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Around £1,600 per
room, per night · full board and all game drives
Jacis Lodge Madikwe
Nestled within the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa's North West Province, Jaci's Private Lodge offers an intimate luxury safari experience combining exceptional wildlife encounters with warm, personalised hospitality.
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Jacis Lodge Madikwe, in detail
Jaci's Private Lodge
Nestled within the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa's North West Province, Jaci's Private Lodge offers an intimate luxury safari experience combining exceptional wildlife encounters with warm, personalised hospitality. Following an extensive refurbishment, the lodge reopened in July 2026 with beautifully redesigned suites, new dining experiences and enhanced guest facilities, while retaining the relaxed atmosphere that has made Jaci's one of Madikwe's most highly regarded safari lodges.
Madikwe is South Africa's fifth-largest game reserve, covering approximately 75,000 hectares of diverse bushveld, open plains, rocky outcrops and riverine woodland. Situated close to the Botswana border and around four hours by road from Johannesburg, it remains one of the country's finest safari destinations while being considerably less crowded than many of the better-known parks.
The reserve is renowned for outstanding Big Five game viewing, with healthy populations of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and both black and white rhino. Madikwe is also one of Africa's greatest conservation success stories and is particularly famous for its successful reintroduction of the endangered African wild dog, now one of the reserve's signature sightings. Other regularly encountered wildlife includes cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, numerous antelope species, crocodile and more than 350 recorded bird species, making the reserve equally rewarding for keen birdwatchers.
Guests enjoy twice-daily professionally guided game drives in open safari vehicles led by experienced rangers and expert trackers. Early morning safaris take advantage of the cooler hours when predators are often still active, while afternoon drives continue into darkness, offering opportunities to encounter elusive nocturnal species including aardwolf, civet, porcupine, honey badger and various owl species.
The lodge itself has been thoughtfully redesigned (as of June 2026) to blend contemporary comfort with authentic African character. Rich natural materials, warm earthy tones and handcrafted furnishings create elegant yet welcoming interiors, while expansive viewing decks overlook the surrounding bush where wildlife frequently wanders past the lodge.
Hospitality remains one of Jaci's defining characteristics. Service is highly personal, with an attentive team creating an atmosphere that feels more like staying in a private safari home than a conventional luxury lodge. The recent redevelopment has also introduced new culinary experiences, including Jan's Wine Cellar, offering carefully selected South African wines alongside gourmet dining inspired by local flavours and seasonal ingredients.
Every suite has been redesigned to provide greater comfort, privacy and contemporary luxury while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding wilderness. Large windows and outdoor living spaces maximise opportunities to enjoy the spectacular bush setting throughout the day.
Luxury Suites (occupancy: 2 adults) - The spacious Luxury Suites are ideal for couples seeking an intimate safari escape. Each suite features a king-size bedroom, elegant en-suite bathroom, indoor lounge area and a generous private outdoor deck overlooking the surrounding bush. Large sliding doors allow the interior living spaces to flow seamlessly outdoors, creating a peaceful retreat between game drives.
Family Suites (Occupancy: 2 adults and up to 2 children.)- Designed for families travelling together, the Family Suites provide generous accommodation with separate sleeping areas, spacious bathrooms and comfortable indoor and outdoor living spaces. These suites offer privacy for parents while ensuring younger guests enjoy the safari experience in complete comfort.
Exclusive Use - The lodge is also well suited to exclusive-use bookings for families or small private groups wishing to enjoy a completely personalised safari. Exclusive use allows greater flexibility with meal times, activities and game drive schedules while benefiting from the lodge's dedicated hospitality team.
Dining forms an important part of the Jaci's experience. Guests enjoy freshly prepared cuisine showcasing South African flavours with modern international influences. Meals are served in a variety of locations, from elegant indoor dining spaces to outdoor decks overlooking the bush and traditional boma dinners beneath the African night sky.
The newly introduced Jan's Wine Cellar further enhances the culinary experience, offering a carefully curated collection of South Africa's finest wines paired with seasonal menus.
Facilities
- Infinity swimming pool overlooking the bush
- Jan's Wine Cellar
- Indoor and outdoor dining areas
- Traditional boma
- Comfortable guest lounge
- Viewing decks
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest areas
- Curio boutique
- Private safari vehicles available on request
Safari Activities
- Morning game drives
- Afternoon and evening game drives
- Big Five wildlife viewing
- Wild dog tracking
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife photography
- Private guided safaris
- Bush breakfasts (subject to conditions)
- Sundowner stops in the reserve
Madikwe consistently ranks among South Africa's finest wildlife destinations. Thanks to excellent conservation management and relatively low visitor numbers, wildlife encounters are often both frequent and highly exclusive.
- Lion
- Leopard
- Elephant
- Black rhino
- White rhino
- Buffalo
- African wild dog
- Cheetah
- Spotted hyena
- Brown hyena
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Hippopotamus
- Crocodile
- Kudu
- Impala
- Gemsbok
- Eland
- Warthog
- More than 350 bird species
Jaci's successfully combines genuine luxury with one of South Africa's best safari experiences. The 2026 refurbishment has elevated the lodge to an even higher standard while preserving its welcoming personality and exceptional service. Madikwe remains one of the country's most rewarding safari destinations, particularly for travellers seeking outstanding Big Five sightings without the crowds found elsewhere.
Google ★★★★★ 5/5
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Around £1,600 per room, per night (full board and all game drives) — a guide only, assuming two people sharing. Prices vary by season and occupancy, and our trade rates usually beat them.
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