Etali Safari Lodge
North West Province, South Africa[view map]
Worth getting out of bed for
Madikwe Game Reserve has an dazzling array of wildlife. Elephant, rhino (black and white), lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, brown hyena, spotted hyena, springbok, eland, kudu, wildebeest, warthog, crocodile and Chacma baboon are some of the larger species to be seen. Smaller species include rock dassie, African civet, genet, bush baby, porcupine, and aardvark. Madikwe is also a superb area for bird watching, with over 350 species identified in the area. September to November is a particularly good time for game watching as dry conditions mean the wildlife clusters around the watering holes.
Game drives are in eight-person open vehicules and can start as early as 5.45am; expert guides can provide insight into local wildlife, be it the private life of the dung beetle or the intricacies of the wild dog's social system. Game walks are led by armed and experienced rangers along game paths.