South Africa · Safari destination
Madikwe & Pilanesberg
Two malaria-free reserves, one easy escape.
Two malaria-free Big Five reserves within easy reach of Johannesburg, home to elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and endangered wild dogs.
Madikwe & Pilanesberg
Madikwe or Pilanesberg?
The two reserves share a malaria-free corner of the North West but answer different briefs. Madikwe is the private one: among South Africa's largest reserves, hard against the Botswana border, with no day visitors and no self-drive. Its lodges run off-road game drives across big red-earth plains known for wild dog sightings, and the reserve stays remarkably quiet.
Pilanesberg is the accessible one: a national park set in an ancient volcanic crater about 2.5 hours from Johannesburg, where you can self-drive or join guided drives, and Sun City sits on its doorstep for water parks, golf and shows on the non-safari days.
Choose Madikwe for exclusivity and serious game viewing, Pilanesberg for flexibility, price and an easy first taste of the bush. Both are Big Five reserves; plenty of guests do two nights in each, and our safari specialists will say honestly which suits your trip.
- Is Madikwe malaria-free?
- Yes. Both Madikwe and Pilanesberg sit in malaria-free zones, so no prophylaxis is needed. This makes them especially appealing for families with young children and travellers who prefer to avoid antimalarial medication. Game drives run safely year-round.
- How do I get to Madikwe from Johannesburg?
- Madikwe is roughly four and a half hours by road from Johannesburg, or about one hour by charter flight. Pilanesberg is closer, around two and a half hours by road and easily accessible by self-drive. Most Madikwe lodges arrange road or fly-in transfers for their guests.
- Can I self-drive in Madikwe Game Reserve?
- No. Madikwe is a private reserve with no self-drive access and no day visitors. All game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles with experienced guides. This exclusivity means fewer vehicles per sighting and a more intimate wildlife experience. Pilanesberg, by contrast, does allow self-drive.
- Madikwe or Kruger: which should I choose?
- Madikwe offers a malaria-free, exclusive Big Five experience with no day visitors and far fewer vehicles on each sighting. Kruger is larger with greater species diversity, but busier roads and self-drive crowds. For families with young children or travellers wanting a private, uncrowded safari close to Johannesburg, Madikwe is the stronger choice.
- When is the best time to visit Madikwe and Pilanesberg?
- Game viewing peaks during the dry winter months from June to September, when vegetation thins and animals gather at waterholes. Summer (November to March) is excellent for birding and newborn wildlife. Both reserves are rewarding year-round.
- What wildlife will I see at Madikwe?
- Both reserves are home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Madikwe is particularly renowned for its large population of endangered African wild dogs, as well as cheetah, brown hyena and over 350 bird species.
Tailor-made safaris
Safaris in Madikwe & Pilanesberg.
Most requested · 12 days
12-Day Cape Town, Kruger and Madikwe Safari
Most meals · Most activities · All flights & transfers
- 3 nights at Kensington Place in Cape Town's Gardens suburb
- Private full-day Cape Peninsula tour with Cape Point and Boulders Beach penguins
- 14-course African food safari with live drumming and dancing at GOLD Restaurant
- 3 nights at Kapama Buffalo Camp in Greater Kruger with twice-daily Big Five drives
Special offer available
From
R 127 460 normally R 158 760
per person, complete package
≈ R 254 920 for two · international flights excluded
Most requested · 5 days · South Africa
5 Day Madikwe Big 5 Safari Escape
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 4 nights at 5-star Tuningi Safari Lodge in malaria-free Madikwe
- Twice-daily game drives with qualified rangers across 75,000 hectares
- Big Five tracking plus Madikwe's renowned wild dog sightings
- Optional guided bush walks and in-suite massage treatments
From
R 64 810
per person, complete package
≈ R 129 630 for two · international flights excluded
Most requested · 3 days
3-Day BIG 5 self-drive tour to Pilanesberg
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 2 nights at Lush Private Lodge in malaria-free Pilanesberg
- Self-drive from Johannesburg in your included rental vehicle
- Twice-daily game drives across 55,000 hectares of private concession
- Big Five tracking with chances of black rhino and African wild dog
From
R 18 130
per person, complete package
≈ R 36 260 for two · international flights excluded
7 days · South Africa · Zimbabwe
7-Day Madikwe to Vic Falls Luxury Safari
Most meals · Most activities · Most transfers
- 3 nights at Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve
- Twice-daily Big Five game drives with all meals and beverages included
- 3 nights at the colonial-era Victoria Falls Hotel overlooking the falls
- Guided tours of Victoria Falls with optional helicopter flights and Zambezi cruises
From
$6,490
per person, complete package
≈ $12,985 for two · international flights excluded
7 days · South Africa
7 Day Madikwe & Cape Town
Most meals · Most activities · All flights & transfers
- 4 nights at Madikwe Safari Lodge in malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve
- Twice-daily game drives tracking the Big Five and endangered African Wild Dog
- Optional bush walks and family drives between safari activities
- 2 nights at Cape Cadogan, walking distance from Cape Town's restaurants
Special offer available
From
R 86 340 normally R 102 340
per person, complete package
≈ R 172 680 for two · international flights excluded
8 days · South Africa · Botswana
8-Day Ultra-Lux Fly-In Madikwe to Chobe Safari
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 3 nights at Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve
- Big Five game drives across Madikwe with optional guided walking safari
- 4 nights at Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge in Chobe National Park
- Twice-daily drives through the Savute region's vast elephant herds
From
$15,395
per person, complete package
≈ $30,790 for two · international flights excluded
4 days · South Africa
4-Day BIG 5 Pilansberg Adventure Safari
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 3 nights at 5-star Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge in Pilanesberg
- Twice-daily game drives in a malaria-free Big 5 reserve
- Guided 4-hour cultural tour of Lesedi Cultural Village
- Dinners around the fire pit and outdoor boma
From
R 39 820
per person, complete package
≈ R 79 650 for two · international flights excluded
No safaris matching these criteria.
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Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
Where to stay
Lodges in Madikwe & Pilanesberg.
12 lodges
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Affordable Live availabilityTau Game Lodge
On the far Northern border of South Africa lies a beautiful area known as the Groot Marico and it is in this spectacular setting, in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, that Privately owned Tau Game Lodge is situated.
From R 7 450 per person · night
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Premium Live availabilityTuningi Safari Lodge
Situated only four and half hours drive from Johannesburg and in the heart of one of South Africa’s most pristine reserves, Tuningi Safari Lodge offers exclusive accommodation surrounded by the 75,000 hectares of tranquil wilderness which makes up the Madikwe Game Reserve.
From R 6 850 per person · night · normally R 13 700
Special offer available
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AffordableLush Private Game Lodge
An ideal family retreat, Lush Private Game Lodge boasts 5 spacious luxury suites and 1 deluxe suite, which will ensure guests comfort and style.
From R 7 350 per person · night
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Lux Live availabilityMadikwe Hills
Set on a hilltop amongst huge boulders and age-old Tamboti trees, the lodge is situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, traversing over 75,000 hectares of true untamed Africa, where the plains teem with wildlife and the endangered wild dog roam freely.
From R 9 000 per person · night · normally R 18 500
Special offer available
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Lux Live availabilityEtali Safari Lodge
Etali Safari Lodge sits in the 75,000-hectare Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa's North West Province, a malaria-free Big Five wilderness on the Botswana border. Suites face a private waterhole, twice-daily game drives are led by resident guides and trackers, and the kitchen has run a dedicated Kosher operation for two decades.
From R 11 000 per person · night · normally R 18 500
Special offer available
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Premium Live availabilityMadikwe Lelapa Camp
Lelapa Camp is the family-friendly heart of Madikwe Safari Lodge, an all-ages retreat with eight luxury suites and four family suites overlooking a busy waterhole where elephants often wander within metres of the deck. Set in Madikwe Game Reserve, a malaria-free Big Five wilderness in South Africa's North West, it pairs private plunge pools with a dedicated Eco House for children.
From R 16 000 per person · night
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Ultra Live availabilityMadikwe Dithaba Camp
Madikwe Dithaba is the most elevated and secluded of Madikwe Safari Lodge's three camps, an adults-only hilltop retreat with just four hillside suites. Set high above the reserve with sweeping views across the bushveld, it offers privacy and stillness while remaining a short walk from Lelapa and Kopano Camps for spa, gym and shared facilities.
From R 20 000 per person · night
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Premium Live availabilityMadikwe Elela Villa
Madikwe Elela is a private three-suite villa within Madikwe Safari Lodge, booked on an exclusive-use basis for up to six guests. Set in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, it comes with a dedicated team, private guide and vehicle, and full access to the shared spaces of Kopano and Lelapa Camps.
From R 14 670 per person · night
Rates per person sharing, per night.
January
Green season, family-friendly heat
Best time to visit
Two reserves, one year.
Both reserves run the classic dry-wet cycle, malaria-free in every month, which is the point.
Madikwe & Pilanesberg
Your guide to Madikwe & Pilanesberg.
When
The North West is a great year-round destination. For birding enthusiasts, the hot, wet summer months (November to March) are best. The reserves are at their most beautiful at this time, with lush vegetation providing an ideal backdrop for wildlife photography. This is also the animals’ calving season, so it’s perfect to see gambolling babies. If you want to combine your safari with a South African beach holiday, this is the best time to visit.
The dry, winter months (June to September) are the most rewarding for game viewing, and the weather is pleasant, with warm days and cold nights. During this period, vegetation thins out significantly, and animals congregate around permanent waterholes, making them far easier to spot. Visitors will require warm clothing for the evening and early-morning game drives.
Where
Madikwe, Pilanesberg and Sun City lie in South Africa’s wild, thinly populated North West Province. This is a great, malaria-free Big Five area within easy striking distance of Johannesburg. The region has good ecotourism infrastructure, superb scenery and diverse appeal, especially for families.
Madikwe Game Reserve is all about big skies, red earth and wide-open plains in a zone where South Africa’s Bushveld meets the Kalahari Desert. Comprising 760 square kilometres, this reserve has a rich diversity of vegetation that attracts a wide range of fauna and birdlife, and topography that is ideal for game viewing.
The reserve comprises more than a dozen private lodges and doesn’t allow day visitors or self-drive safaris. Most of its lodges are luxurious, top-end affairs and the game viewing throughout is excellent.
Madikwe is a relatively new reserve and an ecological success story. In 1991, when the park was declared, the region comprised a series of degraded cattle farms and the wildlife had all but disappeared. An extensive translocation project was instituted. Operation Phoenix was reputedly the largest reintroduction of game in the world, and today, the reserve is home to more than 16,000 mammals comprising nearly 100 species.
Occupying an eroded volcanic crater north of Sun City, the 550-square-kilometre Pilanesberg National Park is a wonderfully scenic place to see a variety of southern African wildlife.
In 1979, Operation Genesis reclaimed this area from agriculture and released 6,000 animals into the new park. Today, all the Big Five are here, as well as cheetahs, African wild dogs and 300-plus bird species.
At adjacent Sun City, the creation of entrepreneur Sol Kerzner, Disneyland meets ancient Egypt in Africa’s version of Las Vegas. Filled with gilded statues of animals, acres of man-made beaches, 1200 hotel rooms, a famed golf course and a casino, it’s an entertainment mecca. Even if you find the resort kitschy, visiting Sun City can be huge fun.
Must-see: During your game drive, stop and enjoy a sundowner drink on the banks of the languid, green Marico River and watch a scarlet sun setting over the bushveld.
Photos from our guests
A traveller's view.
Every photo below was taken by a guest of ours on a recent trip to Madikwe & Pilanesberg. No stock imagery, no marketing shots. What they saw, on their cameras.
Imagery
Madikwe & Pilanesberg, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Madikwe & Pilanesberg.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Madikwe & Pilanesberg, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Jolene was simply extraordinary. She put together what became an absolutely incredible African trip for us in the space of barely three weeks, and from the outset her responsiveness, knowledge and genuine enthusiasm were exceptional. Nothing was ever too much trouble, responses were almost immediate, and she very quickly understood exactly what we were looki…"
"Leigh-Ann was so polite and considerate (and patient) as I navigated what I could fit in to time and budget during my short stay. Many thanks Joanna"
"Sara is super efficient and so friendly and helpful, it makes booking anything with her a pleasure. She understands a clients needs and preferences so well. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend"
"Mel just helped me to plan my sixth Safari and my first with safari.com. I will be traveling with friends on their first trip to Africa, so there were many questions and changes on their behalf. Mel handled everything smoothly and quickly, offered excellent suggestions and made the planning seamless and fun! Highly recommend her…"
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