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The Bush House | Private Lodge | Madikwe

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The Bush House is an upmarket owner-managed safari destination located on the mid- western side of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. This four-star lodge in Big Five country is set in an old farmhouse which has been transformed into a homely family-oriented haven. In keeping with its intimate ambience, The Bush House encourages guests to kick back, unwind and enjoy a memorable African excursion.

The Bush House offers guests six stylishly appointed en-suite rooms centered around the body of the lodge. Each double room boasts a choice of two twin beds or a king- sized bed made up with percale bed linen, a separate shower and bath with toiletries and fluffy towels, plus air-conditioning, a fan, hairdryer, safe, and coffee/tea making facilities. There is also access to power, free internet, and adequate cell phone reception should you need to stay in touch with the outside world.

The rooms all open to the exterior via sliding doors. Four of the rooms have private verandahs from where you can contemplate the absolute peace of your natural surroundings. One of the rooms has a view of the lush gardens and the large waterhole which is a favourite haunt for the resident bird- and wildlife while the sixth room is
positioned alongside a magnificent water feature.

The stylishly decorated interior of The Bush House’s central hub has a comfortable sitting room, reading zone, TV lounge with DSTV – for sporting emergencies only, and a congenial pub where you can enjoy socialising with fellow visitors after another amazing day on safari.

The Bush House is geared for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the stresses and strains of the daily grind. The crystal-clear rock pool is the ideal spot to soak up the tranquility of this idyllic wilderness haven. If you’re up for some fun and games, why not partake in a friendly game of cricket, rugby or soccer on the manicured lawn.

Alternatively, retreat to the Lodge patio and watch the diversity of game meandering to and from the waterhole. Or take advantage of The Bush House’s wheelchair-friendly underground hide to get an eye-level perspective on all the activity at the waterhole. The waterhole is lit up at night giving you the opportunity to observe the more elusive nocturnal species.

Additional outdoor adventures include early morning and late afternoon game drives in open 4X4 vehicles, and informative bush walks conducted by expert field guides. Being a family-friendly destination, The Bush House provides special game drives for those children who are too young to join the regular game drives. A babysitting service is also available on request. As the five-hectare camp is fully fenced, it is completely safe to move around freely and explore the various mini-nature trails.

Come mealtimes The Bush House chefs delight in preparing fine traditional fare made to suit your taste preferences, whether it’s brunch in the shade of the indigenous trees, afternoon tea packed with treats or an al fresco dinner in the firelit Boma.

If you’re looking for an authentic home-away- from-home in Madikwe Game Reserve where warm hospitality and attentive care are the order of the day, The Bush House is sure to live up to your expectations.


  • icon Check Rates
  • icon Specials
  • icon Dining & Bar
  • icon Game Drives
  • icon Garden & Pool
  • icon How to get there
  • icon Rooms
  • icon Undergrund Hide
  • icon Terms
  • icon Walking Trails & Gym
Rates inclusive of 15% VAT • South African Rand • Subject to availability
All tariffs quoted are subject to change, without prior notice, however rates quoted for confirmed bookings will be honoured
Details 1 May 2023
to 30 Apr  2024
Classic Suite x 5 - per person sharing per night R8 730
Classic Suite  - single R13 095
Details 1 May  2024
to 30 April 2025
Classic Suite x 5 - per person sharing per night R9 780
Classic Suite  - single R14 670

RATES ARE
  • Inclusive of 15% VAT
  • Invoiced and payable in ZAR
  • Quoted per person sharing per night
  • Subject to a 50% supplement for single occupancy
  • Subject to availability
  • Subject to change without prior notice
RATES INCLUDE
  • Luxury accommodation
  • Three meals daily
  • Tea/coffee
  • All beverages such as soft drinks, waters, house wines, local spirits, local beers and ciders
  • Two game drives per day including refreshments
RATES EXCLUDE
  • Premium wines and champagne on wine list
  • Premium and craft spirits and single malt whiskeys
  • Transfers
  • Gratuities
  • Curio purchases
  • Laundry services
  • Gate entrance fees are R180 per person which is added to the clients account to be settled at the lodge
  • Conservation levies are R190 per person per night which is added the clients account to be settled at the lodge
LAST WORD SADC RATES

Details 1 May 2023 -
30 Apr 2024
Classic Suites x 5 -  per person per night R 5 400
Classic Suites x 5  - per single per night R8 100

RATES ARE

  • Inclusive of 15% VAT
  • Invoiced and payable in ZAR
  • Quoted per person sharing per night
  • Subject to a 50% supplement for single occupancy
  • Subject to availability

RATES INCLUDE

  • Luxury accommodation
  • Three meals daily
  • Tea/coffee
  • All beverages such as soft drinks, waters, house wines
  • Two game drivers per day including refreshments

RATES EXCLUDE

  • Premium wines and champagne on wine list, beers and ciders
  • Premium and craft spirits and single malt whiskeys
  • Transfers
  • Gratuities
  • Wellness treatments
  • Laundry services
  • Gate entrance fees are R180 per person which is added to the clients account to be settled at the lodge
  • Conservation levies are R190 per person per night which is added the clients account to be settled at the lodge

CHILD POLICY

  • Single supplment is 50% of per person rate
  • Children 0 to 5 years sharing with parents limited to one child pay R1250 per night nett
  • Children 6 to 11 years old pay 50% of the person per night rate
  • Children 12 years and older take their own room at the adult per person per night rate

PROVISIONAL POLICY

  • Subject to availability – should we have limited suites available only confirmed bookings will be accepted
  • Provisional reservations made less than 30 days prior to arrival will be held for 48 hours
  • Full names of guests travelling will be required to convert the status from provisional to confirmed

Deposit Policy

  • For all bookings made within 30 days of travel
  • Full payment Is required within 48 hours of your booking. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
  • For all bookings made more than 30 days of travel
  • A 50% deposit Is required within 48 hours of your booking and the balance 30 days prior to arrival. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).

Cancellation Policy

  • All cancellations must be in writing.
  • If a booking is cancelled after confirmation, a 25% cancellation fee will apply.
  • Four weeks before arrival - 50% of full amount
  • Two weeks before arrival - 100% of full amount
  • A 10% admin fee will be retained for cancellations made after the card has been charged.

Stay 3 nights and only pay for 2 at Last Word Madikwe

This offer is valid  until 29 February 2024

Dining & Bar


Our Chefs, together, create a wonderful culinary selection, whether it is breakfast in the breezeway, afternoon tea (which is a light meal) in the garden or  a fire-lit dinner in the boma under the stars. We accommodate many religious and dietary request when advised at the time booking.

Enjoy a bush style cocktail during the day or discuss the day's sightings sitting around our cosy pub after game drive. A pre-dinner drink could become a daily ritual!

The lodge public areas all look out onto the garden and the large waterhole so you can assured that you will not miss out on any of the animal action.


Game drives are conducted throughout the year at optimum viewing times when game activity is generally at its peak i.e early mornings and late afternoon into evening. The morning safari departs around sunrise and the evening drive leaves late enough in the afternoon for guests to enjoy a sundowner in the bush and return to the lodge as it is getting dark.

Vehicles are equipped with sunblock, and mosquito repellent for the body. In the rooms is a mosquito lotion that can be used on the face and there is additional sunblock at the bar.

Our game viewers have canopies fitted irrespective of the time of the year. The African sun is very harsh even in the cooler months and we prefer our guests not to risk the effects of skin cancer, sun burn and the like. Off roading is permitted in the reserve for big five sightings as well as wild dog and cheetah.


Unusual for a bush lodge is the oasis of calm that is our unique garden. This peaceful refuge of grass and plantings offer a wonderful respite from the stresses of daily living. The large, beautiful garden overlooking the waterhole is filled with colourful trees and creepers. The rolling green grass is the perfect vantage point to watch the birds, relax in the shade with a book or follow the animals coming down to drink at the best waterhole in the reserve.

Enjoy a friendly game of cricket, rugby or football on the lawn or lie on a blanket and contemplate the passing clouds above. We have an abundance of birdlife to appreciate and between game drives the day belongs to you.

Reading a book in the waterhole chairs or lounging at the rock pool often leads to closing of the eyes and enjoying delicious catnaps. Relax at the pool which has an excellent view of the waterhole while our staff care for your every need.

The electrified fence that surrounds the camp is hidden in a gulley in front of the waterhole so that all photographs, selfies and videos do not have a fence ruining the image. Perfect hidden safety and security!
 
Travelling by road to Madikwe
Travelling time approximately 3.5hrs
 
  • Take the N4 Toll road north west towards Rustenburg, Swartruggens, Groot Marico and Zeerust.
  • Once in Zeerust turn right where you have the ABSA bank on the corner to the left
    Follow the R47/R49 towards the reserve for approximately 95km NB.
  • Please watch the speed limit when travelling through the small villages as there are a lot of speed traps along the R47/R49.
  • The first entrance to the reserve is Abjaterskop gate
  • Pass that gate and enter at the next gate – Wonderboom Gate exactly 7km from the first gate
  • Once you have gone through the boom there is a Bush House sign board about 300m along. Turn left in here and travel through our gate and follow the road to reception.
  • Please fill up with fuel in Zeerust as the small garages along the road to the Lodge do not always have stocks of fuel
 
Travelling Tips
 
  • Keep to the speed limit, especially when it drops down from 120kms to 80kms. The traffic officials are often at these spots including the small villages where the speed limit is 60kms as there is a lot of trapping along the R47/R49.
  • Best bathroom facilities enroute are at the Wimpy in Koster or the Wimpy in Zeerust.
  • If you drive an unleaded vehicle, fill up in Zeerust as you will have another 200kms before you return that way and the petrol stations between Zeerust and Madikwe are often out of unleaded fuel.
 
Charter Flights and Scheduled Flights
 
There is a scheduled Federal Air flight that flies in and out of the Reserve daily. Should you wish to charter a plane to suit your own time frame this can be arranged through Madikwe Charters.
Rooms

We have six well appointed en suite rooms. Four of them have private verandas, one has a lovely water feature with another having a small private garden. Whilst all our rooms are part of the main lodge, so there are no unnecessary long walk backward and forward, guest privacy is not impacted in any way.
The rooms are tastefully furnished with percale bed linen and fully towels

All rooms are equipped with air conditioners, separate fan, hair dryer, safe, coffee and tea making facility, homemade biscuits, gowns and slippers. The bathroom has a separate  bath and shower along with a variety of toiletries.

Spoil yourself in a candlelit bath with handmade bubbles and not feel guilty. We recycle all our water through a grey water system which is then used to water the lodge lawn and to top up the waterhole. We have 220v electricity, cell phone signal and complimentary WIFI should you need to stay in touch with the outside world. To remain small and intimate we normally book no more than ten quests one time. However we are most happy to book slightly larger groups we can accommodate your desires rooming configurations.

The hide at The Bush House is the first and original underground hide built in Madikwe. Spending time in the hide is an incredibly exciting way to view all species of animals and birds as they come to drink at the edge of the floodlit waterhole.

Photographic opportunities are endless, irrespective of whether you are using your phone’s camera, state of the art equipment or something in-between.

You may have the awe-inspiring opportunity to watch as elephants pass by close enough to touch, to watch them drink at an arm’s length away or to be splashed by a mischievous youngster.

The roof of the hide is just above ground level and is reinforced to carry the weight of any elephant that may wander across the top.

The Underground Hide is accessed from a path within the lodge garden, or from the swimming pool, so guests can safely walk along the walkway and into the tunnel without being seen by the animals, and in complete safety.

The front of the hide has an expanded metal grid which stays completely open and out of sight but can be quickly dropped if anyone is feeling nervous.

The pathways, tunnel and hide are all lit at night so are available for guest use 24 hours a day. There is a ramp to assist with ease of access and there is no charge for use of the hide.

Small and large bean bags are available for guest use in camp.

Tariffs arequoted 

  • Inclusive of 15% VAT
  • Invoiced and payable in ZAR
  • Quoted per person sharing per night
  • Subject to a 50% supplement for single occupancy
  • Subject to availability
  • Subject to change without prior notice

Rates Include

  • Luxury accommodation
  • Three meals daily
  • Tea/coffee
  • All beverages such as soft drinks, waters, house wines, local spirits, local beers and ciders
  • Two game drives per day including refreshments

Rates Exclude

  • Premium wines and champagne on wine list
  • Premium and craft spirits and single malt whiskeys
  • Transfers
  • Gratuities
  • Curio purchases
  • Laundry services
  • Gate entrance fees are R180 per person which is added to the clients account to be settled at the lodge
  • Conservation levies are R190 per person per night which is added the clients account to be settled at the lodge

 

CHILD POLICY

  • Single supplment is 50% of per person rate
  • Children 0 to 5 years sharing with parents limited to one child pay R1 490 per night 
  • Children 6 to 11 years old pay 50% of the person per night rate

TRAVEL INSURANCE

 We insist that travel insurance is taken out on all bookings

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

  • Guests may check in from 14h00
  • Rooms are to be vacated by 11h00

FLIGHT AND ROAD TRANSFERS

  • There are daily flights into the Reserve with Federal Air.
  • These depart from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and can be arranged on request at an additional charge.
  • Road transfers can be arranged on request at an additional charge.
  • The gate entrance fee / fly-in fee is payable on departure in camp.
  • Wonderboom gates are open from 06h00 to 18h00, 7 days a week

GAME VEHICLE POLICY

  • Vehicles can carry 10 guests per vehicle
  • Private vehicle with private guide will be quoted on request
  • Children under 6 years are not allowed out on game drives

WHAT TO TAKE

  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunblock
  • Cameras and binoculars
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Swimsuit
  • Warm jackets are essential from May to September
  • Light neutral-coloured clothingChildren 12 years and older take their own room at the adult per person per night rate

 

Information Arrival / Departure

  • Guest may arrive from 13:00 and rooms are to be vacated by 11:00
  • Early arrivals and late departures can be arranged with prior notice.

Cancellation Policy

  •  All cancellations must be in writing.
  •  If a booking is cancelled after confirmation, a 25% cancellation fee will apply.
  •  Four weeks before arrival - 50% of full amount
  •  Two weeks before arrival - 100% of full amount
  •  A 10% admin fee will be retained for cancellations made after the card has been charged.

Another of our offerings is or fully fenced camp of approximately five hectares which give everyone, irrespective of age, the opportunity to explore our marked nature walk.

There is a little story about each marked point along the way and a map to show you the layout. What a wonderful way to discover bugs, beetles an butterflies within the safety of camp. Plants and trees can all be discovered in the bushveld around the lodge.

If you have urge to exercise, we have a small, well-equipped gym as well as the option of jogging and walking the length  of the man road within the lodge grounds.

Need Assistance ?

South Africa +27 14 004 0056 / 014 004 0056
 
Business Hours
Mon – Fri (09:00 - 17:00)
Sat (09:00 - 13:00)
Time Zone UTC/GMT +2 hours
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What sets us Apart !

MALARIA FREE
Ideal for family or small groups
Rich biodiversity of game
Large elephant population
Over 350 bird species
Effortless road and air access

Why Book With Us

Personal inter-action
Lodges with high standards
Stay in control of your booking
Most special deals by far
Secure payment process (SSL)
South African based
Superior knowledge
Expert advice
No booking fees

Best time to visit

The best time to visit malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve is during March and November, when temperatures are lower.

Madikwe Entry Fees

Once-off payment
Paid directly by clients
Rebuilding and Recovery levy
  - R115
pppn (optional)
Gate Entry Fees
  - R180
per Adults per STAY
  - R 80  per Child  (3-9 yrs)
Guest Conservation Contribution (GCC)
  -  R190 per Adults per DAY
  -  R  95 per Child  (2-12 yrs)
• Bed Levy
  - ZAR 10 pppn from age 1 year old    
SUBJECT to change without notice,
Guests GCC are payable at the lodges and
will be added to guests' bills
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Once-off payment
Paid directly by clients
Flight Entry
  - R240 per Adult  
  - R150 per Child (3-9 yrs)  
SUBJECT to change without notice
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