Madikwe and the northwest

Madikwe Game Reserve is the perfect introduction to the African bush. The 75,000 acre reserve is the site of the world’s largest wildlife trans-location project. Its diverse geology and range of habitats allow a variety of species to flourish, including Africa’s ’big five’. Just a 90-minute flight from Johannesburg, the reserve is malaria-free and offers a range of excellent lodge accommodation, from the exceptionally family-friendly to romantic honeymoon retreats and those with wonderful bush spas.

The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is set on the edge of the mighty Kalahari desert and effectively extends into an equal area in Botswana, forming a massive wildlife refuge. The park follows two seasonal rivers, the Auob and the Nossob, and is famous for its lions, as well as being home to many other species. The birdlife is equally interesting, with over 200 species recorded, including abundant raptors.