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Sumarie Slabber
ZA
Visited:
November 2015
Reviewed: Nov 21, 2015
Email Sumarie Slabber | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
gorneval
FR
Visited:
October 2015
Reviewed: Nov 15, 2015
Email gorneval | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife and beautiful stay
From the dawn to the dusk, it is always possible and easy to see wildlife. Everyday something happens, everyday is a new day in the bush. The great thing of madikwe is that rangers and land rover could go "off road" to approach wildlife ! So great for pictures and feel bush vibes !
Didier Collas
FR
Visited:
December 2009
Reviewed: Sep 12, 2015
Email Didier Collas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic moment
We spent 4 days in Madikwe, staying at Tau Game Lodge. The safaris were fantastic, with a lot of wild life (all the expected ones except the wild dogs). Tau Lodge is also very nice with its pond in front of the rooms where the animals were coming all day long to drink and play (elephants - a lot, lions, girafes, ....)
Michael and Jennene
NZ
Visited:
May 2015
Reviewed: Jul 5, 2015
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exciting day trip to Madikwe Game Reserve
In New Zealand we don't have big game so it has always been a dream to visit a wild game park if I ever managed to visit Africa. That dream came true in 2014 when during a business trip I did a day trip to Madikwe Game Reserve and then in May of 2015 another business trip to Botswana allowed me a return visit, taking along two work collegues. The experience on both occasions was one of total excitement and nervous exhilaration. To sit in an open sided vehicle within feet of large game like lions, cheetahs, rhino and giraffe is a chance of a lifetime. On both trips to the reserve, Franco our guide from Buffalo Ridge was just awesome, his wealth of knowledge about all the reserve's game and animal's habits was truly amazing and then to sit and watch the sun go down with a glass of wine, some nibbles and share a chat, just priceless.
dfross
US
Visited:
April 2015
Reviewed: Jun 30, 2015
Email dfross | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
More than a dream come true.
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morning at the lodge began with an incredible roar of a lion awakening us at 3 a.m. Jamala Lodge, even though the price may seem expensive at first glance, is truly a bargain. An enormous chalet with bedroom looking out at the water hole, a beautiful bath, a plunge pool and totally private outdoor shower, a fully stocked (and included) mini bar, two three hour plus game drives a day with the best tracker one could hope for, and amazing food every day, throughout the day. All alcohol was included, and surprises every day with specialty cocktails presented at the end of an evening game drive. Madikwe Game Reserve, and Jamala Lodge will give you memories to treasure for the rest of your life.
Massai_1 (Carsten M.)
Visited:
November 2014
Reviewed: May 25, 2015
U. Adophis
ZA
Visited:
April 2015
Reviewed: Apr 29, 2015
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great safari, nice (and closer) alternative to Krugar
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at Bush House. Our friend stayed at Tau Lodge and had more success at the waterhole -- that is a much larger lodge though, and you lose the exclusivity. Bush House was a lot less posh and extravagant, but the waterhole was very busy (60+ elephants?) and the food and accommodation posed no problems. Also good to check if children can come on drives, as we had 2 incessantly talking kids on our last day who didn't, but could very easily, have affected game viewing. Our guides in both places were very experienced -- the main thing is you need to be watching for animals too, as it increases your chances! On our first drive at Bush house our ranger went off tracking to find a lion. So we sat there with 5 other cars for an hour till they came back, then we drove off and for the next hour none of the rangers could find the ranger who had stayed behind near the lion kill!! Our guide than said "oh, it's getting late, we probably should go now" to which I gave a significant death stare. Thankfully she then found the lions, but at no point had she explained what we were looking for or anything. In this case we were lucky, but I think it's worth being clear with your ranger how much time you are prepared to spend waiting for them to track. We could have wasted 2 hours out of one precious drive, which to them doesn't mean much, but I think they forget how much we pay and how far we come to see animals which cannot be seen by sitting in a non-moving car. We explained this to her that night and from then on everything was fine, but if you haven't done as many game drives as we have, you might not be so confident to voice such opinions.
Ravisyd
AU
Visited:
December 2014
Reviewed: Apr 19, 2015
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thakadu Camp, warm friendly staff, excellent food, outstanding bush experience, will stay here again
We stayed at the Thakadu River camp. Warm and friendly staff, personalised service, the food was tasty not too heavy, just right. The guide was excellent took us off road closer to the wildlife, always maintaining a safe distance, good bush sense. The entire staff broke out in a song and dance in harmony, to celebrate a friend celebrating his birthday during our stay. Overall credit goes to the resident manager.
John A Darwin NT Australia
Visited:
August 2014
Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015
Thouroughly Enjoyable
Stayed at The Bush House for 2 nights and did 4 3 hour safari drives and managed to see most of what we were hoping to see. Missed out on seeing Cheetahs, Leopards and Wild Dogs, although given the size of the park there is no guarantee you will see everything. The Bush House was fantastic and I have no hesitation recommending it. Our guide Tom was OK but have heard JR is the best. August mornings are chilly but the days are beautiful. Safari Bookings were great with all pick ups and bookings done without a hitch.
Stefano
IT
Visited:
November 2014
Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A surprising and very well managed park; abundance of wildlife and predators, and also a place for birdwatchers. Bush experience is granted, and some accomodation are really 'in the bush'