Madikwe Safari Lodge, South Africa

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Overview

Set in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve
Collection of 3 small camps ensuring an intimate safari experience
Lelapa is the family friendly lodge
Well-trained guides offer knowledgeable and informative game drives

Madikwe Safari Lodge is set on a gentle slope nestled between two rolling hills, in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve with its vast bushveld vistas. The lodge overlooks these game-filled plains with the Dwarsberg hills acting as a backdrop and the Marico River in the foreground.

The Madikwe Game Reserve is renowned for its exceptional Big Five game viewing in the open savanna plains dotted with rocky koppies. Morning and afternoon game drives are on offer at Madikwe Safari Lodge, along with interpretative bush walks accompanied by professional rangers.

The three lodges

Lelapa is ideal for a group of friends or family. Whilst Dithaba and Kopano Lodge is more for couples and honeymooners who are looking for a quieter more romantic bush experience. However they all offer the same standards and all the rooms are equipped to the same high standard. The public areas at each lodge offer lots of shaded outdoor seating on expansive covered decks. Pleasant book-filled shelves in quiet corners complete the guest experience.

Lelapa (12 suites) - means "family" and it is designed with family safari time in mind. It is the largest of the three lodges and offers a kids'menu of safari activities to keep the youngsters entertained and the parents relaxed. The Eco-House acts as the kids den to hang out in between game drives. This is also the only lodge to have a large communal pool as well as the private plunge pools.

Kopano (4 suites) - means "small gathering" and is designed with couples in mind. (No kids under 16 here). 4 suites share a magnificent common area.

Dithaba (4 suites) - lies a little away and is ideal for either couples or perhaps a group of family or friends. It is ideal for those who prefer the sound of nature and little else.

Madikwe Safari Lodge also specializes in home-cooked pizzas for informal lunches as a change to the usual African safari cuisine. The outdoor boma at night offers evocative starlit dinners.

Accommodation

Each 100-110 sqm suite at Madikwe Safari Lodge is decorated in earthy safari tones. All offer a comfortable sitting area, romantic circular fireplace in the bedroom and spacious dressing area. The beautiful en suite bathroom has a large bath, twin basins and indoor and outdoor showers. Woven copper screens add intriguing detail. French doors open onto a wooden deck leading to an inviting private plunge pool. Each has air-conditioning and ceiling fans for the summer and a wood-burning fireplace for the winter nights. Other facilities include a mini-bar, safe, telephone, hairdryer and deluxe amenities.

Family safaris at Madikwe - Lelapa Camp

Familiies are a big deal at Madikwe Lelapa Camp. Kids from 6 years upwards can join their parents on the adult game drives but they also offer special shorter kids game drives for 2-5 year olds, usually after breakfast. Meal times bring you around the dining table/boma fire/picnic basket or perhaps even breakfast in the bush. Picky eaters are well-catered for. The focus is on delicious healthy eating. But there are treats thrown in. Tuck into burgers during an outdoor movie, cosy up to toast marshmallows on the fire, or enjoy a hot chocolate in bed.

There's a Mack & Madi kids club at Madikwe Safari Lodge with a tailor-made programme of activities between game drives. These include learning about bush orientation skills, bug "CSI", tracking animals by looking at spore and dung. Other activities include baking in the kitchen with the chef, making pizzas in the boma, star gazing so that your kids can recognise some of the constellations, as well as indoor games and puzzles.

There are two family rooms at Lelapa Camp which have a second bedroom with bunk beds as well as a sleeper couch. These are fully kitted out for kids with natural bath products, kids gowns, toys & games, hot chocolate mugs by the bed and storybooks on their pillows. But one kid can also share in their parents room. Plus Dithaba Camp has only 4 suites and can accommodate children - if taken on an exclusive use basis. It has space for 8 adults and 2 extra beds for children.

In Pictures

Madikwe Safari Lodge on the map

Rooms

Lelapa Lodge

Lelapa literally means ‘family’, and this is exactly how we want you to feel - there is no restriction in terms of age or generation. Many of us have kids of our own, so we know and understand what an unforgettable experience it is for children to be in the bush. We have taken a lot of time to design a kids’ menu of activities, which will keep juniors entertained, and parents relaxed. The recent addition of a communal pool will no doubt provide hours of enjoyment and simple relaxation, best spent in the company of family and new-found friends.
Each of the 12 Suites is spacious, comfortable and ever respectful of the natural environment beyond. Indoor and outdoor showers, private plunge pool and wood-burning fireplace are just some of the added creature comforts to enhance Mother Nature’s subtle signature.
Each Suite is approximately 100 m2/1080 ft2, and has a double bed (convertible to twins), air-conditioning, ceiling fan, bathroom en-suite, safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.
Two rooms are Family Suites, and have a second bedroom with children’s bunk beds, and sleeper couch.

Kopano Lodge

Kopano directly translated means ‘small gathering’. The Lodge comprises just 4 Suites (each with private plunge pool) which share a magnificent common area. Fine dining to the hoot of an owl, the roar of a lion or the crazed whoop of a hyena is the stuff that dreams are made of. Note, children of 16 and older are welcome.
Each Suite is approximately 100 m2/1080 ft2, and has a double bed (convertible to twins), air-conditioning, fireplace, ceiling fan, bathroom en-suite, outdoor shower, safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.

Dithaba Lodge

With only 4 Suites (each with private plunge pool), this Lodge is well suited to a group of friends or family members making it their own while on safari. Or for those who simply prefer the sound of nature and little else.
Each Suite is approximately 110 m2/1180 ft2 and has a double bed (convertible to twins), private plunge pool, air-conditioning, fireplace, ceiling fan, bathroom en-suite, outdoor shower, safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.

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