Located on the edge of the Kalahari in South Africa's North West province, the Madikwe Game Reserve is a 290 square mile expanse bordering Botswana, and is a great alternative to the Kruger National Park. It is the fourth largest game reserve in South Africa, and has a range of habitats allowing for a wide variety of wildlife to flourish. These include white and black rhino, a thriving population of endangered wild dog, lions, elephants, and over 350 species of birds.
Not far away, in Limpopo Province, are the Waterberg Mountains - an ancient escarpment rising dramatically from the surrounding plains. Like Madikwe, this is an interesting conservation story and a stunning 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. This area is particularly good for riding safaris as there is no big dangerous game here.
