Madikwe Game Reserve

Wildlife

All of the Big Five live in Madikwe: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and white and black rhino. The reserve is particularly well known for African wild dog, and it is one of the most reliable places in South Africa to see these endangered predators. Cheetah, spotted hyena and the shy brown hyena are also present.

The mix of habitats supports a wide range of plains game, including giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok, springbok and impala, as well as tsessebe. Smaller animals such as aardvark, aardwolf and bat-eared fox are sometimes seen on night drives.

Birdlife is excellent, with more than 300 species recorded, including Kalahari specialists such as the crimson-breasted shrike and kori bustard.

Key wildlife

• Lion
• Leopard
• Elephant
• Buffalo
• White rhino
• Black rhino
• Wild dog
• Cheetah
• Brown hyena
• Giraffe
• Gemsbok
• Tsessebe
• Kori bustard

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: May–Sep. Also good: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr.

Peak Good Quieter

Madikwe is a year-round destination. The dry winter months, from about May to September, offer the best game viewing, as vegetation thins out and animals gather at waterholes. Days are sunny and pleasant, but early mornings and nights can be very cold, so pack warm layers for game drives.

Summer, from about October to April, is warm to hot, with afternoon thunderstorms. The landscape turns green, many animals give birth and migrant birds arrive, making it a rewarding time for photographers and birders.

Because Madikwe is malaria-free, it is a popular choice for families with young children and for travellers who prefer not to take antimalarials.

Getting There

By road, Madikwe is about four to five hours from Johannesburg. International visitors usually arrive at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00, and there is no entry or exit outside these times, so plan your drive carefully.

Charter and scheduled light-aircraft flights from Johannesburg take about an hour and land at airstrips in the reserve, where your lodge will meet you.

All visitors pay a park entrance fee and a daily conservation levy. These are often included in lodge rates, so check with your safari planner.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

Madikwe is open only to guests staying at its lodges. International visitors pay a once-off park entrance fee of R180 per adult and R80 per child aged 0–8, plus a guest conservation levy of R520 per adult and R260 per child under 12 per day. SADC guests pay a levy of R260 per adult and R130 per child per day. Fly-in guests pay a landing fee of R240 per adult and R150 per child.

Levies are subject to change and are often included in lodge rates, so check with your safari planner.

Gate hours

06:00–18:00. No entry or exit outside these times; lodge guests only.

Health

Malaria risk: Malaria-free.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Game drives in open vehicles, in the early morning and late afternoon, are the main activity, led by experienced guides and trackers.

Night drives on the return from afternoon drives offer the chance to see nocturnal animals such as brown hyena, aardvark and owls.

Guided walks with an armed guide, offered by some lodges, focus on tracks, plants and smaller creatures.

Family safaris are popular, with child-friendly lodges and activities in a malaria-free setting.

Photography and birding are excellent all year, with wild dog and Kalahari birds among the highlights.

Combine Madikwe with nearby Pilanesberg or the Kruger National Park, browse all safaris, or plan your safari with us.