6 Reasons Why Your Next Holiday Should Be a Safari

Seeing the Big Five is a lifelong dream for many (and rightfully so!) but safaris are also an opportunity to see and learn more about animals both big and small ~ and to witness conservation in action. In Madikwe, you can go beyond observation and take part in something meaningful through our hands-on rhino conservation experiences. You’ll leave not only with breathtaking photographs but a profound sense of purpose, knowing you’ve played a small part in preserving Africa’s most iconic species for years and hopefully generations to come.

It always amazes us how many guests have never seen a truly clear night sky. On safari, you won’t only have the luxury of time to simply "look up" but also the ability to see thousands of stars scattered across the cosmos. It’s a humbling reminder of just how small we are and how vast the universe is. On the fringes of each day, sunrises paint the sky in bright yellows while sunsets melt into deep shades of amber and violet. With no skyscrapers in sight, everything about the skyline seems infinitely more beautiful. 

South African warmth is something words can hardly describe; it must be felt. From the joyful songs that mark your arrival to the hugs and song and dance at departure, hospitality here goes beyond service. At Royal Madikwe, our team welcomes guests as we would family or friends in our home, creating moments of genuine connection and care. The laughter shared, the stories told... these are the memories that stay with you long after you’ve left.

A South African safari is wonderfully versatile. You can pair days in Madikwe’s bushveld with a cultural tour in Johannesburg or a sightseeing trip in Cape Town. Whether it’s history, art, or cuisine you crave, everything is within easy reach. Yet even within the reserve, a safari is never one-dimensional. It’s a sensory journey: from the taste of fine food inspired by local flavours to the vibrant melodies of the marimba or the rhythm of a Djembe drum. It’s nature and culture all rolled into one unforgettable experience.

In the rush of daily life, we tend to bury our thoughts beneath all the deadlines and to-do lists but a safari offers something rare: time and space to breathe, to listen, and to think. Out here, reflection comes naturally. The pace slows, the noise quiets, and your inner voice finally has room to be heard. Many guests describe it as a return to something deeply human: living simply, and coexisting in harmony with all that surrounds you.

Perhaps the greatest gift of a safari is perspective. In the presence of such vastness and wild beauty, our priorities shift. Those everyday worries fade, replaced by a renewed appreciation for simplicity, for nature, and for each other. When you leave the bushveld, you take more than photographs or even memories back home with you; but a piece of its wisdom and peace. So make 2026 the year you answer the call of the wild, and let a safari remind you of the magic that still exists in the world.

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