MADIKWE GAME RESERVE

Located along South Africa’s border with Botswana, Madikwe sits on the edge of the vast Kalahari Desert.

One of the largest private game reserves in South Africa, Madikwe covers an area of 185,000 acres. Run in partnership by local communities, the private sector, and the state, Madikwe is a great conservation story. Its partners have successfully rehabilitated and restored old farmland to its natural state. It is famous for hosting one of the largest wildlife translocations in the world. More than 8,000 animals and 28 species have been released back into this restored wilderness. Madikwe is a great, family friendly, malaria-free, Big Five wildlife destination, conveniently located close to Johannesburg.

Beginning in September, temperatures rise as South Africa transitions into summer. Summer lasts for almost six months, from November to March, bringing warm days, comfortable nights, and scattered thunderstorms. Antelope give birth in the early summer months, and migrating birds arrive during this time of plenty. From April to May South Africa transitions into winter. Green grasses left behind by summer’s rains dry out by June, when winter is in full swing and temperatures drop. As the winter landscape continues to dry out and vegetation thins. This provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities due to increased visibility into the bush.

Elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra, and many species of antelope have been released here and have established successful populations. Leopards have long called Madikwe their home, making this massive reserve an amazing malaria-free, Big Five destination. Madikwe is known as one of the best places to see African wild dogs.