Rhulani Safari Lodge

A warm welcome awaits you at Rhulani Safari Lodge, which is situated in the spectacular 75,000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve.

Sensational game viewing opportunities can be enjoyed here, whether from the morning and afternoon game drives on an open game viewing vehicle or on foot with your experienced game ranger (restrictions apply), or from right in front of the lodge at the nearby waterhole. As well as elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, the reserve is also home to wild dog and cheetah, a variety of plains game including kudu, impala, zebra and giraffe, and over 340 species of birds.

In between game drives, guest can find shade or enjoy the sun around the meandering rock pool. There is also a library with an interesting selection of books for your reading pleasure.

Dining al fresco under a glorious African night sky, warmed by a roaring fire, is a magical way to end a perfect day. The traditional South African cuisine is complimented by a selection of world-class local wines.

The Luxury Private Chalets are detached, spacious bungalows, which consists of a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom and a terrace with an outside shower and a plunge pool (heated) where you have uninterrupted views of Madikwe Game Reserve. The Premium Chalets in addition have a separate living room with a TV which can also be used as a second bedroom.

The Luxury Family Suite consists of two separate, spacious bedrooms, both with their own access door and en-suite bathroom with outside and inside shower. The bedrooms are connected by an interleading communal lounge, as well as by a communal terrace with outside pool (heated), with views over the reserve.

The meaning of Rhulani is 'relax' - which is exactly what guests are encouraged to do during their stay here - so sit back and enjoy!

Rates Include

Breakfast/brunch, high tea and dinner; bottled water; stocked minibar in room; selected local drinks (house wines, spirits, soft drinks); stocked Nespresso coffee machine with complimentary tea/coffee in your room; complimentary welcome drinks and sundowner drinks on game drive; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); complimentary Wi-Fi; Madikwe Western airstrip transfers; and morning/evening shared game drives are included.

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed on game drives, and children between the ages of 6 and 12 are only allowed on game drives at the sole discretion of the game ranger.

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

The Luxury Private Chalet is a detached, spacious bungalow, which consists of a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with inside shower and bathbub, and a terrace with an outside shower and a plunge pool (heated). This can sleep 2 adults and one child under 16.

The Premium Luxury Private Chalet is a detached, spacious bungalow, which consists of a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with inside shower and bathbub, a separate living room with TV which can also be used as a second bedroom, and a terrace with an outside shower and a plunge pool (heated). This can sleep 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 16.

The Luxury Family Suite consists of two separate bedrooms, both with their own access door and en-suite bathroom with outside and inside shower. The bedrooms are connected by an interleading communal lounge, as well as by a communal terrace with outside pool (heated). This can sleep 4 adults and 2 children under 16.

In addition, all chalets have mosquito curtains over the beds, tea/coffee making facilities, Nespresso coffee machine, mini bar fridge, mini safe, hair dryer, climate control air conditioning unit, fireplace, Wi-Fi, and international power plug and adaptors.

The main lodge area has a swimming pool with sun loungers and sun shades. There is also an outdoor deck overlooking a waterhole, an underground hide right by the waterhole, a dining room, an intimate lounge and library, boma and a curio/gift shop.

The lodge seats a maximum of 8 guests per vehicle on game drives.

Bush walks are available (additional cost and payable to the lodge - pre-booking is advisable, please contact your Travel Butlers consultant to make the arrangements on your behalf). Local village tours and city tours of Gaborone are also available on request (additional cost)

Massages and other treatments are available - rates on request.

The maximum number of guests on a game vehicle is usually 7 but up to 10 guests can be accommodated on the same vehicle if required (for groups/families).

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

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.

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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.