Southern Africa Travel - World leaders in tailor-made African travel.
2010, 11 & 12 Winner of
the World Travel Awards Leading Luxury Tour Operator for South Africa
36 YearsTailor-made
Travel to the remote North West region of South Africa for a wildlife encounter and luxury safari vacation beyond compare. Fringed by the Kalahari Desert, the majestic Magaliesberg Mountains and the Vaal River, this sparsely populated region invites you to come and explore its secret charms.
Try your luck at one of Africa’s best family-friendly destinations, Sun City, an upscale entertainment complex, with casino, that offers luxury accommodation in its stylish hotels and resorts. Relax with a round of golf on the 18-hole courses, some of the best in Africa set out in beautiful surroundings or be entertained in the numerous theatres and concert halls. Children and adults alike will love the Valley of the Waves with its reconstructed sea and sand experience. A great base from which to explore the wildlife attractions on its doorstep, Sun City also offers you fabulous in-house activities and entertainments.
Free roaming elephant, black and white rhino, lions, giraffes and lots of different antelope move through the bush against a backdrop of enormous volcanic intrusions known as Inselbergs in the Madikwe Game Reserve. When you choose to stay at Madikwe, easily accessible from Johannesburg, you are entering modern history; this collaborative game reserve is home to Operation Phoenix, the largest game relocation project in the world. You need to stay here at one of the exclusive family-friendly safari lodges in order to access the abundance of wildlife on the reserve. Madikwe Game Reserve has secured the continued existence of many endangered species including the leopard, wild dog, rhino and buffalo. Choose from any of the luxury game lodges in this malaria-free destination to secure an exceptional African wildlife experience.
View both the wildlife and stunning landscapes from a slowly drifting hot air balloon or by a guided game drive or bush walk in the Magaliesberg area, a favoured destination for those seeking adventure in the outdoors.
Whether you are coming for the game or a gaming experience at Sun City, the North West province offers you malaria-free safaris, abundant wildlife and a luxury stay, contact Southern Africa Travel today to find out more.
Madikwe Game Reserve
Enjoy a superlative safari experience and wildlife encounter at Madikwe; this is the fourth largest game reserve in the country and one of South Africa’s prime safari destinations. You are guaranteed a luxury African vacation at any one of the beautiful game lodges within the reserve.
The Taung National Heritage Site
The discovery of a fossilised skull of a child at this site in 1924 advanced evidence of the existence of early man in Africa by more than a million years. This ancient valley is a great place for hikers with its caves, streams and attractive rock pools.
Pilanesberg National Park
Head into the crater of a long extinct volcano, one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world, found at the Pilanesberg National Park. The Park boasts rare rock types and structures as well as many species of wild game including the Big Five. There are also numerous Stone and Iron Age sites in the region.
Lift off over the Pilanesberg
Take off on a hot air balloon safari in the Pilanesberg area, one of the few places in South Africa where you can combine this luxurious form of travel with a landing on a private game reserve, a game drive and delicious breakfast before returning to our lodge or hotel.
Interact with the elephants
Get close to these gentle giants by taking an elephant-back safari through the foothills of the Pilanesberg Mountains. Learn their secrets on this trip where you can touch, ride, feed and photograph them. This safari takes you along ancient game trails on the backs of these majestic creatures.
Experience an African showcase of talent
Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of Africa at Sun City’s Village People Cultural Experience. Drawing from the cultural influences of the different groups in Southern Africa, this show is an extravaganza of colour and sound. Feel free to sample the traditional foods and relax to the rhythms of Africa.
Madikwe Game Reserve is a malaria-free reserve located in the north western corner of the North West province, close to the border with Botswana and along the edge of the Kalahari Desert. It is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s top safari destinations, and a malaria-free one at that.
Madikwe is a major conservation success story, as it is jointly operated by the government, the private sector and the local communities, which play an active role in its operations.
The reserve spans 75, 000 hectares and is home to a plethora of game, including 66 mammal species and more than 300 migrant and resident bird species. Africa’s Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino) can be found here as well as some must-see species, such as the endangered wild dog, which park officials have worked hard to preserve over the years.
This abundance of game is thanks to a massive game translocation project, Operation Phoenix – the largest of its kind in the world, which was undertaken in the park between 1991 and 1997.
Guided safaris by professional, knowledgeable guides are conducted in the mornings and evenings in open safari vehicles which yield wonderful, close-up sightings of these animals.
Excellent accommodation is provided in 20 luxury camps, offering everything from luxury chalets to ultra-luxury safari tents. Suites are sumptuous, the cuisine amazing and the wildlife experience first class.
No luxury South African safari is complete without a visit to this magnificent reserve and a stay in one of these top lodges.
An overview of Jaci's Lodges in Madikwe, one of our featured safari brands. Jaci's are well respected for their eco-sensitive operation which depends strongly on local community involvement.
The malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park is a game watcher’s delight. It was the scene of Operation Genesis in 1979 – a major game translocation project – and as such features an absolute abundance of diverse wildlife.
Visitors can expect to see Africa’s famous Big Five (elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo and lion) and the complete A – Z of animals, from aardvarks (anteaters) to zebras and everything in between, including cheetah, the rare sable and tsessebe and endangered wild dog.
The park is also home to more than 300 recorded species of birds, including migrant and permanent species. A walking trail in the reserve allows for bird-watching on foot, while a walk-in aviary at Manyane features 80 species of indigenous birds.
Morning and evening drives through the park are available, with guests being collected at the Welcome Centre at Sun City before being taken on a game drive through the 55, 000 hectare reserve in an open safari vehicle.
The game drives can be combined with bush breakfasts in the morning and bush barbeques in the evening, on request.
Hot-air balloon safaris over the reserve are also offered. Guests are collected early in the morning from the resort’s Welcome Centre, before being driven into the depths of the reserve to the balloon launch grounds. A one-hour balloon ride over the reserve follows, with champagne on landing in typical hot-air balloon tradition.
Guests are then driven to a nearby private game lodge, where a full English breakfast is served, before being transferred back to Sun City
The park is regarded the world over as a major conservation success. As a regional tourism anchor project, it is in a unique position that sees it having to carefully balance conservation efforts against using its renewable natural resources for the socio-economic benefit of the neighbouring communities.
Accommodation is provided in seven lodges and includes luxury suites, thatched chalets and executive safari tents.
Apart from the game drives and hot-air balloon safaris, guests can participate in guided and self-guided bush walks and self-drive bush excursions or enjoy the bird hides and various picnic spots, Quad bike trails, elephant-back safaris and elephant interactions are available at a nearby game park.
A visit to the Pilanesberg National Park is a must for every luxury safari to South Africa.
Some great landscape and wildlife footage in this well put together tourist video.
5 Nights | 6 Days
Combine the thrill of a malaria-free, Big Five safari experience in the Madikwe Game Reserve with the relaxation of The Palace of the Lost City. Choose from a variety of fun, family activities in South Africa’s most famous pleasure resort, Sun City.
12 Nights | 13 Days
Starting with fun at the famous Sun City Resort, taking a safari in the world renowned Sabi Sands Reserve before heading to cosmopolitan Cape Town, this journey through South Africa offers something for everyone!
Price On Request
Enjoy the lavish hospitality on offer at the exclusive Etali Safari Lodge set deep in the African bush in one of the country’s richest game areas. Eco-friendly architecture blends into the pristine natural surroundings while inside the rooms you will be spoilt with luxury touches. Great food and fabulous experiences await you here.
From $517 USD Per Person Sharing
For a magical African safari experience head to Jaci’s Safari Lodge set in the beautiful, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve of South Africa’s North West Province. Exclusive and luxury accommodation is coupled with amazing game viewing at this upmarket safari destination.
From $517 USD Per Person Sharing
Jaci’s Tree Lodge is your best choice of luxury destination for those romantic getaways, honeymoons or special occasions. Spectacular game viewing and luxury accommodation in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa.
From $658 USD Per Person Sharing
Immerse yourself in an unparalleled game experience when staying at the luxury Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge, set in one of South Africa’s most prestigious safari destinations. You will stay in luxury villas, be spoilt with superb cuisine and personalised entertainment and activity options at this exclusive safari lodge.
From $925 USD Per Person Sharing
Choose the ultimate in luxury accommodation, wildlife experiences and culinary treats when staying at the very exclusive Mateya Safari Lodge in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. With only five luxury suites on offer, you are assured of privacy and dedicated service as well as the opportunity to indulge in fine foods and wines.
Price On Request
Molori Safari Lodge, situated in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, is a continuous winner of international accolades for design, hospitality, service and cuisine due to its exceptional offering and the immaculate attention to detail.
Price On Request
Morukuru Lodge offers a luxury safari escape for discerning guests, families and groups. Set in the the game-rich Madikwe Game Reserve of South Africa’s North West Province, this luxury accommodation destination promises a personalised, ultra-luxurious stay for an African vacation.
From $351 USD Per Person Sharing
A fantastical destination, the Palace of the Lost City celebrates the wild beauty and diverse scale of Africa through spectacular decor and supreme comforts. Everything from the spacious rooms, signature dishes in the restaurants, facilities such as the Valley of Waves, Gary Player golf course and sumptuous spa reflects their attention to detail.
Thank you again— Matthew Davidoff, USA
What a holiday— Anne Hand
We wanted to let you know that the trip was incredible!— Denise Forte, USA
