The Camp

Location: Madikwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Number of Suites: 10 + Little Madikwe

Madikwe Hills is a long-established camp in the private Madikwe Game Reserve. The 10 elegant suites boast luxurious living areas with slate fireplaces leading into bedrooms with locally-carved, four-poster beds doused in soft pillows, fine linens and romantic mosquito netting. With glass doors opening the width of the bedroom, lying in and viewing towers of giraffe stroll by is an inevitability to anticipate. Spacious en suite bathrooms with deep tubs and private indoor and outdoor showers have views of the savanna just beyond the deck. Each private wooden veranda is treated with a private plunge pool for mid-day, cooling dips. A gorgeously appointed central lounge, with fireplace, curio shop, library, wine cellar and bar, opens onto a central deck and main pool. The dining area’s three mahogany tables host sumptuous, plated meals, accommodating dietary particulars. The essential ‘boma’ is also used often for al fresco meals around a bonfire, often replete with local song and dance.

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Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom with tub and indoor/outdoor showers
• Shampoo, soap and lotion
• Hair dryer
• Air conditioning
• Room fan
• Fireplace
• Mini bar
• Tea/coffee in room
• 220v charging outlets in room
• In-room safe
• Private plunge pool
• Central pool
• Spa (extra cost)
• Fitness center
• Wi-Fi in main area
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard, Diners, American Express)

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

The varied environments of bushveld and dry savanna create one of the broadest diversities of wildlife in a single reserve of South Africa. One can see the “big five,” and this area has a great reputation for wild dogs, a rare sighting in most of Africa. Early morning and late afternoon wildlife drives, lingering into the evening, reveal quintessential wildlife sightings: elephant, black and white rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, buffalo, hyena, zebra and giraffe. Because of the reserve’s varied fauna, which differs from that of other parks and reserves in South Africa, one may also see species such as gemsbok (oryx), which tend to persist in more arid environments, as well as eland and kudu. Guests can also choose to explore on foot with guides to see the smaller, more subtle parts of the bush, or seek out nocturnal species on night drives. Madikwe uses both traditional naturalist guides as well as trackers, who sit on the front of the vehicle spotting and tracking wildlife for the optimal wildlife experience.

Madikwe's common large mammal and predator sightings are illustrated in the below chart. Other typical sightings may include warthogs, baboons, a variety of birds and a number of other mammals and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements.

Climate

Conservation

Madikwe Game Reserve as a whole is an ongoing conservation effort by the camps and lodges operating within it and the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPB), who are responsible for the ecological management of the reserve and focused on restoring it to its original splendor. Herbivore and predator management programs and overall monitoring of the ecology of Madikwe is ongoing. One of the main projects in the reserve is to microchip and notch the rhinos. Madikwe Hills also focuses on environmental sustainability, using environmentally friendly methods to handle their septic tanks and pools, and using low-energy LED lighting. They limit their water heating and pumping to maintain a low impact in the environment.

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