Project Description
Madikwe Photo Safari
Sitting on the border between Botswana and South Africa is a hidden gem of a photo safari destination. This brilliantly run reserve is home to the Big Five as well as one of our favourite camps in Southern Africa – Jacis! We love Jaci’s so much we built a hide there called The Terrapin!
Madikwe works as a stand-alone destination and combines it with other destinations in Botswana, Sabi Sands, and Cape Town in South Africa. The reserve has impressive populations of all the big cats and several other iconic species. Off-roading is permitted at these sightings!
Please note that any photo safari in Madikwe is fully customisable in terms of the number of days, time of year, and room choice, and the total price will reflect this. We suggest 5 nights would be the right amount of time to make the most of this amazing reserve. The information below is based on a 5-night stay.
Madikwe is a privately run reserve located on the border between South Africa and Botswana. Driving from Johannesburg to Madikwe (either self-driving or in a chauffeured minibus) takes around 4 hours. If you choose to drive yourself, rest assured that the majority of the way is paved, with the last 45 minutes through the reserve itself! If you left Johannesburg in the morning (maybe after overnighting from your international flight), you would get to Madikwe in the early afternoon for your first game drive.
The faster alternative is to fly, and there are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport straight into the reserve, taking less than an hour. This is a little more expensive but very convenient, and the airstrip is a short drive in reserve to Jacis.
Jaci’s is actually comprised of two lodges right near each other – Jaci’s Tree Lodge and Jaci’s Safari Lodge. Both are fantastic and full of fun and vibrancy, reflecting the owner herself! Jaci is a force of nature!
The setup in Madikwe is similar to that of Sabi Sands (near Kruger), where the entire reserve is supported by the lodges and operators. There is one big difference, though, and that’s the fact that every lodge has the right to traverse every part of the reserve rather than it being sliced up into different properties.
When we build an itinerary incorporating Madikwe, we always opt for a private vehicle to be included. There is always the option of having a Pangolin Photo Host joining you, too! Madikwe tries to limit the number of vehicles on the reserve so you can often see 6 to 9 people on a game viewer, which is not ideal for a photo safari experience. With a private vehicle, you get more space and free reign about where you want to go and what subject matter you want to find and focus on.
Madikwe has a large population of lions and leopards, as well as megafaunas like elephants, buffalo, and giraffes. It is a Big 5 reserve. There are also regular sightings of rarer species, such as Brown Hyenas, wild Dogs, and some very relaxed Cheetahs! There are plenty of birds around (300+ species), with the numbers swelling during the months from November to March when the summer migrants are in residence.
All the vehicles from all the lodges are on the same radio network to coordinate the sightings, and your guide will be tapped into this to make sure he or she knows what is going on where..and how nearby! Sightings at Madikwe are strictly controlled, with a limited number of vehicles at each sighting.
While at Jacis, you will do a morning and an afternoon game drive with time to relax back at the lodge in between. Having a private vehicle also allows for more flexibility in the timing and duration of these drives. If you want one of the Pangolin Photo Hosts to join you on this photo safari adventure, that is certainly possible. Please chat with one of our safari planners to see how this could work.
Back at the camp is the Terrapin Hide that Guts built in 2016, which sits in the middle of the waterhole behind Jacis Tree Lodge. Because the hide entrance is within the fence of the camp, it is accessible 24/7 with a stunning deck nearby to spend some time in the fresh air in between “visitors”. The hide is quite a feat of engineering and is accessed through a tunnel at the bank. In the hide, you are at water level and around 20ft from the drinking edge!
We tend to put our guests in Jacis Tree Lodge due to its proximity to the Terrapin hide, but if you’re travelling in a small group of 4-6 people, we opt for one of the private suites at Safari Lodge. These suites have up to three double bedrooms and come with their own private vehicle. We have a special arrangement with Jacis to allow these suites to have access to the Terrapin hide, too.
The staff at Jaci’s are some of the friendliest and most professional you will come across. Jacis is a family business with Jaci’s two sons getting more involved in the running of the business – and maintaining Jaci’s impeccable standards. The food is superb and there are always surprise “moments” that we won’t ruin for you!
On the final day in Madikwe, there is often time for one last morning drive and a bite to eat before heading off. Many of our guests like to incorporate Madkwe into the end of a Botswana safari, so in that case, you may well be heading to OR Tambo for your international flight home.
If you are on an extended photo safari itinerary, you will be pleased to hear that there is a charter flight from Madikwe straight to Sabi Sands should you wish to see and photograph another amazing South African photo safari destination. Alternatively, you could be sipping a cocktail in Cape Town by the afternoon, as getting to The Mother City is very straightforward. This option is particularly popular with mixed groups of photographers and non-photographers as it offers up a quintessential safari experience along with superb restaurants, stunning scenery and a breathtaking coastline, all wrapped up in Africa’s most cosmopolitan city.
There are plenty of options, so please complete the form below, and one of our expert safari planners will give you all your options.
2025 Prices
It’s difficult to give a definitive price for a photo safari in Madikwe as it depends on several factors, including the time of year, the number of people travelling, your itinerary and whether you would like to add the services of a Pangolin Photo Host, etc.
Please fill out the form below with any additional information or requirements, and one of our expert safari planners will send you some ideas and costings.
5 nights at Jacis Lodges (Tree Lodge or Safari Lodge)
Private vehicle and safari guide
Twice daily game activities
All meals and drinks (excl premium brands)
Airstrip transfers (if required)
Park fees, conservation and tourism levies
Laundry, gratuities and items of a personal nature
Visa fees if required
International and regional flights
Single supplement for solo travellers
How big is Madikwe?
Madikwe Game Reserve covers an area of approximately 75,000 hectares (750 square kilometres or 290 square miles). This makes it the fifth-largest game reserve in South Africa. The large area also enables the reserve to maintain a relatively low visitor density, enhancing the exclusivity and quality of wildlife viewing experience.
Do you have any hosted wildlife photography workshops at Madikwe?
On occasion, we have organised group photo safaris at Madikwe, but these days, we tend to offer the services of a Pangolin Photo Host in Madikwe as and when it is requested. Along with the hosts we have based in Botswana, we have several top wildlife photography guides we work with who are specialists when it comes to guiding photographers in South Africa. If you would like to add a pangolin Photo Host to your package, we can certainly see who is available at that time and team you up with the perfect photo host. Bear in mind that this becomes more economical if you are a small group of between 4 and 6 people.
What is the weather like throughout the year in Madikwe?
Madikwe Game Reserve experiences a semi-arid climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Here’s a breakdown of the weather throughout the year:
- Winter: May to September
- Days are typically sunny and clear, with Daytime temperatures mild, often ranging from 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C).
- Nights and early mornings can be quite cold, sometimes dropping below freezing in the early morning.
- Summer: October to April
- The region is characterized by warm days and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can reach 85°F to 95°F (29°C to 35°C) or higher.
- The landscape becomes lush and green, offering beautiful scenery and beautiful verdant backdrops for wildlife images.
- There are more bird species at this time of year too.
How do I get to Madikwe?
There are several ways to get to Madikwe Game Reserve:
By Air:
- The easiest and quickest way is to fly from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, which takes about one hour.
- There are daily shuttle flights to Madikwe.
- Charter flights are also available for a more personalized experience for small groups
By Road:
- You can drive from Johannesburg, which takes approximately 4-5 hour (360km)
- Rental cars are available at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Shuttle/Transfer Services:
- Road transfers can be arranged from Johannesburg, taking about 4 hours.
How do I get to Madikwe from Botswana?
There is the possibility of flying to Gaborne from either Kasane (BBK) or Maun (MUB) and then driving over the border from there to Madikwe – which would make sense from a geographic standpoint. However, the domestic flights in Botswana are not very reliable, and if your flight gets into Gaborone late, you will have to overnight and cross into South Africa the next day.
The most reliable way to get top Madikwe from Botswana is to fly to Johannesburg and overnight at a hotel near the airport. The next day, you can either go to Madikwe by car or take the daily charter flight straight into the reserve. This is always our preferred option.
Do I have to have a private vehicle in Madikwe?
The policy at most camps and lodges in Madikwe is to have between 6 and 9 people (three per row) on each game viewer to reduce the total number of vehicles in the reserve. If you are travelling outside of a busy time like Christmas or European school holidays then you are more likely to have fewer people on a vehicle without the cost of a private vehicle.
In our opinion, though, if you are looking to dramatically improve the wildlife photography experience, then having a private vehicle does just that. It means that you can dictate what you would like to find and photograph, and you don’t have to worry about non-photographers wanting to leave a sighting because they have now “seen it”.
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