Established in 1991, the malaria-free private game reserve of Madikwe is one of South Africa’s largest and is also arguably one of the best kept secrets in the country; the red earth of the Kalahari, dramatic escarpments and the vast open plains evoking a distinctly African feel and an alternative to the more obvious choice of Kruger National Park for your South African safari.

 

The land where Madikwe now stands was previously used as farming land. The poor soil meant that farming was mostly unsuccessful and the South African government then decided that it would best be used as a national park to help economically uplift the disadvantaged area.

 

In 1991 the area was declared a reserve and 10,000 mammals were relocated from other National Parks. The park is home to roughly 66 large mammals and roughly 300 bird species. You will find all this flora and fauna in an area comprised of vast open plains of grasslands, woodlands, rocky outcrops and single mountains. The Big 5 is represented in the park and you are likely to spot a lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and maybe even the elusive leopard. You will also have privilege to possibly see cheetah and the rare and  highly endangered African Wild Dog.

 

Good game viewing is available all year as the park is a single unit conservation area (there is no migration). The rainy season is between October and April in the wet summer months. Winter can provide pleasant game viewing as animals concentrate around waterholes and vegetation thins out.