Waterberg & Madikwe

This stunning area to the north of Johannesburg is malaria free and perfect for a self-drive holiday with excellent game viewing opportunities in Madikwe Game Reserve or one of the private game reserves in the Waterberg region.

The Waterberg Mountains rise out of the vast open plains of bushveld north of Johannesburg and is primarily a safari destination. It is a stunning area of natural beauty with a dramatic forested plateau dissected by ravines and waterfalls and panoramic views. There are a mixture of private reserves some with the big five and others just nature reserves with some lovely walking and horse riding.

The Madikwe Game Reserve is situated close to the Botswana border with great game viewing opportunities. Wild dog, black and white rhino, can be seen as well as sable, gemsbok, springbok and giraffe. The area also boasts over 300 species of bird. Enjoy the extensive game on foot, from a vehicle or on horseback to make the most of the viewing opportunities and with great lodges available for all budgets, this area is a hidden gem and well worth a visit.

Did you know?

• Waterberg was the hunting ground of the San (Bushman) people and so fascinating Bushman paintings and archaeological sites are still to be found all over the area.
• Horse safaris are available here in non big five reserves so great for children and less confident riders.
• You can find the rarer breeds here such as sable, roan, mountain reedbuck and brown hyena.
• Madikwe is South Africa’s prime malaria free park.
• There is a good chance of seeing wild dog here.
• You have to stay in one of the 4 or 5 star lodges within the park, there is no self drive.
• Madikwe originally was an impoverished area with poor land for farming so in 1991 it was declared a reserve and 10 000 mammals were relocated from other National Parks.
• The reserve lies within a transition region between Lowveld bushveld and the Kalahari thornveld. As a result the region is host to an incredible diversity of species from both ecosystems.