Madikwe Game Reserve Accommodation / Thakadu River Camp Madikwe Game Reserve Accommodation / Luxury Game Lodge

Thakadu River Camp is a luxury tented game lodge set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River in the eastern sector of the game rich Madikwe Game Reserve.

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the few reserves in southern Africa, which is malaria free. Located in South Africa along the Botswana border and 20 km from Gaberone, the reserve lies within a transition region between lowveld bushveld and the Kalahari thornveld. As a result the region is host to an incredible diversity of species from both ecosystems. Geographically the region has enormous volcanic intrusions known as Inselbergs, wide open plains and the riverine environment along the Marico River in the east of the reserve.

Thakadu River Camp is an ecotourism partnership between North-West Parks, the Molatedi Community and the operator, The Madikwe Collection. The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the Madikwe Game Reserve. The concept is unique in South Africa in that the community owns the development, with substantial benefits accruing back to the community itself.

Thakadu River Camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River. The main lodge, a double volume open plan, thatched building, houses the dining and living rooms with great open fireplaces, lots of space and a brilliant view of the river below. The bar and pool area is set behind this building and offers a completely different feel and view.

Accommodation

The camp comprises of 12 tented suites (8 double suites and 4 family suites), each with their own viewing deck and beautiful en-suite bathrooms. The tents are superbly decorated and appointed, overlooking the Marico River. The tents are large and spacious and have a strong Afro-Asian Safari ambience to them. The influence of the river is very apparent, with the trees, birds and water providing a peaceful and tranquil mood within the camp. The camp was opened on the 8th August 2006.

Thakadu is not a very wheelchair friendly lodge. Guests in wheelchairs will need assistance.

Services

The staff at Thakadu are passionate about their lodge and you can taste that passion in their food. Every meal is an occasion and a taste sensation. The breakfasts and high teas are delicious and the dinners are indulgently wonderful.

The camp is a superb walking and open vehicle safari destination where guests are accompanied by well-trained and informative rangers who are able to interpret the many encounters whilst on safari.

Activities

Thakadu River Camp provides morning and afternoon / evening game-drives in open game-viewing vehicles, bush sundowners and drink stops on the Reserve, visits to hides. Regrettably, due to safety concerns, children under 6 years of age are unable to participate in game-drives (shorter kiddies game drives can be arrange after breakfast

Thakadu River Camp is a game-rich country with the Big Five (black and white rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard), cheetah, wild dog, hyenas, hippos, kudu, springbok, eland, red hartebeest, giraffe and impala and is a paradise for bird watchers.

Access

Thakadu is easily accessible by private charter or the daily Madikwe Shuttle into Madikwe Eastern Airstrip just 45 minutes from Thakadu through the reserve. Thakadu River Camp is 3 and a half hour’s drive from Johannesburg on the N4 via Sun City.

ACCREDITATIONS (as claimed by the establishment)