Overview

A Welcome Sanctuary in the African Bush

At Madikwe Hills we have created a friendly and personal atmosphere, offering as much relaxation and luxury for our guests as we possibly can. Formalities are kept to an absolute minimum. After the evening game drive your ranger would love to host your table with all the other guests that joined you on your drive; it is always enlightening to talk to guests from other countries about their cultures or to pick your ranger’s brain for interesting tales or extra information about the game drives you experienced.

Private dinners are also easily arranged for any guests who prefer to dine on their own, either at the main lodge or on the deck of their suite.

Madikwe Hills Main Lodge boasts 10 supremely spacious and luxurious suites which are very hard to leave. A cosy living room with huge slate-clad chimney (perfect to snuggle up in front of an open fire on cooler nights) leads into the peaceful bedroom with a gigantic pillow-strewn four-poster bed draped in generous layers of muslin, from where it’s possible to lie and gaze in wonder as herds of wandering animals make their way to the watering hole.

Throw open all the floor-to-ceiling windows and retreat to a sunbed in the shade of an acacia tree, or grab a towel and jump into your own personal plunge pool for the ultimate in relaxed game viewing – you’ll be amazed at what passes by just a hundred feet or so from your deck.

The cathedral-like bathrooms are ultra luxurious. A large deep tub takes centre stage in front of fold-back windows that reveal the same wilderness views and a cavernous step-up circular shower is built into the opposite wall – but that’s not all. Just outside the far door is an open-air extension with a private outdoor shower (with hot water) perfect after prolonged plunge pool dips.

As the sun goes down, there’s nothing better than a candle lit bath open to the elements. Some nights, you may even find a freshly run bath when you return to your room, a trail of rose petals leading the way.

If you are celebrating your wedding or have booked the Honeymoon Suite, you will not be able to resist the claw-foot bath tub built into a well-concealed outdoor corner for secluded soaks under African skies. There is absolute privacy here, and it really is quite a feat to tear yourself away for your game drives, especially when you are treated to your own private show of elephants in the waterhole below…

Two of the lower 10 Suites (room number 9 and 10) from the Main Lodge can be combined with the Private Villa at Little Madikwe forming an exclusive and private camp for small groups and families up to 8 people

Dining

Dining at Madikwe Hills is and experience on its own... from the varied delicious cuisine to the unique dining options... you will not be disappointed and will always look forward to the next delicious delight.

Our Chef passionately creates a variety of wholesome and satisfying dishes, leaving guests alive to the possibility of fusion food mixed with the finest in African ingredients and decadent local and international flavours.

A culinary marvel in our own right, our chef has perfected the art of combining freshness with flavour and turning simple ingredients into cuisine of great visual appeal with every plate that makes its way from the kitchen. Our chef acknowledges passion as the secret ingredient when perfecting that ultimate safari dining experience.

Traditional Full English and Continental breakfasts served on the main deck are hearty and unpretentious; we like to call it “comfort food with a twist!” In addition to the English breakfast, there is also a selection of Eggs Benedict, Eggs Onassis, Breakfast Ciabatta, French Toast with Coppa Ham, Cranberry sauce and Camembert slices as well as a Modern style Frittata. We also have a full Vegetarian breakfast menu. Breakfasts at Madikwe Hills are a relaxed and fulfilling affair to start your day whilst on an African Safari.

Lunches under shady umbrellas on the main deck are a highlight of each day. Our chef and the team have kept a careful balance between old and new and traditional African cuisines, but have stuck to the basics of simplicity, authenticity and freshness, reviving old classics into ‘food with soul’.

Dinners at Madikwe Hills are without compromise, ensuring that style and substance is the main priority. Come and dine under the stars in our traditional boma, fine dining in our dining room, or next to the fire on the main deck.

BOMA DINNERS

A traditional and elegant safari dining experience with a warm and friendly atmosphere...

Fables of Scorpio and Orion of Greek mythology may be told by your ranger, whilst dining in a rustic boma, where dramatic and exotic flames dance to the uneven beat of life’s drum.

BUSH BREAKFASTS

End and enthralling game drive or invigorating bush walk with a hearty breakfast under the shade of an old Tamboti, soaking up the sights and sounds of the surrounding bush.

The perfect end to the ultimate safari experience! A private dinner on the deck of your suite is offered to couples wanting to spend time together in privacy. The ultimate in romance, private dinners at Madikwe Hills will seduce the senses and soothe the soul.

Find yourself enchanted by a world of intrigue and majestic beauty.

Along with a warm and friendly atmosphere, Madikwe Hills offers the highest standard of service, ensuring that each guests’ needs are satisfied during their luxury South African safari stay.

Facilities

The central area is an important part of everyday life at the Lodge. From the threshold of majestic, age-old East African doors, you immediately feel the cool breeze emanating throughout our central area. Each table in our lounge is stocked with beautiful books, waiting to be read and explored.

The bar entices guests to enjoy a pre-dinner drink and fireside chat with your friendly game rangers and managers, while the main deck overlooking the waterhole is the perfect place to while away the day under a cool umbrella.

Pool

Our main swimming pool offers cool respite from the harsh African sun, and is a great way to relax with a cocktail in the afternoon. Dinners in our dining room are a silver-service experience of memorable proportions.

Three mahogany tables await guests to serve up meals of the highest standard. With beautiful artwork on the walls and cutlery and crockery fit for a king, the dining room is the perfect place to spend an evening.

Fine cuisine is accompanied by superb South African, which can be found in our extensive wine cellar next to the dining room. The cellar is a treat for the avid wine connoisseur as well as the learning amateur, and our staff will assist you by suggesting the perfect wine in accordance with the menu of that evening.

A library full of verse and history awaits those yearning for knowledge of the African continent and its safari parks, filled with a collection of fictional and non-fictional books, which will complement your wildlife enjoyment.

For those wanting to keep in touch with family members back home, there is an internet connection in the library, which is available 24 hours. Free WiFi is also available in the library and close by lounge. A television is also available for those wanting to keep up to date with the latest news or sports game.

During the day, guests are welcome to wander up to the reception area to browse through our well-stocked curio shop, where you can select gifts and African memorabilia for your friends and family back home. The shop is stocked with an assortment of beautiful safari gear. Our winter gear and fleece scarves, hats and gloves are perfect for keeping the chills at bay on your evening game drives.

For Independent reviews of Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge on TRIP ADVISOR Click Here