MADIKWE PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

MADIKWE PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Duration: 6 Days | 5 Nights

Days: 1-6 Madikwe Game Reserve

Countries: South Africa              

Camps: Jaci’s Safari Lodge

Type of Safari

Classic: Fully Inclusive Custom Itinerary for group size (2-8)

Departure Date: All year round

Summary:

Sitting on the border between Botswana and South Africa is a hidden gem of a photo safari destination. This brilliantly run reserve is home to the Big Five as well as one of our favourite camps in Southern Africa – Jacis! We love Jaci’s so much we built a hide there called The Terrapin!

When we build an itinerary incorporating Madikwe, we always opt for a private vehicle to be included. There is always the option of having a Pangolin Photo Host joining you, too! Madikwe tries to limit the number of vehicles on the reserve so you can often see 6 to 9 people on a game viewer, which is not ideal for a photo safari experience. With a private vehicle, you get more space and free reign about where you want to go and what subject matter you want to find and focus on.

Madikwe has a large population of lions and leopards, as well as megafaunas like elephants, buffalo, and giraffes. It is a Big 5 reserve. There are also regular sightings of rarer species, such as Brown Hyenas, wild Dogs, and some very relaxed Cheetahs! There are plenty of birds around (300+ species), with the numbers swelling during the months from November to March when the summer migrants are in residence.

Please note that any photo safari in Madikwe is fully customisable in terms of the number of days, time of year, and room choice, and the total price will reflect this. We suggest 5 nights would be the right amount of time to make the most of this amazing reserve. The information above is based on a 5-night stay.

Highlights of this safari:

• Game Drives
• Photo Hide
• Walking Safari

Safari Itinerary

Days: 1

GETTING TO MADIKWE

Madikwe is a privately run reserve located on the border between South Africa and Botswana. Driving from Johannesburg to Madikwe (either self-driving or in a chauffeured minibus) takes around 4 hours. If you choose to drive yourself, rest assured that the majority of the way is paved, with the last 45 minutes through the reserve itself! If you left Johannesburg in the morning (maybe after overnighting from your international flight), you would get to Madikwe in the early afternoon for your first game drive.

The faster alternative is to fly, and there are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport straight into the reserve, taking less than an hour. This is a little more expensive but very convenient, and the airstrip is a short drive in reserve to Jacis.

Days: 1-6

MADIKWE

While at Jacis, guests will do a morning and an afternoon game drive with time to relax back at the lodge in between. Having a private vehicle also allows for more flexibility in the timing and duration of these drives. If guests want one of the Nxai Photo Hosts to join you on this photo safari adventure, that is certainly possible. Please chat with one of our safari planners to see how this could work.

Back at the camp is the Terrapin Hide that Guts built in 2016, which sits in the middle of the waterhole behind Jacis Tree Lodge. Because the hide entrance is within the fence of the camp, it is accessible 24/7 with a stunning deck nearby to spend some time in the fresh air in between “visitors”. The hide is quite a feat of engineering and is accessed through a tunnel at the bank. In the hide, you are at water level and around 20ft from the drinking edge!

We tend to put our guests in Jacis Tree Lodge due to its proximity to the Terrapin hide, but if they are travelling in a small group of 4-6 people, we opt for one of the private suites at Safari Lodge. These suites have up to three double bedrooms and come with their own private vehicle. We have a special arrangement with Jacis to allow these suites to have access to the Terrapin hide, too.

Overnight at Jaci’s Safari Lodge (5 Nights)- Fully Inclusive

Day 6: End of Safari

On the final day in Madikwe, there is often time for one last morning drive and a bite to eat before heading off. Many of our guests like to incorporate Madikwe into the end of a Botswana safari, so in that case, guests may well be heading to OR Tambo for their international flight home.

If guests are on an extended photo safari itinerary, they will be pleased to hear that there is a charter flight from Madikwe straight to Sabi Sands should they wish to see and photograph another amazing South African photo safari destination.

We Love it here!

Included

Accommodation: As per itinerary Meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

• Meet and greet: OR Tambo International Airport
• Drinks: Selected local brand drinks
• Transfers: Scheduled air, road and boat transfers
• Activities: Game drives; Hide
• Entrance fees: National Park fees
• Guide: Registered guide per lodge/boat.
• Other language guides are subject to availability

Excluded

• Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary)
• Visas 
• Compulsory comprehensive insurance 
• All relevant entry and departure Government taxes 
• Travel, medical and personal accident insurance
• Gratuities 
• All personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc.) 
• Optional extra activities 
• Pre and post safari tours 
• All other travel arrangements pre or post the safari and any new Government taxes 
• Levies 
• Fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
• Excursions not detailed in the itinerary
• Private charters/transfers or specialized guides
• Premium brand drinks
• Porterage

Transport

Light aircraft ,4 x 4 safari vehicle,

Luggage: Soft sided duffel bag / 20kg maximum inclusive of hand luggage