Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
Track the Big Five across two of Africa’s most rewarding game-viewing destinations - MalaMala and Madikwe.
Both reserves are owned by local communities, and both host the Big Five. And yet the safari experiences are very different. MalaMala offers that classic Lowveld safari - lush riverine vegetation and open plains producing regular Big Five sightings, with leopards almost guaranteed. Madikwe offers a mix of Kalahari thornveld, savanna bushveld and rocky koppies with additional species such as brown hyena, bat-eared fox and oryx.
One thing both of our chosen lodges have in common is exclusivity and a sense of bygone era tradition and privacy.
An exclusive journey to find the Big Five and much more
Highlights
Find the Big Five and much more: Track lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo and keep your eyes open for cheetah, brown and spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra and a host of other species.
Exclusive wildlife viewing: Enjoy expertly guided drives in prime wildlife territory with limited tourist volumes, allowing close, unhurried encounters and exceptional photographic opportunities.
Safari elegance: Stay in intimate, beautifully designed lodges that combine contemporary comfort with the atmosphere of classic safari adventure.
Conservation & community: Learn about the pioneering rewilding at Madikwe and the long-term conservation legacy that defines MalaMala today. Both game reserves are owned by local communities.
Effortless aerial transfers: Fly smoothly between reserves, enjoying a seamless connection that maximises time in the bush and offers beautiful aerial views of South Africa’s landscapes.
Locations
Madikwe Game Reserve is renowned for its excellent sightings of the Big 5, as well as wild dogs, cheetahs, and brown hyenas. The reserve occupies a transition zone between Kalahari thornveld and savanna bushveld and is topographically varied and fascinating. Volcanic inselbergs break the region’s woodlands and plains, while the Marico River (also known as the Madikwe River) adds riverine habitat along the eastern portion of the reserve, and the Dwarsberg Mountains dominate the southern skyline. Madikwe is owned by local communities who, in 1991, decided to stop farming to conserve their land more effectively and focus on safari tourism.
MalaMala Game Reserve, part of South Africa's legendary Greater Kruger, is home to the Big Five and a breathtaking diversity of landscapes, giving discerning travellers an authentic and exclusive safari experience. The region includes Kruger National Park and neighbouring private reserves such as MalaMala, Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Klaserie and Thornybush.
Lodges
4 nights at Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge (Madikwe Game Reserve). Set among boulders and tamboti trees, this lodge blends natural textures with understated luxury. Glass-fronted suites with private plunge pools overlook the plains, creating a feeling of space and seclusion in the heart of Big Five country.
4 nights at MalaMala Camp (MalaMala Game Reserve, Greater Kruger). A heritage camp at the edge of the Sand River, offering exceptional wildlife access and refined comfort. Its generous suites, riverside decks and world-class guiding embody the golden age of safari — reimagined for modern travellers.
Timing
The best time to go on safari in the South African bushveld is from May to October, when clear skies, mild days and sparse vegetation make wildlife viewing exceptional. Animals gather around waterholes, and predator activity peaks.
The green season (November to March) offers lush landscapes, migrant birds and dramatic skies — a rewarding time for photographers and those who appreciate the vibrancy of summer in the bush.
Price per person sharing
8 nights (9 days) | ||
Low season | Jan to Mar 2026 | from ZAR 195,000 |
High season | Jul to Oct 2026 | from ZAR 222,000 |
Includes: Flights connecting Johannesburg, Madikwe and MalaMala, airstrip transfers, all accommodation, meals, local beverages and laundry, twice-daily game drives with professional guides and trackers, park entrance and conservation fees, and 24-hour logistical support.
Excludes: International flights, airport taxes, gratuities, personal expenses, optional activities not specified, and mandatory travel, cancellation and medical insurance.
Thank you!
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
“World-class experience”
Stefan Winterboer, South Africa safari expert: “You couldn’t ask for a stronger Big 5 safari pairing: exceptional game viewing, outstanding guiding, warm, polished hospitality, and beautiful accommodation. MalaMala and Madikwe Hills together deliver a complete, world-class safari experience.”
“Madikwe has my heart”
Our destination expert, Nadia Lautenbach, says, “Having guided in Madikwe for 17 years, this Big Five reserve is close to my heart – diverse, exciting, never dull. Madikwe Hills stands out: owner-run with genuine care and beautiful detail you feel in every moment.”
"Effortless Big 5 encounters"
Luis Gama, South Africa safari expert: “At MalaMala I found the perfect blend of comfort and wilderness – unfenced with the neighbouring Kruger National Park, leopard sightings around every corner, and effortless Big Five encounters. It felt like a secret safari haven I’ll always treasure.”
Safari planning
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MalaMala & Madikwe Big 5 safari
Tell us about your dream trip - our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!