The Royal Madikwe is a five-star family-run property dedicated to eco-tourism and supporting its local community. With its intimate and laid-back atmosphere and luxurious suites which reflect the natural beauty of the landscape, the lodge is a luxury retreat where guests can enjoy unique experiences with the local community and a landscape teeming with wildlife.
Awarded: Bronze
Location
The lodge is tucked along a rocky ridge in the Madikwe Game Reserve with infinite views across the grasslands, inselbergs and outcrops. Sitting on the border of Botswana, the 76,000-hectare reserve is one of South Africa’s largest with a thriving wildlife population, mountainous and sweeping valley vistas and the waterfalls and green banks of the Marico River. The reserve is also famous for Operation Pheonix, the world’s largest translocation of game where 8,000 animals were introduced to the reserve including white rhino, lion, elephant and buffalo.
Rooms
The Royal Madikwe is made up of four suites, a villa and a family house. The Naledi one-bedroom suit sits along an ancient game path with earthy toned interiors that reflect the wilderness surrounds. An outside lounge sits beneath an old blackthorn tree with a private heated plunge pool and loungers. The Korone and Lenyalo suites are very similar in style with their four poster beds, subtle colours and comfortable outdoor space, and the Emperor is a two-bedroom luxury offering fit for families. For even more space, the Royal Villa is an elegant two-bedroom house next to a busy waterhole, and the Sovereign House with its three bedrooms boasts endless views and outdoor lounges in the shade of Marula trees.
Communal Areas
The spacious Clubhouse is a two-storey building with leather sofas, glass coffee tables and wooden furnishing. Earthy tones and décor is used throughout all of Royal Madikwe’s space to create a soothing atmosphere. Take meals in the dining area at the long communal table, in the boma for South African buffets or outside on the split-level terraces which overlook the waterhole.
Activities
Follow in the footsteps of the local wildlife on bush walks with your dedicated guides, participate in drumming lessons with the community and take stunning game drives at dusk and dawn to see all Big Five in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Enjoy a champagne breakfast in the wilderness with the sounds of the Marimba Band or gaze at the stars through GPRS telescopes while listening to stories of the night sky. Guests also have the opportunity to observe tribal dancing from the Tswana Tribe. 20% of the lodge’s profits are invested in local community projects so guests at the Royal Madikwe can truly make a difference.
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
AUTUMN
Temperatures begin to drop with pleasant midday highs and cool mornings. The likelihood of rainfall also declines during this period, ultimately improving the chances of good game viewing opportunities.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
AUTUMN
Temperatures begin to drop with pleasant midday highs and cool mornings. The likelihood of rainfall also declines during this period, ultimately improving the chances of good game viewing opportunities.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SPRING
Temperatures begin to rise once again, as do the chances of rain. As soon as the first rains arrive the landscape transforms, which can be a beautiful sight to witness. These rains do however disperse wildlife, decreasing the likelihood of good sightings. The first true rainfall can arrive at any period over these months but is obviously more likely by October.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SPRING
Temperatures begin to rise once again, as do the chances of rain. As soon as the first rains arrive the landscape transforms, which can be a beautiful sight to witness. These rains do however disperse wildlife, decreasing the likelihood of good sightings. The first true rainfall can arrive at any period over these months but is obviously more likely by October.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, and has a subtropical highland climate. The region enjoys a sunny climate, with the summer months characterised by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
