Jaci’s Private Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve · North West Province, South Africa · On the banks of the Marico River

Jaci’s Private Lodge

A family owned lodge on the banks of the Marico River in Madikwe, the malaria free Big Five reserve on South Africa’s border with Botswana. Rebuilt after the 2025 flood as one lodge of ten safari suites, two private villas and a five bedroom house, it is made for families, couples and friends who want the bush shared well. Arranged privately by Exclusive Villa Collection on inquiry.

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The house

In stills

A first reading of the stay: rooms, light, and the quiet between them. Each still is a note, not a catalogue.

The Main Lodge at Jaci's, where indoor lounges open onto the decks — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

A cheetah resting in dappled shade — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The Main Lodge deck at Jaci's Private Lodge, set with tables beneath a great old tree — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Jan's Wine Cellar in the Main Lodge, lined with South African and international wines — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The timber walkway to the Main Lodge, raised among the trees — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The Naledi Sleepout, a canopied bed on a raised platform above a waterhole — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The elevated Thutlwa Deck lit at dusk above the bushveld — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The tunnel leading to the Terrapin Hide — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The Terrapin Hide at water level in an active waterhole — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The lounge on the Thutlwa Deck, looking over the bushveld to the hills — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Breakfast tables on the Thutlwa Deck — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

A breeding herd of elephants at the water's edge — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

A male lion resting on red earth — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

African wild dogs at play in long grass — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

A generous breakfast laid out on a timber table — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

A plated main course served at dinner — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The Main Lodge pool with loungers in the shade — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The wood fired hot tub on the deck at Jaci's Madikwe House — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The deck at Kubu Villa in the late afternoon sun — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The heated plunge pool at Nare Villa — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Tables set for dinner in the bush at sunset — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Guests on a guided walk through the Madikwe bush — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The Experience

How the days feel

Jaci’s has been part of the Madikwe Game Reserve since 2000, and it is still a family owned lodge. Madikwe lies in South Africa’s North West Province, against the border with Botswana, and it is malaria free. Its riverine forest, dense bushveld, open grassland and waterholes are known for the famous Madikwe Top 10: the Big Five, together with cheetah, wild dog, hyena, hippo and giraffe.

After the flood of 2025 the lodge was rebuilt with care and returned as one unified lodge. The rule was to restore wherever possible: decking was lifted, repaired and laid again, and much of the furniture came back. At its heart is the Main Lodge, a colourful run of safari lounges and open decks with a bar, an open kitchen where the chefs work in view, Jan’s Wine Cellar and a private dining room for a family or a dinner for two. Shelves of artefacts, resin insects and finds from the bush invite children and grown ups to look a little closer.

The Marico River runs along the edge of the lodge, marking the border with Limpopo Province, and hippos can often be heard from the decks. Days follow the rhythm of the bush: twice daily game drives, coffee in a scenic spot as the reserve wakes, and sundowners as the light goes. Between drives there is the Terrapin Hide, reached by an underground tunnel to sit at eye level with elephants at the water, a river path for a slow walk in the shade, and dinner around the fire in the boma. For one night, the Naledi Sleepout puts a canopied bed on a platform above a waterhole.

The lodge runs on solar power by day, draws and filters its water from the river, and buys locally where it can. More than a quarter of the business belongs to the people who work here, through the Jaci’s Staff Trust. We arrange every stay at Jaci’s privately, matching the suite, villa or house to the people traveling, and it pairs naturally with the rest of South Africa and our other safari stays.

Why EVC loves it

Why we would send you here

Malaria free Big Five Madikwe holds the Big Five, cheetah and wild dog in a reserve that is free of malaria, so young children can come too.
Eye level at the Terrapin Hide An underground tunnel leads to a hide set into an active waterhole, with elephants drinking a few feet away.
A villa with its own guide Kubu Villa, Nare Villa and Jaci’s Madikwe House each come with a private vehicle and field guide, a chef and a host.
Made for families Little Expedition Beds for children, the Pups Club and Pups Ranger Course, shorter Bumble Drives for the youngest and childminding during drives.
A lodge that belongs to its people Family owned since 2000, with more than a quarter of the business held by the staff through the Jaci’s Staff Trust.

Accommodations

Suites, villas and a house of your own

Ten safari suites at the lodge, two private villas and a five bedroom house set apart, all on the edge of the Marico River and the reserve.

Room 01

Safari Suites

Six suites · Two adults · Private viewing deck

Suites for two with a super king or twin beds and an open plan bathroom with a freestanding bath, a separate shower and WC. A sunken lounge steps out to a private outdoor lounge and viewing deck looking into the reserve. Each has air conditioning, a ceiling fan, WiFi, a tea and coffee station and a dressing area.
Room 02

Safari Suite Expeditions

Four suites · Two adults and two children · Little Expedition Beds

The same suite, made for families. At bedtime the sunken lounge becomes two Little Expedition Beds, made up with proper linen, for children aged six to twelve, and a cot is provided for children five and under. Pups Club bags, shorter Bumble Drives for the youngest and childminding during drives help the whole family settle in.
Room 03

Kubu Villa

Three bedrooms · Up to six guests · Private vehicle and guide

Named for the hippo in Setswana, Kubu Villa stands on the banks of the Marico River. Three en suite bedrooms with super king or twin beds open from a kitchen and safari bar, an indoor lounge and dining room, and a deck with a daybed, a heated plunge pool and a fire pit. The villa has its own game vehicle and field guide, a chef and a host.
Room 04

Nare Villa

Three bedrooms · Up to six guests · Private vehicle and guide

A villa overlooking its own waterhole, with two en suite bedrooms and a loft room with its own shower, WC, balcony and couch. There is a kitchen and safari bar, sun loungers, a heated plunge pool and a fire pit, and the villa has its own game vehicle and field guide, a chef and a host.
Room 05

Jaci’s Madikwe House

Five bedrooms · Up to ten guests · Set apart from the lodge

A private house away from the main lodge, with sweeping views across the reserve and the wetland. Four en suite bedrooms are in the main house, the master with an indoor fireplace and an outdoor bath and shower, and a separate guest cottage has its own deck. An open plan kitchen and safari bar, a reading room, and a deck with a dining table, a wood fired hot tub, a heated plunge pool and a fire pit complete it, with a private vehicle and guide, a chef and a host.

Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Inside the stay

The house, in notes

Where you sleep, what you eat, and how you arrive: the essentials, in brief.

The Main Lodge at Jaci's, an open timber hall of lounges, a bar and a fireplace — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The suites and villas

Ten suites, two villas and a house

Safari Suites. Six suites for two, each with a super king or twin beds, an open plan bathroom with a bath, a sunken lounge and a private viewing deck over the reserve.

Safari Suite Expeditions. Four suites for families of up to two adults and two children, where the sunken lounge becomes two Little Expedition Beds at night.

Kubu Villa and Nare Villa. Two villas of three bedrooms for up to six guests, each with a heated plunge pool, a fire pit, a private vehicle and guide, a chef and a host.

Jaci’s Madikwe House. Five bedrooms for up to ten guests, set away from the main lodge, with a wood fired hot tub, a plunge pool and its own vehicle, guide, chef and host.

Tables laid for dinner in the boma at Jaci's, beside the Marico River — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

The table

From the boma fire to the bush

At the lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Main Lodge deck or the elevated Thutlwa Deck, with the chefs at work in the open kitchen and wines from Jan’s Wine Cellar, South African and international.

In the boma. Dinners around the fire beside the Marico River, with a traditional South African braai and, on selected evenings, song and dance.

Out in the bush. Morning coffee stops and sundowners on drives, and bush breakfasts and bush dinners when the weather and wildlife allow.

A house ritual. Jaci’s Cheeky Chilli, a blend of chilli, garlic and citrus inspired by Jaci’s time in Mozambique, is made with guests before dinner each night.

A massage treatment on a deck open to the bush — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Wellbeing

Slow hours between drives

The middle of the day at Jaci’s is for rest, and there is plenty of room to take it.

Finfoot Treatment Room. Massages in a quiet room in the bush, or in your suite, by therapists from the local community who run their own businesses.

Water. The Main Pool for the lodge, and heated plunge pools at Kubu Villa, Nare Villa and Jaci’s Madikwe House, which also has a wood fired hot tub.

Movement. A gym box on request, and the river path for an easy run or a walk among Tamboti and riverine trees.

Elephants drinking at eye level, seen from inside the Terrapin Hide — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

On the reserve

The Madikwe Top 10, on wheels and on foot

Every day brings a different way into the bush, guided by people who know Madikwe well.

Game drives. Twice daily, morning and afternoon, in search of the Big Five, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, hippo and giraffe.

The Terrapin Hide. A water level hide in an active waterhole, reached by an underground tunnel, for quiet viewing and low angle photographs.

On foot. Guided walks in the reserve with a qualified trails guide for guests aged sixteen and over, and a river path of about two kilometres inside the lodge grounds where elephants sometimes come down to drink.

Birds and stars. More than 350 bird species are recorded in Madikwe, and clear nights bring stargazing with guides who love the sky.

For the dedicated. Photographic safaris with specialist guiding and equipment to hire, and conservation safaris alongside a wildlife vet and field rangers, such as rhino notching or cheetah collaring, arranged well in advance.

Naledi Sleepout. A canopied bed on a raised platform above a waterhole beneath a Tamboti tree, with a private wood fired hot tub, by arrangement.

A Jaci's game drive vehicle at first light in Madikwe — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Who it suits

Families first, and couples too

Family
Two travelers

Jaci’s is at its best when the bush is shared, with children, someone special or a group of friends.

Families. Children are welcome. In the Expedition Suites, children aged six to twelve sleep on Little Expedition Beds and join the scheduled drives, while children five and under have a cot, shorter Bumble Drives of about 45 minutes, childminding during drives and an early dinner. Pups Club activity bags and the Pups Ranger Course, with a certificate and hat at the end, make young guests part of the safari.

Families and friends together. Kubu Villa and Nare Villa take six guests and Jaci’s Madikwe House takes ten, and children of all ages can join their private drives.

Couples. A Safari Suite with its own viewing deck, dinner for two in the private dining room, and a night out at the Naledi Sleepout.

Celebrations. Weddings for six to ten guests at Jaci’s Madikwe House, or larger gatherings of up to fifty, arranged in advance.

Good to know. Families in the Expedition Suites share game vehicles, with no more than eight guests to a vehicle, and children five and under join the shorter Bumble Drives rather than the scheduled drives. Walks in the reserve are for guests aged sixteen and over.

Waterholes and wetlands at Jaci's from above, with bushveld and hills beyond — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

Getting there

An hour by air from Johannesburg

Madikwe lies in South Africa’s North West Province, on the border with Botswana, and the lodge is easy to reach from Johannesburg or Gaborone.

By scheduled flight. Flights from O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg reach Madikwe’s Eastern Airstrip in about 55 minutes, followed by a drive of about 15 minutes to the lodge.

By private air. Charter flights can be arranged into the reserve.

By road. About three and a half to four hours by car from Johannesburg, or about four and a half hours by road transfer, and about two hours from Gaborone in Botswana. The reserve gates are open from 06h00 to 16h00, and there is no fuel inside the reserve.

We arrange the flights, the transfer and the connection to the rest of your journey as one plan.

A herd of elephants in silhouette against a Madikwe sunset — Photo courtesy of Jaci’s Private Lodge

When to go

Every season in Madikwe

Madikwe is a year round reserve, and each season changes the way it looks.

Winter. May to September is dry, with mild days, cold nights and early mornings near 7°C in June and July. The bush thins, animals gather at water, and game viewing is at its most classic.

Summer. November to March is hot and green, with average highs around 30°C, afternoon thunderstorms, newborn animals and migrant birds.

In between. October and April bring the change of season, warm and often quieter.

Good to know. The reserve is malaria free all year. Bring warm layers for early drives in winter, when an open vehicle is cold before sunrise.

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Jaci’s Private Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province, South Africa