Jaci’s Lodges | Wildlife South Africa

JACI'S LODGES

FILTER BY PROVINCE

FILTER BY ACCOMMODATION

JACI'S LODGES

MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
North West, Luxury Safari Lodge

Jaci’s Lodges are situated in the well-known Madikwe Game Reserve, a top Big 5 Safari destination in the North West Province of South Africa.

ENQUIRE NOW

Jaci’s Tree Lodge & Jaci’s Safari Lodge is situated in the malaria free, Big 5, Madikwe Game Reserve, a luxury safari destination, a mere 3 ½ hour’s drive from Johannesburg or a quick charter flight from OR Tambo International Airport.

Jaci’s offers a unique and luxurious safari in South Africa. Safaris and bush adventures are tailored to your needs, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday in the wild, an epic Big Five expedition, or a romantic safari for two.

Jaci’s is known for attention to detail, ensuring luxurious safari-style accommodation, friendly service, delicious fire-cooked and starlit meals, coupled with daily excursions into the wild with expert field guides.

ACCOMMODATION

JACI’S TREE LODGE

At Jaci’s Tree Lodge guests can relax in one of eight luxurious tree houses built on the edge of the Marico River.

In custom-built Tree Houses that float high above the ground on wooden stilts, connected by suspended walkways, guests can enjoy a magnificent accommodation experience with views across the mighty Marico River.

Each of the eight Tree Houses are made from a combination of Gum poles, canvas and African rosewood. They are decorated in vibrant reds and greens, complemented by modern African elements.

Each room includes a king-sized or 2 three quarter beds, a luxurious stone bath and a private outdoor shower from which you can enjoy the vista – honeymoon heaven. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning/heating and overhead fans to ensure comfort throughout the year.

The dining area in the main lodge is where guests can eat their fill or savour high tea. Enjoy sundown while on safari or at the hide overlooking the waterhole. Alternatively, listen to the sounds of the bush or curl up with a good book at the fireplace or in the breakaway lounge.

JACI’S SAFARI LODGE

Jaci’s Safari Lodge offers visitors a elegant space in which to unwind, a luxurious haven where guests can interact with some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife. From your balcony, or even from your bed, you can watch bushbuck, elephant bulls and a water monitor or more come down to drink.

Each of the eight tented-style suites was designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. From a soft and luxurious bed that inspires lazy afternoon naps to expansive stone baths and richly towelled bathrobes, the attention to detail at Jaci’s Safari Lodge guarantees that guests can unwind in style.

For families looking for a superb bushveld getaway, the Jaci’s Lodges Nare Suite or Safari Suite offer the perfect venue and the finest luxury accommodation in Madikwe. The two exclusive suites sleep families of six and feature a private plunge pool and deck as well as a private game drive vehicle; a wonderful shared space for families on safari together.

Jaci’s Tented Suites:

Jaci’s Safari Lodge tented suites are decorated in vibrant colours and African textures.

Each suite is home to a large mosaic bath (big enough for two to share), a private outdoor shower and a suspended viewing deck from which to watch warthogs rolling in the mud or tree squirrels darting through the foliage.

With thatch roofs, low stone walls and canvas panels that roll up, the Lodge’s eight spacious tented suites let the outside in, making for an exclusive African safari experience.

The suites are equipped with underfloor heating to ensure that you are comfortable during the chilly winter months, and air conditioning and a ceiling fan to keep you cool during sunburnt summer days.

Starbed Suites:

Imagine sleeping under the stars within the privacy of your romantic suite. Each of the 2 suites features poster king beds, wrap around outside deck area, lounge with comfy seating, writing desk, private library, adjoining bedroom with en-suite bathroom complete with Jaci's super large baths, indoor & outdoor shower as well as a private starbed on the roof.

Jaci’s Nare Suite:

The Nare Suite is a family bush retreat named after the resident buffalo bull that frequents the waterhole in front of it.

The suite can accommodate up to six guests: it includes a master and guest bedroom downstairs with an open-plan bathroom, thandmade rock jacuzi and outdoor shower, and a loft with upstairs toilet.

The suite includes a private swimming pool and viewing deck that overlook an active waterhole. Here families are invited to sit back, relax and enjoy watching resident wildlife.

Thanks to a self-contained kitchen, Jaci’s five-star chefs can prepare meals for you in private, should you so desire.

Jaci’s Safari Suite:

The Jaci’s Safari Suite, designed and decorated in vibrant colours and African textures, is a perfect hideaway for larger families looking for an exclusive bush adventure.

The master bedroom and adjoining children’s room has an outdoor safari shower and open-plan bath with magnificent views into the bush. Across the passage there is a lounge with adjoining guest room and an upstairs loft.

The large custom-built deck features a central fire pit and spacious seating area which leads on to a “star pod” and private swimming pool. The ideal location for sundowners, stargazing, bird watching, bush views and cooling off, The Safari Suite accommodates up to 8 guests.

LODGE FACILITIES

Open plan kitchen
Indoor and outdoor dining facilities
Outdoor swimming pool
Gift boutique
Outdoor hide overlooking an active waterhole
Gym
Massage Sala
Children’s playroom

SELF CATERING IN MADIKWE GAME RESERVE

Mongoose House

One of only two self-catering options in Madikwe Game Reserve, the Mongoose House is a fantastic choice. Mongoose House is fully furnished and equipped and also includes a private game-drive vehicle and field guide. Mongoose House can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests.

Facilities:

4 Bedrooms
Fully equipped open-plan kitchen
Large dining and lounge area
Outdoor braai facility
Private swimming pool
Spacious wooden decks
Outside cottage (king-sized bed, open-plan bathroom with outdoor shower on wooden balcony)

Mongoose House is only available on request and only at certain times of the year.

CHILDREN

Children of all ages are welcome at Jaci’s Lodges.

DINING

Jaci’s Lodge’s chefs are dedicated to preparing fresh, wholesome and tasty dishes. Meals are served in true African-style in a boma around a fire or a more intimate affair, served under the stars. Meal schedules are flexible, typically tailored around game drives.

Weddings and Special Events

Jaci’s Safari Lodge and Jaci's Tree Lodge offer a unique wedding venue in the heart of the African bush. Celebrate special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays and family gatherings, in true safari style.

With extensive experience in planning such celebrations, Jaci’s dedicated staff will ensure that your special occasion runs smoothly.

Please note a minimum booking of 2 nights are required.

WILDLIFE ACTIVITIES

Game drives

Two daily safari game drives into the 75 000-hectare Madikwe Game Reserve are the main draw card at Jaci’s Lodges. Game drive lasts for three hours.

A two-way radio system keeps the guides in touch. This adds to the variety of animal sightings, although a strict protocol is enforced to ensure that a fresh lion kill, doesn’t become instantly overcrowded with excited tourists. Only three vehicles are permitted at a time per animal sighting.

Walking safaris

Guests can enjoy a three to four hour walk through the Madikwe bushveld. A reasonable level of fitness are recommended as walks could vary between 5km and 10km.

Photographic Safaris

Specialized photographic safaris with renowned wildlife photographers who provide professional tuition and wildlife photographic tips. These safaris cater for all levels of photographer on daily photographic safaris at Jaci’s Lodges. Photographic safaris are done on specific scheduled dates. Please note that a minimum of 4 photographers are required.

Birding Safaris

Madikwe Game Reserve is a birdlife paradise, featuring more than 340 species of birds. Specialized birding safaris, led by professional and passionate birding specialist guides, are conducted. There must be a minimum of 4 confirmed birders for the specialized safari to commence.

WILDLIFE, BIRDING AND NATURE

Wildlife

Madikwe’s location close to the edge of the Kalahari Desert means there’s an overlap of a number of species, offering visitors greater viewing diversity.

The field guides of Madikwe prefer to focus on the “Top 10” rather than the Big Five. In addition to boasting the sought-after African species of lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhino (both black and white), malaria-free Madikwe is also home to hippo, giraffe, wild dog, hyena (spotted and brown) and cheetah. Of these, the cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena and black rhino are the most endangered species.

The reserve supports a number of large antelope species, such as eland, gemsbok, sable and nyala, to name but a few. Smaller buck species such as springbok, oribi, duiker and klipspringer also abound.

Smaller animals to be found include the honey badger, otter, serval, fox, meerkat, antbear, baboon, porcupine, warthog, bush baby and hedgehog, amongst many.

Good news for visitors to Madikwe is that highly endangered African wild dog packs are flourishing in the reserve. The dogs are extremely active and as such need to make on average a kill a day to keep their energy levels up. The wild dogs in Madikwe Game Reserve are accustomed to safari vehicles, offering wonderful photographic opportunities.

Birdlife

The birds are attracted by tree species such as the shepherd’s tree, weeping wattle and marula, as well as the range of wild grasses, making Madikwe a birdwatchers' paradise. More than 340 feathered species have been recorded in Madikwe Game Reserve.

Landscape and vegetation

The rich diversity of thorny scrub merging into savannah grassland is able to sustain a wide range of game, including a number of crossover species usually limited to one of the two environments.

The reserve is divided by Rant van Tweedepoort, a series of hills, and bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountain. The Madikwe landscape also features inselbergs, isolated hills in an otherwise flat plot of land.

LOCATION

The 75 000ha Madikwe Game Reserve lies in the extreme north-west corner of South Africa’s North West Province.

NOTE: All photos copyright Jaci's Lodges