Last Word Makanyane | A Luxury Safari Sanctuary in Madikwe

Set along the banks of the ever-flowing Marico River, Last Word Makanyane offers an intimate luxury safari experience in the heart of the Madikwe wilderness. Surrounded by beautiful riverine forest and abundant wildlife, this secluded retreat combines understated elegance, personalised hospitality and exceptional Big Five game viewing.

With just eight private Luxury Suites, each thoughtfully designed to embrace the surrounding landscape, guests can enjoy a sense of tranquillity and exclusivity. Expansive glass-fronted interiors invite the outdoors in, while private decks provide the perfect setting to unwind, take in the river views and watch the natural world unfold.

Days are spent exploring the spectacular Madikwe Game Reserve on guided game drives, with opportunities to encounter the Big Five, cheetahs, African wild dogs and an abundance of birdlife. Between safaris, guests can relax beside the swimming pool, indulge in delicious cuisine and fine wines, or enjoy a peaceful moment surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.

Whether planning a romantic escape, a special celebration or a memorable safari getaway, Last Word Makanyane offers a distinctive blend of luxury, privacy and authentic wilderness, where every stay is shaped by the beauty of the bush and the gentle rhythm of the river.

About Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve, a South African private game reserve created in 1991 from 75,000 hectares of farmland, which had been extensively degraded by overgrazing, was chosen as the site of Operation Phoenix. The government-sponsored, biggest-ever game-relocation programme in Africa involved re-stocking and conserving flora and wildlife, which had long since disappeared from the region.

Ten thousand animals of 27 major species, including wild dog, cheetah, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and elephant, have been re-introduced to the Madikwe Game Reserve over a six-year period with animals coming from various reserves and breeding centres and game viewing is now at its prime.

The name of Operation Phoenix is appropriate: like the mythical bird that burnt itself to a crisp on the pyre and then rose from the ashes to live again with new vigour, nature has regained a stronghold on the land and the programme has been hugely successful.

Madikwe Game Reserve is currently the country's fourth-largest game reserve. It is situated in the North West Province and is bordered by Botswana in the north, the spectacular Dwarsberg Mountains to the south, the Marico river to the east.

The diverse habitat in the reserve, from acacia, savannah to riverine, ensures a unique combination of species such as springbok, gemsbok, sable and impala. The birdlife is also spectacular, and this is one of the few South African private game reserves that are malaria-free.