Visual Hotel Review: Madikwe Safari Lodge
Five years ago, I photographed the King.
The Lion King to be precise.
It’s a moment I remember so intensely, even shedding a tear or two at the time. The gazing eyes of a male lion, peering directly into my lens, were so overwhelming, all-consuming and wildly wonderful.
It remains one of my favourite images to date and was taken in the wilderness of Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North-West province of South Africa.
As luck would have it, I was invited back to photograph the reserve with Adventure World and South Africa Tourism, only this time, we stayed at the luxurious Madikwe Safari Lodge, a collection of private villas perched above the expansive plains.
With 75,000 hectares to explore again, what do you think my chances were of photographing the same lion?
Within moments of touching down on our charter flight from Johannesburg with Federal Air, I was taking photos of Giraffe, Impala and warthogs (I find them extremely cute). I’m talking mere minutes of stepping off the plane with the safari jeep still on the runway.
The feeling of adventure strikes instantly.
From my previous trip, I knew the photography opportunities commence immediately, so was ready to go with batteries charged, and my favourite wildlife combination, the OM-1 MKII + 40-150mm f2.8 lens. Ten minutes in, 50 photos down.
The Location
Bordering Botswana, the reserve is located within the North-West Province of South Africa, with the closest city being Johannesburg. It’s a short 1hr flight from O. R. Tambo International Airport, easily transporting you to Madikwe Game Reserve, where wildlife awaits. Alternatively, if you wish to drive, there are two main routes to choose from. The first via Molatedi Gate for a more scenic route from Sun City, or the second via the Abjaterskop Gate, both roughly 4-5hrs.
We flew with Federal Air, and the experience was first class with friendly pilots and staff, plus a well-stocked boarding lounge with food, drinks, and gorgeous coffee table books focused on wildlife photography to enjoy before taking off. The experience of landing on the reserve is one of a kind, with elephants, zebra, and giraffe all visible from above!
The Little Luxuries
Madikwe Safari Lodge features three lodges —Lelapa, Kopano, and Dithaba, plus the Elela Villa —each designed to provide a unique and exclusive experience whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or family. I stayed in the most secluded, Dithaba Lodge, where just four villas are nestled into the bush, each with their own private deck and plunge pool.
Dithaba felt like stepping into a sanctuary where every detail had been considered to create open planned, yet intimate spaces for relaxation, utilising views over the reserve. The pool deck was framed by trees on either side, meaning a chorus of birdsong accompanied a dip and sun soak between game drives.
The spacious suites are elegantly decorated, blending contemporary design with traditional African elements. I was in D1, where I took advantage of the private deck to listen to nearby wildlife and the outdoor shower, why is showing outside so damn thrilling? allowing guests to relax while enjoying uninterrupted views of the bush.
The Nature
Conservation and nature are at the heart of a stay at Madikwe Safari Lodge, not only can you witness the wilderness come to life on a sunrise and sunset game drive, but you can opt to take part in rhino notching and micro-chipping which assists in the protection of these threatened species.
These once in a lifetime experiences must be booked in advance to ensure the necessary arrangements are organised well ahead of time. On a previous visit I took part in a rhino notching, and it was such a powerful process to be part of. Listening up close to the rhino’s heartbeat, to feel its skin as they’re performing the tasks, the true gravity of the situation didn’t hit me until I was up close, then I felt my eyes widen as my mind understood just how special it was to be involved.
If you’re keen on photographing on a game drive, you’re treated to a sunrise and sunset safari. Open air vehicles will take you through the vegetation, with every corner revealing something new. You could go 45 minutes without seeing anything, and then stumble upon a herd of zebra, roaming wildebeest, and little warthogs. Two minutes later and an elephant may wander by, followed by a flutter of colourful birds. There’s something so calming about game drives, I love the thrill of not knowing what you’ll see next, also that your guide is in control and all you need to do is sit back and watch the African wilderness go by.
The Photography Opportunities
Photographing the wildlife at Madikwe is always such a special experience. As with all game drives, you don’t really know what you’ll see first, what the light will be like, nor the moment. It’s a thrill and challenge to be ready for anything.
You could get a herd of wildebeest tromping slowly across the road. Next up may be a Giraffe peeking its head above the acacia trees, followed by a speedy little warthog trotting through the scrub. Then you hear the mating calls of Impala (trust me, you’ll hear them, so loud!) as they dart across chasing females on a mission.
Seasonal changes bring different wildlife behaviours and photographic opportunities. During my visit in May, I was treated to the impalas’ loud mating calls, a unique and fascinating display so distinctly different to my previous visit in December. The winter months also offer excellent game viewing as animals congregate around water sources, and the sparse vegetation makes spotting wildlife easier.
You’ll want a versatile lens when photographing wildlife at Madikwe, with enough reach to capture birds and animals in the distance, but wide enough if you’re lucky and the wildlife are almost in the vehicle.
My gear list for Wildlife Photography at Madikwe –
Camera Bodies: OM SYSTEM OM-1 MKII + OM-1
Lenses: 12-40mm f2.8, 40-150mm f2.8 (the most used), and I had the MC-20 2 x Teleconverter for an extension of the 40-150mm.
Wildlife Photography Tips:
Challenge yourself to seek opportunities to use the surrounding landscape to help frame your subject. This is quite tricky when you’re confined to a vehicle, but getting low, and moving around in your seat can help to reveal new ways of approaching the scene when stopped to view an elephant grazing for example. At times, I was curled into an awkward ball beneath the seat, shooting just over the edge of the car to line up a shot through some bushes. I also carried a branch with leaves with me from the table setting…just to shoot through with a wide aperture and add some interest to the shot. (see below)
Look for moments that incorporate natural light, your ranger has likely worked with photographers before, so they’ll place you at a great angle to capture wildlife photos, however if you do see an alternate opportunity, you can gently ask if it’s possible to roll slowly forward, change angle, or shoot from the opposite direction into/away from the light.
Silhouettes are wonderful to play with during the golden hours, as is the golden glow, which feels extra warm and sparkly when African wildlife are involved! The light makes any visible dust being kicked up by their movements even more magical.
During my stay, I saw some unexpected treasures like snakes, the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (my favourite bird to photograph) and a chameleon. I wasn’t fast enough for the chameleon, mainly because I was so impressed by the green tone against the red dirt, he clearly didn’t have his invisibility cloak turned on!
The Experiences
As the sun set over the African savanna and our final evening game drive came to an end, a secluded dining area emerged in the heart of the bush. Surrounded by the untamed wilderness, a large table was set for our intimate gathering, a dining experience like no other.
Encircling the dining area, a series of small bonfires crackled and popped, their flames casting a cosy, inviting ambience as little embers danced under the moonlight. The scent of burning wood mingled with the aromas of the evening’s feast, promising a culinary adventure under the vast African sky.
A barbeque station stood ready, where a skilled chef tended to sizzling cuts of game, chicken, and seafood, infusing each bite with smoky, rich flavours.
As the stars began to twinkle above, the gentle sounds of the African night filled the air—distant roars, chirping crickets, and the occasional rustle of leaves. The dining experience was not just a meal, but a sensory journey, enveloped in the natural beauty and raw elegance of the African bush.
Dining experiences like this are almost the norm when staying at Madikwe Safari Lodge. Another evening we enjoyed cocktails on the Star Deck while learning about astrology and the night sky at Dithaba.
As with all visual hotel reviews, it’s time to let the photos do the rest of the talking!
*Please note, I was a guest of South African Tourism and Adventure World, this stay was part of a press trip itinerary, however all views, notes and experiences remain my own. Oh, and images, they’re all mine too 😊
For more information about Madikwe Safari Lodge, visit their website – https://madikwesafarilodge.co.za/
Travel and landscape photographer from Australia who is far more comfortable in a pair of flippers than heels! Having worked for publications such as Lonely Planet, Wanderlust and the Sunday Times, Lisa founded The Wandering Lens to share destination guides to the worlds most photogenic places and outdoor experiences.
