A recent bucket list safari trip took myself & family to Madikwe game reserve in the North West province of SouthAfrica.
You can either access the reserve by road, which takes approx 4 hours, or alternatively a short flight from Johannesburg to a nearby airport.
On arrival Our guide Warwick came to meet us at the entrance and soon enough we were whisked off into the bush to Morukuru family Madikwe.
20 minutes later after luckily spotting impala and amazing bird life, we arrive at River house.
The amazing team of staff were lined up singing a beautiful welcome song as we approached, and offered a much needed refreshing drink and cold towel.
We were blown away with the genuine heart felt welcome.
River house operates on a sole occupancy basis, so we had the beautiful property and staff all to ourselves and they catered for our every need. 3 large bedrooms all en-suite , study, lounge, dining room and extensive outside area with pool and loungers, even a spa!
A typical days starts with a gentle wake up call and coffee & flapjacks awaiting.
6.30 am and we’re off for our first game drive. Our drinking bottles filled and hot water bottles and blankets await, and off we go with Warwick and our expert tracker Buggsy.
We were soon overwhelmed with up close sightings of lions, rhinos, zebra, giraffe and hyenas. The leopard remained elusive over the course of our stay, but it enticed us all to go back another time to get a glimpse.
Breakfast differs each day in menu and location, and our first morning was spent tucking into an amazing bush breakfast in a beautiful area of the bush, it was just idyllic.
Soon after we’re relaxing by the pool or having a treatment in our in-house spa.
3.30, and we’re off again, each game drive is a different and exhilarating experience, and as the sun sets Warwick and Buggsy prepare sundowners for us in the bush, and it’s a pinch me moment, as it’s simply beautiful.
A candle lit bath has been run, and a welcome drink prepared and offered as we arrive back at River house.
Chef fortune carefully prepares an amazing 3 course dinner taking care of any allergies or special requests, and all the family are absolutely delighted with the gastronomic experience.
3 days whizz by quickly, and soon enough it’s our last dinner held around a magical torch lit boma in the bush, with camp fire, brai and an enticing bar.
Flutes of champagne welcome us in, and we soon tuck into another delicious albeit farewell dinner.
The views across the savannah to Botswana are breathtaking, and it’s a moment I will treasure forever.
We all agreed that it was the best trip we have all done as a family and have cherished each & every unique moment in the bush.
