Mateya Safari Lodge

Mateya Safari Lodge is situated in the spectacular 75,000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. As well as elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, the Reserve is also home to wild dog, cheetah, plains game including gemsbok, springbok, zebra and giraffe, and over 340 species of birds.

Mateya offers a graceful fusion of relaxed comfort in a beautiful setting. Nestled into a rocky outcrop of the Gabbro hills, the lodge has an uninterrupted view over the reserve. Catering for a maximum of 10 guests, you are assured exclusivity, privacy and the very highest standards of personal care and attention at all times.

Guests can enjoy a full range of pleasurable and rejuvenating body treatments by a dedicated health therapist at the Wellness Centre, which also has a well equipped cardiovascular gym and a jacuzzi.

Experienced game rangers and trackers will be on hand to take you on game drives and guided walking safaris. Experts on the natural intricacies of the Madikwe Reserve, they will reveal to you a world rich in ecological and cultural history, opening your mind to a truly unique and fascinating safari experience.

Each of the 5 air-conditioned suites is adorned with original African artworks and hand-crafted mahogany furnishings that reflect the very essence of the reserve. Your en-sutie bathroom is complete with a secluded open-air shower.

Whether your are looking out at the game by the waterhole, relaxing in front of your custom designed fireplace, lying under the shade of your window sala, or immersing in the cool water of your rim-flow pool, each and every feature of your suite provides total privacy and comfort.

Rates Include

All meals; local drinks (excluding premium brands); the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); a laundry service; gate entrance and landing fees; Madikwe Airstrip transfers; daily bush walks; and morning/afternoon shared game drives are included.

Children Policy

Children aged 9 years and older are welcome. Rates on request.

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.

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 via N4 tar road: Follow the R21 north, to Pretoria (Tshwane) through Kempton Park. After 40 km follow N1 north to Pretoria (Tshwane), Pietersburg (Polokwane). After about 12 km, take N4 west into Pretoria (Tshwane), to Rustenburg or Hartebeespoort Dam. Follow the N4 to Hartebeespoort Dam.

Take the N4 to Zeerust past Brits, Rustenberg, and Swartruggens. Zeerust is approximately 220 km from Pretoria. In Zeerust turn right on the R47/R49 to Gaborone/Madikwe Game Reserve. After +/- 90 km you will see a sign on the right for the Abjaterskop Gate of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

Once you are in the reserve, follow the signs to the lodge. Allow about 30-60 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.

From Sun City via N4 tar road: Turn right from as you leave Sun City onto the R565. After a few km you will come to a junction with the R565 to the left, and the R556 signposted straight ahead. Turn left here to keep on the R565 signposted Phokeng and Rustenberg, and it is 38 km from here to the junction with the N4 tar road.

When you reach the N4, turn right onto the road (signposted Swartruggens and Zeerust) and continue for around 130 km on this road to Zeerust. In Zeerust turn right on the R47/R49 and follow the directions as above.

From Johannesburg or Sun City via gravel roads: There is a gravel road from Sun City to Madikwe - this route is a lot shorter than the current tar road route, however as the roads are gravel and the signs to Madikwe are rather inconsistent, we would not really recommend this route to customers.

Should you wish to return to Sun City or Johannesburg using the gravel roads, the lodge will be able to supply you with a map and directions.

General Information For Guests

All the suites have air conditioning, fireplace, mini bar, room safe, tea/coffee making facilities, hair dryer, fan, mosquito nets, and a private rim-flow pool. The en-suite bathroom also features a secluded open-air shower.

The lodge overlooks a waterhole.

The Mateya wine cellar is available for private dining, offering a more distinctly elegant setting. And for a spectacular view of the plains, both the glasswalled main dining room and lounge deck afford uninterrupted panoramas of the reserve.

The wellness centre facilities include body and facial treatments. The therapist is of an international standard with extensive training and experience in the field.

The lodge seats a maximum of 4 guests per vehicle on game drives.

All major credit cards accepted - Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners.

Full internet and email facilities ar available in the Business Centre.

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 10 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.

Popular Alternatives to Mateya Safari Lodge

These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Mateya Safari Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Mateya 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.