Madikwe Lelapa Lodge

The lodge helped arrange my proposal, and made it an unforgettable moment for my partner and me. Madikwe Safari Lodge will always be special to us. I've visited quite a few places in South Africa, and none compares with this experience. The staff made the trip especially enjoyable. Emry and Henny checked in and helped where they could, and Pricilla "Queen of the Desert" kept us feeling welcome with her bright smile, even on the coldest day. Game drivers Ryan, Mitchell and Billy made every safari outing feel unique. That's just a few of the wonderful people we met. The rooms were clean and lovely, a comfortable home for a few days. The lodge sits beautifully in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve, with easy access to the rest of the safari. The views were spectacular, especially from the dining area overlooking the waterhole. I couldn't recommend it more, especially to visitors from overseas. We'll be back as soon as we can. Thank you for such an amazing experience!

Our eight-year-old became so attached to our guide, Mitch, that he cried on the flight home. Mitch made the safari even better, with deep knowledge of flora, fauna and astronomy, and he's an all-round amazing bloke. At Madikwe Safari Lodge Lelapa, we felt like we were staying at a five-star lodge run by family. The food was among the best I've ever had, and the hospitality was top-drawer. Aaron, Noah, Precious, Gerty and the rest of the team deserve high praise for making guests feel so welcome. The lodge had set high expectations before we arrived, and kept surpassing them. Lelapa will always be our home in South Africa. Hope we can return soon!

If you're looking for a place to take your first safari, this is it. The food and drink are pretty special, and the lodge is incredibly well run. The staff are wonderful and truly couldn't do enough for us. Our game driver, Mike, is knowledgeable and a great person, a real credit to Madikwe. Bubbles also went the extra mile to help our little one feel at home. We’ve just left this lovely place!

My husband took me to Madikwe for my birthday, and it was my first five-star stay. All we did was eat, sleep, go on game drives and repeat, and I even ordered something off the menu that the chef made for me. Our ranger, Boraine, gave us an experience to remember. I'd recommend Lelapa to anyone. It's perfect, though even that doesn't quite describe it. You have to experience the place yourself.