Thakadu River Camp Madikwe Game Reserve

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Email Thakadu River Camp Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

The Camp, on the banks of the Marico River, is an ecotourism partnership between North-West Parks, the Molatedi Community and African Hotels and Adventures.

The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the Reserve. The concept is unique in South Africa in that the community owns the development, with substantial benefits accruing to the community itself.

Thakadu River Camp Accommodation

The Lodge
The main camp is located between the Marico River and a small tributary of the Marico. The main area comprises an open plan lounge, dining and reception area, with the pool and bar area offering views of the gully and river to the north. A traditional 'lapa' falls within a glade of natural riverine forest.

The decor of the camp has a strong Afro-Asian Safari ambience to it, with use of natural stone, fibres, cloth and carpets as well as metal and wood featuring prominently throughout the camp.

The influence of the river is very apparent, with the trees, birds and water providing a peaceful and tranquil mood within the camp.

The Tents
Thakadu River Camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River and comprises twelve tented suites, each with their own viewing deck overlooking the Marico River. The tents are large and spacious and are wonderfully decorated and appointed.

Within the canvas frame, the interior is uniquely designed to incorporate a full bathroom. Each tent has a sliding door that opens onto a private deck overlooking the river.

Within the canvas frame, the interior is uniquely designed to incorporate a full bathroom. Each tent has a sliding door that opens onto a private deck overlooking the river. Of the twelve tented suites, four are family units, each with an extra sleeper couch catering for children.

Facilities
The main camp is located between the Marico River and a small tributary of the Marico. The main area comprises an open plan lounge, dining and reception area, with the pool and bar area offering views of the gully and river to the north. A traditional 'lapa' falls within a glade of natural riverine forest.

The decor of the camp has a strong Afro-Asian Safari ambience to it, with use of natural stone, fibres, cloth and carpets as well as metal and wood featuring prominently throughout the camp. The influence of the river is very apparent, with the trees, birds and water providing a peaceful and tranquil mood within the camp.

What To Take
Comfortable walking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, sun block, cameras, binoculars, light neutral-coloured clothing and bathing suit in summer; and warm clothing and jackets are essential in winter. Please also bring a warm rain jacket in summer as the evening drives in open vehicles can get rather cold.

As the camp is located on the river it can be extremely cold in the middle of winter. Whilst the lodge has taken every precaution to ensure your comfort we would advise to bring extra clothing for the evenings.

Children
The camp caters for children. We do however recommend that children under the age of 6 years do not go on game drives. We have four tented suites catering for families where a Queen-size sleeper couch is available for children.

Arrival / Departure
Check in is from 14h00 and rooms are to be vacated by 11h00.

Safaris
Madikwe is home to a tremendous diversity of fauna and flora, including both black and white rhino, buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog.

The camp is a superb open vehicle safari destination where guests are accompanied by well-trained and informative rangers who are able to interpret the many encounters whilst on safari.

The Community
The Batlokwa Boo Kgosi Traditional Community of Molatedi Village originated from a place inside the current Madikwe Game Reserve known as Tshwene-Tshwene around 1886. The arrival of white settlers in the area and their demands for taxes prompted the community to move to an area outside the control of the settlers.

At the time of the move from their ancestral home around Tshwene-Tshwene, they were led by Sebolao, (Rangwaneakgosi - meaning 'paternal uncle') the paternal uncle of Mloloe, who was still a youngster. The name Molatedi came about as a result of this community promising their brother, Gaberone that they would follow him from their ancestral home around Tshwene-Tshwene into Botswana.

However they decided to move to the eastern side of the Marico River and settled in what is now the Molatedi Village in 1886, and where they have resided ever since. Gaborone moved to the present site of Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.

Mholoe ultimately took over the reigns of traditional leadership from his paternal uncle, and in turn passed the reigns of leadership to his eldest son, Tlhageng. By the time Tlhageng came of age he was already recognised by the government of the time as the kgosi or traditional leader. During the term of Kgosi Tlhageng there was little infra-structural development embarked upon by the community or by local government.

Kgosi Tlhageng was succeeded by his eldest son Mokgatle Stephen Matlapeng (affectionately known as Topoti and the father of the current Kgosi) in 1968. During his term as Kgosi he established Tlhageng Primary School, the Local Clinic and the Traditional Administration Offices.

He passed away in 1983 after an unsuccessful brain tumor operation at Garankuwa Hospital. He was succeeded by his younger brother Leserwa Kagiso John Matlapeng, who acted for a period of sixteen years for the present Kgosi Bafshoe Frans Mogalenyana Matlapeng, who was officially inaugurated on the 1st May 1999.

Numerous programs covering skills development, empowerment and training have started during the reign of Kgosi Bafshoe Frans Mogalenyana Matlapeng. The involvement of various institutions and organizations including Mafisa Consulting facilitated in unpacking and structuring the business opportunity for community development in Madikwe Game Reserve as offered by North-West Parks & Tourism Board.

The concept and idea of a community lodge was presented and Sebolao Development Trust was formed as a legal entity representing the community of Molatedi. The Trust is made up of members of the community.

The trust has also engaged the services of Potchefstroom University to assist with the training of trustees regarding their roles and responsibilities. The Nature Workshop provided the expertise regarding the design, development and on-going operational input for Thakadu River Camp.

Today the Molatedi Community is proud to own an asset in the form of a commercial lodge as an ecotourism product within the Madikwe Game Reserve. The camp was officially opened on 11 August 2006.

About Thakadu
Thakadu River Camp is a 24-bed tented camp designed by Chris Rightford and Dave Gurney. Thakadu River Camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River in the eastern sector of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The camp comprises 12 tented suites, each with their own viewing deck overlooking the Marico River.

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the few reserves in southern Africa, which is malaria free. Located in South Africa along the Botswana border and 20 kilometres from Gaberone, the Reserve lies within a transition region between lowveld bushveld and the Kalahari thornveld.

As a result the region is host to an incredible diversity of species from both ecosystems. Geographically the region has enormous volcanic intrusions known as Inselbergs, wide open plains and the riverine environment along the Marico River in the east of the reserve.

Thakadu River Camp is a wholly-owned, Community-based Tented Safari Camp in the Madikwe Game Reserve. The Tented Camp, located on the banks of

the Marico River, is an ecotourism partnership between North-West Parks, the Molatedi Community and the operator, African Hotels and Adventures. The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the Reserve. The concept is unique in South Africa in that the community owns the development, with substantial benefits accruing to the community itself.

Directions
From Johannesburg International Airport, now OR Tambo Airport
· Take R21 to Pretoria, then take the N1 North to Pietersburg (Polokwane).
· After the Zambezi Road turnoff you take the N4 toward Rustenburg.
· After Brits look for the R556 Sun City / Pilanesberg turnoff. Follow the signs to Sun City / Pilanesberg - approximately 76 kilometres. Pass Sun City for approximately 8 kilometres. You will come to a T-Junction.
· Turn right onto the R565 toward Derdepoort. Follow the road for approximately 9 kilometres and turn left to Bapong. Continue straight (through Mabeskraal Village) for approx 35 kilometres and you will get to a 4 way stop at the end of Mabeskraal Village.
· Turn right to Derdepoort. After 25 kilometres the tar ends. Continue straight to Molatedi Village, approximately 18 kilometres.
· Go through the Village and you will see signs to Thakadu River Camp.

The road to the gate is approximately 4 kilometres. You will pass through a cattle gate (Please open and close). The gate at the entrance to the Reserve will be staffed by a member from Molatedi Village.

From Johannesburg or Pretoria via M1 / N1
· Take M1 and then N1 to Pretoria. Follow the N1 North to Pietersburg (Polokwane).
· After the Zambezi Road turnoff you take the N4 toward Rustenburg.
· After Brits look for the R556 Sun City turnoff. Follow the signs to Sun City. Pass Sun City for approximately 8 kilometres. You will come to a T-Junction.
· Turn right onto the R565 toward Derdepoort. Follow the road for approximately 9 kilometres and you will see signs to Bapong / Moreteletse as well as signs to Jaciâ's Safari Lodge. Turn left at the intersection and follow signs to Mabeskraal.
· After approx 30 kilometres you will get an intersection with signs indicating Molatedi and Derdepoort. Follow signs to Molatedi Village.
· Go through the Village and you will see signs to Thakadu River Camp (currently signage to Kavelo Construction).
· The road to the gate is approximately 4 kilometres. You will pass through a cattle gate (Please open and close). The gate at the entrance to the Reserve will be staffed by a member from Molatedi Village.

From Johannesburg via Lanseria
· From the N1 take the Hans Strydom Turnoff R512 to Lanseria Airport. Continue on this road passed Lanseria until you get to a T-Junction.
· Turn left at the T-Junction toward Brits. You follow the road and pass Pecanwood. Approximately 3 kilometres after Pecanwood you will get a turning to the right toward Brits.
· You cross the bridge at the back of Hartebeespoort Dam and will come to a T-Junction. Turn right onto the R560 toward Brits.
· You will then come to a 4-Way Stop (Engen Garage on right). Turn left at the 4-Way Stop. Travel for approximately 10 kilometres and follow signage to the N4 Rustenburg.
· Once on the N4 look for the R556 Sun City turnoff (approximately 10 kilometres). Follow the signs to Sun City. Pass Sun City for approximately 8 kilometres. You will come to a T-Junction.
· Turn right onto the R565 toward Derdepoort. Follow the road for approximately 9 kilometres and you will see signs to Bapong / Moreteletse as well as signs to Jaciâ's Safari Lodge. Turn left at the intersection and follow signs to Mabeskraal.
· After approx 30 kilometres you will get an intersection with signs indicating Molatedi and Derdepoort. Follow signs to Molatedi Village.
· Go through the Village and you will see signs to Thakadu River Camp (currently signage to Kavelo Construction).
· The road to the gate is approximately 4 kilometres. You will pass through a cattle gate (Please open and close). The gate at the entrance to the Reserve will be staffed by a member from Molatedi Village.

Email Thakadu River Camp Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com