dry country habitat is home to the rare and interesting brown hyena, not often seen in other parts of the country. Another dry country special is the gemsbok, while eland and sable are two other uncommon antelope species you might encounter here.
For wildlife viewing, the months of June to September are the best. Animals gather around permanent water sources and vegetation thins, making wildlife easier to spot.
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Elephant
Common -
Giraffe
Common -
Hippo
Common -
Buffalo
Common -
Zebra
Common -
Wildbeest
Common -
White Rhino
Common -
Black Rhino
Occasional -
Lion
Common -
Leapard
Occasional -
Cheetah
Occasional -
Hyena
Occasional -
Wild Dog
Common