bad choice of flight left
me very little time to
collect my hired car
and race out of Johan-
nesburg city before the
afternoon peak traffic
congestion. Slipping out just as the conges-
tion started, I had 3 ½ hours easy drive on
good tarred road to get to the western en-
trance to Madikwe Game Reserve at Won-
derboom gate.
My late arrival meant I missed the afternoon
game drive and sundowner drinks in the
bush. All game lodges are booked on an all-
inclusive basis, including all meals, two game
drives per day and some lodges include
drinks. My pre-dinner drinks were enjoyed
on the balcony overlooking the open plains
of woodland and grassland below. A popular
waterhole near the lodge kept us enter-
tained as game strolled in to drink. A deli-
cious dinner was enjoyed in a traditional
boma, our dinner tables placed around a
roaring bon fire under the clear African sky.
The unfenced camp meant that I required an
escort to my room by an armed game
ranger. What luxury! I felt like a real lady! My
luxury suite had its own private deck looking
onto the open game area, a large colourful
four-poster double bed draped with mos-
quito netting, a beautiful bathroom and a
great outdoor shower.
An early morning wakeup call had me jump-
ing up in excitement. It had been years sinceI was last in the bushveld surrounded by
game. I was looking forward to the open ve-
hicle game drive. We enjoyed a hot cup of
coffee and some delicious snacks before
heading out on the drive. Roddy, our chatty
game ranger, ensured that we enjoyed a
great gaming experience with spottings of
lion, elephant, hyena, black rhino, black
backed jackal and numerous very colourful
bird species.
We returned to the lodge to enjoy a full buf-
fet breakfast attractively arranged in the bar
area at the swimming pool. As we sat down
with our first serving, a small herd of ele-
phants strolled up to the swimming pool just
a few metres away from us and started
drinking out of the pool. Wow! What an en-
counter! Who needs a game drive, when you
can sit in comfort at the lodge and watch the
game come to you?
I decided to vary my stay in Madikwe by in-
cluding two different lodges to stay at. After
breakfast at Impodimo and a bit of time with
the ellies, I then made my way to Mateya
Lodge, a 5-star experience like no other!
With immaculate attention to detail, the
lodge is intricately designed, has magnificent
arts and crafts from all over Africa and offers
6-star service! Exquisite!
On arrival, I was welcomed with hot hand
towels and an exotic cocktail, my hired car
driven to the car park and my luggage car-
ried to my suite. I was invited in for lunch on
the deck overlooking open plains and awater hole, where game roamed freely.
After lunch, I was lead along a raised
wooden walkway to my private suite. It was
more like a house! It was huge! The spacious,
beautifully decorated bedroom opened up
to my own private deck and plunge pool
overlooking the open plains, where the
game roamed. The bathroom, almost the
size of the bedroom, complete with all the
luxuries fit for a queen!
After a quick nap in the comfort of my suite
and a dip in my private plunge pool, I joined
the rest of the guests at the lodge for High
Tea. Aware of the five-course dinner that
awaited us in the evening and having al-
ready enjoyed two large meals today, I
struggled to taste some of the delicious
looking snacks at High Tea! The atmos-
phere was ignited with excited chatter be-
tween the game ranger, and the other
guests.
Equipped with binoculars, mammal and bird
books and an experienced game ranger we
set off in our open 4x4 safari vehicle for our
afternoon drive through the reserve. Our
spottings were excellent and included sight-
ings of lions, elephants, a leopard on a kill, a
small family of bat eared foxes and hyena.
My 300-zoom lens allowed some good
close-up photos. After the drive, we all gath-
ered for dinner on the deck and shared our
excitement of our days sightings. The meal
was exquisite and the company was fun,
drinks flowed until late in the evening.98 | http://www.nomadafricamag.com | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent | Issue 11A LUXURY WEEKEND AWAY WITH LIONS AT
MADIKWE
Back Seat
a
Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province is fast becoming
one of South Africa’s prime safari destinations. As one of the largest
game reserves in South Africa, it offers Big 5 game viewing in a malaria
free zone. Since I hadn’t been up that side of the country before, I fig-
ured I would take a weekend to visit.Words: KRISTIE OMAR | PHOTOGRAGH: MORUKURU FAMILY