Jaci's Safari Lodges
Madikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe & Waterberg, South Africa
Reviewed by
Guy Hunter Watts
Jaci and Jan were trail-blazers in Madikwe. They opened the very first lodge in the park, before moving on to create their Safari and Tree Lodges, which are hidden away in thick Kalahari bushveld on the banks of the Marico river. They still live nearby and it was seeing their kids growing up in the bush that inspired the child-friendly ethos of their camp. Kids aren’t merely tolerated here, but celebrated.
The thatched lodges and guest rooms are linked by sandy pathways and raised walkways that cut through the dense veld, beneath chattering monkeys and teeming birdlife. Jaci took charge of decoration, choosing a funky Afro-Asian mix of vibrant colours and jazzy sculptures, whilst Jan, with years of experience at the helm of one of the country’s top restaurants, oversaw the creation of the 2 superb bush restaurants. Their staff and rangers are amongst the best in South Africa – many have been with them since the start and feel part of the family. During your stay at Jaci’s, whether on your honeymoon (children under 13 are not permitted in the Tree Lodge), or with or without kids, you are guaranteed superb game viewing and guiding. The lodges fully deserve their many ‘Best in South Africa’ awards.
The thatched lodges and guest rooms are linked by sandy pathways and raised walkways that cut through the dense veld, beneath chattering monkeys and teeming birdlife. Jaci took charge of decoration, choosing a funky Afro-Asian mix of vibrant colours and jazzy sculptures, whilst Jan, with years of experience at the helm of one of the country’s top restaurants, oversaw the creation of the 2 superb bush restaurants. Their staff and rangers are amongst the best in South Africa – many have been with them since the start and feel part of the family. During your stay at Jaci’s, whether on your honeymoon (children under 13 are not permitted in the Tree Lodge), or with or without kids, you are guaranteed superb game viewing and guiding. The lodges fully deserve their many ‘Best in South Africa’ awards.
Highs
- Big 5 game viewing, with no risk of malaria, in Madikwe’s 75,000 hectares of bushveld
- Wonderful friendly staff and some of the country’s top field guides, whose knowledge and enthusiasm make the bush come alive
- Gorgeous, romantic accommodation at Jaci's Tree Lodge; we loved the Starbed Suites with the option to sleep under the stars
- Jaci's Safari Lodge is one of the most child-friendly safari lodges in Africa, with all kinds of activities, including Jaci’s famous bush ‘bumbles’
- Eco and sustainability measures include hydrogen and solar power, staff own 27.2% of the company, recycling and waste separation carried out on site, no plastic trash bags or plastic bottles used, all soaps and shampoos are eco-friendly
Lows
- The tented rooms at the Safari Lodge are quite close to each other: the stilted houses of the Tree Lodge feel more secluded
- Surrounded by bushveld, the rooms lack the far-reaching views of some of Madikwe's other lodges
- Difficult to insect-proof your room, but your bed is covered by mosquito netting
- You have a section of bumpy, stony track to negotiate before arriving at the lodges, but you can manage it without a 4x4
Best time to go
Game viewing in Madikwe is excellent all year round but at it's best in winter (May-Sep) when it's generally sunny and dry. Temperatures during these months vary from 0 to 24ºC so warm clothes are essential for early morning game drives. Summers (Nov-Feb) are generally wet and hot, with spectacular afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures varying from 12 to 38ºC, giving a more lush landscape.
Our top tips
If staying in Jaci’s Tree Lodge and Jaci’s Starbed Suites head to the Terrapin hide-out (at any time of day or night) and observe and photograph animals coming to the waterhole. The hide, which is accessed via a submerged tunnel (a short walk from both Lodges), features a unique water-level viewing window.