Royal Madikwe is a luxury safari lodge in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve overlooking a busy waterhole, where guests can often see elephant herds making their way to the waters edge, and dazzling herds of zebra trotting across the plains to quench their thirst.
Daily dawn and dusk game drives are recommended to ensure that you get the most out of your safari experience here. The Big 5 are all present in the reserve, as well as many species of birds, antelope and other mammals including the endangered African wild dog and cheetah. The experienced guides go out of their way to find the most special sightings for you to ensure you have an incredible safari experience. In addition, bush walks follow in the footsteps of the animals, allowing you the opportunity to learn more about the smaller creatures as well as the begetation that make up this unique wildlife reserve.
The stunning main lodge is an open-sided, thatched area with a stylish lounge, magnificent dining room, well appointed library and broad elevated decks from which to view the mighty savannah beyond.
In the evenings after dinner, there are few things more romantic than the African night sky ablaze with sparkling lights hanging in the dark of night like diamonds. Witness the awe inspiring constellations and clusters that form part of our solar system through the crisp lens of a GPRS telescope that enhances what your eyes only hope to capture.
Royal Madikwe has just 6 accommodation options.
The Naledi and the Korone Suites both have a private terrace and a plunge pool, and offer an intimate retreat for couples. For honeymooners, the romantic Lenyalo Suite is where you can marvel at the unchoreographed symphony of wildlife a mere 20 meters from your private terrace at the edge of the waterhole while finding solace from the midday heat in your crystal clear plunge pool.
The Emperor Suite has 2 bedrooms and boasts spectacular views of the Royal waterhole from the elegant sunken lounge which separates the children's room from the adjacent private dining space and comfortable private lounge. The 2 bedroomed Royal Villa is another ideal family retreat.
Finally, the Sovereign House boasts 3 spacious bedrooms, and large open living areas create the perfect place for family fun with a homely ambiance. A selection of award winning wines find refuge in a sophisticated glass cellar adjacent to the modern kitchen, which looks out over the vast landscapes. The outdoor viewing decks have a plunge pool, and you can end the perfect day around a blazing fire in your private boma under a starry night sky.
Rates Include
All meals (breakfast, lunch or high tea and dinner); bottled water; tea/coffee; fresh juices with breakfast; game drive beverages and snacks; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); transfers to/from Madikwe Western Airstrip; 2 game drives daily; and bush walks if in place of game drives are included. PLEASE NOTE: All other drinks are NOT included.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Special childrens activities and facilities are offered.
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.
Royal Madikwe is unlike other luxury safari destinations and welcomes families with children of all ages. Due to the exclusivity that the lodge offers, families can relax and feel at home. Children are stimulated, educated and entertained by their African Bush surroundings and by the warm, friendly team.
Royal Madikwe encourages family game drives rather than separate kiddie's drives, as a safari is the perfect family experience for all to share and game drives can be designed to suit all interests and wishes. The knowledgeable rangers are very personable and will assess and evaluate which sightings the children would enjoy. Many safari lodges do not offer the Big 5 experience to younger children but as each Safari Kid is different the lodge prefers not to::presume but rather to wait and see.
However the lodge knows that Mum and Dad may want to enjoy some solitude during the long and languid Madikwe afternoons, so they offer a nanny to keep the Safari Kids entertained with educational, interactive and fun activities.
Meals are discussed on a daily basis with the chefs and menus are designed to suit even the choosiest of appetites. Earlier meal times can be arranged for children, and during Mum and Dad's dinner the kids can be taken care of with cookies and story telling to unwind after their eventful bush day.
No set itinerary is offered but rather decided upon arrival at Royal Madikwe. Some of the fun activities & games offered at the lodge include face painting, African beading and jewellery making, T-shirt painting, bush baking, identifying different animal tracks, board games, educational reading books and wildlife DVDs.
Any special requests other than the above should be arranged prior to arrival.
A nanny is available in between game drives and during meal times but should guests require a full time nanny, the lodge would need to be informed prior to arrival. Nannies accommodation is available should guests prefer to bring their own nanny.
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. 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.
Continue on this road past the Abjaterskop Gate for 7 km. You will find a small thatched gate (Wonderboom Gate) on the right into the reserve - turn in here.
Once you are in the reserve, follow the signs to the lodge. Allow between 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.
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 of the suites/villas are en-suite with rain showers, large bathtub and outdoor showers. They each have a viewing deck, lounge area, a plunge pool/jacuzzi, air conditioning/heating, a hairdryer, dressing gowns, mosquito nets, Bluetooth speaker, in-room safe, mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
The Sovereign House has 3 bathrooms with rain showers and one bathtub. It also has one shared outside shower.
The Emperor Suite has a private dining space, comfortable TV lounge and an elegant sunken lounge. There is no outside deck.
The Royal Villa has an alfresco lounge, a kitchen, dining room with a fireplace and a TV lounge.
The lodge has a restaurant, bar, library and TV room, a swimming pool and private dining areas.
The lodge seats a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle on game drives.
There is a shaded outdoor area with limited exercise equipment.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided. There is mobile/cell phone connectivity.
Activities that are available include game drives and bush walks.
Bush walks must be pre-booked and are dependent on availability.
Activities that are available at an additional cost include traditional drumming and dancing, star gazing, and cultural tours of Gabarone (Pre-booking essential).
In-room massages can also be arranged (additional cost).
A laundry service is available (additional cost).
American Express, Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted.
If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 30 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 Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge
These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Royal Madikwe 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.
