Madikwe Game Reserve Safaris

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On a malaria-free Madikwe safari you’re assured all the hallmarks of a premier safari destination: a crowd-free wilderness, Big Five encounters, and arresting landscapes.

But what’s most remarkable about Madikwe is something that’s felt, not photographed: character. The hills, rivers, and inselbergs here tell a most unlikely story. One of audacious optimism, vision, collaboration, and rewilding. A true conservation comeback story, Madikwe proves that travel can be a force for good. Your personalized safari will be as meaningful as it is unforgettable—a vote for this reserve’s bright future.

A lone tree stands in golden grassland, its wide canopy silhouetted against a pale African sky, in warm evening light.

Why visit Madikwe Game Reserve?

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    Framed by rugged ridgelines and dramatic inselbergs (island mountains), game drives in Madikwe rumble across open savanna that gives way to acacia thickets and rolling woodlands.

    • View from an open safari vehicle follows a sandy track through green scrub, with clouds drifting overhead.
    A safari vehicle drives through tall grass at sunset, headlights glowing as the horizon fades to orange.
    An elephant herd gathers near a safari vehicle, trunks raised as dust drifts across the sunlit road, in overcast light.

    What to expect on a Madikwe safari

    Every trip with Extraordinary Journeys is tailor-made, crafted in direct collaboration with one of our Destination Specialists.

    Considered wilderness

    The exclusivity of a private game reserve offers the best safari experience, and Madikwe is no exception. Spanning 185,000 wild acres, you’ll only encounter guests from other lodges on the reserve for crowd-free wildlife viewing.

    Memorable accommodations

    There are more than 20 lodges in Madikwe Game Reserve. Once we’ve gotten to know you better, your Extraordinary Journeys safari expert will narrow down the options to curate a selection that aligns with the “why” behind your trip, style, budget, and availability. Some of our favorite Madikwe safari lodges include Morukuru, Tuningi, and Molori (with its sunken whiskey bar hide).

    Expert guides

    On safari, you’ll spend upward of five hours each day with your guide, sharing their company for the entire duration of your safari. Because this person will have such an outsize influence on your experience, we only work with reputable lodges that employ high caliber guides. On game drives, you’ll be amazed by your guide's depth of naturalist knowledge, from wildlife to plants to birdlife. In their care, you’ll feel safe, well hosted, and pretty entertained, too.

    Key travel information for Madikwe Game Reserve

    The best time to visit Madikwe Game Reserve 

    A Madikwe safari can be enjoyed year-round, though each season brings its own rewards.

    From May through September—the dry winter months—animals gather at scarce water sources and the bush thins, making for easy game viewing. Crisp mornings and evenings call for layers, but the clarity and frequency of wildlife sightings make it worth it.

    We also love the softer light and milder conditions of spring and fall, especially in April, May, September, and October.

    While summer (November through April) brings some bouts of rain, it also transforms the reserve into a lush, green wilderness, alive with migratory birds, newborn animals, and a sense of renewal that makes a secret season safari a beautiful time to travel.

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    Apr

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    Oct

    April - October

    Good

    Jan

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    Apr

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    January - December

    Highlights of a Madikwe safari

    • One of the best places to glimpse endangered African wild dogs.

    • Home of one of the largest populations of elephants in South Africa.

    • View both black and white rhino.

    • Rhino notching conservation safaris.

    • The peace of mind that comes with a malaria free safari.

    • The warm hospitality of lodge staff, guides, and trackers.

    • The comforts and amenities of a polished luxury suite on nature’s doorstep.

    • A unique blend of Kalahari thornveld, bushveld, escarpment, and inselbergs.

    • Driving from Johannesburg is an appealing cost savings for families and groups.

    A male lion lies in tall grass at dusk, mane ruffled as it watches the bushveld in fading light.

    Madikwe safari FAQs

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    Other areas to explore 

    A visit to Madikwe puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of Southern Africa.

    A young lion cub rests in sunlit grass, looking toward the camera while another lion lies softly out of focus behind.

    Kruger National Park

    Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship safari destination. A leopard stronghold, it’s one of the best places to spot these elegant cats. With healthy wildlife populations and so many mixed species, every game drive in Kruger has thrilling potential.

    Two guests relax under a thatched shelter, enjoying sundowners as the Kalahari turns gold at sunset, in warm evening light.

    Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

    A bold safari detour into South Africa’s remote Kalahari desert

    Golden sunrise lights Victoria Falls as water plunges into the gorge and thick spray drifts above the cliffs.

    Victoria Falls

    Victoria Falls, the seventh wonder of the world, is located across the Falls from Livingstone, its sister town in Zambia. Activities abound and range from super active – bungee jumping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, to the more serene – river safaris, fishing and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River.

    Three mokoro canoes glide through Okavango channels at sunset, leaving ripples between grassy islands below.

    Okavango Delta

    An Okavango Delta safari is one of the most unique safari experiences in Botswana and all of Africa. The region marks one of the world’s only inland Deltas, fed by rivers that rush down from Angola and create a braided waterway system from June to September.

    Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?

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    We go deep

    We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.

  • Sketch of a flashlight held in a person's hand.

    We keep it honest

    Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.

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    We’ve got it covered

    Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.

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    We know it’s personal

    There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.

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