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User Reviews of Madikwe Game Reserve (35 Reviews)

Madikwe Safaris Madikwe Game Reserve
Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 21-30 of 35 Reviews

Average User Rating

4.6857 / 5 4.7 /5
4.7429 / 5 4.4286 / 5 4.6000 / 5 4.1739 / 5

Rating Breakdown

5 star 26 / 10 26
4 star 7 / 10 7
3 star 2 / 10 2
2 star 0 / 10 0
1 star 0 / 10 0
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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).

Avatar icon kanigma Visited: January 2008 Reviewed: Aug 7, 2012

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

We managed to see the big 5 over a couple days, we had a wonderful time on safari.

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.

Male avatar icon Ken Okumura Virgin Islands (British) flag VG       Visited: May 2009 Reviewed: May 29, 2012

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Creature comforts and lots of creatures

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

We went to Madikwe Game Reserve in 2009, having been once before on a safari to its sister park Kwandwe some years earlier. I doubt any two game reserves are the same, and it Madikwe was very different from Kwandwe.

Highlights for me were tracking the pack of wild dogs (which are apparently very rare in Africa but were fairly plentiful in Madikwe), watching a pride of lions relax and play with each other next to the airstrip and having a lioness almost brush past my leg whilst I was sitting in the rear seats of the safari jeep.

Overall I'd thoroughly recommend Madikwe (and Kwandwe) to anyone wanting to get a safari experience whilst staying in relative luxury.

Male avatar icon Bob Dewar United States flag US       Visited: January 2009 Reviewed: May 18, 2012

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Madikwe was a life time expeience, beyound what we had hoped for or expected.

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

Our stay at Makanyane Safari Lodge was beyond our expectations. The wildlife and scenery of Madikwe left all of us with lifetime memories. The guides were very professional and yet were very real people. We liked the idea of no public driving to disturb the wildlife. Getting within 15 meters of three male lions and hearing their roars left us breathless. We can't wait to return!

Avatar icon wildswan55 Visited: May 2007 Reviewed: May 18, 2012

Great stay, great guides, tremendous wildlife.

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

Had a wonderful visit. Lodging in a cabin of my own, outdoor shower was very cool.
Good food. Saw 4 of the big five.

Female avatar icon Torrey United States flag US       Visited: January 2009 Reviewed: May 9, 2012

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

An adventure of a lifetime!

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

Madikwe Game Reserve exceeded my expectations. We saw the Big 5 on the first day of our safari. I was surprised how high the bushes were, I thought it would be flat. However, our guide drove on tiny trails right through the sharp bushes and we came across lion families, feeding lions, a leopard, baby hyenas, many giraffes, elephants, zebras, and other wonderful animals. The stars in the night sky were unlike I've ever seen. Without any lights around for hundreds of miles, the moon shone brightly. We had lightning and thunder storms every night that rocked our tent cabin and was an incredible experience. The accommodations were great. Mosetlha Bush Camp provided gourmet vegan options and the staff was very caring. Very small camp with private accommodations. Our jeeps had covers, so we did not get burnt by the sun during our 2 5-hour safari trips each day. I would love to do it again!