Madikwe, South Africa - Safari Parks & African Wildlife

SOUTH AFRICA - MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
In depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds and wildlife habitats of Madikwe in South Africa

To request a private safari tour of Madikwe in South Africa, click here >>>

Resources for planning a South African safari:

South Africa Safari Lodges | Recommended Madikwe Lodges
South Africa Self Drive Safaris | South Africa Vehicle Hire

This reserve created in 1991, sits right on the South Africa-Botswana border in a malaria-free area. In the largest movement of animals since Noah filled his arc, the 30,352 acre (75,000 ha) reserve was stocked with 10,000 head of game from 27 different species. The park's very existence contributes to the preservation of local fauna and flora and rare animals such as rhino and wild dog, and also provides a more sustainable environment for the local people.

ANIMALS & BIRDS

Not only does this reserve boast the 'Big Five' but it also has the 'Super 7'! This adds cheetah and wild dog to the traditional five; leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Plus brown hyena, sable, eland, gemsbok, giraffe and large herds of plains game and plenty of birds.

Wild dogs are a speciality of the area and due to their rarity and fascinating behaviour, are a wonderful sight. They are also known as Cape hunting dogs or painted dogs because of their tricoloured (black, white and tan) abstract coat. Wild Dogs are Africa's most formidable hunters (followed by hyena and lion), and the essence of their successful social system is co-operative hunting and food sharing. Not only do they regurgitate food for the young but the babysitter gets fed too. They travel great distances while hunting and as a result often traverse farmland where they were almost shot to extinction. Luckily they are thriving in Madikwe.

SEASONS

Rainy Season: it rains from October to April with the highest rainfall expected between November and February. Daytime temperatures are hot and humid with an average of 88°F (31°C).
Dry Season: the winter months of May to September are dry and cold with evening temperatures as low as 35.5°F (2°C) and only 72°F (22°C) in the daytime.

MADIKWE GAME RESERVE SPECIALITIES

· 'Super 7' big game animals
· Rare and endangered wild dog
· Few other tourist around
· Small number of select lodges

FACTS

Madikwe is 3½-4 hour's drive from Johannesburg or 45 minutes by aircraft.
This is not a malarial area.

Follow the links below to South Africa's premier wildlife regions and game reserves.


Addo Reserve	Blyde River Canyon	Cape Peninsula National Park	Cedarberg Wilderness	Drakensberg	Hluhluwe and Umfolozi	Kalahari	Knysna National Lakes


Kruger National Park	Kruger Region Private Parks	Madikwe Game Reserve	Maputaland Reserve	Mkuze Game Reserve	Namaqualand	Ndumo and Tembe	Phinda Private Game Reserve


Pilanesberg National Park	Rocktail Bay	St Lucia Wetlands	Tsitsikama National Park	Welgevonden Waterberg	West Coast National Park	Wild Coast and Transkei

PRIVATE SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE MADIKWE REGION

Our Preferred African Travel Partner

Home | Game Reserve Index | Wildlife Checklist | Bird Checklist