Situated:In Madikwe Game Reserve South Africa ,
S 24° 46’ 562” E 26° 25’ 731”
Owner managed: Jan and Jaci Van Heteren
Capacity: 8 rooms (16 beds)
Restaurant seating: 30
Food: Traditional African bush cuisine
Languages:English, Afrikaans, several local languages and one staff member is learning Spanish
Staff: 56 Full time staff members at both lodges
Game: Black and White Rhino, Wild Dog, Lion, Leopard, Spotted and Brown Hyena, Cheetah, Giraffe, Buffalo, Elephant, Eland, Gemsbok, Springbok, Red Hartebeest and 340 species of bird
Activities:Guided early morning and afternoon/evening game drives in open land rovers for all guests from 5 years and older;
Jungle drives during the day for those younger than 5 years;
Guided safari walks (age restrictions might be applicable);
Night safaris with powerful spotlights (subject to confirmation upon arrival at the lodge);
Well equipped bush gym;
Relaxation Massage.
Honeymoon specials - sleep under the stars, dinner at water hole
Kids: Yes, very much so.
Bonus:Air Conditioning/Outdoor Showers/High Tea/Free Game Drives.
With eight very beautifully decorated, large 'tree houses' - each elevated well above the ground - Jaci's a member of the Classic Safari Camps of Africa. Outdoor shower, huge bath and air-conditioned bedrooms, this is such a special place to base yourself to explore the park. And the park itself is the perfect place to be fairly certain of seeing the Big Five plus more in a matter of days.
We loved our time here and yearn to return. The staff are fabulous and nothing is too much trouble. George, our guide, was superb with eyes like a hawk and an instinct of where the game will be on any given day. Being a 'small' (75 000 hectares) park Madikwe is not crowded with game viewing vehicles hairing around after the same animal.
We enjoyed superb food and evening chats around the camp fire. Dinner at the waterhole was a highlight and we only learnt later that we could have arranged to even sleep under the stars there too.
The waterhole itself is an active one and we were treated to nearly two full hours of elephant antics whilst they cooled off in the pool.
October 2010.
