Madikwe Game Reserve

'The was reserve created in 1991, situated on the South Africa Botswana border in a malaria-free area'

Size & Location: 750km² ,360 km from Johannesburg, in the North West Province
When to visit the park: Drier months (May - September) are best for game-viewing
Climate: Hot, humid (31°C) during summer rainy season and cold, freezing winters
Rainfall: approx. 500mm per annum
Altitude: 950m - 1328m above sea level

PARK INFORMATION:

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is now one of South Africa's prime safari destinations.

Madikwe Game Reserve is home to 66 large mammal species including the Big Five and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species. It is one of South Africa's largest game reserves.

Madikwe 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 Game Reserve 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 inselbergs.

The entire reserve has been enclosed in a 150 km perimeter fence which has been electrified to prevent the escape of elephants and the larger predators.

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. The reintroduction of game began early in 1991, shortly before the perimeter fence had been completed. Operation Phoenix, as the reintroduction programme is called, is the largest game translocation exercise in the world. More than 8 000 animals of 28 species have so far been released into the reserve, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, Cape hunting dog, spotted hyaena, giraffe, zebra and many species of antelope and herbivores. Leopard already occurred in the reserve. Operation Phoenix was completed in 1997.

Madikwe Game Reserve has been developed to provide a highly personal experience for the visitor. The park is open to guests who have a wide choice of accommodation options at the many safari camps located throughout the park. Day and night drives in open safari vehicles form an essential part of any visit to the park, and these are guided by experienced rangers whose knowledge will greatly enhance the overall wildlife experience.

Madikwe River Lodge is one of the first lodges built in the region. The view from the lodge over the Marico River and its almost tropical forest is absolutely breathtaking.

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is now one of South Africa's prime safari destinations.

There are no day visitor facilities: only residents at a lodge may enter the reserve.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
» Big 5
» Wilddog
» No day visitors

ACCOMMODATION AND SAFARIS THAT INCORPORATES MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
GAME AND SAFARI LODGES	SAFARIS AND TOURS
TAU GAME LODGE
MADIKWE RIVER LODGE
MAKANYANE SAFARI LODGE
IMPODIMO GAME LODGE
ETALI SAFARI LODGE
THE BUSH HOUSE
MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE
BUFFALO RIDGE SAFARI LODGE