Jamala Madikwe

Our second visit to this beautiful place, we love it. We saw all the Big 5 plus cheetah, wild dogs and many more amazing animals. The watering hole has to be the best there is and provides an ever changing array of wildlife to watch either from a sofa or the pool. We really enjoyed the safari’s, the usual morning and late afternoon drives but also walking and day safari’s. The hospitality here is the best we have encountered on safari and the food and drinks likewise, just fabulous. Thank you to the whole team at Jamala for creating magical memories we will always treasure.

Our stay at the luxurious Jamala Madikwe, Royal Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve was nothing short of extraordinary. From its impeccable service to its stunning design, every detail of this lodge exudes opulence. Under the expert management of GM Nico and his attentive team, we felt like royalty throughout our stay. The culinary experience surpassed all expectations, with each meal a delightful feast for the senses. With only five spacious suites boasting private plunge pools and breathtaking views of the waterhole and bush, the lodge offers an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. The game drives were exhilarating, providing thrilling wildlife encounters at every turn. Jamala Safari Lodge has quickly become one of our favourite destinations, and we're already looking forward to our next visit!

I am a biased reviewer as my husband and I have visited Jamala 5 times in total (that should tell you something)! The new lodge is wonderful, very tastefully furnished and comfortable, we loved spending time there watching the very active Waterhole directly in front of the lodge, entitled sofa safari-ing! The Safari rangers have been with Jamarla for many years, they are very experienced and personable. The staff looking after the guests have also been at the lodge for a long time - some from the very beginning, they certainly know how to look after the guests and we always feel very spoilt. The owners do not hide away, they are always there to hear about your wonderful Safari experiences. I can safely guarantee that you will not be disappointed

Amazing location with an incredible view over a very busy waterhole. Palatial cottages, wonderful service, incredible food and every detail taken care of. Many thanks Rodney, Niko, Lazarus, Precious, Lawrence, Happy and the rest of theteam for a fantastic weekend

If I could rate it 10/5 I would! It is SPECTACULAR. From the moment you arrive at the lodge, you are greeted with warmth and luxury. The entire lodge caters to no more than 10 visitors at a time. We were the only 4 during our stay so the lodge felt like staying in someone’s private home. The attention to every detail made by the staff only enhanced the feeling of it being a home. They catered to every food and drink request and provided us with incredible food. Who can say that they are able to exercise while viewing elephants play and drink in the parks largest watering holes?! Every morning and mid day, we would see numerous elephants, warthogs, impala, giraffe and zebra in the watering hole which felt like our backyard! Nico, Kelloggs, Laurence, Priscilla in addition to everyone else on staff made us feel welcomed. But the real platinum star goes to KG and Keenan, our game drivers and guides. Their ability to spot animals of every size and shape, even the most camouflaged is remarkable. For those that are avid bird lovers, these two guides actually communicate and mimic bird calls. It’s really incredible to be with people who truly love their work and it shows in their breadth of knowledge and curiosity to seek even more.

Jamala Madikwe Lodge is an experience that one should experience at least once in their lifetime. This trip was just a dream for us years ago and we are very happy to have had the opportunity to make that dream a reality. The trip started with a flight from (JNB) Johannesburg International Airport to Madikwe East Airport. We were met by our guide KG who gave us a tour on our way to the lodge. Within that 30-minute drive to Jamala, KG showed us various animals such as elephants, deer, impalas, wildebeests, and other wildlife. It does not take long to realize that KG is very knowledgeable about all the different wildlife and about Madikwe itself. Upon arrival at the Jamala, we were greeted by a wonderful staff with cool towels to clean our hands and face. We met the owner Rodney shortly after and was formally welcomed to Jamala. It only took a few minutes to realize how breathtaking Jamala is. Your first experience will be the watering hole where many different animals gather to drink. It’s an impressive sight that has to be seen to appreciate. It’s not unusual to see elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and springboks all drinking at the same time. Shortly after we were taken to our villa. Trying to explain how amazing the villa is would not do it any justice. I’ll do my best to explain the beauty and appreciation of our experience. When you first walk into the villa you’ll notice that everything is very clean and organized. The living and dining room is huge and comfortable, the bathroom has a huge shower with a separate tub. The sink area has lots of space for two. There is a separate place for storing luggage along with closets and shelves. The bed is huge and very comfortable, which makes it easy to get a good night’s rest. The best part is waking up in the mornings and going out on the back porch to view the animals at the watering hole, it’s a view that you will come to appreciate more and more each day. The safari drives leave at 5:30 am and 4 pm. Drives last 4 hours on average. We stayed 4 days at Jamala and took every opportunity to go on the drives. In those 4 days, we saw many different animals, way too much to name them all. We saw lions roaring to lions enjoying a meal from a freshly killed zebra. One day we saw a cheetah devouring an impala and the very next day we saw a cheetah with her 3 cubs enjoying another zebra kill. Every day was a new and exciting adventure. The staff at Jamala are beyond exceptional. Every service was handled with the greatest care. Every meal was made to the highest standard and each dining experience was designed to feel very personal and beautiful. All this while seeing wildlife at the watering hole or roaming around the expansive land nearby. This level of service is beyond exceptional and I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and dedication. Our last day at Jamala came way too fast. We wanted to have more time to experience more of the African safari. I would like to

Madikwe is my favourite reserve in the whole of South Africa and Jamala ......... Wow can I say the best lodge in the reserve? The lodge has recently been rebuilt and what a stunning job they have done. You walk in through the glorious wooden doors and the place is stunning but within 20 steps you are at Africa's BEST waterhole. I have travelled alot of South Africa and East Africa but have never seen a waterhole like this. I don't like using the word 'Magical' for the natural world but it definitely feels like that. The team are amazing ... Rodney, Nico, Lazi, KG, Happi, Precious, Lawrence, the INCREDIBLE kitchen team and everyone else. They thought of every little detail and remembered my favourite sauces and almond milk. They will make you feel special. My only complaint is my stay wasn't longer ..... take me back!

Jamala, natural elegance, defined as ‘graceful and stylish; pleasantly ingenious and simple’……they live up to their name….natural beauty is everywhere, the animals, the sunsets, the people the buildings, the light so perfect…..elegant surroundings the central lodge has just been completely rebuilt from the ashes, it is a fabulous building, space and light everywhere and a stunning view on arrival straight through to the watering hole. The team has stuck together both through covid and this rebuild over many years, their love for this place shines and the sense that they look after each other is so lovely to see…..graceful and stylish, the hospitality here is so graceful Rodney and Nico are kind caring owners who are involved in every detail and greet you and look after you at all times in the lodge, making you feel like friends or family visiting the house / place they love. The style is also visible around every turn, art, drinks and cocktails to die for, gorgeous furniture, lighting and tableware…..pleasantly ingenious and simple, the safari suites are so luxurious and so big, bigger than many a London flat and yet everything functions perfectly, simple and easy to use. The food here is by far the best we have had at any lodge, wonderful ingredients put together with flair and presented just beautifully, wow. Precious, Lawrence and Happi look after you at mealtimes with kindness and attention to detail, we felt a real affection and gratitude for all they did for us over the week we stayed here. Finally the drives on which KG looked after us , he has been here many years and knew everything, we saw so many beautiful animals and had so much fun on our drives, just fantastic.This is just a beautiful place with a loving and caring soul that we adore, come if you can and let them look after you. Thank you to everyone we had a magical time.

Holiday of a lifetime. Luxury beyond my wildest dreams alongside an authentic bush safari experience with dedicated knowledgeable guides, (we saw every single animal we could think of including wild dogs giving chase to impala) superb food (and plenty of it) and charming staff who anticipate your every desire. Every little detail in you villa has been thought of, from cotton wool, hair conditioner and face wipes to decanters of sherry, proper coffee machine and a mini bar bursting with drinks. All villas have private plunge pool, yoga mats, comfy four posters and triple aspect view of the watering hole to wake up to. I have never stayed and probably never will stay anywhere better. Thank you Rodney and staff for an unforgettable three days. Wow.