Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Madikwe Safari Lodge

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The takeaway

Choose among a sociable family camp, quieter adults-only retreats or a private villa—all within a malaria-free Big Five reserve.

About the hotel

On Madikwe Game Reserve’s eastern side in South Africa’s North West Province, this safari lodge brings together three camps—Lelapa, Kopano and Dithaba—and the private Elela Villa. The setting is a malaria-free Big Five reserve on the Botswana border, with bushveld views and wildlife-watching between game drives. Each camp has a distinct character, from Lelapa’s family-friendly shared spaces to Dithaba’s hillside seclusion; Elela offers a private base for families or groups.

Choose it if

You want a malaria-free Big Five safari and a choice between distinct camp atmospheres.
You’re travelling with children and want an all-ages camp option at Lelapa.
You want a private-use villa with three suites, a dedicated team and vehicle.

Skip it if

You want a beach, city or walkable town break; this is a remote game-reserve stay reached by road or a flight to the reserve airstrip.

The property

In photographs.

Guest discussion

What real people are saying.

Reddit excerpts · separate from Rex’s editorial judgment

Guests point to practical drawbacks: one recalls poor WiFi, while a guest at Dithaba Camp found the rooms small. That guest also felt there was little room to relax beyond the bed and a couple of chairs.

Discussion is limited; these accounts offer a glimpse rather than a broad verdict.

“I do remember the lodge had terrible WiFi and for my 15 year old self, that was TORTURE.”

r/femalefashionadvice ↗

“We thought that Madikwe Safari Lodge, specifically Dithaba Camp, had small rooms and no space to relax besides the bed and a couple chairs.”

r/FATSafari ↗

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