Holidays and bush getaways are times to relax and take in the sounds and sights and choosing such a location becomes essential to any holidaymaker.
Launched in 1991, Royal Madikwe is a five star safari residence located in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province and is close to the Swartkopfontein Border Post to Botswana. It was a joint venture between the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities. Royal Madikwe is an award-winning exclusive safari residence and was crowned the Best Luxury Game Lodge in the Global Winners Category at the 2011 World Luxury Hotels Award.
For holidaymakers and discerning travellers looking to tick off or add to their bucket list, look no further than the Royal Madikwe Luxury Residence.
Launched in 1991, Royal Madikwe is a five star safari residence located in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province and is close to the Swartkopfontein Border Post to Botswana.
It was a joint venture between the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities.
Royal Madikwe is an award-winning exclusive safari residence and was crowned the Best Luxury Game Lodge in the Global Winners Category at the 2011 World Luxury Hotels Award.
It is one of two South African safari getaways to scoop top honours at the prestigious annual competition. The only other winner in this category is Morukuru Lodge which won the Best Luxury Bush Lodge.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards (WLHA) is an association that celebrates the world’s finest hotels committed to the highest standards of quality service.
Established in 2006, it aims to unite the worldwide luxury hotel industry, honour and recognise legendary hotels with regards to facilities and overall service and excellence.
According to WLHA manager Marinique Truter, the association believes that the overall guest experience is one of the most critical factors in a hotel’s measure as a luxury hotel destination.
“The awards are about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step by providing their guests with outstanding experiences and as such, proven to be part of the very rare legendary hotel association,” says Truter.
Truter explains that outstanding properties are those that surprise the guest with unexpected experience bonuses, experiences that are more about recognition of the guest other than the thread count.
Over 1 000 luxury hotels from 87 countries were nominated to participate in the 2011 WLHA.
Royal Madikwe is however, no stranger to the competition. In 2010, the safari residence won the award for Best Luxury Game Lodge in the Global Winners category.
Other awards include Best Villa in the World (Top 3 Finalists Awards) in the WLHA 2008, Best Safari Lodge in South Africa in the Welcome Awards 2008 and Best Hotel 2006 in the Top 10 Breakfast Banquets Vogue Japan December 2006.
The secret of the royals at Royal Madikwe
To be named the Best Luxury Game Lodge for two years running means this residence is doing something right.
Managers Drienie Pieterse and Andrew Viljoen believe strongly in being involved at every step of the way to ensure guests not only get value for money but truly enjoy the beauty and tranquility that the property has to offer.
Its managers and team at Royal Madikwe have crafted the art of offering guests enchanting and unforgettable experiences, mostly unexpected.
Managers Drienie Pieterse and Andrew Viljoen believe strongly in being involved at every step of the way to ensure guests not only get value for money but truly enjoy the beauty and tranquility that the property has to offer.
Royal Madikwe general manager Pieterse says the success of Royal Madikwe is thanks to its unpretentious location in the malaria free area of 75 000 hectares of untamed Africa.
“Most importantly, it is the 17 staff members whose passion have won them the awards and continue to attract new visitors and old alike,” she says.
Unlike many luxury destinations that do not cater for children, she says Royal Madikwe not only understand the value of family, the team at Royal Madikwe is one big family and so children make an integral part when they stay at the residence.
She says guests with children love Royal Madikwe because the children get to be given the royal treatment that we have come to associate with high flyers.
Among the things they do to cater for families is organise a nanny should a family need one. Children have their own dedicated rooms, designed to make them feel at home.
Apart from guided walks and game drives, little visitors are kept busy with activities such as painting, jewellery making and many more to enhance their stay.
The chefs at Royal Madikwe are never too busy to enlist the help of young visitors.
She says often, children help the chefs with dough making, creating delicacies for afternoon tea such as stick bread and marshmallows.
Each day at Royal Madikwe is designed around the guest’s preferences with the guidance of experienced staff whose commitment to personal interests and desires allow flexible safari experiences.
Game drives come highly recommended at this location as Madikwe Game Reserve has the second-largest elephant population in South Africa.
Royal Madikwe also offers guided bush walks, celestial safari, photographic safari, ranger skills training, traditional African dancing lessons and a pampering outdoors massage treatment to rejuvenate body, mind and soul.
About the property
What once used to be farm land is now restored to its former environment with over 10 000 animals and 27 species reintroduced into the reserve owing to the success of Operation Phoenix, the largest translocation of game ever undertaken.
Prime game viewing land at Madikwe Game Reserve is home to 66 large mammal species and Africa’s Big Five including both white and the endangered black rhino, herds of antelope, smaller game and birdlife counting more than 350 resident and migrant bird species.
It also boasts a viable and thriving population of wild dogs, one of Africa’s most endangered carnivore breeds.
Prime game viewing land at Madikwe Game Reserve is home to 66 large mammal species and Africa’s Big Five including both white and the endangered black rhino, herds of antelope, smaller game and birdlife counting more than 350 resident and migrant bird species. It also boasts a viable and thriving population of wild dogs, one of Africa’s most endangered carnivore breeds.
Pieterse says formerly exclusive to sole use only, Royal Madikwe is now open to the public and welcomes, couples, families and small groups of people to experience bush living without having to reserve the entire residence.
The best times to visit and get the most out of this luxurious destination is from October to April.
She says although dry, October offers wonderful sightings of animals especially when some of them gather at the lodge to quench their thirst on a hot day.
In April, the bush is green and alive and this makes for an unrivalled African bush experience she says.
At Royal Madikwe, guests are given sole and private use during peak and high peak periods. During non-peak periods, accommodation is available on a per person sharing basis.
The residence comprises of five luxury suites and can accommodate a maximum of 10 people.
These include a Royal Suite, ideal for families which accommodates four people with features such as fireplaces in the lounge and bedrooms, own viewing deck with hot bath tub and outdoor dining area.
There are two luxury double suites designed for couples, one luxury twin suite which works well for friends or older children and one luxury family suite for children and parents.
Decor at the residence is inspired by nature, combined with modern interiors and a vibrant African feel that adds to the comfort and beauty of Royal Madikwe.
Royal Madikwe is owned by Dr Chai Patel and his family who bought it in May 2004.
Pieterse explains that it was a long standing dream of Patel, born in Uganda and now residing in the UK to create and share this beauty at Royal Madikwe.
She says Patel often tells of his earliest childhood memories filled with fondness of his African home.
At Royal Madikwe, Patel has created a home, echoing his African roots and provides guests with unforgettable experiences, cultural education and giving him an opportunity to reinvest in the continent of his birth.
Property prices
For discerning travellers wanting to experience luxury bush living at this award winning destination, expect to pay R4 000 per guest per night sharing a luxury suite, R16 000 per night for one to four guests at the Royal Family suite and R22 000 per night for up to four people for the sole use of the lodge during non peak periods.
For discerning travellers wanting to experience luxury bush living at this award winning destination, expect to pay R4 000 per guest per night sharing a luxury suite, R16 000 per night for one to four guests at the Royal Family suite and R22 000 per night for up to four people for the sole use of the lodge during non peak periods.
These are between 5 January to 14 October and I November to 16 December.
Royal Madikwe extends its vision to make a worthwhile difference in luxury eco-tourism through its involvement in philanthropic endeavours with an emphasis on social health and education.
Twenty percent of all profit generated through Royal Madikwe is re-invested into local community projects.
Asked about the typical guest at the luxury residence, Pieterse says it is a mixture of international and local people.
Most guests are said to visit the lodge annually as they seem not to get enough of its beauty while one South African couple has stayed at the lodge five times already.
Many families who visit the lodge tell their friends and as a result, Royal Madikwe continues to attract visitors far and wide, she says.
She adds that at Royal Madikwe, they not only pay attention to each guest’s needs, they ensure that each visitor takes away a little bit of the residence that they will remember forever. – Denise Mhlanga
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