No recent experience to base any recommendations on, I'm afraid.

I've stayed at Madikwe River Lodge, Tau and Mosetlha Bush Camp. The first two I would not recommend because of their size (too big) and location (in opposite corners of a very large reserve, which makes it hard to get to the other side on game drives). The latter is my favorite, but it is definitely not for everyone. The lodge is smack bang in the middle of Madikwe, which makes it easy to head out in all directions on game drives, and employs the most experience guides in the whole reserve, but it is a bush camp in the true definition of the word: bucket showers and longdrops (i.e. pit toilets).

Thakadu is one of those community empowerment lodges. A great idea, but not always easy to implement. I heard from somebody who stayed there that service delivery was somewhat wanting and inconsistent, but that was a few years ago. For all I know things may have improved, though.

Johan

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Thanks Johan

Stayed at Thakadu in 2011 so could have changed since then. Whilst service in camp could have been more slick, it didn't spoil our enjoyment of the camp. This would be things like warm clothes being offered after game drives on an inconsistent basis.

Game drives were superb with an excellent local guide who was obviously well respected by guides from other lodges whose vehicles we encountered. The tents are extremely comfortable and if you're looking for a tented camp, may suit. A couple of minor issues in our tent (eg. a locked safe) were dealt with promptly.

We personally liked the idea of staying at a community owned lodge/camp which benefits local individuals and communities. Having said that, when we were there, more experienced camp managers had been brought in to help iron out some of the service issues.

I'm sure it wasn't ideal, but I was on a mileage run to JNB, rented a car, and did a daytrip from Sandton to Pilanesburg.

It was about a 2 hour drive each way. Arrived at the east gate, drove over to the hippo loop, then up for lunch at the restaurant, all the way to the north gate, another round through the hippo loop, and eventually down to the south gate.
Left hotel about 8:30am and was back around 6:30pm. Yes it was a long day, but definitely worthwhile.

My rental was a Jeep Grand Cherokee, so it handled all roads well.

(Forgive my edited quote. :))

Yes, very worthwhile. I did this several times when visiting Sandton on business, less so these days as I get to Western Cape more often than Gauteng.

If you are able to start earlier - the earlier the better - you have a better chance of seeing wildlife before they take shelter from the heat.

I remember leaving at about 5:30, forgoing hotel breakfasts in favour of a cooked 'English' breakfast at the Wimpy restaurant about half way to Pilanesberg.