Madikwe Hills May 2022

Why I came back to Madikwe Hills again

About 3 years ago I was at Madikwe Hills with one of my daughters. We‘ve spend 3 amazing days and nights in this beautiful lodge. It was the first time, I‘ve used a little „bush plane“ to get to a game reserve and it was an experience! The pilots parked the plane and just came along with us on the safari vehicle to the lodge. It was a scenic flight from Johannesburg to the Madikwe East Airfield and it took about an hour. We‘ve spotted the legendary Sun City from a bird view. Whenever the planes are pretty small and do not have a lavatory: The flight experience was fantastic and for about 40-60 minutes (depending on the airplane they use) of flying, no extras are needed at all. You are even able to use the nice facilities of Federeal Airlines at the O.R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg - including a pick up at the International terminal, showers, light snacks and more. Upon arrival at the Madikwe airstrip, an open safari vehicle will pick you up and bring you to the lodge - which is another short 15 minutes drive.

But the main reason to come back to this lodge was the quality of the rooms, the food, the spa and for sure the fantastic game drives we had. They‘ve even prepared fresh game meat on the sundowner stops: And those were delicious! The landscape is completely different to the Eastern Cape: Less mountains and dry trees everywhere. So after focussing on the Eastern Cape and another recent trip to the Kalahari desert, it was time to come back to Madikwe again.

My second opinion on Madikwe Hills

What should I say? It was fantastic to be back! I arrived right on time for lunch and the food was amazing again. Every wish was fulfilled and the service was great. I was traveling together with my two favorite friends in South Africa and we had a private game drive vehicle with a ranger and a tracker. Both of them were very experienced, but burned out somehow. This was the only downside. Nice guys in general and we had great communication off-game drives in the evenings. But on the game drives themselves, they didn‘t provide too much information and were not really able (or not in the mood) to track animals or even ask the guests whether they like to move on or remain at a sighting. Especially as a photographer this was not the thing I would have expected. Whilst my camera with the big lens was still focussing on an animal, the ranger just drove away and I struggled sometimes, to stow my equipment in a careful way. Maybe they were not used to a very frequent "Safari Guy" like me and my friends. I would even say, that a first-timer (and even a second-timer) would be already happy with (but not really impressed about) their service.

Anyway we had great sightings - maybe because of the good recommendations our ranger got from other rangers. We were never the first one‘s at a sighting - so I‘m glad that the other rangers did a great job and let our ranger know about it. As mentioned before: I don‘t think that this was because they were not knowledgeable - they were just burned out and did loose the feeling for the wildlife and customer service somehow. But I‘m sure - as well after our feedback - they will sort this out. I would come back anytime again. I‘m sure, that the next time the safari‘s will work out great again.

I‘m just happy to have photographed wild dogs, spotted hyenas and more. Especially the spotted hyena was a great sighting for me, because I‘ve just seen them in the darkness in the past. It was great to spend some time with a group of them. They are way prettier than expected!

The rest of the staff & the details...

…were just fantastic! Hannes the GM was always there and reachable. He showed up on every occasion and spoke with all the guests. The African evening in the Boma was an amazing experience. A big group of all the staff members performed some incredible African songs next to a fireplace. He was even picking up the phone first, when you called the reception. The buffet was delicious and consists especially local food. This is one of the things I've loved about Madikwe Hills: Every day there was another menu available and everytime it consists of local dishes - game meat, great vegetarian options and fantastic and creative hot and cold soups. It was not the standard beef filet and salmon, as I was used to in other lodges (like Shamwari, where the fish of the day is ALWAYS a salmon - I‘ve told them already to name it as „fish of the decade“). So as a foodie you are right at Madikwe Hills! The service staff at the restaurant were fantastic: Always with a smile they served you not only meals - they served you an experience!

This is not only valid for the front-of-the-house staff. The housekeeping, the laundry and all the other departments delivered perfection as well in a decent way! Beside of the staff, Madikwe Hills is really a champion about the details. They even provide sanitary products for women - which even impressed me as a male. I was not looking out for them - but I've found them in a box together with all the other little helpers for hygiene matters. The rooms were way beyond just to be functional: They are amazing. Every villa is different - the location, the layout and the view. But all of them are just great - and I‘ve seen already three out of 10 rooms they have. Some of the furniture needs a little bit of a helping hand - I won't call it an upgrade: Just some timbering. But this is almost not worth to mention.

And again, on our last evening, they've prepared a nice foam bath for us. Including candles and rose leaves. I mean: I was the only one in my room and I was grateful about it, because my close friends are a younger couple - but the gesture of it was just great! The pathways within the lodge were nicely built around the many rocks and trees at Madikwe Hills. Some villas are on the top of the rocks with a nice view over the flat surroundings and some of them are located just next to some waterholes. Little Madikwe is the largest villa and comes with 2 bedrooms, a bigger pool and a private game drive vehicle, ranger and tracker. So if you are travelling with a larger group or family, this would be the perfect option for you.

Conclusion

My main goal was to get some great wildlife photos. But it is just nice to relax in between the game drives. And this is being done with ease at Madikwe Hills. As always I like to mention, that I didn't receive any special rates to publish my review in another way than I really experienced it. So all of what I'm writing here, is my very personal opinion and experience of my stay.

Madikwe Hills was fantastic again! I think Hannes will sort it out with the ranger and the tracker. They will be back in the good old shape again for sure. Maybe they just need a break or a little match to reburn their flame again. Everything else should remain the same - beside of slightly refurbishing some of the furniture - but this is really not a big issue! The quality of this lodge is out of this world and I could recommend it to every „Safari Guy“ out there!

All in all it is just a great lodge and wildlife reserve - and I will back again for sure!

Website of Madikwe Hills: https://www.madikwehills.com/