Madikwe Game Reserve
The Bush House is an old homestead in the western part of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, which is more like a home than a hotel. This charming game lodge has a lot of history and many stories to tell.
The Madikwe Game Reserve boasts 75,000 hectares of Big 5 game viewing territory.
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.
The Bush House accommodates just 10 people in double rooms, which are simply decorated but equipped with air-conditioning, mosquito nets and percale linen.
The veranda and garden overlook one of the best waterholes in the reserve and often the sightings are as exciting as they are on a game drive.
The service is friendly and warm, and the total experience is like being in a good friend's home.
Rates Include
All meals; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); morning/afternoon shared game drives; and bush walks are included.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available 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.
The Bush House Location.
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 6 en-suite rooms have air conditioning and fans, bathrooms with separate bath and shower, tea/coffee making facilities, hair dryers, safe, private verandahs, 220v electricity, mobile/cell phone signal and free Wi-Fi. Satellite/Cable television is also available. All rooms form part of the main lodge.
The main area consists of the bar, restaurant, library, swimming pool and TV room.
Private Land Rover can be pre-booked, subject to availability. This will be an additional cost - rates available on request (subject to change).
Laundry/babysitting services are available at an additional cost.
Credit cards are accepted.
An exciting addition is an underground hide that borders on the very edge of the lodges most active waterhole. The Hide is accessed from a path within the Lodge garden, or from the swimming pool for guests to move safely along the walkway and into the tunnel without being seen by the animals and in complete safety.
The pathways, tunnel and hide are all lit at night so are available for use by guests 24 hours a day.
The Hide has ramps that ensure ease of access.
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 The Bush House
These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at The Bush House, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that The Bush House 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.