Last Word Madikwe
The entrance to the lodgeLocation
Last Word Madikwe is situated on the Western side of the reserve so the best way to enter Madikwe is through Wonderboom Gate, which is only 300m from the lodge.
About Last Word Madikwe
The fantastic LodgeThe house dates back to 1916 - it was one of the original farmhouses in the area; this beautiful old farmhouse has been lovingly transformed, into a comfortable and relaxing sanctuary of African splendor.
A view of Last Word Madikwe from the bottom of the gardenOn arrival the first thing we noticed was the lush green lawns that transport your eyes to the gorgeous floodlit waterhole in front of the house. The lawn is dotted with large trees that provide inviting shade for guests and homes to the many birds and insects.
The patio with a view of the waterholeAfter Caitlin and Jon warmly welcomed us to Last Word Madikwe and after our welcome drinks, it was time to explore our new surroundings.
As you enter Last Word Madikwe's main house from the patio through folding doors that lead into a large comfortable lounge with two seating areas, one near the bar and the other near the fireplace.
Last Word Madikwe lounge and bar area
the lounge with large fire placeA breezeway/patio joins the bar and lounge to a second building that houses the dining room, Tea and coffee station and small reading area.
dining room- the pictures on the wall were taken by guests
the Tea and coffee station with small library and seating areaYou will be able to get Wi-Fi and cell phone reception through out building and suites.
The passageway that leads to two bedroom just off the lounge/bar areaFood and drinks
The well stocked Bar- Jen chatting to DamianThe bar area is a great meeting spot to catch up after an afternoon game drive or for an after dinner drink.
 Golden monkey looks after the lemons |
 Giraffe statue |
After returning from your early morning game drive, you can enjoy a wonderful spread for brunch; fresh fruit juice, yogurts, cereals, cheese, cold meat and pastries- then a hot meals of eggs of your choice, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, mushrooms and toast are on offer.
 the delicious breakfast spread with a view |
 Scrambled egg and bacon croissant |
Lunch is served around 2.30pm just before your afternoon game drive.
 Lunch Lamb mince cigars and chicken wraps and two different salads |
 Couscous salad, biltong salad, spinach and fetta phyllo tarts with milk tar |
The food at Last Word Madikwe is great!! And each meal is served in a different venue; dining room, breezeway or patio overlooking the garden and waterhole.
Jen having lunch on the patio with elephants at the waterholeWe loved our dinners and each meal was well prepared and well plated.
steak with mushroom sauce potato bake stack and green beans
Granadilla Panna cotta at Last Word MadikweThe one and only baobab tree in Madikwe stands proud in the corner near the outside guest toilets.
The only baobab tree in MadikweThe cosy boma area is in the garden near the rock pool and path leading to the underground hide, it has a view of the waterhole so you wont miss what comes down to drink....
Small boma is a nice place to sit pre and post dinnerAccommodation
one of the classic suites with a view of the gardenAll Classic Suites are contained in the main house just meters from the public areas and are beautifully decorated in traditional African decor.
One of the classic suiteseach appointed suite has, an en-suite with shower and large bathtub.
Classic suite en suite bathroomAir conditioning, ceiling fans, hairdryers, safe, a tea and coffee station, a mini bar fridge, writing desk and many other luxurious amenities.
this mini bar add a lovely touch to the suiteThe spacious classic suites; all have their own patios where you can relax and listen to the sound of the birds....
The patio off the bedroomActivities
Enjoy walking round the shady garden or relax at the sparkling rock pool on the
loungers while watching the animals come down to drink at the waterhole, or you can take a nature walk round the fenced grounds.
the rock pool with a view of the elephant at the waterholeAlternatively you can watch from the lawns to see what comes down to the waterhole to drink...
Jen enjoying a "sofa safari" while sipping coffee
Watching elephants at the waterhole. This is an old image - all the dead tree are gone. Photographers complained that they spoilt their images compositions - I guess the elephants heard and obliged!
Jen watching giraffe at the waterhole...or sit in the lovely underground hide that offers eye level views of animals drinking.
Jen photographing elephant in the underground hideThe hide was the first one of its kind in Madikwe Game Reserve. This underground hide overlooks the waterhole in front of the house and can comfortably fit about 4 people sitting and another 4 standing and the hide is also wheelchair friendly.
Elephant drinking at night- image taken from the underground hideThe waterhole is floodlit so game viewing and night time photography is no problem.
Elephant herd drinking at the underground hide
double-banded sandgrouse, image taken from underground hide at nightThe hide is accessed from a path within the lodge grounds next to the rock pool, so you will be able to walk safely to the hide during the day or at night.
Our Sightings at the hide/waterhole and on game drive while at Last Word Madikwe
We had some really wonderful sightings from both the underground hide and from the top overlooking the waterhole.
close up of an elephants trunk scooping up waterLarge herds of elephant came down to drink multiple times every day - we would see between 3 and 4 different herds plus a few male bulls that would entertain us.
Elephant with foot on logWe watched in fascination as a few of the herds of elephant came to the waterhole for a pool party, it was great fun watching the little ones splash around the water’s edge with their trunks, while the large youngsters waded into the waterhole to become totally submerged in the water.
Baby elephant suckling while mom drinks at the waterhole
baby elephant playing at the waterholeThe wild dogs kept us on our toes as they popped in at the waterhole several times during the day-
Wild dogs kept popping up at the waterhole during the day
three of the wild dogs checking out the waterhole
Zebras and wild dog made an interesting combination at the waterholeone of the wild dogs was injured and he just sat in the water at the edge of the waterhole .....
poor boy was badly injuredwe also had the spotted hyenas, a clan of about 20.....
Spotted Hyena drinkingbuffalo, a troop of baboons, banded mongoose and we just missed the cheetah who had made a kill at the waterhole fence the day before.
a troop of baboons came down to drink
Buffalo and warthog hanging round the waterholeZebras, impala, kudu and a pair of Egyptian geese....
Zebra and elephant enjoying the waterhole togetherthe lesser striped swallows entertained us so much during our 3 day stay at Last Word Madikwe.
The lesser striped swallow collecting stuff for its nest
Lesser striped swallowLast Word Madikwe Game Drives
There are two games drives; one which leaves around 5-45am in the morning and the other leaves early afternoon.
zebras reflection at a dam in Madikwe Game Reserve
zebra stampede at a dam while on game driveMario and I did what we always like to do. Mario stayed at the underground hide while I went on game drives. He did come on a few drive with me just to see how much fun I was having...
 Elephant image taken on game drive |
 Black Rhino image taken on game drive |
Lioness and cubs drinking image taken while on game drive
Lion cubs sitting on fallen log watching mom hunt
 Lapwing on nest taken on game drive |
 Female sunbird image taken in garden |
Roan at Nkwe Pan in Madikwe
Wild dogs on a kill at Last Word Madikwe gate on our last night drive
Hyenas came and stole the kill from the wild dogs
one of our game drive drink stops
Gin stop with Last Word Madikwe
 delicious Canapes at our gin stop |
 A lovely surprise- a Gin stop at sunset |
Thank you to Tataum, Jaco, Caitlin, Jon, Damian (our guide) and the Last Word team for 3 wonderful days!!
For more information on Last Word Madikwe or to make your booking, please click here
Return from The Bush House to Madikwe Game Reserve page
To make a safari rental booking in South Africa, Botswana or Namibia click here
"It's 768 pages of the most amazing information. It consists of, well, everything really. Photography info...area info...hidden roads..special places....what they have seen almost road by road. Where to stay just outside the Park...camp information. It takes quite a lot to impress me but I really feel that this book, which was 7 years in the making, is exceptional." - Janey Coetzee, founder of CAROK (Camps and Roads of Kruger) South Africa
"Having a passion for the region itself and having to know about all dynamics, water holes and ideal roads for a period of 6 years - I wish I had this guide on my first trip already!" - Morkel Erasmus, Secunda, South Africa
"Mario and Jenny take you to places that are not always visited, and their descriptions of the more remote camps will allow you to make an informed decision without wasting time and money" - Bob & Sherry Shepardson, DeBary, Florida, USA
"Your time and money are valuable and the information in this book will help you save both." - Don Stilton, Florida, USA
"I highly recommend the book to anyone visiting Etosha National Park to photograph the animals - or anyone considering an African photography safari in the future." - Anne Darling, Cognac, France
"As a photographer and someone who has visited and taken photographs in the Pilanesberg National Park, I can safely say that with the knowledge gained from this eBook, your experiences and photographs will be much more memorable." - Alastair Stewart, BC, Canada
"This work is so much more than an eBook, because it is also a guide, a tutorial, an inspiration and a must-have for anyone interested in wildlife photography" - Findtripinfo.com, USA
Photo Safaris on a Private Vehicle - just You, the guide & the animals!
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Please leave us a comment in the box below.