Make yourself comfortable and feel at home in one of the 12 suites. This accommodation is suitable for families with children of all ages. Explore the African bushveld on a Family Safari or let your children enjoy themselves with the children’s activities.

12 x Luxury Suites
1 King / twin bedroom
En-suite bathroom with bath, indoor & outdoor shower
Private viewing deck with plunge pool

Lelapa Lodge has four dedicated 100sq m family suites, each with a large, peaceful viewing deck, private plunge pool and alfresco shower.

These suites have two bedrooms: the master bedroom with a king-size bed and lounge area and a room for kids aged up to 16.

These bedrooms have bunk-beds, toys, books and games, and mini bathrobes and slippers – kids get hot-chocolate at turndown, too (plus some more surprises).

Two extra beds for little Smiths can be added on request: children aged five and under stay free, and 6-to-15 year-olds stay for a charge (which varies depending on the time of year). 

KOPANO - THE PRIVATE LODGE

This intimate Lodge consists of only four suites allowing you a comforting stay in a private atmosphere. The lodge is perfect for couples, who want to take some time out for themselves.

4 x Luxury Suites
1 King / twin bedroom
En-suite bathroom with bath, indoor & outdoor shower
Private viewing deck with plunge pool

Situated on the mountain, this lodge composed of only four suites enables a fascinating view over the vast plains. The lodge is especially convenient for groups of friends or families, who want to experience an exclusive safari adventure.

4 x Luxury Suites
1 King / twin bedroom
En-suite bathroom with bath, indoor & outdoor shower
Private viewing deck with plunge pool

ELALA - EXCLUSIVE LUXURY

The Elela Villa epitomises luxurious, nature-inspired opulence. With Tswana influence, this three-bedroom sanctuary combines heritage and luxury seamlessly. It offers a unique, immersive experience, redefining lodge exclusivity.

3 x Luxury Suites
1 King / twin bedroom
En-suite bathroom with indoor & outdoor shower
Villa viewing deck with plunge pool

Lelapa Camp is designed with families in mind, and children of all ages are welcome. The camp offers generous indoor and outdoor spaces where children can explore safely and freely, while parents relax without worry.

Lelapa Camp has:

Dedicated family suites with separate children’s rooms, ideal for younger families.
A spacious communal pool and lawn overlooking the waterhole – perfect for downtime between drives.
The interactive Eco House, where children can learn, play, and connect with the bush in age-appropriate, hands-on ways.
A warm, sociable atmosphere that makes it easy for families to feel at home.
There is plenty of room for children to be children, and just as much room for parents to unwind.

For more details on family safaris, you can also visit our Families page.

Kopano Camp is our intimate, four-suite camp designed for guests who prefer a quieter, more personal safari. It sits close enough to Lelapa Camp for easy access to shared facilities, yet feels distinctly private, with spacious suites and peaceful guest areas that never feel busy.

Where Lelapa Camp is lively and family-focused, and Dithaba Camp is elevated and remote, Kopano Camp offers a middle ground: refined, calm, and wonderfully intimate. With only a handful of guests in camp at any time, your safari feels unhurried, attentive, and deeply personalised – the kind of place where you can unwind in peace, or share stories with a few like-minded travellers if you choose.

Dithaba Camp is our most elevated and secluded camp, set high on the hillside with sweeping views across the bushveld. With only four suites, it offers a deep sense of stillness, privacy and space – a camp that feels gently removed from everything else.

Where Lelapa Camp is lively and family-focused, and Kopano Camp is intimate and close-knit, Dithaba Camp is quiet, spacious and contemplative. Sunrises and sunsets unfold right in front of you, and the elevated position creates a calming sense of being “above it all.”

Yet you’re never isolated. A short meander brings you to Kopano or Lelapa Camps whenever you feel like visiting the spa, gym, boutique, or joining a boma evening – giving you the perfect balance of retreat and connection.

It’s the camp to choose if you want uninterrupted views, privacy, and the freedom to drift between solitude and sociability as the whim arrives.

Elela Villa accommodates up to six guests in 3 suites and is designed for families, friends or multi-generational groups who want to stay together in complete privacy.

If your group is larger than six, Elela can be seamlessly combined with Kopano Camp, Lelapa Camp or Dithaba Camp. This allows your wider group to stay close – sharing safari experiences and meals when you wish – while preserving the privacy, discretion and flow of a villa stay.

FACILITIES

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Laundry Service
• Pool
• Spa
• Internet Access
• Kiddies Club
• Secure Parking
• Eco Friendly
• Malaria Free

ACTIVITES

Experience the thrill of the Big 5 at Madikwe Safari Lodge — Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo — along with Giraffe, Wild Dog, and Oryx.

Discover over 300 bird species on guided bush walks, spotting gems like the Crimson-breasted Shrike and Black-breasted Snake Eagle while uncovering the secrets of the African wild.

After an adventure-filled morning, unwind in your private plunge pool and savor gourmet meals under the stars in a malaria-free paradise.

• Bird Watching
• Game drives
• Game Viewing
• Boma dinner
• Bush walks
• Massages
• Night Drives
• Childrens activities

DIRECTION FROM OR TAMBO

1. From O.R. Tambo International Airport, get onto the R21 toward Pretoria.
2. Continue to the N1 Polokwane off-ramp (approximately 37km).
3. Take the N1 toward Polokwane and continue until the N4 Rustenburg slipway (approximately 22km).
4. Take the slipway onto the N4 toward Rustenburg (just after the Zambezi Drive off-ramp).
5. Continue on the N4 through Rustenburg and Swartruggens toward Zeerust.

Important Note

The N4 is a toll road with four toll gates before Zeerust:

• Three before Rustenburg
• One after Swartruggens

In Zeerust

• Turn RIGHT at the ABSA Bank in Main Street toward Gaborone / Madikwe.
• It is strongly recommended to refuel here, as there is no fuel available inside Madikwe Reserve.

Entering the Reserve

• After approximately 83km, you will see the Abjaterskop Entrance Gate on your right.
• Once inside the reserve, there is approximately 32km of dirt road to the lodge.
• Please adhere strictly to the 40km/h speed limit and watch carefully for ditches on tarred sections.

Directions Inside the Park

1. Continue straight for 10.8km until reaching a T-junction.
2. Turn LEFT toward Derdepoort.
3. After 2km, turn RIGHT at the sign marked Park Admin.
4. Continue for 1km past Park Admin and turn LEFT again toward Derdepoort.
5. Continue through Ambush Alley, cross the junction, and proceed straight.
6. Follow the sign for Madikwe Safari Lodge and turn right toward the lodges.

Via Molatedi Gate Route (Approx. 4.5 Hours)

This route is slightly shorter than the Zeerust route but includes gravel roads. It is still manageable in a sedan vehicle.

It is advisable to refuel at Sun Village, just after the Sun City entrance, as there is no fuel inside the reserve.

Directions

1. From O.R. Tambo International Airport, take the R21 toward Pretoria.
2. Continue to the N1 Polokwane off-ramp.
3. Take the N1 toward Polokwane and continue to the N4 Rustenburg slipway.
4. Continue toward Rustenburg and take Exit #225 – R556 Sun City / Majakaneng.
5. Turn right and continue to Sun City (approximately 73km).

After Sun City

1. Continue past Sun City for approximately 5km to a four-way junction.
2. Turn RIGHT toward Derdepoort.
3. Continue for 39.8km and turn LEFT at the Kayakulu sign.
4. After 12.6km, keep right where the road splits.
5. After another 12.4km, turn RIGHT at the T-junction.
6. Continue for 21km and then turn LEFT where the tar road becomes gravel.

Gravel Section

• Continue straight for approximately 21km.
• Do not take the next Derdepoort turning to the right.
• Continue through Molatedi Village, over the Marico River, and proceed to the Molatedi Gate entrance.

Inside the Reserve

1. Continue straight for approximately 11.9km.
2. Shortly after the road becomes tarred, turn RIGHT toward Derdepoort Gate.
3. After 540m, turn RIGHT at the T-junction onto Derdepoort Main Road.
4. Turn right at the sign for Madikwe Safari Lodge and continue to the lodges.

Please Note

• These routes are safe to drive and pass through rural communities where local residents are friendly.
• Please drive carefully and watch for:
  • Pedestrians
  • Children
  • Domestic animals

Gate Times

Madikwe Game Reserve gates open at:

• 06h00 and close at 18h00

If you expect to arrive outside these hours, please advise the lodge in advance so arrangements can be made.

Inside the Reserve

• Strictly adhere to all speed limits.
• Wildlife always has right of way.

Game Drive Departure Times

• Winter (May – September): 15h30
• Summer (October – April): 16h30

If you arrive after a scheduled departure, the lodge can arrange a link-up for you.

Contact Details

Madikwe Safari Lodge
Tel: +27 (0)18 350 9902

Lelapa Lodge

• Children of all ages are welcome
• Children under 6 are not permitted on game drives or safari activities (a family game drive is offered after breakfast)
• Private vehicle: R9,500 per day (on request, subject to availability; no age restrictions apply)
• Children under 16 not permitted on bush walks
• Children 0–5: stay free of charge
• Children 6–15: 50% of adult sharing rate
• Children 16+: full adult rate (or full single supplement if in own room)
• If two children under 16 share a room: one charged full adult rate, the second charged according to age
• If one adult shares with a child: adult pays single supplement, child charged according to age
• Maximum 4 people per family room (plus 1 infant under 2 years in a cot). Suites limited to 2 people.

Kopano & Dithaba Lodges

• No children under 16 years
• Children 16+ accommodated at adult sharing rate or single supplement
• Children only accepted if lodge is booked exclusively (then Lelapa policy applies)

Elela Villa

• No children under 10 years (special requests considered at time of booking)
• Children under 16 not permitted in Kopano main lodge area unless booked exclusively with Elela Villa
• Private vehicle included in Villa rates
• Villa accommodates a maximum of 6 guests (minimum 1 guest)