Madikwe, Chobe & The Delta: Starry Nights Sleep-out Safari

Madikwe Game Reserve’s location, close to the edge of the Kalahari Desert, ensures a truly diverse game-viewing experience. A malaria-free area, Madikwe Game Reserve is a perfect choice for families and groups, with most of the reserve’s safari lodges offering unforgettable family-friendly accommodation options.

The reserve is a wildlife photographer’s dream. Many safari lodges have hides overlooking active waterholes. Some offer guided bush walks. All offer guided game drives (shared or private) for the ultimate bushveld experience. Game drives are usually conducted twice a day, in the early morning and late afternoon/evening, giving you a unique perspective on the reserve and an opportunity to encounter different animals with different behaviours.

One of the great joys of spending time in Madikwe Game Reserve is discovering the restorative powers of the untamed bush. Enjoy the tranquility of wildlife encounters, cool swimming pools, and rejuvenating spa treatments. Indulge in world-class dining, and spend a romantic night under the African stars at an intimate private sleep-out.

Nestled on the banks of the Marico River, this safari retreat offers a charming blend of “glamping” luxury and down-to-earth, eclectic design, creating an ideal escape for guests seeking a balance of comfort and authentic bushveld experience. Whether relaxing at the lodge or exploring its surroundings, Jaci’s Safari Lodge promises a memorable stay immersed in the tranquility of the African wilderness.

Activities & Highlights
Jaci’s is renowned for its superb outdoor dining, with meals served in its various boma areas and on the viewing decks, where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. A stroll along the Marico River is often a highlight, offering peaceful moments accompanied by the sounds of birds in the trees and the sight of elephants bathing in the river. Whether dining under the stars or exploring the nearby wildlife, this lodge creates unforgettable experiences for all guests.

Accommodation
Experience the luxurious Starbed Suites and Jaci’s Safari Lodge - an ideal choice for honeymooners and special occasions. These exclusive, two-level suites provide the option to sleep either indoors or beneath the African sky, with each suite featuring two king-size beds, outdoor showers, indoor bathrooms, and spacious lounge areas. Guests will also find a safari bar and viewing deck to enhance their stay. Bold, colorful décor and bespoke furnishings create a stylish atmosphere, adding a signature Jaci’s bushveld twist to every detail.

Johannesburg serves as a vibrant gateway to Africa, making it an ideal stopover on any safari journey. With the Gautrain network linking the airport to key destinations such as the bustling financial district of Sandton and the historic sites of central Johannesburg and Pretoria, travellers can maximize their time exploring the city, whether they have a few hours or several days.

For those interested in delving into South Africa's complex history, Johannesburg boasts significant landmarks such as Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum, both just a short drive away. The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing ancient human history, is also within reach. Beyond history, the city offers vibrant shopping and cultural experiences, with popular spots like Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square just a quick Gautrain ride away, as well as the trendy Maboneng Precinct, known for its art and nightlife.

Whether visitors are stopping for a layover or extending their stay, Johannesburg is a dynamic city that enriches the safari experience.

Conveniently located just steps from the international terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport, the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel offers guests a blend of style, comfort, and upscale amenities. With its prime location, visitors can easily access Johannesburg’s vibrant attractions, from art galleries and museums to boutique shopping.

Activities & Highlights
The InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel offers a range of services and facilities designed for both leisure and business travelers. Unwind at the luxurious spa with views of the city skyline or savor a meal at the Quills Restaurant, renowned for its gourmet dining. The hotel also features state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, making it ideal for business meetings and events.

Accommodation
The hotel’s Classic Rooms provide comfort and elegance with a choice of a king bed, double bed, or two twin beds. Each room includes an en-suite bathroom, and some may feature a private balcony, allowing guests to enjoy views of the surrounding area. With modern amenities and a tranquil atmosphere, these rooms ensure a restful stay before or after a long journey.

The world famous Chobe National Park is Botswana’s first National Park and home to the world’s largest remaining herds of Elephant. Bordered by the winding Chobe River that provides a permanent source of water, this area teems with wildlife. In the drier season, from May through to October, the Chobe Riverfront is a major watering spot for large breeding herds of elephant, giraffe, sable and Cape buffalo. It is also the only area where the puku antelope can be seen.

Sunsets on the Chobe River are breathtaking – listening to the call of the Fish Eagle and the grunt of the many hippos getting ready to emerge and graze for the evening. Guests could be lucky enough to watch elephants as they swim across the river to reach the islands in the centre. The Chobe Riverfront, from the town of Kasane through the northernmost section of the park, is undoubtedly the most visited area, as it is within easy access of Victoria Falls.

Activities in this area include boat cruises on the Chobe River, game drives in the Chobe National Park as well as catch-and-release fishing. Notably, the area is also renowned as a bird watcher’s paradise.

Set along the serene banks of the Chobe River, Chobe Bakwena Lodge is a privately-owned eco-lodge that offers guests an intimate and tranquil retreat. Once a barren soccer pitch, this land has been transformed into a sanctuary for both guests and wildlife. Nestled amidst indigenous riverine woodland, Bakwena Lodge serves as a refuge for those looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and abundant wildlife of the Chobe region.

Activities & Highlights
Chobe Bakwena Lodge offers a range of land and water-based safaris, each designed to showcase the exceptional wildlife of the area. Guests can experience thrilling game drives and tranquil boat safaris, led by the lodge’s knowledgeable guides. For a unique perspective, guided bicycle tours and scenic sundowner cruises are also available, including a special journey to the world’s only meeting point of four countries. With such diverse activities on offer, Bakwena Lodge promises an unforgettable stay in one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.

Accommodation
The lodge’s five Treetop Chalets are elevated three meters above the ground, nestled among the tree canopy. These charming chalets offer guests the chance to reconnect with nature, surrounded by the dappled light and rustling leaves of the treetops. Each chalet provides an enchanting escape, evoking the magic of a childhood dream while offering modern comforts in a secluded and peaceful setting.

The Okavango Delta is an oasis in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana, fed by the catchment waters from the Angolan Highlands. The Okavango River does not have an outlet into the sea, but rather flows into Botswana and fans out into through the Delta, filling up the waterways with the levels rising and falling through the seasons.

Covering almost a third of the Okavango Delta is the Moremi Game Reserve – land declared by the BaTawana people in 1963 and the first wildlife sanctuary to be created by an African tribe in their own area. At the centre of the Delta, and forming part of the Moremi is Chief’s Island, arguably the most exclusive wildlife area in Botswana and currently the only area in the country that supports rhino.

Khwai Private Reserve is 200 000 hectares of pristine wilderness, it sits just to the north east of the Delta, adjacent to Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, and the landscape is one of the most diverse.

Expect herds of impala and tsessebe, buffalo, wildebeest and elephant, and sightings of lechwe and sitatunga on the reed banks as well as excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, cheetah and the elusive African wild dog. The Okavango Delta teams with birdlife and rings with the sound of the hippos calling in the pools – a true paradise for safari adventure.

Sable Alley Tented Suites & Skybeds offers a luxurious safari experience set in the heart of the Khwai Private Reserve, part of the Okavango Delta. The camp is designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the wilderness while ensuring comfort and style. The communal areas are centered around stunning lagoon views, whether you're relaxing by the bar, enjoying the fire pit, or lounging on a plush sofa. Dinners are served indoors or alfresco under the stars, with the sounds of nearby wildlife creating a truly immersive experience.

Activities & Highlights
Sable Alley offers a variety of activities to explore the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta. Game drives are a classic way to spot the region’s most loved animals, with expert guides leading both morning and afternoon safaris. For a different perspective, boating excursions along the Okavango waterways offer thrilling views of wildlife coming to drink, accompanied by magnificent sunsets. The iconic mokoro trips, traditional dugout canoe rides, provide an intimate way to navigate the serene channels, while walking safaris along the Khwai Riverbanks bring you even closer to nature, led by skilled guides.

Accommodation
The Tented Suites at Sable Alley are spacious and stylish. Each suite features canvas walls, a sitting area, writing desk, double bed, and chic African-inspired décor. Slide open the screen doors to reveal unobstructed views of the lagoon or relax on your private veranda. The en-suite bathroom includes twin basins, an indoor shower, and a flush toilet, with the option of an outdoor shower for a refreshing open-air experience.

For a unique bush adventure, the Skybeds offer an unforgettable night under the stars. These double-story platforms overlook a busy waterhole, where wildlife sightings are frequent. Each platform has a bathroom with a flushing toilet on the first floor, along with a dressing area, and a mosquito-netted double bed on the top floor, completely open to the sky. For inclement weather, there’s a dome tent with two single beds.