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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Exceptional game viewing > Luxurious lodges > The beautiful scenery of the Waterberg.

An excellent alternative to the Kruger, and less well-known, are the Madikwe and Waterberg regions of South Africa, northwest of Johannesburg. Accessible via an hour’s flight in a light aircraft or a three-to-four-hour scenic drive, both of these wilderness areas offer Big Five game viewing, diverse scenery, and have the added advantage of being malaria-free.

Located on the edge of the Kalahari in South Africa’s North West province, the Madikwe Game Reserve is a 75,000-hectare expanse bordering Botswana. The reserve is the fourth largest game reserve in South Africa and one of the country’s best-kept secrets. A range of habitats allows a wide variety of wildlife to flourish, including white and black rhino, a thriving population of endangered wild dog and over 350 species of birds.

Original Travel has selected several of the best safari lodges in Madikwe. Choose from Mateya, Madikwe Hills, Jaci’s Safari Lodge (a good choice for families – see the separate Original Kids section of our website) or Jaci’s Tree Lodge, all of which offer stylish accommodation and first-class game viewing by vehicle or on foot in the company of expert guides.

Not far away, in Limpopo Province, are the Waterberg Mountains – an ancient escarpment rising dramatically from the surrounding plains. Like Madikwe, this is a pristine wilderness area, with the mountains and ravines adding an extra dimension to the beautiful scenery. The area has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Stay at the immaculate Marataba lodge, set on a 23,000-hectare private concession in the heart of the Marakele National Park, with the towering Waterberg range as a backdrop. Alternatively, Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest are a pair of homely safari lodges located on the Waterberg plateau and specialising in horseback safaris. The latter is normally booked on an exclusive basis and makes an excellent option for families or groups of friends.

As well as providing some of the best game viewing in the country, all of these lodges offer excellent cuisine, and some have additional facilities such as mini-spas. For more detailed information on specific camps, please contact us on 020 7978 7333 or email info@originaltravel.co.uk