Impodimo Game Lodge (Madikwe
Game Reserve) South Africa
The Madikwe Game Reserve
This 75 000 hectare reserve is situated in the North-West
province of South Africa, on the border with Botswana. The
large diversity of vegetation and Eco zones allows for a rich
diversity of game and bird species to inhabit the reserve
The reserve is situated in an ecotone between the
Kalahari sandveld and the northern bushveld. The reserve
consists of vast plains, open woodlands and thickets. The
area is also dotted with huge rocky hills or inselbergs and
the dwarsberg mountain range forms the southern boundary.
There is only one river in the reserve, the Groot Marico,
but a number of dams and pans provide water year round for
the game species present.
The
reserve is home to 28 different mammal species which where
released into the park through a relocation process called
Operation Phoenix. This was the largest game translocation
exercise in the world, with more than 8 000 animals being
released into the reserve, starting in 1991 and the project
was completed in 1997 and included the release of species
such as elephant, both black and white rhino, buffalo, lion,
cheetah, wild dog, and other plains game species.
Madikwe
is also a bird watchers paradise, with over 350 bird species
already recorded in the reserve. Madikwe functions through a
system designed to benefit the three main parties involved
in the reserve, these being the North West Parks Board, the
private sector and the local community. All three work
together in a mutually beneficial partnership in
conservation.
The parks board being responsible for the infrastructure
and management of the reserve, as a major conservation area
in the province. The private sector is then leased suitable
sites that are utilized for tourism based developments and
activities. The private investors provide the necessary
capital to build game lodges, market and manage them in such
a way that private sector funds are used to develop the
tourism potential of the reserve. The Reserve itself does
not accept day visitors; all visitors are residents at the
various lodges.
The Impodimo Experience:
Rise in the morning to an African dawn and enjoy an early
morning game drive with your dedicated professional ranger.
Relax as your ranger guides you through the bush on a custom
made open Landrover, searching out the Big 5 or the smaller
secrets of nature.
Set out on a foot safari with your
armed ranger and learn the secrets of tracking African game
or just enjoy the trees, birds and stunning scenery. Return
from the excitement of the bush to a sumptuous breakfast or
brunch and then relax at the pool or the sala overlooking
the waterhole where game may come to quench their thirst. In
the afternoon, when the heat of the African sun has
diminished and the shadows are longer, head out again on a
sundowner safari, where you will stop to watch the sun set
on this bushveld paradise and enjoy your favorite sundowner
drink. Once the sun has set and darkness descends, set
off again for a night safari where the more nocturnal
creatures now rule the bush. Return to the lodge where you
will be treated to the finest Pan-African cuisine with your
hosts in the open air boma, and share your days adventures,
while you enjoy a night cap around the fire.
Accommodation:
Number of rooms
■20 beds in 10 suites presented as
■8 standard suite
■2 deluxe suite
Room Features – Each standard suite features;
■Twin
beds with king size available on request.
■Full en-suite
bathroom and outside shower.
■Tea & coffee making
facilities.
■Mini bar fridge.
■Mini safes.
■Climate
control air-conditioning system.
■Closed system fire
places.
■Covered patio.
Two deluxe suites in combination feature
■All inclusions in standard suites and;
■Lounge &
dining room.
■Private plunge pool.
■Private boma deck.
The Community:
The main purpose of the Madikwe game reserve is to create
economic and social improvement for the surrounding
communities. The Park achieves this currently through lodges
like Impodimo. We create employment and impart skills and
training to 30 staff. Of these, 23 are from the local
communities, and many of these are sole or significant
breadwinners for their households.
Many of those that we employ have never had jobs before
joining Impodimo. Impodimo also makes use of local suppliers
and services, which further generate employment and
stimulate entrepreneurship in the community. Impodimo makes
a donation to the community of R25 per person per night for
every guest that stays with us. This money is paid into a
trust, of which Impodimo, the Parks Board and community
representatives are trustees.
Children at Impodimo:
Children are welcome at Impodimo and we love to go out of
our way to ensure that kids and parents both have an
unforgettable safari experience. Kids may participate in our
kiddies program, where the children are entertained and
occupied with fun and educational activities. Each child on
arrival will receive a personalized pack with goodies and
activities to do in between safaris. Some of the supervised
activities include biscuit baking and decoration, plaster
casting of animal tracks, paper mask making, and art using
leaves and seeds collected whilst enjoying a guided
educational kiddies walk around the camp!
Baby sitting facilities are available, so that parents
can enjoy a safari or dinner without having to worry about
their children. Children over the age of 6 years are allowed
to join the normal safari (at the ranger’s discretion),
however families with younger children need not fear that
their kids wont be allowed on safari. We offer the “kiddies
bumble” safari which is much shorter and aimed at younger
children, avoiding deliberate close encounters with
dangerous game and making the experience more tactile and
varied in order to keep their attention.
Accommodation Rates:- From $595 per person per night
sharing. Please contact us for a quote and suggested
itinerary
