Morukuru Owner's House

Tucked under the leafy canopy of an ancient Morukuru tree (Tamboti tree), on the banks of the Marico River, lies this perfectly decadent, luxurious home away from home - Morukuru Owner's House. Ideal for honeymooners, couples or a small family, Owner’s House was built by the owners as their own private retreat, with two huge en-suite bedrooms and a choice of shared spaces. Nestled in between the Morukuru trees, surrounded by decks and balconies, Owner’s House offers plenty of peaceful nooks to hide off alone, or to gather for wonderful al fresco meals. Whether reclining together by your infinity pool, or alone in your private elevated Sala, or just lying in bed with the doors wide open, the combination of dappled shade and the sound of nature is deeply restorative.

Morukuru Owner’s House combines contemporary European styling with handpicked African pieces, and every luxury – including a team of 8 staff at your service, home office facilities, a superb wine cellar for your perusal, Wi-Fi connection, a stereo system, DVDs, CDs, a small library stocked with topical books and the opportunity to bathe outside under the stars. Wood, stone and glass provide a seamless design flow between the in- and outdoors.

Note: While the location is completely private, Owner’s House is within strolling distance from River House using a wooden walkway – ideal should you wish to book both houses for a larger party that requires a combination of shared gatherings with maximum privacy.

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.