Madikwe Game Reserve is an excellent Big Five destination.
Lions are plentiful, but sightings of cheetah and leopard are more hit-and-miss. This is compensated, however, by good sightings of the rare wild dog. Both black and white rhino are present, with white rhino very common. In general, wildlife viewing might be slightly harder than in the Greater Kruger private reserves, but there are fewer vehicles around. This results in high-quality, private wildlife experiences.
The dry country habitat is home to the rare and interesting brown hyena, not often seen in other parts of the country. Another dry country special is the gemsbok, while eland and sable are two further uncommon (but highly sought after) antelope species you might encounter here.
For wildlife viewing, the months of June to September are the best. Animals gather around permanent water sources as the vegetation thins, making wildlife easier to spot.
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Elephant
Common -
Giraffe
Common -
Hippo
Common -
Buffalo
Common -
Zebra
Common -
Wildbeest
Common -
White Rhino
Common -
Black Rhino
Occasional -
Lion
Common -
Leapard
Occasional -
Cheetah
Occasional -
Hyena
Occasional -
Wild Dog
Common