Tau Game Lodge

Madikwe Game Reserve is the country's 4th largest game reserve. It is situated in the North West Province and is bordered by Botswana in the north, the spectacular Dwarsberg Mountains to the south, and the Marico River to the east.

Breeding herds of elephant, white and black rhino, lion, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, buffalo, leopard, zebra, the endangered wild dog, giraffe and various antelope species are among the animals that roam the reserve. Madikwe is also home to a bird population of over 300 different species. Daily morning and afternoon game drives go out from the lodge in search of Madikwe's wildlife in open 4x4 safari vehicles.

The lodge also overlooks a vast natural waterhole, which attracts a variety of game throughout the day. 

The main lodge area has a comfortable lounge, bar, dining room and outside deck, which overlooks the waterhole. Dinner is often served in a cosy boma under the stars. In between game drives, guests can relax around the swimming pool or go for a spa treatment.

Guided morning bush walks can also be arranged at an additional cost, payable directly to the lodge and subject to the availability of a guide.

Thirty thatched chalets are spread out in U-formation on either side of the main lodge, and all offer excellent views of animals approaching the waterhole. Each chalet has its own viewing deck/balcony, an en-suite bathroom and an open-air shower. The rooms are also equipped with both air-conditioning and ceiling fans.

The Standard Chalets can only accommodate 2 adults or a single adult. The more spacious Deluxe Chalets, with a comfortable seating area, can accommodate parents and children wishing to share the same room. The 2 Family Rooms both consist of 2 bedrooms which are semi inter-leading and share a comfortable lounge.

Rates Include

All meals; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing fee (if applicable); morning and afternoon/evening shared game drives in open Land Rovers; and tea/coffee are included.

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Children under 6 are not allowed on game drives unless a private vehicle is booked (additional cost and prebooking advised). Babysitting services are available.

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.

Tau Game Lodge offers a family-friendly children's programme.

Children aged 0-2 years sharing with parents stay free and baby-sitting services are on offer at an extra charge.

Children aged 3 to 5 years old sharing with parents automatically become members of the Tau Cubz Club, which is great fun and includes a short game drive after breakfast just for the kids. After their game drive, children are entertained with treasure hunts and arts and crafts activities. The children are provided with their own Cubz Club backpacks, which are filled with a wildlife activity booklet, which includes an animal sticker checklist, a deputy ranger sticker badge and certificate, (which is signed off by their personal ranger) as well as a special Tau T-shirt.

Further additional Cubz entertainment options are for sale in the Tau Curio Shop, including a Tau Game Lodge Puzzle, animal puzzles, spacious all-purpose children's backpacks, an interactive CD, and board games.

A large playroom is also reserved for children's arts and crafts and other supervised activities.

The chef offers additional child-friendly food to complement the adult meals, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Children between 6 and 11 years old can join the adult safaris, they will however also be issued with a special Cubz Club activity booklet and are welcome to join their siblings during the Cubz club activities.

Guest Rating: 4.9 / 5.0 based on 19 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.

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 into the Madikwe Game Reserve. Go past this gate and follow the road past the Wonderboom Gate and the town of Supingstad to the Derdepoort turning on the right. Turn right here and follow the road for approximately 10 km to the Tau Game Lodge Gate.

Once you are in the reserve, follow the signs to the lodge. Allow about 10-20 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 Standard Chalets have an en-suite bathroom and private balcony overlooking the waterhole, and are suitable for solo travellers or 2 adults sharing.

The Deluxe Chalets are suitable for 3 adults or 2 adults and a child and have an en-suite bathroom and private balcony.

The Family Rooms consists of 2 chalets which are joined by a communal lounge. Both chalets have en-suite bathrooms. These rooms are suitable for parents with children or for 2 couples travelling together.

All rooms have air conditioning, a fan, fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, and a room safe.

The main lodge has a bar, lounge, pool and a dining room. There is mobile connectivity and internet access.

Game drive vehicles seat up to 8-9 people per vehicle.

Guided walks can be arranged (additional cost).

A laundry service is offered (additional cost).

Credit cards are accepted.

The Tau Spa Oasis offers a range of therapies designed to replenish and soothe body, mind and soul (additional cost).

The Tau Foundation was set up with an eye to funding community development and is delivering tangible results. Guests visiting the lodge are offered the opportunity to visit the local village of Supingstad with a community officer.

Guests also have the opportunity to plant protected tree species and to learn a little about the trees that they are planting, thereby playing an active role in conservation via the Tau Tree Fund.

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 45 minute drive away from the airstrip.

If there is an emergency, please call the lodge on +27 (0) 83 262 2013.

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.