North of South Africa tour with Madikwe safari - 7 days
Plan and book with vetted South Africa experts
South AfricaExplore the north of South Africa on a tour that brings Johannesburg within easy reach of wild, open landscapes and memorable safari experiences.
This journey leads you toward Madikwe, where sunrise game drives, quiet moments with grazing herds, and the search for elusive predators bring the bush to life. Between safaris, unwind by the pool, listen to the sounds of the wilderness, and settle into the rhythm of your lodge.
Among the more relaxed South Africa trips, this route is shaped around comfort, wildlife, and time to experience the country at your own pace.
North of South Africa tour highlights
- Tailor‑made journey through Sun City and Madikwe: Experience a privately crafted itinerary that blends Sun City’s iconic resorts with the raw wilderness of Madikwe.
- Big Five game drives in a malaria‑free reserve: Venture out on expertly guided sunrise and sunset safaris in Madikwe Game Reserve, tracking the Big Five.
- Luxury lodges with authentic African character: Stay in intimate safari lodges and stylish Sun City hotels that combine modern comfort with local design.
- Sun City adventure, culture, and relaxation: Enjoy world‑class golf, water parks, and vibrant nightlife, then slow down with spa treatments and scenic walks.
- Immersive, responsible safari experience: Travel with specialist guides and lodges committed to conservation and community.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johannesburg | • Arrive at OR Tambo Airport • Meet your personal guide • Review your itinerary over a complimentary drink • Receive travel documents, maps, and vouchers • Continue to your onward transport | Johannesburg |
| 2 | Sun City | • Travel from Johannesburg to Sun City • Explore the Lost City • Walk through gardens, streams, and waterfalls • Try the Maze of the Lost City • Enjoy the Entertainment Center, restaurants, and shops | Sun City |
| 3 | Sun City / Madikwe Game Reserve | • Travel north to Madikwe Game Reserve • Settle into your lodge • Join an afternoon 4x4 game drive • Track the Big Five and other wildlife • Return for dinner at sunset | Madikwe Game Reserve |
| 4 | Madikwe Game Reserve | • Full-day 4x4 safari in Madikwe • Look for lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, and giraffes • Watch for rare birdlife • Learn about Madikwe’s rewilding story • Visit heritage sites linked to Herman Charles Bosman | Madikwe Game Reserve |
| 5 | Madikwe Game Reserve | • Sunrise 4x4 game drive • Search for lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, and giraffes • Learn about birdlife and cultural heritage • Enjoy time at the lodge between safari activities | Madikwe Game Reserve |
| 6 | Madikwe Game Reserve / Johannesburg | • Final morning game drive • Look for lions, elephants, wild dogs, and other wildlife • Travel back to Johannesburg • Settle into the city after your safari | Johannesburg |
| 7 | Johannesburg | • Breakfast at your hotel • Private transfer to OR Tambo Airport • Depart on your onward flight | — |
Day 1: Welcome to Johannesburg
Welcome to Johannesburg and the start of your South Africa travel. On arrival at OR Tambo Airport, your personal guide meets you in the arrivals hall with a clearly branded signboard.
You will be escorted to a nearby café for a complimentary juice or hot drink while your guide talks you through your tailor-made itinerary. They will share insider tips, answer any questions, and hand over your travel documents, maps, and vouchers before accompanying you to your onward transport.
Day 2: Lost City and Sun City leisure
After breakfast, travel from Johannesburg to Sun City and spend the day exploring the legendary Lost City.
Wander through lush gardens, jungle-like walkways, sparkling streams, and cascading waterfalls before cooling off in imaginative swimming pools or relaxing at open-air restaurants. For something more active, cross the suspension bridge to the Maze of the Lost City, the largest permanent maze in the Southern Hemisphere.
Later, enjoy leisure time at the Entertainment Center, with gaming, cinemas, restaurants, and boutique shopping, shaped around the pace and style of your day.
Day 3: Arrival in Madikwe Game Reserve
After breakfast in Sun City, travel north to Madikwe Game Reserve, one of the best places to visit in South Africa for a rewarding safari experience.
Settle into your lodge, then head out on an afternoon 4x4 game drive with expert rangers. Track the Big Five and other wildlife across dramatic bushveld scenery, with the experience shaped around your interests, from photography to birding.
Return to the lodge at sunset for a relaxed dinner, sharing stories from the drive and looking ahead to tomorrow’s safari.
Full-day safari in Madikwe Game Reserve
Spend the day exploring Madikwe Game Reserve on a 4x4 safari through wide grasslands, mixed woodland, and open bushveld.
Look for lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife that now thrive here after one of South Africa’s most ambitious rewilding projects. Bird enthusiasts can watch for distinctive species such as the yellow-throated sandgrouse and bronze-winged courser.
Your drive also reveals traces of the region’s human history, including the remains of the old school where South African storyteller Herman Charles Bosman once taught.
Tips from Zorica
South Africa Travel Expert
Madikwe’s waterholes can be just as rewarding as active tracking, especially in the dry season. Rather than moving constantly, give your guide time to wait quietly near a productive water source. Elephant herds, antelope, and predators often arrive in waves, and the interactions between species can be more memorable than a single Big Five sighting.
Day 5: Sunrise safari in Madikwe Game Reserve
Begin the day with a sunrise 4x4 game drive through Madikwe Game Reserve, when the bush is cool, and wildlife is often at its most active.
Travel across open grasslands and woodlands in search of lions, rhinos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other species that thrive in the reserve after one of South Africa’s major rewilding efforts.
Your guide also helps bring the landscape into focus, pointing out rich birdlife such as yellow-throated sandgrouse and bronze-winged courser, while sharing stories from the area’s cultural heritage.
Day 6: Final Madikwe safari and return to Johannesburg
After a final morning game drive in Madikwe Game Reserve, take in the last sounds and sightings of the bush as the day begins. Watch for lions, elephants, rare wild dogs, and other wildlife moving through the reserve in the early light.
Later, continue your South Africa itinerary with the journey back to Johannesburg, leaving Madikwe’s remote wilderness behind as the landscape gradually shifts toward the energy of the city.
Day 7: Departure from Johannesburg
After breakfast, your private transfer takes you from your hotel to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, marking the close of your South Africa trip.
As you leave the city, reflect on the journey behind you: the energy of Johannesburg, the relaxed resort atmosphere of Sun City, and the close-up wildlife encounters of Madikwe Game Reserve. Depart with lasting memories and inspiration for your next adventure in South Africa.
