Jaci's Safari Lodge

Jaci's Safari Lodge is situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, which boasts 75,000 hectares of Big 5 game viewing territory. The reserve is also home to wild dog, cheetah, plains game including gemsbok, springbok, zebra and giraffe, and over 340 species of birds. The stylish lodge is situated under shady trees on the edge of the Marico River and overlooks an established and well used waterhole, and features a spacious and elegant lounge with a glorious copper fireplace, a bar and a dining area, with striking colourful decor and an authentic atmosphere.

Early morning and evening game drives will be the highlight of your stay.  You will stop on the morning drive for hot chocolate, coffee or tea and home-baked rusks, and in the late afternoon for sundowners and snacks while taking in an unforgettable African sunset. On returning from the evening drive, guests have time to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks at the main bar, before being treated to a variety of dishes, which are served under the stars around the campfire as often as possible.

Between game drives, you can go on a short walking safari, lounge around the pool, or visit the submerged Terrapin Hide - a favourite spot for amateur and professional photographers alike. The hide is located in the middle of a waterhole and is a short walk from the lodge. The low angle gives photographers an unparalleled opportunity to capture eye-level images of the plethora of animal life that visits the waterhole daily.

The 6 tented suites are built using a unique combination of thatched roofs, stone and canvas walls, which captures all the elements of a truly luxurious African bush safari. Each room has expansive, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, allowing natural light to effortlessly seep inside, and an open plan bathroom with a hand-made rock bath with an outdoor shower, and fans to keep a gentle breeze flowing. The deck in front of the room allows you to sit and enjoy the surrounding sights and atmosphere of the bushveld. For families, children 12 years old and under can be accommodated on camp-style stretcher beds in the tented suites. or the exclusive Nare or Safari family suites are a great option and come with their own guides and game drive vehicles, as well as a private plunge pool.

The 2 Starbed Suites are ideal for the truly romantic, with rooftop extensions that allows guests the unique opportunity of sleeping under the African stars.

Rates Include

Safari Room: All meals; tea/coffee; house spirits, wines, local beers and non-alcoholic drinks; Madikwe airstrip transfers; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); and shared game drives are included.

Nare Suite: All meals; tea/coffee; house spirits, wines, local beers and non-alcoholic drinks; Madikwe airstrip transfers; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); and private game drives with an experienced guide are included.

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. If staying in either the Nare and Safari Suites all children are permitted on game drives as each suite comes with a private game viewing vehicle. Children staying in any other accommodation must be 6 years and older in order to go on game drives. Children under 16 are not allowed on bush walks. No children are permitted in the Starbed Suites.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Children of all ages are welcome at Jaci's Safari Lodge and are especially catered for.

Children aged 6 years and older are allowed on the regular game drives with the adults, but children aged 5 years and younger do not go out on the regular game drives but instead are specially accommodated on their own 'jungle drive' during the day. This drive goes out once a day after the parent's morning drive and is included in the rate for children. The 'jungle drive' lasts between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, and the information on the drive is aimed at the ages of the children on the drive. Parents are of course welcome to join - but must behave like children!

Guest Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 based on 3 ratings

Directions For Drivers

PLEASE NOTE: The main gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00. Guests who arrive after this time will not be allowed to self-drive to the lodge. The lodge will send a representative to escort guests to the lodge at an additional cost. SUGGESTION: Refuel at Sun Village/Zeerust as there is no fuel available inside the reserve. DO NOT follow your GPS after Zeerust/Sun City - it will take you on the wrong roads.

From Johannesburg Airport: Watch out for the sign saying R21 Pretoria/Kempton Park. It is on the left, and the turning is soon after leaving the Airport, so keep a sharp lookout. Follow the signs to Pretoria and N1 Pietersberg.

After approximately 36 km you will see big signs over the highway - follow the direction N1 Pietersberg - you are now travelling in a northerly direction - and proceed for quite a while. You will see signs for a toll road called Bakwenya Platinum Highway N4 Rustenberg. Take this toll road. Once on the N4 continue in the Rustenberg direction – take Exit 225 which is the R556 Sun City/Majakaneng. Turn right at the top of the off ramp to Sun City and continue straight to Sun City (it is approximately 73 km to Sun City from this off ramp).

After passing Sun City on the right, continue straight until you reach a 4-way junction. Turn right to *Derdepoort. Follow the road for approximately 8 km, and turn left at the sign saying *Bapong. Continue straight along this road (ignoring ALL signs saying Madikwe etc). After passing through Mabeskraal you will come to a 4-way stop – turn right to *Derdepoort.

After about 25 km the tar road ends and becomes gravel/dirt. The Dwarsberg Liquor Store is on your left, and continue straight along the gravel road towards Molatedi Village (do not take the next Derdepoort turning to the right, but continue straight). Pass through the Molatedi village, go over the Marico River and enter the reserve via the Molatedi Gate.

Once you are in the reserve, follow the signs to the lodge. Allow about 20-30 minutes to drive from the gate to the lodge.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

Please contact the Lodge on the following numbers to advise when you have passed Sun City: +27 (0) 83 700 2071 or +27 (0) 83 447 7929 or +27 (0) 14 778 9900.

*There are brown Jaci’s Safari Lodge/Jaci’s Tree Lodge and Madikwe Game Reserve signs at these points.

From Sun City: Turn right out of the reserve, and follow the directions as above.

General Information For Guests

All tented suites have a large indoor bath, private outdoor shower, private viewing deck, hair dryer, air conditioning and a ceiling fan.

The standard game viewing vehicles will accommodate 6 to 10 guests per vehicle.

The exclusive Nare and Safari Suites sleep families of up to 6 and 8 respectively and each feature a private plunge pool and deck along with a private game drive vehicle.

There is a main swimming pool.

Limited Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge areas but the connection can be slow. Due to intermittent signal at the lodge, should you need to contact the lodge directly please send a WhatsApp message to the
number above.

There are numerous pieces of gym equipment installed along the river path which you are free to use. Massage treatments can also be arranged.

The lodge does not accept Amex or Diners Club credit cards, but Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

The Terrapin Hide is located in the middle of a waterhole, with easy access from Jaci’s Tree Lodge and within walking distance of Jaci’s Safari Lodge. The hide is accessed via a submerged tunnel and features a water-level viewing window.

Accompanied by an expert walking-trails guide, guests can explore parts of Madikwe Game Reserve on foot - arranged on request and at an additional cost which is payable directly to the lodge. You may not spot many of the larger animal species (although you will almost certainly see their spoor), but you will learn so much more about the relationship between flora and fauna in the African bush, making it an unforgettable experience for all your senses. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, as walks vary between 5 km and10 km over 3 to 4 hours.

Guests at Jaci’s are able to make use of the lodge cameras (additional cost) while staying here - whether you require a camera for a particular days drives or would like to make use of one for the duration of your stay. Camera kit for hire includes a Canon 7dii, 100-400ii lens, and a Gimpro game viewer mount.

Children under the age of 6 are not allowed in the boma areas.

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 35 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

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These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Jaci's Safari Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Jaci's Safari Lodge was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.

If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.