Madikwe Sun City Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Sun City
South Africa's "Las vegas"

We arrived at Johannesburg International Airport (now called OR Thambo International) bright and early to collect our red mini bus and set-off on a two hour drive to Sun City.

This entertainment resort began as a luxury casino resort, created by the hotel magnate Sol Kerzner as part of his Sun International group of properties. It was officially opened in 1979 when gambling was illegal in South Africa but because the land was part of the apartheid government’s tribal reserves, it was “legal” to erect the original casino.
Bingo, feeding elelphants & the Cascades Hotel

The massive entertainment city has expanded hugely since those early days. The resort now includes the spectacular “Disney World” persona of the Palace of the Lost City, water slides, game drives, wave machines, quad bikes, horse riding and cultural villages to mention a few of the activities. As always the Rhino Team was in good spirits and excited about the glitzy allure of Sun City and we have to admit a spot of Bingo! While we are definitely the last of the hot gamblers, last time we visited Sun City we developed a small passion for winning R20 a time at Bingo!

Bingo aside we were there to explore the vast expanse of South Africa’s Las Vegas that is surrounded by vast areas of arid open land and the entertainment metropolis is an oasis of trees, greenery and water. We certainly managed to pack in as much as possible during our short stay.

After checking into the Cascades Hotel, our first adventure was the amazing opportunity to feed elephants up close and personal. The five orphaned elephants were rescued in Zimbabwe and eventually found sanctity in the malaria free Pilanesberg National Park, adjacent to Sun City. The elephant’s two Zimbabwean keepers relocated to South Africa with their charges and seven of them make up an unlikely but very endearing family.

We were then escorted on a grand tour of the cultural village which offers everything from cultural shows, local curios, recreated villages, a very authentic Shebeen (illicit bars that exist throughout South Africa) and the brave can even taste the local delicacy of mopane worms! We then explored the Palace of the Lost City and the numerous hotels and accommodation that cater for all budgets and tastes.

Day 2: Madikwe Game Reserve
Big Five game reserve

After a delicious breakfast we bid farewell to Sun City and took a short 1.5 hour drive to the malaria free Madikwe National Park. The 60, 000 hectare reserve is one of South Africa’s biggest Game Park’s and is home to a vast array of flora and fauna including the infamous Big Five animals. In contrast to Sun City, the reserve feels remote and detached from the “real world” and a deep sigh is all you need to leave the mayhem of the city behind you.

The reserve, situated in the North West Province of South Africa, consists of vast plains of open woodlands and grasslands, is bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains and is dotted with huge rocky hills or inselbergs. This quietly remote expanse of land was created as a joint venture between the State, the private sector and local communities.

Lunch at Madikwe Hills

Our first stop was Madikwe Hills for a delicious lunch on their sundeck overlooking a watering hole and the vast stretch of bush that unfolds. The Madikwe Hills lodge is built on various levels and connected with wooden walkways and besides the obvious allure of Big Five game drives; it has a quite and tranquil feel about it.

A night at Etali Safari Lodge

It was then on to the luxury Etali Safari Lodge for a quick dip in our private plunge pools before our evening game drive. We watched Rhino’s wallowing in the mud and saw a Wildebeest narrowly escape an attempted kill by a pride of Lions. As with most game drives, sundowners’ time gave us a great moment to climb off the landrover and observe the magnificent kaleidoscope of the African sunset. After a warm day in the sun and the exhilaration of our game drive, our Boma dinner was the perfect end to our day. A Boma dinner is traditionally a delicious spread of South African “braai” (barbeque) food cooked on a big open fire under the stars.

Day 3: Madikwe Game Reserve
Exploring lodges

The following day found us up early for game drive and an early morning coffee at Impodimo Game Lodge which is built alongside a lush natural spring that makes it a small oasis compared to the dry surrounds of the grasslands. A friendly, relaxed atmosphere resonates around the lodge. We then visited the Madikwe Safari Lodge for some deliciously cold homemade Sangria which was the best air-conditioning we experienced on our trip! The lodge was also great with an awesome, slightly elevated Boma that overlooks the plains.

Thakadu River Camp – tented safari

We were then fortunate enough to be among the first few to spend a night in the newly opened Thakadu River Camp. Thakadu tented safari camp is the only tented camp in Madikwe and staying in a luxury tent is a truly awesome experience! All the luxurious comforts are still there but you definitely feel closer to the bush and the original safari experience. It is located on the banks of the Marico River which makes it a fertile and tranquil place with lost of monkeys swinging in the trees.

Thakadu is a community owned and managed project which gives it a heart-warming and genuine hospitality. It is an ecotourism partnership between the government’s North-West Parks association, the Molatedi Community and the operator, The Madikwe Collection. The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the Reserve. The concept is unique in South Africa in that the community owns the development, with substantial benefits accruing to the community itself. Simply put, Thakadu River Camp is a beautiful and gentle place with wonderful local hospitality.

Madikwe National Park offers an excellent safari experience and is especially suited to visitors who prefer to enjoy their safari in malaria free areas. Both the Pilanesberg National Park and the Madikwe Game Reserve are in malaria free areas All in all it was a great adventure and we look forward to creating your personal travel itinerary for you!