Madikwe Safari
We have done and seen a lot of cool things on our various family vacations; and going on safari in Madikwe, South Africa was definitely one of our favorites. A five hour drive from Johannesburg (where we were staying with friends), Madikwe is a small game reserve on the border of South Africa and Botswana. There, we booked a three night safari at the Tuningi Safari Lodge, which couldn’t have been better in terms of the quality of the staff, accommodations, food, etc. Tuningi was one of the only lodges that allowed children under the age of six. So Blake was able to join us, but had to stay at the lodge with a nanny while we went on our safari drives each morning and evening.
To be out in the bush and see animals in their natural habitat was amazing. Mid-way through each of our twice-a-day sunrise/sunset safari drives, we would stop to have a snack and drink. The kids really liked having hot chocolate in the mornings and soda in the afternoon. The Rangers with us were like like real-life Crocodile Dundees in regards to their knowledge and ability to track down the wild animals.
On our last day we still woke up for our morning safari and then finished packing before we checked out and drove back to Johannesburg. We not only saw the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard), but were able to see cheetah and wild dogs (which, together with the Big Five, are called the “Magnificent Seven”).
We stayed at Tuningi Lodge since they allow babies/toddlers. Other lodges would only take children six years old or older.
Reception center. The chandlers are made with porcupine needles.
Open-air kids center where there were movies, toys, and Wi-Fi.
Our large villa was amazing and very relaxing.
From the bathtub in our master bathroom suite Mason spotted an elephant outside grazing.
One night all of the guests had dinner outside near the watering hole.
The staff at Tuningi sang and danced for us during the BBQ.
Blake and Tia watching an elephant pass by our lodge.
Baboons were seen from our lodge. We were told a couple days before we arrived a bunch of baboons entered a guest’s room and stole some things.
From the lodge swimming pool we found some impalas.
One of the highlights on each safari for the kids was to stop in the bush and have a snack.
Zebras grazing
Giraffes finding some food.
Hyenas sleeping on the airstrip
We were lucky enough to find the most elusive of the big five on our first day: Leopard.
It was sweet to see this baby elephant with its mother.
African Water Buffalo
White Rhinos are pretty massive. We were told that a rhino horn is worth $300,000-$500,000 each.
This male lion didn’t want anyone taking his meal.
Our Rangers tracked paw prints and then came upon this lioness with her cubs.
Cheetah brothers blend in perfectly to their habitat. Only one cheetah wears a tracking collar since these two are always together.
This pack of African Wild Dogs have learned to use the electric fence that separates South Africa and Botswana to their advantage when hunting.
An elephant saying goodbye to another day.
More photos of our South African safari here.
