The Royal Madikwe was purchased by Dr Chai Patel and his family in May 2004 and was a realization of a long-standing personal dream. Ugandan by birth, Chai’s earliest childhood memories are filled with fondness for his African home and it is with great joy that he is now in the privileged position of returning to his roots, to create a new home that will not only provide guests with unforgettable experiences, but will also give Chai the opportunity to reinvest in the continent of his birth.
Our vision is to make a worthwhile difference in luxury eco-tourism, with an emphasis on health and education. Twenty percent of all profits generated through Royal Madikwe are re-invested into local community projects, inviting our guests to make a worthwhile difference, by simply having a superb holiday. Thus, an economic vehicle is created for the greater purpose of making a real difference as we reinvest into local community projects. We are passionately committed to responsible tourism practices and strive to combine tourism, environmental management and local economic development.
The Royal Madikwe is an intimate luxury safari lodge run by a close-knit, experienced team with a dynamic workplace culture based on participation and democratic decision-making. Through an uncompromising dedication to service excellence, The Royal Madikwe offers nothing short of luxurious accommodation, sincere hospitality and spectacular wildlife encounters!
History
Heralded as the boutique reserve in South Africa, Madikwe Game Reserve is a landmark in modern conservation and community development with a joint venture between the state, the community and the private sector. Now the setting for Africa’s biggest translocation of wild game, our guests witness an abundance of new life in a once economically depressed region.
Madikwe Game reserve is testimony to a truly enlightened conservation plan which has created this exceptional wildlife reserve for the preservation of a unique wilderness area in one of the more remote regions of South Africa. The reintroduction of game began early in 1991, known as Operation Phoenix, this is the largest game translocation exercise in the world. More than 8,000 animals of 28 species were released into the reserve, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, African Wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra and many species of antelope and herbivores. Leopard already occurred naturally in the reserve and about 250 species of birds have been recorded in Madikwe.
This is a near-perfect ecological environment where every plant, animal and insect forms an essential part of an intricate web of survival. Here, life and death are complementary for the continued existence of the natural ecosystem and man is reminded that his very existence through the ages has been rooted in such a complex design.
To enter Madikwe is to stand at the very threshold of wilderness Africa!
WHAT OUR VISITORS SAY
| ...wildlife strolls right past your room... |
| ...superb Lodge and very friendly staff... |
| ...The room was incredibly comfortable... (more) |
CONTACT US
The Lodge: +27 (0)825688867 Click to Email
Concierge: +27 (0)827871314 Click to Email
Marketing: +27 (0)825688867 Click to Email
