Madikwe Safari Lodge

We had an incredible stay at Madikwe Safari Lodge and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From start to finish, everything was smooth, comfortable, and well-organized - and we been to many safaris! Our ranger, Regar, was a huge highlight of the trip. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to spot wildlife made every game drive exciting. He clearly loves what he does, and his passion made the experience even more special. We saw so much wildlife, but what stood out was how he explained everything in a way that made us appreciate every detail. The staff at the lodge were fantastic, especially Jonathan, who was always friendly and helpful. He made sure we had everything we needed and always checked in to see if we were comfortable. His service really stood out and made us feel welcome from day one. A big thank you to Natalie and Emery as well, who handled all the logistics perfectly. Everything ran so smoothly, from our arrival to our departure, and they were always available if we needed anything. The lodge itself is beautiful, the food was great, and the overall atmosphere was relaxed yet luxurious. If you’re looking for a safari experience with great service, knowledgeable guides, and a beautiful setting, I’d now always recommend Madikwe Safari Lodge. 6/5 stars.

What stained my holiday was how much they stressed me at the Kopano lodge where I took an all inclusive safari in late August '24. I got upset because on-site management relented on quoted price, and previously agreed upon service. The quoted price for the safari was inclusive of room, food, game drives, park entry, transfers etc... and associated taxes. However at payment time, Kopano sprung on us a VAT tax of about R14000. Why wasn't it spelled out earlier as a non-included item? Rather strange, since at Bakubung Lodge where we also holidayed, the quoted price had held firm. Stress also arose from having uncooked food and outdoor dining relentlessly pushed on us despite a pre-vacation in writing agreement that all our meals be cooked and served in the lodge dining room at least at insect biting time. Being "encouraged" again and again by Kopano to eat on the outdoor terrace and what was put on our plate, we got STRESS, not relaxation. By the way, meals were individually prepared for the six to eight guests. In the room, the following was no good: - The room lacked adequate lighting for pre-dawn and after dark. - The only sitting in the room is a CONCRETE sofa with a scatter of soft cushions. - The table cloths indoor and outdoor dragged on the floor ......OUCH! - The room filled with smoke coming down the chimney when it was windy, because the fireplace was not closed. To summarize, I had a much better time at the Bakubung safari lodge in Pilanesburg although the game rides there had been of an uneven quality.... but at a quarter of the price! Mainly, it was because of the bait and switch experienced at Kopano.

What an amazing first safari experience here at Madikwe. Our brilliant guide Nel made sure we saw so many incredible animals and sightings. The lodge itself is beautiful and the rooms with the private plunge pool were just spectacular. We can’t wait to return one day!