Madikwe Hills

In the North West Province of South Africa, Madikwe Hills is situated at the edge of the Marico River, under a grove of Tamboti and Marula trees. Raised wooden walkways link the main areas with the private cottages scattered across the hillside and offer wonderful views to the plains below where black rhino roam freely amongst the ‘Big 5’. Set within 75,000 hectares of safari park, Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge is situated on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve.

Eleven luxurious suites, each with a private veranda and private plunge pool, are placed amongst the boulders for complete privacy. Each well-spaced and utterly private glass-fronted suite has been designed for relaxation and comfort, with soft sofas, mosquito netting and cotton picot linen. Overhead fans and air-conditioning are a welcome respite from the African heat. Wooden walkways lit by hurricane lamps criss-cross the grounds and connect the secluded suites to the central open-plan lounge, bar, wine cellar, library and dining area up the slope, where cooling fans make slow rotations and the giant twisted trunks of leadwood trees hold up the vaulted ceiling.

Activities include game drives, bird watching, and bush dinners. Madikwe Game Reserve is home not only to the Big Five of Africa (Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino and Leopard), but also to a wealth of over 66 mammal species, including the rare African Wild Dog, as well as Cheetah, Eland, Kudu, Giraffe and a range of more than 300 resident and migratory species of birds. Those with a passion for wildlife photography will be able to get various tips from their ranger on taking the perfect safari picture, while on their game drive. Madikwe Hills rangers are avid fans of photography, many of them having entered renowned international and local competitions with great results.