EXPLORE Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve lies in the North West province, against the border of Botswana and was named after the Marico River, the basin on which it is located. It is South Africa’s fifth largest game reserve and is well-known for its remarkable beginnings and initiatives.  

Transformed from low-yield cattle farms to a high yield conservation area, Madikwe Game Reserve was surprisingly chosen by economists in order to uplift this previously disadvantaged area as a result of poor farming conditions. It is now a model for the way in which conservation can benefit communities, wildlife and South Africa at large. The initiative where government, private sectors, the land and wildlife and the community will benefit, was pioneered in 1991 within one of South Africa’s apartheid-era Bantustans – Bophunthatswana (Bop Parks) - which was reintegrated into the country in 1994. 

Madikwe Game Reserve is known as one of the best, malaria-free places to see the Big Five and is a provincial game reserve. It is considered to be something of a hidden-gem as it is regarded as one of the better conservation areas in Africa. It is one of the few game reserves in Southern Africa where Springbok and Kalahari Gemsbok meet naturally. What makes Madikwe special is its unique location, set where the Kalahari thornveld meets the Lowveld bushveld. As a result of this transition, a number of rare species occur naturally, offering an incredible diversity of species from both ecosystems. 

Home to 66 species of mammal including the Big Five and more than 300 bird species, both resident and migrant, Madikwe Game Reserve offers a vast range sightings. Watching these magnificent animals in their natural habitat within close proximity on a morning, afternoon, evening or night game drive can easily be arranged. Every visit to a game reserve should include a game drive.

A prime wildlife reserve safari destination, Madikwe Game Reserve offers an excellent choice of accommodation, primarily consisting of privately owned luxurious game lodges. Madikwe Game Reserve accommodation however includes community and privately owned game lodges, catering for travellers from all walks of life.