Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

31 January 2026

4-minute read

Situated on the border with Botswana close to the Kalahari Desert on the basin of the Marico River, and bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth-largest game reserve in South Africa. As one of the lesser-known reserves, this hidden gem is regarded as one of the best conservation areas in Africa and offers visitors a Big 5 safari experience over 75 000 hectares, almost the size of Singapore. The reserve is home to approximately 66 large mammal and about 300 bird species, as well as the highly endangered African wild dog.

Travel writer Kate Turkington says that Madikwe has a fascinating history. It was the ground for Operation Phoenix: the largest wildlife operation ever attempted where more than 8000 animals from all over South Africa were moved into the former farmland which became a reserve. In addition to the big 5, Madikwe is packed with other game like cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs for which it is renowned.

One of the bonuses of Madikwe is that it is a malaria-free area a mere four-and-half-hour drive from Johannesburg. But while you can drive your own vehicle there, once you arrive, you will have to stay at one of the more than 30 lodges from where you can go on guided game drives in their vehicles.

Madikwe offers a number of luxurious lodges as well as community lodges in a malaria- free zone. While you will “need really deep pockets” if you are planning to stay at one of the 5-star lodges, there are bush lodges in the reserve that are affordable for families. Kate’s top tip for finding affordable weekend accommodation is to Google the different lodges on that Wednesday or Thursday night to find specials and bargains for South African residents.

With the recent floods in the Mpumalanga region and its effect on the Kruger National Park, Madikwe offers a splendid alternative for game viewers and enthusiasts. Kate calls it “a very back-to-nature experience,” and it boasts two award-winning guides who were born and bred there to take visitors on game drives. While self-drives like in the Kruger are not an option at Madikwe, there is a ranger and tracker with each vehicle that takes visitors on game drives. There are also no day visitors allowed in the reserve.

As a private game reserve, Madikwe only allows three vehicles at a time at a game sighting. Kate says that “it’s very cleverly done” – you will wait your turn, but you won’t even realise that you are in a queue because the rangers take other vehicles off to see something else.

On the border of Botswana, Madikwe is also one of the few game reserves that encompass mountains, desert, the savannah, and the Groot Marico River, so birdwatchers will have a marvellous time birdwatching.

Kate Turkington’s advice for first time or overseas visitors to a game reserve is to try a private one like Madikwe first to get a feel of game sightings and bird watching with a guide, and then visit the Kruger National Park, because “there is nothing quite like finding your own elephant or your own lion.”

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Kate Turkington here.