Elela Villa

The Elela Villa at Madikwe Safari Lodge is the perfect exclusive use escape for families, small groups and friends. Inspired by the Tswana term signifying "to flow, as water," this distinguished three-Bedroom sanctuary marries the region's profound heritage with unmatched opulence. Every facet of its design reflects a harmonious blend of the grand and the intimate. As guests step into its confines, they are welcomed by an ambiance that resonates with the land's spirit. This villa doesn't just offer a stay; it promises an immersive experience, redefining the essence of exclusivity in a game lodge setting.

Elela Villa at Madikwe Safari Lodge is ideal for discerning travellers seeking an exclusive, intimate wildlife experience. Perfect for families, small groups, or couples desiring privacy and opulence in a breathtaking natural setting. This sanctuary offers an experience akin to the gentle and persistent flow of the river. Designed to echo the fluidity and grace of water, Elela Villa marries rich heritage with unparalleled luxury. Here, in the heart of the African wilderness, guests are enveloped in an ambience that subtly blends grandeur with intimacy, reflecting the serene flow of nature itself.

About Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe, a South African private game reserve created in 1991 from 75,000 ha 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.

Northwest Parks Board (formerly Bop Parks) has adhered to a strict policy of introducing only those species, which once occurred in the area). Madikwe is run as a three-way partnership between the State, the local communities and the private sector.

Madikwe, therefore, should not be looked at as solely a protected area or tourism destination, the reserve acts as a major social and economic core and engine around which the development of the region can be based.

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.

The villa redefines exclusivity in a safari lodge setting. Each element within Elela Villa has been thoughtfully crafted to ensure a harmonious balance, offering guests an intimate connection with both the luxury of the lodge and the untamed beauty of the surrounding landscape.