Madikwe’s wooded hills give way to savannah and Kalahari plains, roamed by all of the Big Five and countless other mammals.

Look up and you will see hundreds of resident and migrant birds gracing its skies. Coupled with the reserve being malaria-free, this all makes for a special place to explore.

While the luxury of Madikwe Safari Lodge lies in having direct access to some of South Africa’s best Big Five safari experiences, it is also the pleasure of coming back to thoughtful comforts, warm hospitality, and excellent meals after several hours in the bush that defines five-star stays here.

The Madikwe brand of luxury comes standard, and what sets each of its retreats apart is its unique feel – appealing to different travelers.

Dithaba (‘mountain’ in Setswana) has just four Suites, cleverly positioned to maximise the glorious sense of space and privacy you get when on the reserve.

Each Suite is a couple or solo traveller’s retreat; or together, an exclusive home base for a multigenerational family or friend group while on safari.

But either way, you’ll find the main lodge area they link to great for gatherings of family, new and old friends – replete with rounds of sundowners on the Star Deck and festive bush dinners around the boma fire.

Enjoy a game reserve getaway in the truest sense. The Dithaba’s four hillside, luxury, private suites can accommodate both solo travellers and couples.

Your suite is your personal haven. Enjoy reading by the fire, taking a long bubble bath, yoga on the deck, in-room spa treatments, or simply sunbathing on the deck, while taking in the views of the vast plains of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

You could also come together with other guests to enjoy your sundowners (and the views) on the Star Deck as well as festive bush dinners around the boma fire. This camp sits as the highest camp in the lodge so guests can enjoy spectacular views of the animals and is perfectly positioned to watch the sun sink slowly behind the horizon in the west of the reserve.