Opulent Africa Ltd are a UK based Madikwe Safari Operator.

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Opulent Africa are based in the Northamptonshire countryside and take great pride in organising luxury safaris throughout Africa at a competitive rate. With ATOL bonding and our in depth knowledge our UK clients repeat with us regularly.

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Madikwe Reserve – ideal for luxury family safaris

The Madikwe Game Reserve is an ideal destination for families wanting to experience a first class luxury safari. This game rich reserve also has the added advantage of being malaria free – a great plus point for many parents considering an African safari holiday with young children. There are superb luxurious lodges here with many specifically tailored towards families and younger children with suitable facilities, child-friendly guides and activities directed towards encouraging and appreciating eco-awareness in both the young and the “not so young” guests. The diversity of vegetation and varied topography of the landscape encases a broad range of wildlife and offers ideal game viewing opportunities.

Situated just a short flight from the international gateway of Johannesburg, the Madikwe Game Reserve is South Africa’s second largest, covering an area of 75,000 hectares. Amongst its many varied species of wildlife is the famous Big Five – often a magnet for game viewers – together with a huge birdlife population of over 300 resident and migrant species.

The Madikwe Game Reserve played a special role in the wildlife history of South Africa having been involved in Operation Phoenix – the largest relocation of game ever undertaken, which began in 1991. During the next six years, until Operation Phoenix’s conclusion in 1997, some 10,000 animals were introduced into the Reserve. Elephant, rhino, lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, Cape hunting dog, giraffe, antelope and other herbivores were introduced – a immense swathe of wildlife which has thrived.

This game reserve was created in a joint venture between the North West Parks, the Tourism Board and private sector together with local communities and is one of the few reserves in the world designated as such because of being identified specifically for the purpose ie. the most suitable and sustainable land use. The management of the Madikwe Game Reserve being shared between the State, private sector and local communities has proved to be a success and has become a model for other collaborations in South Africa.

The Dwarsberg Range of hills lie to the south of the game reserve whilst the border with Botswana runs along the northern edge. A perennial river flows along the eastern side and the Marico River runs together with the highway to Gaborone, the capital of Botswana which creates the western boundary.

The lush grassy plains and open woodland are not only where the Big Five are thriving - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino - but also many cheetah, packs of wild dog, swaying columns of giraffe and the plains animals - zebra, spotted hyena, brown hyena, springbok, eland, kudu, wildebeest. Due to the low rainfall in the region's Madikwe’s larger wildlife are attracted to waterholes throughout the year where they encounter hippo, warthog and crocodile.

Madikwe enjoys a unique location as it is a transition zone on the edges of the Kalahari Desert where a number of rare bird species occur and this region is truly a bird lover’s paradise. Some 350 different species have been recorded here including the African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle, Secretary Bird, Spotted Eagle Owl and tiny Pearl Spotted Owl and hooked, thermal wheeling vultures.

The Madikwe is a thriving wilderness with prolific game, stunning scenery and excellent, well managed safari lodges. Having such easy access to Johannesburg by short air transfer it is ideal to combine a safari in the Madikwe Game Reserve with the cosmopolitan sights of Cape Town and self drive scenic Garden Route.