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User Reviews of Madikwe Game Reserve (36 Reviews)

Madikwe Safaris South Africa
Sort By: Date Most Helpful 11-20 of 27 Reviews

Average User Rating

4.6944 / 5 4.7 /5
4.7500 / 5 4.4444 / 5 4.6000 / 5 4.1739 / 5

Rating Breakdown

5 star 27 / 10 27
4 star 7 / 10 7
3 star 2 / 10 2
2 star 0 / 10 0
1 star 0 / 10 0
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Male avatar icon Michael and Jennene New Zealand flag 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

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 / 5

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.

Male avatar icon dfross United States flag US       Visited: April 2015 Reviewed: Jun 30, 2015

Email dfross  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

More than a dream come true.

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5
I had planned our first trip to South Africa for more than a year. The adventure began at Madikwe Game Reserve. Would reality live up to expectation? Three days at Jamala Lodge exceeded everything we hoped for. The luxury, the impeccable service, the extraordinary food, and the incredible game viewing was everything a dream could be. We saw all of the Big 5, plus so much more, on our game drives -- elephants, buffalo, lion, both white and black rhino, giraffe, zebra, and an amazing array of all the antelope and deer that South Africa has to offer. We had a leopard walk by so close to our vehicle that I could have reached out and stroked its back. Equally amazing was sitting at the "sofa safari" on the deck of the lodge and watching this same array of wildlife wander down to the water hole. One morning at breakfast, a pride of five lion visited the water hole; one evening a leopard. Our final morning was capped with a visit by a white rhino at the water hole. Our first
Read more 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.
Avatar icon Massai_1 (Carsten M.) Visited: November 2014 Reviewed: May 25, 2015

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 / 5

Really beautiful area, great accomodation.

Male avatar icon Ravisyd Australia flag 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

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5 / 5

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.

Male avatar icon Stefano Italy flag IT       Visited: November 2014 Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 3 / 5 4 / 5

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'

Female avatar icon Nelly Micheleau France flag FR       Visited: February 2014 Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015

Email Nelly Micheleau  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

environnement magnifique , faune très diversifiée et très accessible

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

Notre séjour au River Lodge ne peut faire l'objet que de compliments : confort optimal , personnel très aimable , nourriture agréable ...
Le parc est magnifique : nous l'avons découvert grace au guide du River Logdge , à raison de é safaris par jour pendant huit jours , ce qui nous a permis de voir une grande variété d'animaux dans des paysages superbes ; à part un orage , nous avons de plus bénéficié d'une météo très clémente .

Avatar icon Coach P Visited: June 2014 Reviewed: Jul 2, 2014

It was breathtaking and we created everlasting memories in just 3 days.

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5

We loved this experience. The wildlife was plentiful and we saw 4 of the big 5 - only missing a Leopard. Nonetheless, the Tau Game Lodge was first rate. Their hospitality and level of service was unmatched. The food was delicious and the chef disussed each dish he created at dinner. And the rangers were experienced, friendly and patient.

Female avatar icon Nelly Micheleau France flag FR       Visited: February 2014 Reviewed: Mar 20, 2014

Email Nelly Micheleau  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Madikwe park

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5

Madikwe is a very authentic nature reserve with lots of animals (big five at almost every game drive), beautiful landscapes and very comfortable accomodation (Madikwe river lodge), more excusiv than Kruger Park and enjoyable for everyone (kid's game drives too).

Male avatar icon bertly13 United States flag US       Visited: March 2012 Reviewed: Jun 1, 2012

Email bertly13  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

It was amazing.

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 / 5

I thought the experience was incredible all around. The experience in the camp, and our relationships with our guides, as well as the food and the accommodations were all very cool. I really enjoyed that we were staying in more of a cabin-like environment and not in a luxury hotel out there because I felt like we got more into the experience that way. If I had money to blow like that I would definitely do it again.

Female avatar icon Kristin United Kingdom flag GB       Visited: April 2011 Reviewed: May 29, 2012

Experience level: first safari

A life-changing experience that left a bit of my heart in Africa and that I will never forget!

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 / 5

The wildlife of the reserve was plentiful and we were always able to get quite close to most animals on every drive (morning, afternoon, night). The scenery was stunning -- I'll never forget sitting a top the hill as the sun rose and drinking coffee, listening to the sound of the bush coming alive. The weather was perfect in April - not too hot, not too cold. I really enjoyed the guide comments and character and how they shared so much knowledge about the animal's behavior, droppings, tracks, etc.