Thakadu River Camp | Madikwe

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
8 Standard Tented Suite Single	R8 784
12 Standard Tented Suite Per Person Per Night Sharing max 2 adult	R5 855
4 Family Tent Single	R8 784
4 Family Tent Per Person Per Night Sharing max 2 adult & 2 children under the age of 12 on a sleeper couch	R5 855
Children under 12 yrs sharing	R2 935

Baby-sitting facilities available at R300 per hour (maximum 2 children)

Sole use vehicle is available to facilitate families at an additional cost of R5 060 per vehicle per game driv / R5 820 from 01 Apr 2024
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

MALARIA-FREE AREA

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

BAR & POOL AREA
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.

GAME DRIVES
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

Take the R21 to Pretoria, then north to Polokwane.
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

Morning and afternoon/evening game-drives in open game-viewing vehicles, bush sundowners and drink stops on the Reserve, visits to hides. Regrettably, due to safety concerns, children under 6 years of age are unable to participate in game-drives (shorter kiddies game drives can be arranged after breakfast).

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.

The 5-star accommodation in Madikwe comprises 12 x Tented Suites that boast a strong Afro-Asian safari ambience and viewing decks overlooking the Marico River. These spacious tents offer every comfort and luxury with features including air-conditioning, hairdryer and power 220vAc.

ROOM FEATURES:

• Air Conditioning
• Bath
• Coffee & Tea Station
• Hair Dryer
• Patio
• Safe
• Shower

Children are welcome in any of the 4 x Family Rooms, as these tented suites each have an extra queen-size 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

Rates  are 

• Per Person,
• All meals and 2 Game Drives daily
• Excl. Bed levy and Gate fee
• Third Person Sharing: Not applicable

The rates include

• 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:

R150 per hour – 1 Child

R225 per hour – 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.