An Ultra-Exclusive Private, Luxurious Game Lodge

Web Ref #: 342
Price: From R 8000 to R 24750 pp, fully inclusive
Location: Madikwe Game Reserve

Situated 400 km's north-west of Johannesburg in the Northwest Province of South Africa borders Botswana. The lodge offers breathtaking views of an expansive valley and the Dwarsberg Mountains, as well as of an abundance of game.

 

Catering to the well-heeled, discerning traveller in search of absolute privacy, relaxation and a genuine connection to their local surrounding, the lodge is anything but a typical safari camp.

 

Guests who have experienced much and expect the very best will find in the lodge a retreat without pretence - one whose essence stems from extraordinary personalised service, style and comfort. The experience is about every need being anticipated from beginning to end and is continuously evolving to provide repeat guests with a fresh perspective. The lodge strives to maintain personal relationships with each guest - before, during and well after the experience - from arranging a personal VIP airport greeting and expedited customs services at O.R. Thambo International Airport - to providing highly-customised game drives and gourmet meals in unique settings.

 

The Retreat:

 

Boasting an aesthetic that blends local elements with well-placed international design, the Lodge's warmth, charm and comfort reign supreme in the five meticulous open-air suites, thoughtfully distanced from each other to offer maximum privacy.

 

All suites boast spacious wooden decks, private infinity pools and floor-to-ceiling glass walls which fully retract to let nature in. The local-chic interiors have been crafted to soothe guests with neutral palates, streaming natural light and exceptional furniture.

 

Additional in-room amenities include telescopes, Bose iPod docking systems, espresso machines, wireless internet, portable DVD players and mini-bars.

 

Both of the Premier Suites measure 232 square meters each (inclusive of indoor / outdoor spaces) and the Executive Suite measures 307 sqm (inclusive of indoor / outdoor spaces). All suites feature a large living area, bedroom and bathroom with heated flooring for the cooler months. The split-level Suites, ideal for families, has two bedrooms, each with their own private bathrooms. The decks that extend from the suites are outfitted with luxurious Dedon daybeds for ultimate relaxation.

 

The two Presidential Suites, measuring 593 sqm (inclusive of indoor / outdoor spaces) and the new two-bedroom Suite, measuring 619 sqm (inclusive of indoor / outdoor spaces) are breathtaking, both in size and opulence. Each Presidential Suite features one or two dining areas, a service kitchen, spacious lounge, walk-in closet, rim-flow bath, an outdoor shower, private infinity pool and Jacuzzi. Both suites boast their own library / study equipped with a laptop and a collection of National Geographic magazines dating back to the 1940's, as well as a flat screen television equipped with Satellite TV and DVD player.

 

All guests are encouraged to take advantage of the two infinity pools and heated Jacuzzi at the main lodge, as well as the retreat's second rim-flow heated Jacuzzi, situated on the highest mountainside deck for optimal wildlife viewing. Guests can truly unwind with a cocktail, a book, or a cigar on many relaxation decks, including the prized reading and star decks which also feature Dedon daybeds.

 

The main lodge library offers a large selection of popular books and a well equipped humidor for guests to choose from various imported cigars (at an additional cost).

 

The main lodge also offers Satellite TV and DVD player (portable DVD players are available upon request).

 

Activities:

 

All guests are encouraged to live out their dreams, seeing and experiencing the vast African landscape themselves. The lodge team is happy to suggest any number of activities and can customise each to fit every guest's own personal schedule.

 

Game Drives and Walks:

 

For close encounters with nature, game drives are conducted twice daily that aim to leave guests with memories of much more than just the Big Five. The 75,000 hectare reserve boasts several prides of lion, large herds of elephant, black and white rhino, countless buffalo and more than 340 bird species, as well as the endangered cheetah, brown hyena and a healthy population of wild dogs. Night drives showcase an array of nocturnal wildlife, including leopard and various smaller members of the cat family, and guided safari walks give guests the exhilarating experience of bush tracking.

 

Star Gazing:

 

For a more celestial experience, guests can take advantage of the Lodges observatory. With a fully retractable roof the observatory is equipped with a fully automatic, digital telescope to explore the cosmos and the Southern Hemisphere's remarkable night sky.

 

Fishing:

 

The Groot Marico River runs through the reserve and offers some of the regions more tranquil fishing spots. Hippo sightings are common here.

 

Golf:

 

The team can arrange golf outings at various courses in the area, including the Sun City Gary Player Golf Course and Lost City Golf Course, both 90 minutes by road or 20 minutes by helicopter.

 

Culinary Excellence:

 

The lodge's mouth-watering cuisine is under the direction of gourmet chefs inspired by both Eastern and Western influences and most meals are discussed with guests prior to preparation. All meals are created from the freshest local ingredients, selected from either the lodge's own organic garden or from premium items flown in from Johannesburg, in accordance with personal preferences. The finest South African wines and top-shelf liquors accompany all meals; fine imported wines and special vintage whiskeys and cognacs are available at an incremental cost.

 

Guests can choose to have their meals served in a wide variety of dining areas, from brunch on the Star Deck overlooking the water hole (which frequently attracts elephants in search of fresh water) to the al fresco dining area in the main lodge, which boasts an authentic pizza oven. Guests are offered the opportunity to experience a true South African braai (or barbeque), in the Boma, or those seeking privacy and romance can always choose to dine on their private deck. Aspiring chefs can learn how to prepare their favourite indigenous dishes on-site, from selecting and preparing ingredients, to cooking and presenting a meal. Cooking classes can be booked 24 hours in advance.

 

Total Body Wellness:

 

The Spa and Fitness Centre encompasses the natural beauty of the surrounding African bush. Peaceful music, contemporary decor, and indigenous incense set the relaxation stage for various massage and aromatherapy treatments. Spa services are available in either the serene treatment room, outdoors on daybeds, or for a truly unrivalled experience, in the bush massage area. Alternatively, guests can enjoy private spa treatments in their own suites.

 

The air-conditioned fitness centre is well equipped with state-of-the-art treadmill, bike and cross-trainer machines, dumbbells and weight machines, as well as Pilates and yoga equipment. A steam room and sauna overlook the chiller pool and are the ideal complement to any workout or treatment.

 

Suite Rates:

 

  • 2 Sleeper Suite: R 22 000 per night
  • 4 Sleeper Suite, 2 Levels: R  32 000 per night
  • Presidential Suite, Sleeps 2: R 49 500 per night
  • Presidential Suite, Sleeps 4: R 60 500 per night

 

Rate Inclusions:

 

All meals, soft drinks, local alcoholic beverages, laundry, two game drives per day, game reserve entrance fees and tourism levies, use of fitness centre, sauna and steam room, wireless internet and transfers to and from the airstrip are included.

 

At an additional cost, daily shuttle flight services are available, from Johannesburg's O.R. Thambo International Airport to the Game Reserve's private airstrip. Guests wishing to arrival incognito may request the use of a helicopter, which flies directly to the lodge's helipad from O.R. Thambo International Airport. Additionally, guests have the option of chartering their own flights, directly to the Game Reserves private airstrip.

 

All image credit on this listing go to photographer Elsa Young.
Listing TypeSafari Lodges
# of Single Bedrooms 0
# of Double Bedrooms7
Bathrooms 7
Sleeps14
En Suite7
ServicedYes
Wheelchair FriendlyNo
Sea ViewNo
Mountain ViewNo
City ViewNo
InternetYes
GardenYes
SatelliteYes
SecurityYes
Off Street Parking5 cars
Garage Parking0 cars
Swimming PoolYes
TVYes
BBQYes
Entertainment AreaYes
KitchenYes