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Top 10 Facts about Madikwe Game Reserve

The Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s protected areas. It is part of South Africa’s latest park developments. The Madikwe Game Reserve lies on the Madikwe or Marico River basin and is named after this river. Comprising 750 kilometres squared of bushland, this game reserve lies north of the small town Groot-Marico to the Botswana border.

It lies 90 km north of Zeerust. The area was previously a far land but the poor soil quality rendered farming ineffective. The South African government carried out extensive research on the area. To economically uplift the area, the government opted to use the land as a provincial park.

Recently, this game reserve opened itself up to private farms outside the main reserve. The private users are required to abide by rules established by the park board. There are restrictions on the areas the private vehicles can access. The animals can however roam freely in any area. In this game reserve, there are 30 lodges. Six lodges can be found on the private farms outside the main reserve.

The reserve is home to several lodges including Mosetlha Bush Camp, an eco-lodge as well as Rhulani Safari Lodge and Etali Safari Lodge. There are several community lodges created by Madikwe Game Reserve. Operated and owned by the local villages, profits from the operations are used to improve the communities.

Below are ten interesting facts about Madikwe Game Reserve.

1. There are more than 10,000 animals in the reserve with over 60 different species

Wild dogs in Madikwe Game Reserve. Photo by Marlin Clark on

In 1992, an initiative known as Operation Phoenix began relocating wildlife into the game reserve. The wildlife brought in included buffaloes elephants, antelopes and black and white rhinos.

There was also the introduction of predators such as wild dogs, hyenas, cheetahs and lions. With more than 60 different species available in the reserve, this brings the number of wildlife to more than 10,000.

2. Madikwe Game Reserve is considered one of the better conservation areas in Africa

Cheetah in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Photo by flowcomm/

Although it’s not so widely known, Madikwe is South Africa’s fifth largest game reserve. When combined with the privately owned land, its 750 square kilometres. On its own, Madikwe is 680 square kilometres. It is considered one of Africa’s better conservation areas.

3. There are more than 350 bird species in the game reserve

Lilac-breasted roller in Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Photo by Ian Mackey on

The Madikwe reserve lies in a distinctive location. The bushveld, the species that naturally occur and the transition zone on the edge of the Kalahari all add to its uniqueness. There are over 350 recorded bird species at the game reserve. Opening up the corridor between the Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserve will increase the size of this conservation area considerably.

4. The game reserve is named after the river basin in which it lies

A river in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Photo by Guest9999/

The Madikwe game reserve gets its name from the Madikwe or Marico River. This is the river basin where the game reserve is situated.

5. This game reserve is dominated by two landmarks

The Madikwe reserve is dominated by two natural landmarks. At a height of 1,163 metres above sea level, Rant van Tweedepoort stands in the North West Province. This range of hills lies on one side and Dwarsberg Mountain lies on the other side.

Also known as thirst mountain, the Dwarsberg mountain run from east to west and are Madikwe’s southern boundary. Over the centuries, Dwarsbe Mountain has been severely eroded. Standing at about 1,228 metres, the Branwacht is the highest point.

6. This game reserve is located in a dry climatic region

A lion cub. Photo by Guest9999/

The dry climatic region and the high altitude mean the Madikwe Game Reserve is a malaria-free zone. This is a big plus for the area. The altitude is not conducive for the Anopheles mosquito which transmits malaria.

By being a malaria-free region, the Madikwe Game Reserve is a fantastic destination for families. Those travelling with children or pregnant ladies are not allowed to take anti-malaria tablets.

7. The small rocks at the game reserve are some of its striking features

Steenbok in open veld at Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa. Photo by Derek Keats/

Over billions of years, the erosion that took place in the area helped form the Madikwe Game Reserve. The reserve lies near the Pilanesberg Game Reserve in the basin of an extinct non-erupting volcano.

An undulating plateau lies in the northern section of the Madikwe Game Reserve. This plateau is covered in dense bushveld vegetation. There are also several monadnocks or inselbergs dotting the savannah grasslands. These inselbergs or small rock hills that slope over the surrounding plains are one of the reserve’s striking features.

8. The Game Reserve was formed as part of a three-way partnership

A three-way partnership between the state, the local community and the private sector helped form the Madikwe Game Reserve. When the South African government, previously known as Bophuthatswana, collaborated with the two partners, they had a goal in mind.

The goal was to create an ecologically-sustainable eco-tourism economic initiative. This initiative was created to help improve the lives of the local people in the area. All three partners benefit from the economic activity.

The government collects a levy paid by each private establishment. Part of the money goes toward conservation programmes and administration. Some of the funds collected support the local communities. The private sector’s role is in the development and management of tourism and hospitality activities in the reserve.

9. The removal of internal fences creates a conservation area of 300,000 hectares

Zebras in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa. Photo by Bernard Dupont/

The removal of the internal fences creates the Madikwe-Pilanesberg conservation. This combination creates an area of about 300 000 hectares (3 000 square kilometres).

10. The winter months are the best time to visit this game reserve

The winter months of April to August are said to be the best time to visit Madikwe Game Reserve. It’s not too hot and the temperature is warm and sunny. It stops raining towards the end of March and the bushveld is dry and less dense by mid-winter. This makes it a fantastic time to enjoy the game drive safaris.

During summer, the temperature is high which can make it a little uncomfortable, especially for international guests. Apart from seeing the young animals in summer, you will also enjoy bird watching.