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Madikwe

Thakadu River Camp

An exclusive safari camp on the banks of the peaceful Marico River.
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Kristin
4.9 out of 5 stars   Average guest rating
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or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667
Our guests rate us excellent
4.9/5 (940 reviews)

About Thakadu River Camp

Thakadu River Camp is a luxurious tented camp, in the beautiful Madikwe Game Reserve. Set within the canopy of the riverine forest on the banks of the Marico River, this treetop lodge has been built to blend in with the surrounding nature and allows guests to truly unwind and enjoy their peaceful surroundings. The river also has a great influence here, and the trees, water and birds create a tranquil ambience within the camp. The lodge is wholly owned by the community and is named after the "aardvark", an animal sacred to them.

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From $280 person/night

Camp
12 Tents

Highlights

Relax on your deck, enjoy the river views and keep your eyes peeled for animals coming to quench their thirst. Cameras at the ready!


If you fancy a little R&R, indulge in a massage - you don't even have to leave your room as the spa therapists will come to you.


Settle down to some star-gazing after a bush dinner - the guides here really know their stuff when it comes to all things nighttime.

The property

With a distinctly African-Asian safari style, the lodge is a concoction of natural stone, wood and fibres. The main area is located between the Marico River and its tributary and the large open plan lounge, dining area and reception area is full of comfy chairs, sofas and interesting artefacts. There is a traditional 'lapa' within the natural riverine forest, and a swimming pool that boasts panoramic views of the gully and the river to the north.

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The rooms

Thakadu River Camp consists of 12 en-suite luxury tented suites that can accommodate 24 guests. All tents are large and spacious, air-conditioned and the ensuite bathrooms come complete with indoor showers and free-standing baths (heaven at the end of a long day's game viewing!) Slide open the doors and step out to your private viewing deck for the most magnificent views over the Marico River. Four of the suites are family units and have an additional queen-size sleeper couch for kids.

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One more thing...

As if staying amidst nature isn’t enjoyable enough, guests at Thakadu River Camp get to indulge in mind- blowing accommodation. The tree- top stays allow guests to relax and enjoy the bustling of nature right outside.

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Activities

Cultural
Game Drives
Bush Walks
Birding

The lodge offers morning and late afternoon/ evening game-drives in open game-viewing vehicles, with knowledgeable professional game rangers, and there are even specialist kiddies drives for children under 6 years of age. Other activities include animal tracking, star-gazing, bush dining, and birding, as well as a variety of spa treatments (in the privacy of your room no less!). Trips to the local community in the nearby village of Molatedi can also be arranged.

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Reviews

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NaN out of 5 stars

About Madikwe Game Reserve

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Wildlife in Madikwe Game Reserve

Elephant
Abundant
Giraffe
Abundant
Hippo
Abundant
Black Rhino
Rare
White Rhino
Abundant
Lion
Abundant
Cheetah
Occasional
Leopard
Occasional
Hyena
Occasional
Wildebeest
Abundant
Buffalo
Abundant
Zebra
Abundant
Warthog
Abundant
Wild Dog
Occasional
Meerkat
Rare

Madikwe Game Reserve lies on a transition zone with a mix of Kalahari thornveld, denser bushveld and open savannah areas providing the perfect habitat for an abundance of species including the famed Big Five, with both black and white rhino present. The not-to-be-missed wildlife specials for this region include brown hyena, sable antelope and gemsbok. However, the real highlight for Madikwe is its resident pack of wild dogs, providing exciting moments on the hunt.

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What our guests are saying

4.9 / 5
Based on 940 reviews
Hannah
Mar 2025 • 9 nights in South Africa
Everything went super smoothly and everyone was very helpful along the way!
Susan
Feb 2025 • 16 nights in Tanzania and Kenya
Annie was our travel consultant and she was excellent! She answered all questions in a timely manner and provided... Read more
Yuet
Feb 2025 • 6 nights in Tanzania
From her first email, Joana treated us as family. She asked thoughtful questions and offered responsive suggestions.... Read more
Guest
Feb 2025 • 11 nights in Tanzania
Jenna was great handling the lodging, and Bekim from Exito travel was great handling the flights. I would use... Read more
Ana
Feb 2025 • 12 nights in Tanzania
I mentioned this on the previous page.
Guest
Feb 2025 • 9 nights in Kenya
Annie Irankunda went to all lenghts and further to make my trip to Kenya lovely. She helped with all the things I... Read more
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