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Jaci’s Private Lodge

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Relaunched in July 2026 – Jaci’s Private Lodge can be found on the Eastern borders of Madikwe Game Reserve. This vibrant and stylish lodge, nestling alongside the Marico River amongst lush trees and vegetation, promises an authentic, friendly and welcoming safari experience for eco-conscious guests.

The Lodge was redesigned in 2026 and now features 10 luxurious Safari Suites, all with views overlooking the river. There are also 3 Exclusive Use Villas – Kubu Villa, Nare Villa and Jaci’s Madikwe House – each offering its own heated private pool, spacious living areas and a dedicated team including private chef, ranger and front of house host.

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Safari Suite Expedition _ Expedition Beds

Facilities & Activities

Jaci’s Private Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve offers a contemporary, safari experience built around immersive wildlife viewing and relaxed luxury, with its standout features including a water-level photographic Terrapin hide where guests can quietly observe animals at close range, a central lodge pool area, and the ‘Finfoot Treatment room’ for massages in a tranquil setting that emphasises connection to nature rather than formal spa facilities.

Days are typically structured around early morning and late afternoon game drives, with the option of guided game walks for guests aged 16 and over, allowing for a more intimate, on-foot experience of the bush. In the hours between activities, guests can relax by the main swimming pool, unwind in shaded areas beneath indigenous trees while watching birdlife and passing wildlife from the various viewing decks and hides, making the lodge particularly well suited to families. The lodge is also fenced, which adds an extra layer of safety and allows children and adults alike to move more freely around the grounds without compromising the sense of being immersed in the bush.

The lodge also includes the ‘Naledi sleep-out’ experience, an elevated bush platform designed for an overnight stay under the stars with minimal separation from the surrounding wilderness, and a traditional boma overlooking the Marico river, where guests gather around an open fire for evening dining, storytelling, and shared safari experiences beneath the night sky, all combining to create a highly atmospheric and intimate interpretation of a modern African safari.

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Abi

Founder & Director

Emily

Worldwide Travel Consultant

Amy

Africa Travel Manager

Dining

Dining has always been central to the Jaci’s experience, a celebration of great food, warm hospitality and unforgettable moments in the bush.

Atmospheric spaces for eating and drinking have been thoughtfully created across the lodge, from open kitchens and expansive decks overlooking the surrounding game reserve, to outdoor bomas where guests gather beneath the stars around the glow of the fire. For more lively occasions, the central bar, offers a relaxed and vibrant setting to unwind.

Mornings begin with bush coffee stops at sunrise and continue with generous breakfasts served after game drive, featuring a cooked breakfast menu made to order.Lunches and dinners are served on the deck or in the boma, with menus inspired by local flavours, seasonal ingredients and comforting favourites designed to suit every appetite. Every meal is created to feel hearty, memorable and connected to the surrounding wilderness.

Rooms

10 Safari Suites – Jaci’s 10 new Safari Suites pair wild beauty with modern comfort. Set along a stream, each offers sweeping bush views and frequent wildlife sightings. 6 of the Safari Suites are for couples and then the additional 4 have been built for families sleeping up to 2 children under 12 years of age – these are known as the Safari Suite Expeditions.

Kuba Villa – Set on the banks of the Marico River, Kubu Villa is a private retreat designed for space, comfort, and personalised safari living. It features three en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, safari bar, and open living areas that flow onto a deck with a heated plunge pool, fire pit, and river views. With a private game vehicle, dedicated guide, chef, and host, every stay is relaxed, exclusive, and tailored to you.

Nare Villa – Nare Villa, also offering three bedrooms, blends contemporary design with eco-friendly bush style, creating a private safari retreat for up to six guests. Set beside its own active waterhole, it offers incredible, up-close wildlife viewing right from the villa. With a private game vehicle, field guide, and unforgettable outdoor dining, it’s the perfect base for a relaxed, immersive Madikwe adventure. It also features a private heated pool.

Jaci’s Madikwe House – Jaci’s Madikwe House is a private safari retreat with space, seclusion, and sweeping 270° views. Perfect for families or groups, it features five luxurious bedrooms across the main house and detached cottage. The home includes open-plan living, a fully equipped open-kitchen and a quiet work space. Outdoors, enjoy a large deck with a wood-fired hot tub, dining area, and fire pit overlooking the private pool and bush. With a private game vehicle, dedicated guide, chef, and host, every stay is seamless, exclusive, and tailored to you.

Family

The lodge has been pioneering family safaris for many years, offering activities such as children’s ‘bumble’ drives and a junior rangers course to be completed along side their guide during their stay.

Jaci’s Private Lodge in Madikwe offers thoughtfully designed family accommodation that blends comfort with a sense of adventure. Families with up to 2 children under 12 can share a Safari Suite Expedition on specially designed expedition beds, plus a cot can be added for an additional child under 5. Families with older children can be accommodated in 2 x adjacent Safari Suites (the Safari Suites Expedition are only separated by a few steps). Alternatively the Nare and Kubu Villa’s can each sleep up to 6 people and Madikwe House up to 10. All enjoy heated private plunge pools along with private game vehicles.

Children from 6 years can join family game drives while those 5 & under will participate in ‘bumble’ drives (approx 45 min) often at a different time. A babysitter can be arranged if the older members of the family wish to join a traditional drive. However when booking one of the larger villas children of all ages are welcome on game drives as these include use of a private game drive vehicle.

In-between the safari activities, children have the opportunity to explore the lodge’s spaces and enjoy their ‘pups’ pack they receive on arrival. This includes some informative drawing tasks and other goodies. The Jaci’s Pups Ranger Course is a fun and educational checklist designed to transform each child into a confident Junior Ranger. Alternatively, there are board games in the main lodge area to use during the day or in the evening.

Jaci’s are flexible when it comes to family dining. For young children 5 & under early dinner is usually served around 6pm. Older children can join their parents for dinner in the boma or eat earlier. Jaci’s will also arrange family dinners if guests prefer. Along with a child-friendly menu, the chefs will meet with guests to discuss the children’s likes and dislikes!

Sustainability

Jaci’s Private Lodge takes its commitment to sustainable tourism to heart. Aside from Jaci’s Staff Trust, which empowers staff with shareholding in the business, Jaci’s are involved in a number of conservation and eco-friendly projects.

Also on offer are Conservation Safaris allowing guests to get involved with wildlife safeguarding, record, track and protection of wildlife when scheduled by the reserve’s conservation team.

The Lodge is now also run on 100% renewable energy, utilising solar power.

Location

Madikwe Game Reserve is a mere 4 hours drive from Johannesburg and for those that wish to experience an exhilarating fly-in safari, the reserve has an excellent all-weather 1 500-metre tar airstrip with return shuttle flights twice a day from Johannesburg International Airport (1 hour).

This Big 5 reserve is malarial free and offers you fantastic opportunities to view the rare and endangered Wild Dog, which is a mega “tick” on any game viewers list. There is also extensive plains game and over 340 species of birds to attract your attention.

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