The Madikwe Game Reserve is situated just north of Groot Marico, a mere three hour drive from Johannesburg. This 70 000 hectare park stretches all the way up to the Botswana border, offering kilometres and kilometres of grassland and bushveld as well as rocky outcrops and mountains.

Despite having only opened its gates in August 1991, Madikwe is one of South Africa’s largest and most popular game reserves. Interestingly, it is one of the few parks in the world that was established as a reserve purely because of the fact that it would be the best and most sustainable land use for the area.

The malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is rapidly becoming one of South Africa’s top safari destinations. The reason? The Big 5 are all here, plus highly endangered wild dogs – Africa’s ‘painted wolves’.

Madikwe is a joint venture between the state, private and local sector all of which benefit from the profits of the park. The local communities who live very near the reserve earn a share of profits too.