The 75 000ha Madikwe Game Reserve lies in the extreme northwest corner of South Africa’s North West province, abutting the Botswana border close to the Kalahari Desert. A mere three-and-a-half-hour drive from Johannesburg or a quick charter flight from Johannesburg Airport gets you there.
Each of the two lodges offers 8 bedrooms only, so you will always enjoy a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. At Jaci’e Tree Lodge, perched high up in the trees, you can relax in one of eight expansive treehouses (six king and two twin rooms) overlooking the Marico River. Made from rosewood and thatch, each “tree house” blends seamlessly into the surrounding canopy, affording fantastic bird watching. Each room includes a king-sized bed, stone bath, and outdoor shower from which you can enjoy the vista.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, fans and underfloor heating, to ensure your comfort at any time of year.
Decorated in bright reds and greens and complemented by modern African elements, each room also has a large balcony, an ideal spot from which to watch the resident mongoos families play on the riverbanks.
Enjoy sundowners in the main lodge while listening to the sounds of the bush, or curl up with a good book by the fireplace. The large dining area in the main lodge is where guests can eat their fill of breakfast, lunch or high tea.
For those looking for a more down-to-earth experience, Jaci’s Safari Lodge offers guests a tranquil space in which to unwind and interact with some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife. From your balcony – or even from your bed – you can see wildlife come down to the stream to drink.
Each of the eight tent-style rooms (two king and six twin rooms), with their outdoor-indoor ambiance and earthy African tones, have been decorated and designed with your comfort in mind. From a bed that inspires afternoon naps to the expansive stone baths and luxurious bath robes, the attention to detail at Jaci’s guarantees maximum relaxation. For chilly evenings the main lounge has both a large fireplace where you can pull up a chair and warm yourself, and a circular fire pit, around which friends and family gather to enjoy good conversation.
All rooms are equipped with underfloor heating and fireplaces to ensure that you are comfortable during the chilly winter months, and air conditioning and a ceiling fan to keep you cool during sunburnt summer days.
With thatch roofs, low stone walls and canvas panels that roll up, the lodges really let the outside in, making for a unique African bushveld experience from the luxury of your room.
Jaci’s Safari Lodge has two exclusive family suites: the Nare Suite, which accommodates up to six guests, and the Safari Suite, which accommodates up to eight guests. Both exclusive suites feature a plunge pool and come with a private guide and game drive vehicle.
Apart from their unique surroundings and comfortable, well-appointed accommodation, twice-daily game drives into the Madikwe Game Reserve are the main draw card at Jaci’s Lodges.
Attractive as the lodges and facilities are, the real attraction at Jaci’s is the Wildlife. Game drivestake place when the likelihood of sightings is at its highest – early morning and late afternoon. Winters are dry and evening temperatures may drop to 0°C, while the wet summers are characterized by daily highs of up to 38°C. Game drives take into account these shifts in temperature, to ensure that guests are in no discomfort while out on a drive. An extraordinary diversity of Africa’s wildlife can be found in the Madikwe Reserve, and an amazing game-viewing experience is assured.
The experience at Jaci’s reflects its creators – a warm welcome, creativity, and attention to detail.
Full Board Accommodation from R 4495 and up, per person per night, depending on suite and season. There are special prices for children sharing with parents. Full board accommodation includes room, high tea, dinner and brunch and two game activities per day. The following are excluded: all drinks, laundry, curio purchases, office services, gratuities, game reserve entrance fees, etc.