Madikwe Safari Lodge

We just spent three nights in Lelapa lodge with our two children aged 15 and 12. The experience was exceptional from start to finish. We were met off our Federal Air flight at Madikwe East airstrip by our guide Mitchell who had cold and personalised water bottles waiting for us. In the drive back to the lodge (10 minutes) we saw a warthog family. We were greeted on arrival with hot chocolate and a hearty breakfast was served, my husband particularly liked the huntsman potatoes. After lunch, we went on our first game drive. We were lucky to be accompanied by a second apprentice guide Dan. Both Mitchell and Dan made the experience what it was for us- totally unique and unforgettable. Mitchell has more knowledge about everything bush related than a specialised encyclopaedia and he bleeds enthusiasm for children and adults alike. Over the next six game drives we saw rhino, lions, elephants, impala, baboons, hyena (brown and spotted), zebra, warthogs crocodile, kudu, jackals, cheetah and lots of amazing birds including hornbill. Each game drive was different with a stop in the morning for coffee (with a little extra!) and in the evening for sundowners- we had G&T’s! Sunrise and sunset were just magical- straight out of a movie. We learnt about trees and plants and even had a touch of southern hemisphere stargazing, which the kids really loved. Food was all excellent and all diets were catered for. Particularly special was the boma meal on our last night when Mitchell and Dan joined us for dinner cooked on BBQ in front of the fire. We loved getting to know our guides as people and sharing stories. When it was time to go Mitchell drove us back to the airstrip and as we took off he was standing at the end of the runway waving us farewell- I am not going to lie that I was crying. A huge thank you to Bally and Rosina who serviced our room twice a day and made it so homely and special with hot water bottles hidden in our beds at night, to Hennie who checked in with us daily and most importantly to Mitchell and Dan who just made the experience exceed all our expectations! We miss you all x Read less

My family and I had the most incredible time at Madikwe Safari Lodge. The staff, service, food and facilities were all incredible and super accommodating for children. Our game driver was very knowledgeable and easy going and allowed us to enjoy our game drives with flexibility around our children. The food was delicious at the lodge, all meals were catered fully Halal for us and everything was excellent. Our rooms were stunning, the best surprise getting a hot water bottle in your bed at night, as well as your fireplace blazing in your room. All the staff made us feel really welcome and learnt our names and our kids names too, which we thought was a great touch. Thank you again, we will definitely be back. Read less

Madikwe safari lodge. We have just completed a week’s stay at Madikwe safari lodge and wow what can I say! This was a holiday of a lifetime booked after having recently been given the all clear after 2 years of cancer treatment. We booked on a last minute whim as a safari was on the whole families bucket list. We could not have chosen better! From the moment we arrived being greeted by the attentive and smiley staff ,we felt at home. Nothing was too big an ask, the lodges and main lodge are stunning. Our rooms were spotless and had lovely little touches like African fables left on the bed each night to share from oisile and Rosina. Our youngest was left a gift bag which contained an animal guide and check book which he absolutely loved. As a family we are quite split in our food habits the males love trying things and said the food was incredible, us girls are a little more picky but it didn’t matter we where catered for and had something every night we enjoyed. The madikwe staff at food times are another level. Remembering what you like to drink, your favourite spot to sit and accommodating beyond belief. Every night after being treated to our amazing food, the lovely guide who showed us to our room would say welcome home and good night. This was something my son commented on, that he loved how he said welcome home as it really did feel like home. During the day between game drives we have loved relaxing at the main pool, watching the animals come and drink from the water hole opposite. This really was a highlight with there being a range of animals but a favourite moment being 13 elephants coming to drink with their new one day old baby. The fantastic lady at the pool seemed to know exactly when we got to hot or needed refreshments and would appear with the biggest smile. That leads me on to the main event, the safaris drives. Absolutely incredible, what a place, what majestic animals. Every single drive was fantastic with so much to see not just the big animal which we saw them all, but the bird, insects and habitat. Our guide Mitch was possibly the most knowledgeable person ever. He taught us all so much. My son a keen questioner, did exactly that and Mitch answered all of them in depth but at the right level for my two children. The children found the whole trip fascinating. My daughter a teenage has decided to go back to school and use madikwe and safari as her topic for her exam at school. Inspiring a teenage is no easy feat. Mitch’s skill set for animal spotting and identifying tracks was crazy and something we all found fascinating. Something we all appreciated about madikwe is the ethics, the animals are respected and the guides work hard to make sure that there happiness and our safety is key. Mitch never failed to amaze us one point spotting a ghekko from 20 feet, in the dark. Another mention is the star gazing wow! we sat in the middle of madikwe reserve in silence watching the most incredible night sky, unlike anything we had ever seen before.I honestly can’t rate madikwe enough. It’s a holiday of a lifetime and I would encourage everyone to try it. Read less