Madikwe Game Reserve,
North West
Only lodge in the Big5 malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve offering a genuinely rustic wilderness experience - at affordable prices. Oil lamps, safari showers, meals cooked on an open fire and raised wooden cabins promise guests a true safari adventure. |
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This is how Africa is meant to be . . . the smell of coffee and woodsmoke when you are woken up by the call of the crested francolin in the morning . . . the silence of the bushveld in the heat of the day when you sit under the shade of a wild fig tree . . . watching the sunset over a waterhole with a breeding herd of elephant coming down to drink . . . the wonderful blackness of the night sky with stars more numerous and brighter than you`ve ever seen before . . . the absolute stillness of the night with maybe the distant roar of lion or the whoop of a hyaena or the crack of a breaking branch where the elephant are feeding . . .
"I have seen the moon in other places besides the Marico. But it is not the same there. It does strange things to you the Marico moon, and in your heart are wild and fragrant fancies, and your thoughts go very far away." (Herman Charles Bosman)
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is South Africa`s fourth largest game reserve, a magnificent malaria free area offering you the opportunity to experience the magic of the Big Five and a true safari adventure.
Situated in the North West Province, Madikwe is just a 3½ hour drive from Johannesburg, 1½ from Sun City and an hour from Gaborone
The Madikwe area is steeped in history and tradition. Historically, this is Herman Charles Bosman`s land – you can easily visualise his Oom Schalk Lourens sitting under a Kareeboom, contemplating the finer points of life or recovering from the alcoholic delights of its berries.
Madikwe is a haven of amazing diversities. The landscape has mountainous areas, plateaux, rocky hills, a perennial river, seasonal wetlands, a variety of sandy and clay areas, bushveld, Kalahari veld and savanna areas. This broad spectrum of habitats supports an animal life which is consequently richly varied.
Guests to Madikwe are promised the chance of seeing the Magnificent Seven which comprises the Big Five (the largest elephant population outside of Kruger, both black and white rhino, the biggest disease free herd of buffalo in the country, lion and leopard), as well as the rare and endangered wild dog and cheetah.
In addition to these, you may see brown and spotted hyena and all other South African predators. A multitude of plains game includes giraffe, zebra, springbok and sable, the first scientific discovery of which was in 1836 in this very area. We also have large populations of wildebeest, impala and warthogs.
For birders, Madikwe is an unmissable destination with the latest official bird list boasting an incredible 340 species.
Mosetlha Eco-experience
Mosetlha is family owned and run, a rustic and intimate, unfenced bush camp nestling at the very heart of the magnificent Madikwe Game Reserve. In order to ensure our guests the best possible attention, we accommodate just 16 to 18 people, and it is our mission to provide you with an exclusive and unique wilderness experience.
We believe our catering is of a high standard – we prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner in traditional bush style on open fires and gas rings. Included, too, are all refreshments: tea, coffee, fruit, fruit juice, rusks and snacks throughout the day and on your daily walks and drives.
We sell beer, wine, fizzy drinks and mineral water (at a nominal mark up and not at usual hotel prices).
We really look forward to welcoming you to come and enjoy the magic of Madikwe with us here at Mosetlha.
Our very affordable, fully inclusive rate is per person per night sharing and covers: gate entrance fee, comfortable accommodation, three meals a day plus tea, coffee, snacks, fruit, fruit juice through the day, a morning bush walk or game drive and a sunset game drive, and MRI emergency evacuation insurance cover.
Guests only need to pocket money for their drinks, staff gratuities and our gorgeous Mosetlha caps and tops!
Rooms
Our guests are accommodated in true safari style in raised wooden cabins set amongst the natural vegetation around a central camp fire and lapa area.
The camp is unfenced and cabins have partly open sides and are arranged in adjoining or detached double rooms with twin beds and simple amenities. Duvets, pillows, blankets and towels are provided by us.
Whilst bathrooms are not ensuite, there are fenced toilet/shower complexes discreetly situated around the cabins.
We pride ourselves in our bushveld simplicity and do not have mod cons such as electrical power or running water - our showers are safari showers and water is heated through a donkey boiler … so you only have a cold shower if you want one!
Activities
Check in time at the Gate is 12.30 and you will be directed from there to the NWPB admin office where you will park your car and one of our guides will meet you and take you back to Mosetlha.
On arrival at the Camp you will find lunch ready for you and you can unpack and settle in.
That afternoon you`ll be taken on your first game drive. One of our professional, qualified field guides will take you out into the Reserve in an open 4x4 vehicle where you will have the chance to see the spectacular features and creatures of Madikwe.
You`ll stop at a picturesque spot for drinks and snacks at sunset. After dark spot lights are used to ensure that you are able to witness our more secretive and nocturnal animal and bird life.
The next morning we`ll wake you up for coffee and rusks and an early morning start. Here the choice is yours: we offer morning guided bush walks which are not strenuous but rather interpretive - this is the time to experience the wonders of the flora and fauna, insects and birds that Madikwe has to offer.
For those who would prefer to find the big and hairies, it`s another game drive for you.
When you get back you`ll have breakfast and some relaxation time before lunch, then some (more!) chill out time – read your book, do some bird spotting at the little water holes we have around the camp, or have an afternoon nap.
Then it`s time for the afternoon drive.
On your day of departure, after your morning game activity, we get you back to the camp for a cooked brunch.
We then take you back to your car at around midday for your return trip home (where it`s back to real life after a few days of fabulous game viewing and serious relaxation, taking with you lots of photographs and some wonderful memories!).
How to get there
The route from Pretoria/Johannesburg goes via Magaliesberg, Koster, Swartruggens and Zeerust. In more detail, it is as follows :
From the N1 South Roodepoort "Concrete Highway" or Western Bypass heading South take the M8 off-ramp signposted "14th Avenue" and then follow the M47/N14 signs.
At Tarlton, where the M47/R47 intersects with the R24 at a T-junction, turn right taking the R24 signposted "Rustenburg" which goes to Magaliesburg.
On the way out of Magaliesburg, fork left and take the R509 signposted "Derby/Koster" and follow the R509 all the way to Swartruggens.
At the T-junction just before Swartruggens, turn left onto the N4 signposted "Swartruggens" and then "Zeerust".
In Zeerust, turn right at the third stop street into President Street, following the signpost "R47 Gaborone - Madikwe Game Reserve".
Follow the R47 (this used to be the R505) north towards Gaborone for 85km and look out for the Abjaterskop Gate into Madikwe which is on your right hand side. It is clearly signposted.
The above route is tarmac all the way. Allow at least 3 to 4 hours travelling time from Johannesburg e.g. the intersection of the Buccleuch interchange.
Clothing & Accessories
Guests are asked to bring their own personal effects and toiletries including:
Dull-coloured shirts/blouses
Dull-coloured shorts/longs/skirts
Anorak (a thick jacket in winter)
T-shirts/shorts for around camp
Light raincoat/poncho (Summer)
Comfortable boots/walking shoes
Jeans or equivalent
Sun protection cream and hat
Insect repellent (Tabard/Mylol)
Binoculars, torch, camera
Health & Climate
Madikwe is malaria free! |
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