The Bush House Madikwe Game Reserve

Photographs of The Bush House Madikwe Game Reserve

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Email The Bush House Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

Perhaps it’s in the people who make you feel so warmly welcome, at the bar after your game drive, at the brunch table, or in the boma for dinner under the stars. We pride ourselves on really caring for our guests and being attentive to their needs. As an owner managed Lodge the personal touch is an integral part of our service.

Perhaps it's in the sense of the bushveld. The dust of the elephant herds, the closeness of the rhino, the fleeting glimpse of the leopard… or the massive power of the buffalo coming down to drink at the waterhole within meters of the front lawn.

It could be the luxuries you enjoy. The sumptuous bushveld cuisine or the service so close you only have to lift a finger. Or maybe it’s more about the whole experience than a single sighting. More about the memories you made while you were one with nature as you pulled the bushveld around your shoulders like a blanket, and in a strange, familiar way you felt completely at home.

That’s why people come back to The Bush House. Again and again. For most of our guests it’s just like that, like coming home – even for the first time.

Make the Bush House your home away from home.

The Bush House Accommodation

The Bush House IS your home in Big Five country. Our informal style, intimate atmosphere and caring staff make you feel welcome, relaxed and part of our family.

We have six ensuite rooms. Four of them have private verandahs where you can sit and contemplate the world, one overlooks the garden and waterhole with another having the soothing sounds of a water feature outside the sliding door. All of our rooms are part of the main lodge so there are no unnecessary long walks to and fro.

The rooms are tastefully furnished with percale bed linen and fluffy towels. The rooms have air-conditoners and fans, hairdriers, coffee and tea facilties. The bathrooms have separate baths and showers with a variety of toiletries. We have 220v electricity and cell phone signal should you really have to make any calls!

Dining
Our Chefs, who together create a wonderful culinary repertoire, whether it is breakfast in the garden, afternoon tea packed with treats or a fire-lit dinner in the boma under the stars. We try as much as possible to accommodate all dietary requirements.

Facilities
Enjoy relaxing in the large shaded garden overlooking the best waterhole in Madikwe. Lounge at the pool while our staff take care of your every need. Enjoy a friendly game of cricket, rugby or soccer on the lawn. Two game drives are conducted daily under the expert care of our guide, take a walk through our private nature trail which is within the electrified boundaries of camp.

Children under 6 stay free of charge.
Children from 6 to 12 years of age 50% of the rate providing they share with full paying adults.

Rates include:
Accommodation, all meals, coffee and teas
Welcome drinks on arrival and on return from game drives
Two game drives daily
Unlimited Internet

Rates exclude:
All drinks from the bar, Curio Shop purchases
Health and Beauty Treatments
Gate entrance fees/Landing strip fees, Laundry services and babysitting charges.

*Gate entrance fee differs for per adult and per child.

The Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve is a malaria free Big 5 game reserve. Imagine over seven hundred and fifty square kilometers of untamed bushveld the way it was long before man interfered.

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated in the North West Province of South Africa and run by the North West Parks and Tourism Board, reclaimed over seventy five thousand hectares of farmland and turned it into a wild life sanctuary that has become home to a wonderful variety of Africa’s animals.

Guests visiting Madikwe have the opportunity to witness this wonderful interaction of game in one of the finest conservation areas in the continent. The reserve has one of the largest elephant populations, all the predators, as well as the endangered wild dog, black and white rhino, buffalo and general plains game. Bird life is abundant.

Photographic opportunities are endless, not only from the raised vantage of your vehicle whilst on game drive but also from the shaded serenity of the garden. Our water feature and feeding log ensure a steady flow of wonderful bird life during the course of the day.

On Safari
Game drives are conducted through out the year at optimum viewing times when game activity is generally at its peak, i.e. early morning and late afternoon into evening. The morning safari departs at sunrise, and the evening drive leaves late enough in the afternoon for guests to enjoy a bush sunset and the opportunity to view nocturnal animals after dark.

The spectacular southern night skies, especially vivid during the winter months, provide guests with stunning views of famous constellations such as the Southern Cross, Orion in summer and Scorpio in the clear winter evenings.

Our Summers are traditionally very hot and wet with Winter being dry and cold. Hats and sun block are an absolute must as are sweatshirts and jerseys. The varying layers of all of these are dependent on the time of the year!

Seasons differ vastly in the African bushveld, but no one season can be rated above another, for each has its own unique appeal. Spring (September) and Autumn (April) are very short seasons and usually provide milder weather conditions and subtle changes in vegetation. Summer (October to March) tends to be hot, but the bush looks wonderfully green and lush.

Many mammals produce their offspring in the height of summer (December/January) and the youngsters are a special treat on safaris. Winter (May to August) brings with it drier, more temperate weather condition and the bush takes on a stark but beautiful appearance. At any time of year, your encounters with the wild at The Bush House will be very special and memorable.

Important Information

What is the Weather like in Madikwe?
Our Summers are traditionally very hot and wet with Winter being dry and cold.

The seasons are comprised of the following months:
Spring September
Summer October to March
Autumn April
Winter May to August

Do we need to dress for dinner?
Only if you want to. Our dress code is comfortably casual!

Am I going to see the Big 5?
It cannot be guaranteed that you will see all of the Big 5.However if you are staying a few nights the chances are very good you will see most if not all of the them. As Madikwe is not a zoo we cannot predict what sightings will occur when.

What do I bring with me?
Irrespective of the time of year the following must definitely be brought with you:

Any reference material you might want (eg bird or tree books) Jacket or sweatshirt for game drives **Any chronic medication- the nearest chemist is over 100 kms away.

In Summer (September to April)
- Rainwear
- Insect repellant
- Swimming costume

In Winter (May to August)
- Beanie
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Long johns/thermal underwear for game drives as it can be bitterly cold due to the wind chill factor (pantyhose also is a great chill deterrent!!)

If I want to find you on Google Earth what are the Bush House's co-ordinates?

S24 46" 00'
E26 10" 20'

Even though it is malaria free will can I still be bitten by mosquitoes?
In the summer months it is always advisable to use insect repellant as there is a good chance you might be bitten. If you are prone to bites and stings always bring an antihistamine cream or lotion along with you.

What is the Magnificent Seven?
It is the collection of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) as well as the cheetah and wild dog.

Is your tap water safe to drink?
Yes, we pump water daily from our borehole. This water has been tested and certified safe to drink.

Should you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to email us.

DIRECTIONS
Travelling by road from Johannesburg to Madikwe
Travelling time approximately 3.5hrs

· From Johannesburg head north on the N1 towards the N4 Toll Road
· Take the N4 Toll road north west towards Rustenburg, Swartruggens, Groot Marico and Zeerust
· Once in Zeerust turn right at the third stop street into President Street. There is a signpost on the left that says “ Madikwe Game Reserve/Gaborone” and a ABSA Bank on the corner to the left
· Follow the R49/47 towards the reserve for approximately 95km
· The first entrance to the reserve is Abjaterskop gate
· Pass that gate and enter at the next gate – Wonderboom Gate exactly 7km from the first gate

Travelling tips:
· Keep to the speed limit, especially when it drops down from 120kms to 80kms. The traffic officials are often at these spots including the small villages where the speed limit is 60kms.
· Best bathroom facilities enroute are at the Wimpy in Koster or the Wimpy in Zeerust.
· If you drive an unleaded vehicle, fill up in Zeerust as you will have another 200kms before you return that way and the
petrol stations between Zeerust and Madikwe are often out of unleaded fuel.

Charter Flights and Scheduled Flights
There is a scheduled Federal Air flight that flies in and out of the Reserve daily. Should you wish to charter a plane to suit your own time frame this can be arranged through Madikwe Charters.

Road Transfers
Transfers can be arranged from within South Africa and from Botswana. These can be booked through our reservations.

Email The Bush House Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com