Dithaba (meaning ‘mountain’ in local Setswana) has just four Suites, cleverly positioned to maximise the glorious sense of space and privacy you get when on the reserve. Each Suite is a couple or solo traveller’s retreat; or together, an exclusive home base for a multigenerational family or friend group while on safari. But either way, you’ll find the main lodge area they link to great for gatherings of family, new and old friends – replete with rounds of sundowners on the star deck and festive bush dinners ’round the boma fire.

Set within 75 000 hectares of safari park, Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge is situated on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa. Ingeniously set amongst boulders and age-old Tamboti trees, the private game lodge is situated in the middle of Madikwe, giving visitors a huge game drive advantage over other lodges situated on the borders of the reserve and offers guests the most amazing South African safari adventure. Madikwe Game Reserve is home not only to the ‘Big 5’ of Africa (Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino and Leopard), but also to a wealth of over 66 mammal species, including the rare African Wild Dog, as well as Cheetah, Eland, Kudu, Giraffe and a range of more than 300 resident and migratory species of birds.

Family

Cards accepted

16 years and older

4 suites

Restaurant

free Wi-Fi

Dining is an exploration of flavours – some familiar, some exotic – as anticipated as the safaris, which could end up taking you to a very special bush breakfast/lunch/dinner. Premium local wines, gins, and craft beers complement meals and showcase a few other fine South African offerings.

The lodge is located in the central-eastern region of Madikwe Game Reserve, in South Africa’s North West Province, bordering Botswana.

Game drives, in open safari vehicles, head out each day at sunrise and again in the late afternoon to find the reserve’s many fascinating animals, both diurnal and nocturnal. Keep an eye out for the African wild dog – Madikwe’s signature species. This mammal is one of the continent’s most endangered (largely due to habitat loss), but is flourishing here. With no more than eight guests on a game drive, accompanied by their Madikwe field guide, this is a truly intimate safari experience. Bush Walks These are our after-breakfast walks on the wild side. Guests are immersed in the bush, rather than just observing it. All five senses are engaged, as they feel scrub crunch beneath their feet, touch the velvety acacia seed pod, hear the crack of a branch indicating they are not alone, and spot big game at eye level – exhilarating! Our expert guides will tailor walks to each of our guest’s area/s of interest, focusing on mammals, birds, insects, plants, geology, etc.

4h 45min drive to O.R. Tambo International Airport.

For first-time and seasoned safari goers alike, Madikwe Game Reserve’s 76 000ha wilderness is a wonder. The reserve’s wooded hills give way to savannah and Kalahari plains, and within its floral transition zone, you’ll find a unique array of wildlife. Madikwe is one of the only places you can spot the aardwolf and brown hyena – both rare species, along with all of the iconic Big Five, and over 340 kinds of resident/migrant birds. What sets Dithaba apart is its private hillside position, ideal for those looking for a getaway in the truest sense. It’s a casually luxurious lodge where the simply constructed reed-thatch Suites all come with panoramic views across the savannah. Pull up the loungers to sunbathe, while looking out for the animals, or stargaze – cool, clear nights, with little light pollution and a wide horizon provide the perfect conditions.

Wildlife Lectures At times when the weather is unsuitable for safari activities, our field guides and trackers present short nature talks. They cover a host of subjects, giving guests more insight into the animals they see on safari (e.g. elephant behaviour) and the natural surrounds (e.g. the ecological impact of commercial lodges on the environment). The talks are informal presentations, largely guided by interactions with guests. Stargazing During evening game drives or bush dinners (weather permitting), the field guides will share insights into the skies. The clear air and minimal light pollution of this remote African wilderness make it an ideal location for stargazing. Guests will see planets and stars they have never before noticed with the naked eye. The guides will point out the constellations that shift seasonally and those that are unique to the southern hemisphere (circumpolar constellations), taking guests on an astral safari. Rhino Conservation Experience. Guests can participate in the process of gathering DNA samples from the rhino and ‘notching’ (attaching an identifying ear tag). Through this process, field guides are able to identify the rhinos and record their sightings for the purpose of monitoring the health of the population. DNA samples are also vital to ensure convictions against poachers.

Adding to your sense of complete escape, we offer Africology spa therapies from the privacy of your Suite or deck that will transport you to a place of serenity.