The Royal Madikwe joins Andrea Hugo Associates' Portfolio

The Royal Madikwe is an intimate luxury safari lodge situated in the western section of the Madikwe Game Reserve, accommodating a maximum of 20 guests in 5 beautifully appointed suites and the new 3 bedroom Sovereign House. All suites boast spacious interiors, organic textures and beautiful views provide Royal Madikwe guests the opportunity to lose themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the African Bush.

Situated just an hour's flight or 4.5 hour drive from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, The Royal Madikwe offers an unforgettable luxury safari experience for families, groups of friends, or couples who seek encounters of Southern Africa's famous Big Five as well as the endangered Wild dogs and Cheetah .

The stylish lounge, dining room, and library within the Royal Clubhouse lead to elevated decks and sweeping views of the African bush. A tranquil infinity pool gives way to a vivid green palette of lush surroundings which blend in with the lodge's rustic charm. There is a consistent abundance of wildlife encounters, both on safari and right in front of the lodge at the private waterhole around which the lodge is enveloped.

The Royal Villa

This luxurious 2 bedroom family villa offers exclusivity and privacy, perfectly suited to families with 2 - 3 children. It features a Master Bedroom with four poster bed; en-suite bathroom with both indoor & outdoor rain showers and a large bathtub; dining area and kitchenette, second bedroom features twin beds and a large en-suite bathroom with indoor rain shower and bathtub. The Library and TV lounge located on the second level gives way to another viewing deck with a private plunge pool and perfect waterhole views. When booking the Royal Villa in conjunction with another Suite a private vehicle for game drives will be included as an added luxury ensuring intimate family safari experiences as well as the flexibility sometimes required with younger children.

The Lenyalo Suite

Situated directly across from the busiest waterhole in Madikwe, the freestanding Honeymoon Suite offers spectacular views of the waterhole from the privacy of the elevated sun deck. The Honeymoon Suite boasts a four poster bed draped in luxurious percale linen; en-suite bathroom with indoor & outdoor rain showers and a large bathtub; a cozy indoor wood fire place and comfortable outdoor seating with private plunge pool.

The Emperor Suite

This family suite consists of two bedrooms and is located on the second level of the Clubhouse. The Master Bedroom features a extra length king size bed; en-suite bathroom with an open air rain shower and a large bathtub; sunken lounge; additional bathroom equipped with a rain shower; and a children's room fitted with bunk beds. The suite's adjacent lounge and beautifully appointed private dining space is perfectly suited for couples in search of a lavish and spacious suite, or for families with 2 younger children.

The Korone Suite

Where contemporary style meets African elegance, the one bedroom suite offers the perfect space for friends, older children or couples to rejuvenate and relax in anticipation of their safari adventure. This suite features two extra length ¾ beds (which can be converted to a double); en-suite bathroom with indoor & outdoor rain showers and a large bathtub; a cozy indoor wood fire place and comfortable outdoor seating with private plunge pool. This suite can comfortably be converted into a double for couples.

The Naledi Suite

With breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness and mountains, the Luxury Double Suite offers privacy, tranquility and luxury to couples in search of a delightful retreat. It features a King size four poster bed; en-suite bathroom with indoor & outdoor showers and a large bathtub; a cozy indoor wood fire place and comfortable outdoor seating with private plunge pool. This suite can be booked in conjunction with The Sovereign House to create an exclusive family experience.

The Sovereign House - Exclusive to just six guests, boasting 3 spacious bedrooms with dreamy vistas and beautifully appointed en-suite bathrooms incorporating innate textures and subtle hues. Private viewing deck, Boma, plunge pool, and large open living areas create the perfect convergence for family fun with a cultured homely ambiance, while the loft style slow lounge provides solace for the younger generation. A selection of award winning wines find refuge in a sophisticated glass cellar adjacent to the modern kitchen, which looks out over the vast landscapes, giving the Sovereign House the ability to flaunt its appeal to all generations.

The Royal Madikwe - Sovereign House Video

As one of the largest game reserves in South Africa, travelers will find that Madikwe Game Reserve boasts a diverse variety of wildlife. The Big Five, (Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion and Leopard) are all present in Madikwe Game Reserve, as well as many species of birds, antelope and other mammals; including the endangered African Wild Dogs and Cheetah.

Heralded as the boutique reserve in South Africa, Madikwe Game Reserve is a landmark in modern conservation and community development, now the setting for Africa's biggest translocation of wild game. More than 8,000 animals of 28 species were released into the reserve, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, African Wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra and many species of antelope and herbivores. Leopard already occurred naturally in the reserve and about 250 species of birds have been recorded in Madikwe.

The game reserve is perfect for first-time visitors as well as seasoned travelers. Avid photographers will find that Madikwe is a wonderful photographic safari destination as the game reserve's vast landscapes offer a scenic setting for wildlife photography. As Madikwe is a malaria-free game reserve, guests will be able to enjoy an outstanding safari experience without having to take extra medication.

Twice daily game drives are included in the nightly rate. Royal Madikwe's experienced guides go out of their way to find the most special sightings to ensure guests have an incredible safari experience.

Guests can also enjoy the thrill and adventure of a bush walk with Royal Madikwe's highly qualified and experienced guides. Following in the footsteps of the animals allows you the opportunity to learn more about the smaller creatures as well as the flora that make up this unique wildlife reserve in Southern Africa.

The optional activities below add a very special touch to an already magical experience. It is recommended to pre-book in order to avoid disappointment. Please enquire with reservations for a personalized quote on the below activities:

Zulu Dance Performance
African Drumming Lessons
Local Village Tour / Gaborone, Botswana Historical Tour
Marimba Band - Champagne Breakfast Celebration
Star Gazing Experience comprised of a presentation and viewing through a GPRS Telescope
Massage Treatments
Bush Walks

The Royal Madikwe's vision is to make a worthwhile difference in luxury eco-tourism, with an emphasis on health and education. Twenty percent of all profits generated through Royal Madikwe are re-invested into local community projects, inviting our guests to make a worthwhile difference, by simply having a superb holiday. Thus, an economic vehicle is created for the greater purpose of making a real difference as we reinvest into local community projects.

The Royal Madikwe team is passionately committed to responsible tourism practices and strive to combine tourism, environmental management and local economic development.