Feature experience
zipped up – you don’t want to sleep with
the monkeys – and the deliciously romantic
mosquito nets have been dropped (Madikwe
is a malaria-free area).
Of course, you would not be visiting Jaci’s
if you were not a fan of wildlife. Jaci’s boasts
one of the biggest wild dog populations in
SA. The Big Five is also present. We saw four
of the Five on our first day, including being
greeted by a large herd of elephant before
we’d even reached camp. Kids can join in
the fun too, on a Jungle Drive just for them
– we learnt first-hand about various animals’
prints, what they eat and so forth (yes, we
trailed along, but it’s great fun to view animals
with a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters).
Some mid-afternoon snacks, with cold beers
for the adults, ensured the drive home was
comfortable and relaxed – apart from the
four female lions who crossed our path and
appeared to be stalking their evening meal …
Or us.
Besides the two daily game drives, there
are also two swimming pools for the warmer
months as well as a spa and a kids’ play area,
but we recommend just chilling, because you
couldn’t choose a more beautiful destination.
Dining out is somewhat different here. Brunch
is served after the morning game drive (rusks
and coffee are mandatory accompaniments)
and then dinner after the evening game drive.
Three-course meals are the name of the
game. You will certainly not go hungry, and
on special evenings the camp offers buffets
and entertainment in the bomas. What’s not
to like? Eat alongside an open fire under the
stars and then fall asleep to the sounds of
hyenas laughing in the distance.
It is a genuinely African experience. //+27
(0)83 700 2071, madikwe.com
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