+27 14 004 0056 / 014 004 0056
Thakadu River Camp is an ecotourism partnership between North-West Parks, the Molatedi Community and the operator, The Nature Workshop. The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the Madikwe Game Reserve. The concept is unique in South Africa in that the community owns the development, with substantial benefits accruing back to the community itself.
Thakadu River Camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River and consists of 12 tented suites, each with their own viewing deck overlooking the river. The tents are spacious and are superbly decorated and appointed. The core of this project's success lies in its prime location: the Madikwe Game Reserve. This area is located along the Botswana border and 20km from Gaberone, one of the few reserves in southern Africa which is malaria free.
Game Drive Times”:
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Gate
Times:
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https://madikwegamereserve.net/thakadu.html#sigProGalleria0625b51178
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Rates
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Rooms
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Climate
| Rates inclusive of 15% VAT • South African Rand • Subject to availability | ||
| Per
Person All meals and 2 Game Drives daily Excl. Bed levy & Gate fee |
1 Oct 2024
to 31 Mar 2025 |
1 Apr 2025 to 31 May 2025 |
| 8 Standard Tented Suite Single | R8 784 | R8 200 |
| 12
Standard Tented Suite Per Person Per Night Sharing max 2 adult |
R5 855 | R5 465 |
| 4 Family Tent Single | R8 784 | R8 200 |
| 4
Family Tent Per Person Per Night Sharing max 2 adult & 2 children under the age of 12 on a sleeper couch |
R5 855 | R5 465 |
| Children under 12 yrs sharing | R2 935 | R2 735 |
| Per
Person All meals and 2 Game Drives daily Excl. Bed levy & Gate fee |
1 Jun 2025
to 30 Aug 2025 |
1 Sep 2025 to 31 Mar 2026 |
| 8 Standard Tented Suite Single | R7 835 | R9 425 |
| 12
Standard Tented Suite Per Person Per Night Sharing max 2 adult |
R5 230 | R6 290 |
| 4 Family Tent Single | R7 835 | R9 425 |
| 4
Family Tent Per Person Per Night Sharing max 2 adult & 2 children under the age of 12 on a sleeper couch |
R5 230 | R6 290 |
| Children under 12 yrs sharing | R2 6 10 | R3 150 |
Look at our Special Offers for SA Residents under our special offers section!
Baby-sitting facilities available at R300 per hour (maximum 2 children)
Sole use vehicle is available to facilitate families at an
additional cost of
R6
500
Each beautifully-appointed tented suite is furnished with an option of
two single beds or a super king-sized bed draped with a mosquito net,
an en-suite bathroom with shower, and a large sliding door which opens
onto a raised wooden verandah overlooking the majestic river scenery.
Additional facilities include air-conditioning, coffee and tea making
amenities, a hairdryer, digital safe, and access to AC power (220
volts).
The rates include
- VAT
- Luxury accommodation
- Two game drives per day
- All meals daily
- Welcome drinks and teas & coffees at meals
The rates exclude
- Beverages and items of a personal nature
- Park Levies
- Conservation levies
South African Resident PEAK Rates
Valid 01 Apr – 30 Sept 2025
08 – 10 August 2025 (National Women’s Day Saturday; 09 August); 24 September 2025 (Heritage Day)
| Room Type | SADC Rate |
| Tented
Suite Maximum 2 adults |
R5 040 |
| Family
Tented Suite (max 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years) |
R 15 120 |
Terms & Conditions
- Rate includes all meals and 2 game drives daily
- Rates excludes any items not mentioned or that of a personal nature
- Tented Standard Rates are quoted per person sharing per night (maximum 2 adults)
- Family Tented Suites are quoted per unit per night (2 adults and 2 children under 12 years)
- Gate Fee @ R180 per adult per stay, R80 per child from age 3 – 9 years old, Free under 3 years old
- Conservation Levy
- Bed levy @ R10 per person per night from age 1 year old.
- Flight Landing Fee @ R280 per person per stay from age 10 years old, R 180 per child from age 3-9 years old, Free under 3 years old
- Single rate is a 50% supplement of the sharing rate.
- Children between the ages 6 – 12 years will pay 50% of the adultsharing rate.
- Children over 12 are charged as adults.
- Within 4 weeks: cancellation policy with 20% Cancellation fees
- Within 2 weeks: cancellation policy with 50% Cancellation fees
- Within 1 week: cancellation policy with 100% Cancellation fees
Valid 01 Apr – 30 Sept 2025
Excluding peak dates public holidays, long weekends, and school holidays *subject to change*
08 – 10 August 2025 (National Women’s Day Saturday; 09 August); 24 September 2025 (Heritage Day)
| Room Type | SADC Rate |
| Tented
Suite Maximum 2 adults |
R4 194 |
| Family
Tented Suite (max 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years) |
R12 582 |
| All-inclusive
Tented Suite Includes beverages – bottled water, local beers and ciders, house wine per glass, soft drinks, and a selection of local spirits |
R4 794 |
Aha Thakadu River Camp certainly stands out from the crowd of standard game lodges, as it is ideally positioned in a transitional area which means it draws wildlife from two different, yet complementary, ecosystems.
The beauty of aha Thakadu River Camp is complimented by a team of dedicated and highly trained game rangers* who understand the fauna and flora within the Madikwe Reserve. These professionals are skilled in locating as many animals as possible in this malaria-free area.
Because comfort is paramount, this 24-bed camp, with its exceptionally private location, assures guests of a tranquil, relaxing experience.
*Madikwe Game Reserve is a private game reserve and does not allow ‘self-drive’ game drives.
MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
Home to a tremendous diversity of fauna and flora, Madikwe Game Reserve is the ideal getaway destination! The Reserve allows guests to book exciting game drives and learn more about the area as they spot numerous species
You may expect to find the following animals in the area:
- Black and White Rhino
- Buffalo
- Cheetah
- Elephant
- Leopard
- Lion
- Wild Dog
Madikwe Game Reserve accommodation and camp is a superb open-vehicle safari destination where guests are accompanied by well-trained and informative rangers. On your visit to the Reserve, aha Thakadu River Camp offers a range of other activities for you to enjoy:
- Birding
- Boma dining
- Game drives
- Stargazing
Madikwe Game Reserve accommodation is available in luxury tented suites, as well as an inviting main camp area that offers guests an open-plan lounge, dining, pool and bar area to relax in after a day of game viewing.
Besides indulging in the elegant luxury and warm, personal service of aha Thakadu River Camp, guests can experience the essence of nature by joining us for a range of activities*, designed to ensure the ultimate African adventure!
*Children under 6 years can join us for a 1.5-hour game drive especially for them after breakfast, as they cannot be permitted on standard game drives. Parents are welcome to join.
Wake up in the true splendor of Madikwe River Camp, situated along the Botswana border, and start your day amidst nature. Our game drives are led by highly trained rangers with a vast knowledge of the fauna and flora in the area.
Guests have the opportunity to enjoy early morning as well as evening game drives where the chances of spotting the Big Five, are high. Both morning and evening game drives offer completely different opportunities and sightings.
Please Note: Madikwe Game Reserve is a private game reserve and does not allow ‘Self-Drive’ game drives
Game Drive Times:
Winter 06:00 and 15.30
Summer 05:30 and 16:00
Gate Times:
Winter 08:00 and 16.30
Summer 08:00 and 17:00
EARLY MORNING GAME DRIVES
Get an early start to the day and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells that accompany the dawning of a new day. Depending on the time of year, morning game drives depart at different times.
Please book here and check with the reception with regards to departure times.
Expect to see everything from elephant and rhino to lion and giraffe during morning game drives. Leopards are a bit more difficult to spot but should you wish to find this well-hidden creature, evening game drives are your best bet.
EVENING GAME DRIVES
As the sun sets, an entirely new game viewing experience presents itself. Once again, depending on the time of year, departure time will differ. Evening game drives offer a host of wildlife: hyena, lion, jackals, leopard, birds of prey and much more.
BIRD WATCHING
aha Thakadu River Camp offers game drives where professional and informative rangers will gladly assist with educating you about various bird species you may encounter.
The great variety of habitats, from forests and rocky hills to open grassland and dams, provide the perfect setting for a magnificent diversity of bird species throughout the game reserve.
Birdlife at Madikwe Game Reserve comprises migrants and permanent inhabitants.
Early morning and late afternoon drives are the best times to view wildlife and birdlife through Madikwe Game Reserve.
Hear the sounds of a wide range of birdlife and have your camera and binoculars on hand.
- Meyers Parrot
- Kori Bustard
- Yellow Throated Sandgrouse
- Temminck’s Courser
- Burchell’s Courser
- Bronze Winged Courser
- White Stork
- Pied and Arrow Marked Babbler
- Desert Barred Warbler
- Harlequin Quail
- Kurrichane Buttonquail Thrush
- ChestnutbackedFinchlark
- Rufousnaped Lark
- Natal Spur Fowl
- Pale Chanting Goshawk
- Walhberg Eagle
- Martial Eagle
- Black Breasted Snake Eagle
- African Fish Eagle
After the Zambezi road turno, take the N4 toward Rustenburg.
Once on the N4 take the R556 Sun City/Pilanesberg turno. Follow the signs to Sun City/Pilanesberg.
Pass Sun City for approx 5km, you will come to a 4way stop.
Turn right at the 4way stop onto the R565 towards Derdepoort. Follow the road for approx 9km and turn left to Bapong/Mabeskraal.
Continue straight (through Mabeskraal village). For approx 35km and you will get to a 4way stop at the end of Mabeskraal village.
Turn right to Derdepoort. After 26km the tar ends and a gravel road begins.
Continue straight for about 26km, you will pass through Molatedi village. Once through the village, you will see a sign to proceed over the bridge, crossing the Marico river.
Proceed for about 7km to enter Madikwe Game Reserve via the Molatedi gate. The gate will be staffed by a member from the North West Parks.
Please turn right once through the gate and follow direction boards to Thakadu River Camp. Please keep to the reserve speed limit of 30 kph. Be aware of animals passing over the road.
THAKADU RIVER CAMP DETAILS
Location:
D53, Thakadu Gate, Madikwe Game Reserve, Molatedi
Game-rich country with Big Five (black & white rhino), elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard) cheetah, wild dog, hyaenas, hippos, kudu, springbok, eland, red hartebeest, giraffe and impala, A paradise for bird watchers.
Thakadu River Camp is a wholly-owned Community-based Tented Safari Camp within Madikwe Game Reserve, which is located in the North West Province of South Africa. Thakadu is easily accessible by private charter or the daily Madikwe Shuttle into Madikwe Eastern Airstrip just 45 minutes from Thakadu through the reserve. Thakadu River Camp is 3 and a half hour’s drive from Johannesburg on the N4 via Sun City.
Federal Air operates a daily flight from Johannesburg International Airport to Madikwe Airstrip, departing at 11H15 and returning at 12H30. Private air charters fly directly to Madikwe airstrip, 25 minutes from the lodge. Morukuru Lodge is easily accessible by two-wheel drive vehicle on good roads. The driving time from Johannesburg is 3.5 hours on good roads.
Maximum 2 adults
ROOM FEATURES:
- Air Conditioning
- Bath
- Coffee & Tea Station
- Hair Dryer
- Patio
- Safe
- Shower
Maximum 2 adults & 2 children under the age of 12 on a sleeper couch
Baby-sitting facilities available at R 225 per hour (maximum 2 children)
Sole use vehicle is available to facilitate families at an additional cost of R4500 per vehicle per game drive
ROOM FEATURES:
- Air Conditioning
- Bath
- Coffee & Tea Station
- Hair Dryer
- Patio
- Safe
- Shower
- Per Person,
- All meals and 2 Game Drives daily
- Excl. Bed levy and Gate fee
- Third Person Sharing: Not applicable
- VAT
- Luxury accommodation
- Two game drives per day
- All meals daily
- Welcome drinks and teas and coffees at meals
The rates exclude
- Beverages and items of a personal nature
- Park Levies
- Conservation levies
Children Policy
- Children: 0 - 5 years of age
- Stay free of charge only when sharing with two full paying adults, meals charged on consumption
- Children: 6 - 11 years of age
- Pay 50% of the adult sharing rate when sharing with two full paying adults
- Full adult rate applicable if occupying their own room
- Children: 12 years and older
- Occupy their own room and pay full adult rate
Where a child shares with 1 adult the adult sharing rate applies.
Where a child shares with 1 adult the double rate applies.
Children staying on their own in a room will pay the prevailing single
or double rate.
BABYSITTING:
R300 per hour (maximum 2 children)
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations
will only be accepted in writing
- If a booking is cancelled after confirmation, a 20% cancellation fee will apply.
- 45 – 30 days prior to arrival 25%
- 29 – 15 days prior to arrival 80%
- 14- 1 days prior to arrival 100%
- A 10% admin fee will be retained for cancellations made after the card has been charged.
Standard Rooms:
Maximum 2 adults
Family Rooms: Maximum
2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12 on a sleeper couch
Please note Madikwe Game Reserve Gate Times:
Opening Time: 06:00 am
Closing Time: 21:00 pm
Summer – October to March
Rainy season with hot days and warm nights.Temperatures 25°C – 40°C.
Winter – April to September
Dry season with generally warm days and cold nights.Temperatures 0°C – 25°C.