​User Reviews – Madikwe GR

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 21-30 of 34 Reviews
Massai_1 (Carsten M.) Visited: November 2014 Reviewed: May 25, 2015

Overall rating
5/5

Really beautiful area, great accomodation.

U. Adophis   –  
South Africa 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
Overall rating
4/5

Madikwe was a fantastic reserve and great alternative to Krugar, particularly as there are no self-drivers. We stayed at Jamala which was luxurious and beautiful in every way. The owners built this from scratch, and since they know what has worked and what hasn't worked in other places, everything is organised and chosen to give the "best" safari experience! Madikwe was in a pretty bad drought while we were there, and so the waterhole was pretty quiet since animals were heading to places where it had rained. Also the wild dogs had just had a wave of rabies (we didn't realise this happened) so we were lucky to see the few dogs we did. Even though there were few guests, we still went out in separate cars which was great (this didn't happen at Bush House). We then stayed at Bush House -- this was good as we got to see the other side of the park. Note that at Jamala we could see the north east and south east sides of the park, which was too far if we had only been 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.

John A Darwin NT Australia Visited: August 2014 Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015

Thouroughly Enjoyable
Overall rating
4/5

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   –  
Italy IT
Visited: November 2014 Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015

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

Overall rating
5/5

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'

Nelly Micheleau   –  
France 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
Overall rating
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 .

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

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

Nelly Micheleau   –  
France FR
Visited: February 2014 Reviewed: Mar 20, 2014

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

Madikwe park
Overall rating
5/5

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).

kanigma Visited: January 2008 Reviewed: Aug 7, 2012

Overall rating
4/5

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

bertly13   –  
United States US
Visited: March 2012 Reviewed: Jun 1, 2012

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

It was amazing.
Overall rating
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.

Ken Okumura   –  
Virgin Islands (British) VG
Visited: May 2009 Reviewed: May 29, 2012

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

Creature comforts and lots of creatures
Overall rating
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.

Average User Rating

  • 4.7/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 25
  • 4 star 7
  • 3 star 2
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0
Write a User Review