Tswalu to Madikwe
Two hidden gems. One unforgettable safari.
At A Glance
Collection | Discovery Safari Collection |
Journey Type | Two-destination Safari |
Destination | Tswalu Kalahari Reserve & Madikwe Game Reserve |
Recommended Stay | 6 Nights (3 nights at each destination) |
Choose From | 3 Tswalu Lodges & 3 Madikwe Lodges |
Nearest Airport | Tswalu Airstrip / Madikwe Eastern Airstrip |
Wildlife Highlights | Tswalu: Kalahari black-maned lion, black rhino, cheetah, meerkat, aardvark, pangolin, brown hyena, rare desert-adapted species such as Cape Fox. Madikwe: Lion, elephant, buffalo, black and white rhino, cheetah, African wild dog, hyena, abundant plains game |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
Two Extraordinary Wildernesses
Experience the otherworldly Kalahari of Tswalu before continuing into the expansive bushveld of Madikwe.
Desert To Bushveld
Few combinations demonstrate so clearly how dramatically South Africa's landscapes can change.
Rare To Iconic
Tswalu introduces you to fascinating desert-adapted wildlife, while Madikwe brings a different cast of wildlife and its own exceptional encounters.
Two Completely Different Rhythms
Tswalu encourages a deep connection with its vast landscape, while Madikwe offers the freedom to explore a broad and varied wilderness.
Quietly Exceptional
Neither destination needs to rely on being the most famous. Their wilderness, wildlife and sense of place speak for themselves.
For Those Who Seek The Unexpected
Choose this journey when you want to discover two remarkable destinations that offer something genuinely different from the obvious safari route.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
Choose from our collection of exceptional lodges and camps across Tswalu and Madikwe, then let us shape the journey around your preferred pace, style and priorities. The result is a safari that feels personal from beginning to end.
Tswalu Loapi Tented Camp
Loapi offers one of Africa's most innovative luxury safari experiences through a collection of private tented homes designed for complete exclusivity. Dedicated hosts, private safari vehicles and exceptional flexibility allow every stay to be tailored entirely around your interests, creating an immersive wilderness experience unlike any other.
Best Suited For
Honeymooners
Couples
Luxury travellers
Wellness escapes
Guests seeking complete privacy
Lodge Atmosphere
Exclusive • Contemporary • Private • Immersive
Tswalu The Motse
As Tswalu's flagship safari lodge, The Motse combines understated luxury with warm hospitality in the heart of the reserve. Spacious suites, elegant communal spaces and beautiful views across the Kalahari create a welcoming atmosphere where couples, families and friends can experience one of Africa's most remarkable wilderness areas in comfort.
Best Suited For
Couples
Families
First-time Tswalu guests
Luxury travellers
Multi-generational holidays
Lodge Atmosphere
Elegant • Relaxed • Spacious • Timeless
Tswalu Tarkuni Homestead
Tarkuni is an exclusive-use private homestead designed for families and groups wanting complete privacy within the vast wilderness of Tswalu. With dedicated staff, a private guide and vehicle, and luxurious living spaces, every safari is crafted entirely around your pace, interests and preferred style of travel.
Best Suited For
Families
Private groups
Multi-generational travel
Milestone celebrations
Exclusive-use safaris
Lodge Atmosphere
Exclusive • Residential • Bespoke • Private
Jamala Madikwe
Jamala is one of South Africa's most celebrated luxury safari lodges, renowned for its intimate atmosphere, personalised service and exceptional dining. Overlooking a busy waterhole, guests often enjoy remarkable wildlife sightings without leaving the lodge. With only five ultra-luxurious villas, Jamala delivers an exclusive safari experience centred around privacy, making it an outstanding choice for honeymooners, couples and guests seeking boutique luxury.
Best Suited For
Honeymooners
Couples
Luxury travellers
Romantic celebrations
Guests seeking personalised service
Lodge Atmosphere
Exclusive • Romantic • Elegant • Intimate
Madikwe Hills
Perched among rocky outcrops overlooking the reserve, Madikwe Hills combines luxurious accommodation with breathtaking views and exceptional game viewing. Private plunge pools, spacious suites and highly experienced guides create a safari experience that is both refined and deeply connected to the surrounding wilderness.
Best Suited For
Couples
Honeymooners
Luxury travellers
Wellness-focused guests
Repeat safari travellers
Lodge Atmosphere
Contemporary • Sophisticated • Peaceful • Scenic
Molori Safari Lodge
Molori is one of Africa's most exclusive safari lodges, combining contemporary architecture, world-class design and exceptional privacy. Expansive suites, private infinity pools, personalised service and complete privacy combine with exceptional guiding to deliver one of South Africa's most prestigious wildlife experiences for discerning travellers.
Best Suited For
Ultra-luxury travellers
Families
Exclusive-use groups
Special celebrations
Lodge Atmosphere
Ultra-Luxury • Exclusive • Contemporary • Bespoke
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 6 Nights | 7 Days
We recommend three nights at Tswalu followed by three nights in Madikwe, bringing together two extraordinary wildernesses that offer completely different safari experiences. Begin among the red sands and vast horizons of the Kalahari before continuing into the expansive bushveld of Madikwe.
Day 1: Arrival at Tswalu
Arrive at Tswalu Airstrip, where you'll be met and transferred to your chosen camp.
Settle into your suite and enjoy lunch before taking some time to relax.
Set out on your first afternoon safari experience before stopping for sundowners and returning for dinner.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-3: Discovering Tswalu
Rise early for a morning safari experience through the Kalahari.
Stop for coffee and refreshments before returning to camp for breakfast.
Enjoy the morning at leisure or choose from Tswalu's range of experiences.
After lunch, head out again to explore the reserve, followed by sundowners and dinner.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 4: From Tswalu to Madikwe
Enjoy one final morning safari experience before breakfast and check-out.
Take an air transfer towards Madikwe, watching the landscape change from the Kalahari to open bushveld.
Arrive at your chosen lodge and enjoy lunch before settling into your new surroundings.
Head out for your first afternoon game drive, followed by sundowners and dinner.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 5-6: Discovering Madikwe
Rise before sunrise for a morning game drive, stopping for coffee and refreshments in the bush.
Return for breakfast before enjoying a relaxed morning at the lodge.
After lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive before stopping for sundowners.
Return for dinner and your final evening in the wilderness.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 7: Departure
Enjoy one final morning safari experience at Madikwe, making the most of your last moments before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
After check-out, your air transfer will take you onwards for your onward journey.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, air transfer back to Johannesburg.
The All Out Safaris Perspective
This is a combination we genuinely believe deserves more attention. Tswalu and Madikwe are both exceptional safari destinations, yet they offer completely different experiences. Put them together and you get a journey that moves from the extraordinary landscapes of the Kalahari into the expansive wilderness of Madikwe without ever feeling like you're repeating yourself.
Questions about this safari
Why combine Tswalu and Madikwe?
Both destinations offer exceptional safari, but in very different ways. Tswalu immerses you in the vast Kalahari, while Madikwe opens into expansive bushveld, making this a journey of genuine contrast.
How many nights should I spend at each destination?
We recommend at least three nights at Tswalu and three nights at Madikwe. This allows you to experience both properly while keeping the journey relaxed and unhurried, while longer stays can be added if you'd like a slower journey.
Which destination should I visit first?
We recommend Twsalu first, followed by Madikwe. Beginning in the extraordinary Kalahari makes for a memorable opening, before the journey moves into Madikwe's expansive bushveld and a different style of safari.
How do I travel from Tswalu to Madikwe?
The recommended option is an air transfer, allowing you to move efficiently between the two destinations while experiencing the change in landscape from Tswalu to Madikwe. We'll build the logistics into the journey so the transition is seamless.
What wildlife will I see?
Tswalu offers remarkable opportunities for Kalahari black-maned lion, cheetah, black rhino, meerkat, aardvark, aardwolf and other desert-adapted species, while Madikwe offers excellent opportunities for elephant, lion, wild dog, cheetah, black and white rhino and diverse plains game.
Are Tswalu and Madikwe too similar to combine?
Not at all. Although both offer a quieter, expansive style of safari, their landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife experiences are distinctly different. That's precisely what makes the combination so rewarding.
Who is this safari best suited to?
It's particularly suited to travellers who want to experience two exceptional but less predictable safari destinations, with a strong emphasis on wilderness, space and unique wildlife.
Can I choose my lodges and stay longer?
Absolutely. The journey is fully customisable and you can select from our Tswalu and Madikwe lodges. We can also extend either stay.
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If discovering two of South Africa's quietly extraordinary safari destinations sounds like your kind of journey, we'd love to help you start planning.
Once we've received your contact request, Josh will set up a WhatsApp or video meeting to get to know you better.