Madikwe Hills
Madikwe & MaratabaMadikwe Hills nestles in the centre of the 75 000ha, malaria free magnificence of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The ten extravagant, airy suits offer indulgent luxury that blends seamlessly into the timeless savannah plains of Madikwe. The suspended walkways allow you to hang in space and travel to a time where life was untrammelled by modern stresses – to a space where your soul can reconnect with the ancient African wilderness. Madikwe Hills is romance, privacy and rejuvenation.
Opulence suspended in the hills
Madikwe Hills is infused into a boulder-strewn hill that affords spectacular views of Africa in all directions. The central area deck floats out over the savannah while you recline under an umbrella, the rejuvenating hilltop breeze – scented by the grass on the plains – blowing life back into you. The shaded cool of the central pool offers respite from the heat on hot days and a charming shop stocks stylish safari couture, rare artefacts and books.
The central area library is brimming with excellent books about Africa, her wildlife and her people. If you are interested in anything to do with this magnificent continent you can satiate your curiosity while perusing the tomes and sipping a cocktail on the deck or lounging on a comfortable sofa. There is also free Wi-Fi for those who need to stay in touch with family and business.
The ten stunningly appointed suites offer grandeur and succour with complete privacy. The sumptuous lounge affords views of the wilderness. The generous private plunge pool suspended on a sprawling deck and fringed with blissful chaise longue is the ultimate in midday relaxation. The bathroom is cavernous with indoor and outdoor showers that also offer suspended views out over the marvels of Madikwe.
The honeymoon suite boasts an outdoor bath, cleverly secreted away in the boulders with views of the camp waterhole. The Madikwe Hills staff are exceptional at making the experience for newlyweds as romantic and private as possible.
Madikwe’s wild
Out on Game Drive, Madikwe Hills’s dedicated rangers will immerse you in this iconic reserve – the red-rock peaks where hyrax and klipspringer take refuge, the savannahs where the herds of antelope feed – alert to the dangers of Africa’s painted wolf – or the thicker woodland areas from which leopard and lion emerge to hunt at dusk.
If you are feeling more adventurous, discover some of the smaller creatures on foot in the midmorning – the singing birds and gorgeous flowers that you may have missed on game drive. A longer tracking experience in the morning offers a more tactile immersion into the wild.
Capturing the wild
The rangers at Madikwe Hills all take an active interest in photography. They are specially trained to help you take the best possible images of your once-in-a-lifetime safari experience. If you would like, you can book a private safari vehicle which allows you the space to tailor-make your activities – view the animals of your choice for as long as you want and explore anywhere on the reserve. The private vehicle option is an especially good idea for avid photographers who want to spend time perfecting their art.
African cordon bleu
The sophisticated and delicious Madikwe Hills menu is complimented by a superb collection of South African wines specially selected to compliment the meals and enthral wine connoisseurs and beginners alike. Breakfasts are served on the main deck or out in the bush in the shade of the acacia trees. Dinners are a spectacular experience under the stars – in the boma, next to the main deck fire or, if you like, in the privacy of your suite by the fire in winter or out on the deck in summer with Africa sprawled below you.
Travelling to Madikwe Hills
Travelling to 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 Madikwe Safari Lodge.