Madikwe Game Reserve

Pros & Cons

• Excellent wildlife viewing with all of the Big Five present
• Similar, exclusive experience, but more affordable compared to Sabi Sands
• Open-vehicle game drives and off-road driving permitted
• Night drives and walking safaris available
• Malaria-free
• Many upmarket safari lodges to choose from
• Self-catering accommodation available
• Less busy than Sabi Sands
• No self-drive permitted, only expensive, all-inclusive packages available
• Leopard sightings not as abundant as in Sabi Sands
• Fully fenced park that isn't part of a larger ecosystem

Wildlife

Madikwe is a prime Big Five destination, and you can expect to see most major safari animals in a two-day visit. Lion is easily seen but leopard and cheetah sightings are hit-and-miss. There is a resident pack of wild dog and sightings tend to be superb. Lucky visitors might also spot the rare brown hyena.

• More about Madikwe's wildlife

Scenery

Madikwe lies in a transition zone between the Kalahari thornveld and bushveld. The area is dotted with big rocky outcrops and is bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains. Madikwe dam is a focal point in the reserve and a great place to see animals coming to drink at sunset.

Weather & Climate

Summertime at Madikwe is a hot and wet affair, as it’s also the area’s Wet season (October to April). The rainfall and heat both increase over the first few months, peaking in January with afternoon downpours and an average daytime temperature of 32°C/90°F. Things start to get cooler and less damp in March, kicking off the transition into a dry and generally sunny winter (May to September).

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Best Time To Visit

The Dry season (May to September) is the best time to visit Madikwe, particularly the pleasantly mild months at the start and end of this period. In the middle of this season, there can be a biting chill in the air, which means you should wrap yourself up in your warmest clothes for early-morning or late-afternoon game drives. The drier months also coincide with Madikwe’s low season.

• More about the best time to visit

Want To Visit Madikwe GR?

• Madikwe Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Madikwe