Topography

Madikwe consists mainly of extensive plains which slope towards the Marico river. A low range of quartzite hills, the Rant van Tweedepoort, runs in an east-west direction and divides the reserve into two fairly distinct and roughly equal halves.

The Plains in the northern half of the reserve (which are underlain by granite, gneiss and andesite lavas) are much flatter than the more gentle rolling plains in the southern portion. The Northern plains are also punctuated by a number of spectacular gabbronorite Inselbergs, which project more than 200 meters above the plains. The Southern plains, which are underlain by dolomite, are bounded in the south by the Dwarsberg. Although the Dwarsberg is the more dominant range of hills, rising about 200 meters above the surrounding plains, the highest point in Madikwe (1328 meters above sea level) is found at Tshwene Tshwene in the centre of the reserve. The lowest point (950 meters above sea level) is found in the extreme north eastern corner of the reserve, where the Marico River flows out of the Reserve.

Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve, created from 75,000 ha of farmland, which had been extensively degraded by overgrazing, was chosen as the site of 'Operation Phoenix " The government-sponsored, biggest-ever game- relocation program in Africa involved re-stocking and conserving flora and wildlife, which had long since disappeared from the region commenced in 1991. Ten thousand animals of 27 major species, including wild dog, cheetah, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and elephant, have been re-introduced to the Reserve over a six year period with animals coming from various reserves and breeding centers and game viewing is now at its prime.

(Some species such as kudu and leopards occurred naturally in the area, in fact the Dwarsberg kudu bulls are reputed to have the most spectacular horns in the country) Madikwe is managed by the North West Parks Board, successor to the widely-acclaimed Bop Parks, which was also responsible for the establishment of the Pilanusberg National Park. The Parks Board pioneered people-based conservation in South Africa. Madikwe represents an extension to this philosophy in that it is run as a joint venture between the state, the private sector and local communities.

Madikwe game reserve is one of the premier game reserves in Southern Africa. With the "Big 5" - including S.A's second largest population of elephants, it's beautiful scenery, superb climate and the absence of Malaria. Madikwe is more than just a South African Game reserve with lots to see in added comfort and safety. Madikwe is the fore-runner of a new generation of game reserves in Southern Africa.

The name of Operation Phoenix is appropriate: like the mythical bird that burnt itself to a crisp on the pyre and then rose from the ashes to live again with new vigor, nature has regained a stronghold on the land and the program has been hugely successful. Madikwe Game Reserve is currently the country's fourth largest game reserve. It is situated in the North West Province and is bordered by Botswana in the north, the spectacular Dwarsberg Mountains to the south, the Marico river to the east. The Reserve is unusual in many respects; the rich diversity of the vegetation in the reserve is a reflection of its complex geomorphology. The vegetation, hydrology, topography, climate, soil and other factors such as the previous farming activities in the area, have a direct bearing on the varied fauna present in the reserve.

The diverse habitat in the Madikwe Reserve, from acacia savannah to riverine, ensures a unique combination of species such as springbok, gemsbok, sable and impala. The birdlife is spectacular and it is also one of the few reserves in South Africa that is malaria free.