Madikwe Safari Lodge Madikwe Game Reserve

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Email Madikwe Safari Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

Madikwe Safari Lodge Accommodation

We’ve got five large family suites in Lelapa Lodge (Lelapa is Tswana for family) which are perfect for families with up to two children, ten years old and under. Each suite has twin beds and a comfortable sleeper-couch.

The suites all have their own pools, which keep little ones busy during the middle of the day when we don’t have wildlife activities. The pools can be covered with pool nets to ensure safety outside of swimming times.

Food
Let us know what you and your kids like to eat and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requirements with healthy, tasty food and snacks. We try to use as much locally grown produce as we can, because it just tastes better. We can’t promise though that a few marshmallows won’t find their way into the boma dinner menu to be toasted and enjoyed around the fire.

Weddings
We have hosted both intimate and larger safari weddings at our different private lodges, so we know what a memorable setting they can be for that special occasion. If you are considering getting married with us, please make contact so that we can start planning and tailoring the event early, as we know that each occasion is unique in its requirements. You can either come meet with us at the lodge, or we can communicate via telephone to start sculpting the perfect programme of events for your consideration.

If you love being in nature and have an appreciation for the spirit of the African bush, we highly recommend a wedding at one of our private lodges. Although the wedding party numbers are limited due to Lodge size, this in fact can add to making this an even more unforgettable experience, shared only with close friends and family.

We look forward to planning this special day for you and your partner.

Honeymoons
Follow your heart to the bush. Whether it’s your first breakaway as a couple or your second honeymoon, you want it to be an unforgettable experience. Romantic, idyllic, private and secluded – Madikwe Safari Lodge is the ideal setting to celebrate the start of a new life together or to fall in love all over again.

Surrender to the beauty and serenity of the bushveld and enjoy being pampered and looked after by our staff, while you get to relax and truly enjoy each other’s company. Surrounded by nature and all its charms, a honeymoon at Madikwe Safari Lodge is without a doubt one of the most romantic getaways you’ll ever experience.

Activities
We’ve got a whole array of activities for you and your family to choose from. You can opt for as many or few as you feel like; the choice is yours. These are some of the activities we offer:

· Adult safari drives are available to all children who are 6 years and older. Open safari vehicles are used.

· Family safari drives are available to all children between 2 and 6 years old. Open safari vehicles are used. These drives are offered just after breakfast so as not to rush the wakeup process, and where possible we try and give each family their own vehicle for this game drive. Although we don’t approach or go into lion or elephant sighting areas, for safety reasons, it is an exciting opportunity for the kids to go out with their parents into the bush and enjoy seeing so many incredible animals.

· Bush orientation entails a number of fun and interesting bush skill activities, for example learning which tree to use to make a toothbrush or which trees have edible properties. Kids will also learn how to find their direction in the bush, make fire and find water.

· Bug CSI is offered by your field ranger, who takes the kids around the lodge area identifying the different bugs, tracks and interesting plants and writing up a list of everything that was seen and identified. The Lodge provides notebooks for sketching and writing which can then be taken home as a souvenir.

· Dung tracking introduces your kids to the important role this plays in animal tracking and being a game ranger. Different animal dung will be identified during a drive and the kids will get to learn about the animals’ diets and other understandable behaviour patterns that can be read from their dung. Notebooks are provided which allows kids to mark off each spoor that they identify.

· Track pack with plaster of paris, where kids make moulds of animal tracks found whilst on the family’s safari drive. They will be collected a little later when they have dried.

· Painting/drawing/colouring in, a range of options that we try and make relevant to what was seen on the drives during your stay. These can be included in the notebook so that the memories the kids take home can be enjoyed by everyone.

· Washing the safari vehicle with their ranger – getting wet and muddy is all part of the fun for some children. So if your kids like to feel the squelch of mud between their toes, we’re more than happy for them to help the rangers wash the open safari vehicles after a drive.

· Baking in the kitchen gets the kids into the kitchen to try out their culinary prowess. They’ll get to decorate their own chef’s hat with coloured crayons, make and cut cookies and then decorate them with all sorts of exciting goodies. The cookies are enjoyed at lunch/tea time.

· Making pizzas in the new pizza oven in the boma. The process starts with making the dough and ends with a lovely hot pizza being served for lunch/tea. Note that the oven is only operated by the Lodge staff so as to ensure the safety of the little chefs.

· Soccer in the boma is a great way to burn off some of the boundless energy. This activity is not sponsored by FIFA, so if the parents prefer, we can also teach a little ‘non-contact’ rugby (one of South Africa’s national sports) or volleyball.

· Our galaxy can be viewed from all the open wooden viewing decks. Either before or after dinner, your field ranger can arrange for a little show and tell about the stars and constellations that appear in our Southern hemisphere.

· Games night / afternoon allows you and your kids to engage with other families by challenging them to a friendly games competition. We have a wide selection of board and card games. We provide drinks (cocktails for the parents) and snacks for this. In summer, this is a fun thing to do on the outdoor deck, and in winter around a roaring fire.

· DVD’s with homemade popcorn for when the weather is really, really bad, which is a rarity.

All of the above activities will be hosted by our managers, so if you wish to slip away for a little R&R you can do this knowing you won’t be missed because your little ones are in excellent hands!

Safaris
Get closer to nature than ever before. A safari is not quite a walk in the park. If you’re after adventure and a real taste of the African bush, you’re in for an incredible ride. Safaris take place in the mornings and evenings and vary in duration depending on what you find and see in the bush.

However, on average they last between two and three hours. Our field guides are not only experienced within the field of ecology and conservation, but pride themselves on giving you excellent service to ensure you are always being looked after and made to feel completely safe and comfortable. So jump aboard and experience nature at its finest.

Touring
Madikwe and Sun City
Starting and ending in Johannesburg, this tour is a fly in safari that visits both Madikwe Game Reserve and Sun City. The perfect choice for guests wanting to experience a world class Big Five Safari with the added comfort of being in a malaria free area. After your safari, relax and enjoy the Sun City Resort with a two night stay at the Palace of the Lost City.

Costs
We understand that family holidays can be expensive, so we don’t charge for kids six years old or younger. We also don’t charge additional costs for any of the activities listed above (however there are a few basic terms and conditions that apply to this offer).

Policies
For everyone’s safety and best interests, there are a few rules that you need to be aware of, and comply with. But we are confident that these will not take anything away from an incredible safari experience for the entire family.

· No walks for kids under 16 years of age;
· Unfortunately no safari drives for kids under the age of two years and kids between two and six are only allowed on the late morning family safari drives;
· The family safari drives for ages two and older depart at 11:00 in winter and 10:00 in summer with duration of approximately two hours;
· Family safaris will not be taken into close sightings of lion and elephant;
· Families who book a private vehicle can go on safari drives anytime. However, there is a surcharge for this and this vehicle is subject to availability;

Please feel free to contact us if you have any specific questions, as the more information we get before your arrival, the better prepared we will be for you and your family.

Cape Town and Madikwe
This tour kicks off in Cape Town, giving you a few days to savour the sights and sounds of South Africa's Mother City. You’ll then fly directly to Johannesburg for your scheduled air charter from Johannesburg into arguably South Africa’s finest Malaria Free Game Reserve – Madikwe. Madikwe Safari Lodge is located on the border of South Africa and Botswana.

Self Drive Travel Directions
RECOMMENDED ROUTE TO MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE (4.5 hrs)

- Note this route is recommended if you prefer to travel a shorter distance on a gravel road bearing in mind neither routing requires a 4x4 vehicle.

· Starting at Oliver Tambo International Airport. Head southwest on O R Tambo Airport Rd toward To Parking Rd;
· O R Tambo Airport Rd turns slightly left and becomes Short Term Parking Rd; Turn right toward Exit 46, take exit 46 on the right to merge onto R24 toward Johannesburg; take the exit onto N12/R24; take exit 113 for N3 S/N12 toward M2/Kimberley/Germiston/Durban; keep right at the fork, follow signs for N3 N/N1/Pretoria; continue onto N1 Western Bypass heading South West, direction Krugersdorp. Turn left onto the N14 highway, following the Krugersdorp signposts; travel in a south-westerly direction;

· At the four-way stop, turn right onto the N14 towards Ventersdorp; at the T-junction, turn right towards Ventersdorp / Hekpoort; the road then splits again – take the left fork towards Ventersdorp.

· Follow this road until you get to a four-way junction; here you will turn right towards Rustenburg.

· Pass through the town of Magaliesberg and take the left fork in the road – the R509 to Boons and Derby
(approximately 53 km/27 miles).

· Proceed through Derby towards Koster for approximately 17 km / 11 miles.

· In Koster, turn right towards Swartruggens (R509) for 34 km / 21 miles.

· Turn left at the stop street onto the N4 to Swartruggens, Groot Groot Marico and Zeerust (In Zeerust, be sure to refuel as there is no fuel available in the Reserve).

· Turn right at President Street onto the R47/R49 to Gaborone;
· It is ± 90 km / 56 miles to the Abjaterskop Gate, where you will enter Madikwe Game Reserve
· Here you will be welcomed by the friendly gate staff, who will confirm your reservation and direct you to the correct camp at Madikwe Safari lodge.

· Now, you will travel on a gravel road (travelling time is approximately 45 minutes) towards Derdepoort for approximately 11 km / 7 miles; at the T-junction, turn left.

· On your way, you will pass a signboard to Derdepoort Gate after 2 km / 1.2 miles, and again 1.1 km / 0.68 miles later – just follow the directions to the Derdepoort Gate.

· After approximately 5 km / 3.1 miles, you will drive through the “Ambush Alley” mountain pass; here you will see a sign warning drivers to be mindful of klipspringers in the area.

· Continue on the same road and after 5 km / 3.1 miles, there is a crossroad where you will still continue straight;
· Continue until you see the sign for Madikwe Safari Lodge (with the relevant Lodge name), where you turn right, off the main road and continue to the Lodge.

· WELCOME, well done and ahead lies a great few days on safari so time to relax and we will take care of everything from here on in!

Please contact the Lodge to advise us when you have passed the town of Zeerust

RECOMMENDED ROUTE TO MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE (4.5 hrs).

- Note this route is recommended if you do not mind travelling 90 kilometers / 56 miles on a gravel road or if you are coming from or going to Sun City. This is a shorter route in distance, does not require a 4x4 vehicle and is more scenic.

· Starting at Oliver Tambo International Airport. Head southwest on O R Tambo Airport Rd toward To Parking Rd.

· O R Tambo Airport Rd turns slightly left and becomes Short Term Parking Rd; Turn right toward Exit 46, take exit 46 on the right to merge onto R24 toward Johannesburg; take the exit onto N12/R24; take exit 113 for N3 S/N12 toward M2/Kimberley/Germiston/Durban; keep right at the fork, follow signs for N3 N/N1/Pretoria; keep right at the fork, follow signs for N3 N/N1/Pretoria; follow the signs to Pretoria and N1 PIETERSBERG / Polokwane / North.

· After approximately 36 km / 22 miles, you will see large direction signs over the highway - you need to follow the direction N1 PIETERSBERG / Polokwane / North. Turn onto this highway (you are now travelling in a northerly direction); continue along this road, passing several off-ramps along the way.

You will see signs for the Bakwenya Platinum Highway N4 Rustenburg toll road. Take this road; once on the N4, continue in the Rustenburg direction – take exit #225 for the R556 Sun City / Majakaneng; Turn right at the top of the off-ramp towards Sun City and continue straight to Sun City (approximately 73 km / 45 miles from this off-ramp). It is advisable to fill up with fuel at the Sun Village, just after the Sun City entrance on the right;

· After passing Sun City and the Sun Village on the right, continue straight until you reach a four-way junction. Turn right to DERDEPOORT; follow the road for approximately 8 km / 5 miles; you will soon need to turn left at the sign for BAPONG; continue straight along this road. Please ignore all signs for Madikwe Hospital or Village etc.

· After passing through MABESKRAAL (approximately 45 km / 28 miles), you will come to a four-way stop where you must turn right to DERDEPOORT; this newly tarred/sealed road continues for about 25 km / 16 miles and has very few signs. It then becomes gravel/dirt, with the Dwarsberg Liquor Store on your left which you then drive for 58 km / 36 miles;

· Continue straight along the gravel road towards MOLATEDI village (do not take the next Derdepoort turning to the right, continue straight), pass through the Molatedi village, over the Marico River and straight to the MOLATEDI GATE entrance into the Reserve; here you will be welcomed by the friendly gate staff, who will confirm your reservation and direct you to the correct Lodge at Madikwe Safari Lodge;

· Proceed into the Reserve on the main road following the signs to the DERDEPOORT gate/ MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE, approximately 33 km / 20 miles and it should take you approximately 45 minutes. Please note the Reserve speed limit is 40 km/h / 25 miles/h.

· WELCOME, well done and ahead lies a great few days on safari so time to relax and we will take care of everything from here on in!

Please contact the Lodge to advise us when you have passed Sun City.

Please Note
· It is safe to drive so don’t worry about driving through the rural areas as the locals sense of community and the importance your security is very highly regarded.

· Please advise us of your estimated time of arrival and note Winter (May to September) game drives leave at 15h30 & Summer at 16h30 so try make it to us before then.

· Please drive carefully and be aware of village pedestrians, their children and domestic animals;
· There are always a number of speed traps with traffic police along the way, so please be sure to follow the speed restrictions.

· The elephants at Madikwe Game Reserve must be treated with respect, so please keep a safe distance and don’t get out of the vehicle for any reason as one is never aware of who may be watching!

· Madikwe Reserve entrance fees are payable per person directly at the Lodge and will be added to your extra’s bill.

· Please take note that the gate opens at 06h00 and closes at 21h00. Please advise the Lodge if you will be arriving outside of these times so that the relevant arrangements can be made.

Email Madikwe Safari Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com