Madikwe Game Reserve

One of the largest game reserves in South Africa, Madikwe Game Reserve was created in 1991 as an alliance between local communities, the private sector and North West Parks Board. Bordered to the north by Botswana (Gaborone is just 20 kms away) and the east by the Marico River this area was formerly degraded cattle farms. Intensive habitat rehabilitation, combined with Operation Phoenix, involving the relocation of some 8200 animals, resulted in a 75,000 hectare, Big Five, malaria free reserve.

A great conservation success Madikwe is home to all of the major species, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, both white and black rhino, wild dog and cheetah, along with almost all the plains antelope species. A special feature of Madikwe lies in its unique location, a transition zone on the edges of the Kalahari, where a number of rare species occur naturally. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded at Madikwe including many interesting raptors.

Within the Madikwe Game Reserve you will experience a true African safari adventure where you will be taken to the very heart of a pristine environment to witness the interaction of the many species, where nothing can live in isolation and where survival means not only life, but also death. The savage beauty of an African wilderness!