Perhaps Africa’s greatest safari destination free of malaria is Madikwe Game Reserve. After being restored from deteriorated farmland in 1991, it quickly emerged as the center of the biggest wildlife relocation effort in the world. In addition to being one of the few locations where you can perhaps see lion, leopard, cheetah, and African wild dog during a typical safari, Madikwe offers excellent chances of seeing elephants and white rhinos.

Its twenty-odd premium safari lodges and camps provide all-inclusive packages that are the only way to experience this exclusive area, which is closed to self-drivers and day visitors.

There is no set order of quality for the hotels listed below.

1. Final Word, Madikwe

Last Word Madikwe, formerly Bush House, is a five-room lodge in the far west of the game reserve that overlooks a busy waterhole. Throughout the year, in-house wildlife viewing is typically excellent. Along with white rhinos, zebras, and other animals, large herds of elephants frequently congregate near the waterhole. The underground hide is available 24 hours a day and offers photographers a wealth of chances. A distinctive rock pool with sun loungers is one of the amenities.

2. Private Safari Lodge Motswiri

Situated in a shaded stand of huge leadwood trees, Motswiri is one of the most opulent Madikwe lodges. It has five double villas and one family unit. Every villa has a private deck with a view, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and a gas fireplace. The family villa has three bedrooms with private bathrooms, a large private deck with a plunge pool, and a private lounge. Because of Motswiri’s central location, you may go on several game drives throughout the entire reserve.

3. Safari Lodge in Madikwe

Madikwe Safari Lodge, which has three distinct lodges situated at the foot of a steep hill in the northeast of the reserve, is a favorite among many frequent visitors. The main lodge, Lelapa, is a row of twelve kid-friendly chalets nestled in a dense forest that is teeming with vibrant birds. Although every chalet at Lelapa has a large terrace and a private plunge pool, it’s more enjoyable to spend time at the public pool, which is next to a waterhole that draws a lot of thirsty wildlife.

Try Kopano for a more upscale experience than Lelapa; it only has four suites and is child-free. Or the honeymoon-friendly Dithaba, which can accommodate just two people. The architectural design of all three lodges, with its rounded stone and adobe walls and well-layered thatch roofs, is highly inviting and mixes in well with the African wilderness.

4. The Tau Game Lodge

With 30 chalets, a convention center, and a wedding venue, Tau is the largest Madikwe lodge and is ideal for small conferences, family get-togethers, and other events. It is located in a semi-private concession in the northwest of the reserve, with a view of a waterhole that is frequently visited by animals. The horseshoe-shaped layout of the air-conditioned stone-and-thatch chalets guarantees that every private deck has a view of the waterhole.

5. Game Lodge Impodimo

If you stay at Impodimo, a five-star resort situated on a rocky ridge in the west of the reserve, you’ll be rewarded to expansive grandstand views across Madikwe. The tastefully furnished thatched suites, which have cozy king-sized mattresses, air conditioning, closed-system fireplaces, spacious bathrooms, and expansive private terraces overlooking the jungle, are also guaranteed to please.

6. Thakadu River Camp in Aha

Family-friendly Thakadu, which is a part of the revered Aha network, is located in the shaded forest that borders the Marico River as it travels along the eastern edge of Madikwe. An opulent take on the traditional tented camp is Thakadu. Guests are housed in canvas cottages with an own viewing balcony situated on raised timber platforms. In between game drives, you can unwind in the lovely pool, and the riverbank woodland is teeming with birds.

7. Owner’s House in Morukuru

The Morukuru Owner’s House is as elite as it gets. Originally constructed as a personal hideaway by its owners, this two-bedroom home today mostly serves small families, honeymooners, and couples looking for a private safari experience that includes game drives. The spacious house is attractively designed in a modern African style and features a lofty thatched roof. It is situated near the Marico River and boasts a fantastic large deck with an infinity pool.

8. Safari Lodge in Jaci

One of Madikwe’s oldest and most well-known lodges, Jaci’s is named for its energetic owner-manager. On the Marico River in eastern Madikwe, it really consists of three distinct but cooperatively run lodges that are grouped together within a few hundred meters of one another. Together, the lodges feature two outdoor star-beds, eight stilted treehouses, six opulent standing tents, and two private family units. Jaci’s lodgings are well known for their vivid, colorful décor. Photographing the waterhole and observing wildlife at eye level are made possible by the underground Terrapin Hide.

9. The Madikwe Royal

Perhaps the most opulent lodge on the reserve is the Royal Madikwe. It has three double suites, a five-bedroom villa, and a six-bedroom home, all of which are, as they say, fit for a king. Although the five apartments are differently furnished, they are all very roomy and fashionable, with air conditioning and a large veranda that includes a plunge pool. High levels of solitude, knowledgeable leading on wildlife drives or walks, and creative South African-fusion cuisine matched with some of the best wine in the Cape are all things guests can anticipate at The Royal Madikwe.

10. Mosetlha Eco Lodge & Bush Camp

Because the majority of Madikwe lodges and camps cater primarily to the luxury market, travelers on a tight budget may not be able to visit the reserve. Mosetlha is a noteworthy exception. The same active family has operated this quiet, solar-powered jungle camp since it first opened as Madikwe’s second lodge in 1995. Indeed, Mosetlha isn’t opulent, but it’s comfortable enough in a refreshingly practical way, and it’s unquestionably the most affordable choice for a safari in Madikwe.

Small yet well-ventilated stilted wooden cottages with bucket showers and eco-toilets (which guests fill themselves with from an antique donkey boiler) can house up to 16 people. It is situated in an area of thick forest that is teeming with birds and frequently frequented at night by buffalo and leopards. Game drives are able to visit every part of the reserve because of its strategic location.