Madikwe Hills – Little Madikwe
Madikwe & MaratabaLittle Madikwe Private Villa is the ultimate in bespoke private family safari. The luxury yet homely atmosphere of the villa allows families to rediscover each other free of the trappings and stresses of modern life but with all the creature comforts. The exclusive butler, chef, child minder and ranger are all specialists in catering to the needs of the modern family. Madikwe Game Reserve is a malaria free wonderland of wilderness discovery that will enthral adults and children alike.
The private villa
Little Madikwe Hills is a secluded villa with two lavish en-suite bedrooms, a spacious and inviting lounge, a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and an opulent dining room. Guests to the villa will be treated by a private butler who will cater to any possible family need. Up to five people can sleep in this magnificent home.
The front of the villa – bedrooms, lounge, dining room and bathrooms – is walled with concertina glass doors making your stay completely integrated into the wild. In the summer, the breeze cools the rooms as you rest with the panoramic theatre of Africa splayed out in front of you. In the winter, you can watch the drama on the plains from the comfort of a sofa in front of a log fire.
When parents want time to rest, sip a cocktail or go for a walk, there is a highly-skilled child minder on hand to entertain the kids with nature activities and games. Satellite television and a fully stocked DVD library are available for children while parents dine the on the delectable and sophisticated Madikwe Hills cuisine under the roof of the Milky Way.
Business or social groups wanting to meet for brain storming will find Little Madikwe Hills perfectly suited to their needs – especially when combined with suites 9 and 10 at Madikwe Hills. This eight guest option makes for an excellent private camp with subtle changes made to the main area in order to facilitate meetings and small conferences. The isolation of the wild is an excellent inspiration for ideas.
Gourmet African cuisine
The superbly equipped gourmet kitchen and private chef allow for unparalleled culinary choice. If the standard menu is not to your liking, you can change it to taste. When not exploring the wilderness, your children can spend time with the masterful chef learning to cook African cuisine or just helping with the baking.
Madikwe Hills boasts a cellar with a superb collection of South Africa’s premier wines. Your butler and chef will help you to pair the best wines with your bespoke meal.
Private family rejuvenation in the wild
Madikwe Game Reserve is 75 000ha of semi-arid wilderness on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Despite the apparent dryness, the astonishing diversity of vegetation and topography supports an abundance of fascinating game species. You will have you own private ranger and vehicle at Little Madikwe Hills which means you and your family can explore any part of the Madikwe wilderness you choose. You can look for whichever Madikwe creature fascinates you the most. Your ranger will have an intimate knowledge of how to showcase the best the reserve has to offer you and your family.
Game drives and walks can be tailor made to suit the younger members of the family for whom shorter drives and midday activities might be more fun. You might spend the morning looking for a pack of wild dogs out on the plains; the middle of the day could be occupied with discovering the small creatures of Africa – tortoises, insects, birds – or learning about the ancient art of tracking; in the evenings you might follow a pride of lions in the shadows of the rocky peaks or search for a leopard stalking through the thickets.
Travelling to Little Madikwe Hills
Travelling to Little Madikwe Hills is easy. For the adventurous it is a scenic 4.5 hour drive from Johannesburg OR Tambo International airport (ORT). There is some gravel road driving but nothing requiring a 4 X 4. If you do not want to drive yourself but prefer the road option, Iconic Africa will arrange a road transfer with one of our trusted partner companies.
Iconic Africa recommends the 40 minute flight on a Federal Air flight from ORT. This relaxing and intimate experience offers and ‘Out of Africa’ feel in the safety and comfort of a modern aircraft. Federal Air offers a daily flight from ORT to the Madikwe airstrip. From there, there is a scenic transfer to Little Madikwe Hills.
What else
Iconic Africa enjoys an excellent relationship with Seasons in Africa – your hosts at Little Madikwe Hills. Our specialist consultants have complete access to fantastic rates and availability. Ideally a trip to Little Madikwe combines beautifully with a trip to enchanting Cape Town – one of the world’s most remarkable cities and, especially if you are travelling with the family, Iconic Africa recommends the natural wonder that is Victoria Falls.
