We will be visiting the area in August and wondering others' suggestions as to how many days to allow for each. We have someone who is taking us on a self-guided tour through Pilanesberg but if I understand correctly you can not do self-drives in Madikwe?
I have read some recent posts regarding lower animal count and maintenance issues in Pilanesberg- perhaps just a poor circulating rumor. If anyone has information about a recent visit there I would be most appreciative. We are visiting from the States and won't likely be returning here again so we'd like to ensure the best possible experience. (We have already been to other areas in South Africa and this trip we are limited to this area only).
How many days Pilanesberg & Madikwe
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Perhaps you have already been there, and already know, but if you want the best big 5 viewing in Africa, go to the Sabi Sand reserve (adjacent to Kruger).
regards - tom
We need to stay in the Pilanesberg vicinity this year. We have already been (and enjoyed!) the Kruger area (Thornybush).
From my few minutes of searching I've concluded that Madikwe reserve is not part of South Africa National Parks (SANP) and thus it is a private reserve. Therefore most un-likely you will be able to self-drive in Madikwe. But likely you need to call a couple of camps/lodges there and check on it.
FWIW, I was at Madikwe reserve, Madikwe Hills Lodge, in May of 2007 for 5 nights. The Lodge was gorgeous-fantastic. BUT I was not impressed with the game viewing in the reserve. I not been to Pilansberg so can't make any comparisons with it to anyplace.
Hope you get more help here than I have been
regards - tom
Time needed for Pilanesberg depends on you. It is fairly small and you can see most of it in one day. However, you can travel slowly and sit at the watering holes and long as you want to. Sao anything between 1 and 5 nights should be fine.
We've been to Madikwe a couple of times and I'd imagine two or three days would suffice. AFAIK there's no self-drive in Madikwe. Most roads are pretty rough.
We've stayed both times at Buffalo Ridge - http://www.buffaloridgesafari.com/ - and have been very pleased. It's community-owned, a plus for us.