Situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Private Game Reserve in North West Province, South Afirca, Madikwe Safari Lodge appears to grow out of the rust-red African setting like a gigantic termite mound.

Offering a commanding view of the game-rich plains, each room overlooks the majestic panorama of the Dwarsberg Hills, as well as the Marico River, a green ribbon cutting through the landscape.

Both splendid and serene, yet as warm and approachable as an African sunset, Madikwe offers an intimate bush experience with a humorous twist. While staying at the lodge, guests can track the Super Seven - adding cheetah and the African wild dog to the famous Big Five.

Madikwe is located 4 and half hours drive or 1 hour's flight from Johannesburg.

With only 20 suites split into three camps, Madikwe Safari Lodge offers a personal touch that leaves you feeling pampered. Groups gather around large fireplaces and compare wildlife encounters, whether in the snug sitting areas with their board games and books or over the full flavours of meals in the dining rooms. Colours bursting with warmth and easygoing layouts, like the casual covered living room filled with beanbags, swinging chairs and cushions scattered directly on the floor, reflect a carefree and comfortable lifestyle.

Take sanctuary among natural textures and rich materials in spacious suites with circular fireplaces. Glass doors blur boundaries between inside and out, and your private sitting area is the perfect vantage point for an afternoon spent gazing at the bush. Watch elephant, giraffe and warthog from the depths of your deep, copper-plated bathtub, which opens out onto a private deck, or indulge in a cool splash in the strategically placed plunge pool. Take your shower indoors or out, with only the whisper of the wind and maybe a curious yellow hornbill for company.

Along with snacks and drinks while on game drives, and a scrumptious afternoon tea, your included meals during your stay at Madikwe are:

Breakfast - Platters of fruit and cheese followed by a selection of hot breakfast dishes. Choose from eggs, oats, waffles or a number of other options.

Lunch - Lunch is served on expansive decks overlooking the game-filled plains.

Dinner - A mouthwatering meal around a blazing fire in the boma with newfound friends. Linger over dessert and cognac or retire to the warm fireplace in your own suite.

Set in a malaria-free area in the historic North West province, near the border with Botswana, the 76 000 hectare (187 800 acre) Madikwe Game Reserve supports a diverse combination of bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari. Madikwe is famed for Operation Phoenix, the world's largest game translocation exercise. Established almost 20 years ago, the reserve successfully reintroduced more than 8 000 animals of 28 species, including lion, elephant and buffalo, as well as black and white rhino. This area is now home to the famous Big Five, as well as the endangered African wild dog and 350 bird species.

Apart from wildlife, the region also boasts a rich history, ranging from Stone Age relics to the passage of Mzilikazi and a range of European explorers and missionaries. Madikwe is well known for the Mafikeng Road (the main road running through the Reserve), the artery that once linked the trading route from Cape Town to Bulawayo in the early 1800s. The likes of William Cornwallis Harris, David Livingstone and Cecil John Rhodes travelled through here, battling and forming everlasting friendships with the local people, the Tswana-Sotho. The renowned South African author Herman Charles Bosman also spent several months living in what is the present reserve and many of his books celebrate the unique characters and atmosphere of the region.

At Madikwe, it is our passion to share our knowledge and understanding of the bush and its inhabitants with our guests. Our highly trained rangers will do their utmost to delight our guests with a choice of the following adventures:

Twice daily game drives: explore a network of tracks that leads through the reserve's various habitats on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives accompanied by a ranger. The rangers have a deep knowledge of the local wildlife and their habits, and will do their best to cater for guests' specific interests. Track the endangered wild dog or the rarely seen brown hyena. Some of these secretive animals have become accustomed to game drive vehicles and provide regular sightings. Late afternoon game drives often encounter wildlife around the many dams on the reserve. The acacia savanna of Madikwe attracts bushbabies, which can often be spotted leaping from branch to branch on night drives.

Included in rates:

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers
• Teas and coffees
• Refreshments on game drives
• Laundry
• Scheduled safari activities
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance
• VAT
• Transfers to and from the airstrip.