I have been researching some more and Jamala Madikwe has some high reviews on FlyerTalk. Interestingly RockFig’s rates for 3 nights is almost less than half of what Jamala Madikwe quoted me for the same period.
with this being once in a lifetime experience I do want to choose the right one ( big 5, really really nice). Can you please help me decide and or understand which one I should go for?

Madikwe is essentially a biggish fenced game reserve, whereas the Timbavati is part of the huge Greater Kruger and borders the KNP itself. Madikwe is malaria-free, and offers pretty much the same game species as Greater Kruger. The game viewing is generally good, but it can get very busy with vehicles having to standby to get their 10-minute turn at popular sightings. It was still farmland as recently as 30 years ago, which is still obvious to the discerning eye. Most visitors won't notice, though.

Johan

Hi There. I have been to both areas many times. Jamala and Malori are indeed the most high-end options in Madikwe and they are very high specification lodges. Madikwe is a fully fenced game reserve and you will see the fence on some of the game drives in all likelihood. But, I don’t think this is a reason not to visit. It is not like a normal national park in South Africa so it is not crowded with self-drive tourism. Only guests at one of the lodges on the reserve can be on game drive and they really do manage the animal sightings to keep a nice sense of space and privilege. Being on the eastern outskirts of the Kalahari Desert, Madikwe does have some species you won’t see in the Kruger like brown hyena. They also have a good wild dog population and rhinos. I enjoy Madikwe.



Timbavati is an area that includes several safari lodges with some of the more notable ones being Kambaku River Sands, Tanda Tula and Rockfig as you mentioned. The Timbavati is adjacent to the Kruger National Park and there is no fence between them. So, it is part of one of the largest unfenced big-five ecosystems in Africa. I have seen the big five ever day on game drive in Timbavati and once saw over 25 wild dogs from the same pack. Nearby Timbavati is the Ngala concession so you could check out Ngala Tented Camp. Please note Rockfig should be running a stay4pay3 special so be sure the agent you are working with is keeping close tabs on the specials.



Based on being in the Kruger, I recommend Timbavati if that is all you have time for. But, if you want to do three safaris for 3-4 nights each, pairing Timbavati (or any private game reserve in the Kruger) with Madikwe gives you amazing diversity in flora, fauna, landscape and even weather. You can also pair the Kruger with Mashatu Game Reserve or Marataba which are somewhat like Madikwe in they are on the eastern edge of the Kalahari.



Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond