The most magical waterhole in Africa

Last Word Madikwe

The most magical waterhole in AfricaThe Last Word exclusive travelconde nast traveler
Is the newest addition and promises incredible, once-in-a-lifetime sightings right from the lodge and lovingly tended garden as herds of animals gather all day long at the ancient waterhole just meters away. The area’s original photographic underground hide also shares a unique view of this spectacle.
Is the newest addition and promises incredible, once-in-a-lifetime sightings right from the lodge and lovingly tended garden as herds of animals gather all day long at the ancient waterhole just meters away. The area’s original photographic underground hide also shares a unique view of this spectacle.

Your sanctuary at the waterhole

Last Word Madikwe

Is the newest addition and promises incredible, once-in-a-lifetime sightings right from the lodge and lovingly tended garden as herds of animals gather all day long at the ancient waterhole just meters away. The area’s original photographic underground hide also shares a unique view of this spectacle.

Factsheet

The Last word experience

In the spirit of oasis and sanctuary, Last Word Madikwe is a completely unique safari experience. Twice daily games drives to track the Big Five are a guest favourite, but the true difference is to be found right at the lodge itself. The house pours on to green and tranquil gardens which flow to the ancient waterhole just meters from the lawn’s end. It is a place most of the animals visit daily and one can see large interactive herds of elephant, lions, leopard, buffalo, dogs, white and black rhino, and many more just by relaxing in a garden seat enjoying a drink or snack. Madikwe’s original underground hide steals right up to the waterhole where aspiring photographers can catch the shot of a lifetime. Birdlife is abundant and although you will see many different species while out on game drive, many love to visit the inviting garden area and will often join you for breakfast. And it’s malaria free.

Last Word Madikwe

Restaurants

For The Foodie In You

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Something Different?

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Plan your journey

Let Us Take You By The Hand

Would you prefer we called you, just let us know with your details and Widad and Taryn from our reservations team would love to give you a call and help you plan your perfect trip. At Last Word Madikwe, Tataum, Jaco, Caitlin, Jodi, Jon, Damian and team are ready and waiting to show you the wonders of the Madikwe watering hole and underground hide.

Local Activities
The Last Word exclusive travel

Live Feed

Surf Watch

Madikwe Luxury Safari Lodge | Malaria Free Big 5 Safari

Madikwe Luxury Safari Lodge | Malaria Free Big 5 Safari

Safari Kids Competition

Join Our Exciting Monthly Contest!

We invite all our youngest guests to showcase their creativity and love for nature. Whether it's a thrilling video of a lion's roar or a stunning photograph of a sunset over the landscape, we want to see the safari through your eyes!

More infomation
Safari kids the last word
excusive safari kids

Videos

Zoo Tube

See all our video's on our YouTube channel

The Last Word  ZooTube
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The Last Word on Youtube

Rooms

Explore our rooms

Classic Suite
Classic Suite
Classic Suite
Classic Suite

Classic Suite

All Classic Suites are contained in the house just meters from the public areas and are appointed in traditional African decor. All are en-suite and have separate showers and bathtubs. Each also has its own private patio, air conditioning, work desk and many luxurious amenities. Rooms average at 45m² or 484 square feet.

Book now
Private Villa
Private Villa
Private Villa
Private Villa

Private Villa

This exclusive haven offers three elegantly designed en suite bedrooms, perfect for families or groups seeking comfort and privacy. Two spacious bedrooms accommodate up to two adults each, while a cozy kids' room comfortably sleeps three little adventurers. Relax in the private lounge or take a refreshing dip in your own swimming pool, surrounded by breathtaking views of the waterhole where the Big 5 roam freely, day and night. Unwind with the warmth of the firepit as dusk settles and let the rhythmic sounds of the wilderness create unforgettable memories.

Book now
Classic Suite
Classic Suite
Classic Suite
Classic Suite

Classic Suite

All Classic Suites are contained in the house just meters from the public areas and are appointed in traditional African decor. All are en-suite and have separate showers and bathtubs. Each also has its own private patio, air conditioning, work desk and many luxurious amenities. Rooms average at 45m² or 484 square feet.

Book now
Private Villa
Private Villa
Private Villa
Private Villa

Private Villa

This exclusive haven offers three elegantly designed en suite bedrooms, perfect for families or groups seeking comfort and privacy. Two spacious bedrooms accommodate up to two adults each, while a cozy kids' room comfortably sleeps three little adventurers. Relax in the private lounge or take a refreshing dip in your own swimming pool, surrounded by breathtaking views of the waterhole where the Big 5 roam freely, day and night. Unwind with the warmth of the firepit as dusk settles and let the rhythmic sounds of the wilderness create unforgettable memories.

Book now

Have a look around

Click on the play button below and have a virtual wander around the hotel at your own pace. If there's anything you are unsure of, or maybe you feel like a guided tour, just let us know and we'd be happy to walk around with you.

Guest Review

We have just returned from an incredible trip to Last Word Madikwe. I have been on safari in South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Botswana and was blown away by the intimate experience the lodge's onsite, underground hide affords guests. The hide is accessible to guests all day and night and with the lodge only having a max of 12 guests, we often had it all to ourselves. Every night we watched rhino drink at water level and during the day we delighted in seeing the elephants up close as they swept their trunks close to the entrance of the hide. It was truly unforgettable.

TravelAlways, June 2024

Luxury Safari in Madikwe South Africa

Hotel experience

Suite & Hotel Amenities

Standard Suite Features

Air conditioning

Air conditioning

Private room safe

Private room safe

Wireless internet connection

Wireless internet connection

Hair dryer and shaving points

Hair dryer and shaving points

Robes and slippers

Robes and slippers

Hotel Amenities

All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Beautiful gardens

Beautiful gardens

Child friendly hotel

Child friendly hotel

Complimentary gym access

Complimentary gym access

Drinks & spirits included on certain rates

Drinks & spirits included on certain rates

Safari game drives

Safari game drives

Traditional boma dinner

Traditional boma dinner

Unlimited Wi-Fi

Unlimited Wi-Fi

Bird Watching

Bird Watching

Photographic Hide

Photographic Hide

Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool

Teeming Watering Hole

Teeming Watering Hole

Malaria Free Area

Malaria Free Area

Experiences

Ancient WaterHole
Ancient WaterHole

Meters away from our manicured lawn, the watering hole teems with life all day and night

Explore
Photographic Hide
Photographic Hide

This is the original Madikwe photographic hide right on the edge of the watering hole, classic pictures guaranteed

Explore
Nature Trail
Nature Trail

A private on-foot trail within our fences where guests can take an incredibly intetresting tour or wildlife and other sights

Explore

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Madikwe driving instructions

Tataum Jackson

Last Word Management

Hi, I'm Tataum

Creating a memorable experience for people visiting our wonderful country is something I have always been passionate about.

By making sure each guest leaves with a smile and a fond memory they will forever treasure, by offering a seamless and remarkable experience.

With a warm and welcoming smile I hope to exceed the African bush experience for each guest

Hi, I'm Tataum
Jaco Viljoen

Last Word Management

Hi, I'm Jaco

With a passion for wildlife and hosting guests I would like to make sure I go above and beyond to cater for all my guests needs and make their journey with us as authentic as possible.

I hope to equip my guests with the feeling of always wanting to return to Africa as their second home by making sure they are always in a safe and warm environment.

Hi, I'm Jaco

Last word staff

We're ready for you

Our mission simply: To make people happy. In lockdown we found a new purpose; To fill serene sanctuaries with kindness and lovely people. This is cosy living rather than hurried existence, a slowed down experience that emphasises personal happiness. And right in the middle of this purpose we forged our our singular core value - kindness – the very essence of heart candy and the seat of inner happiness.  However, compassion is hard to come by in the real world. It’s often confined to close family or great friendship, rarely dished out in bucket loads by hotels. It is a rather elusive quality.

We realised that if we employed the right people (and we do), who showed amplified levels of kindness, with commensurate trust and confidence, the image of our brand would become hauntingly elusive.

We could become known as lovely people who look after lovely people and because lovely people attract one another this could form part of a self-sustaining alchemy, autocatalytic in that the combination of sanctuary, kindness and lovely people propels itself.

Damian Ivan

Damian Ivan

Bertha Segwe

Bertha Segwe

Charlie Mogorosi

Charlie Mogorosi

Isaac Dithate

Isaac Dithate

Jodi Medlock

Jodi Medlock

Jon Cason

Jon Cason

Nosa Morake

Nosa Morake

Roxan Masimong

Roxan Masimong

Tebogo Dithate

Tebogo Dithate

Keitumetse Matshidiso

Keitumetse Matshidiso

Caitlin Butterworth

Caitlin Butterworth

Dora Sebuenyane

Dora Sebuenyane

Jonny Zeelie

Jonny Zeelie

Joyce Zeelie

Joyce Zeelie

Neo Selehelo

Neo Selehelo

Phemelo Sam Mokgadi

Phemelo Sam Mokgadi

Sarah Molebatsi

Sarah Molebatsi

Thabiso Mothibi

Thabiso Mothibi

Last word staff

We're ready for you

Our mission simply: To make people happy. In lockdown we found a new purpose; To fill serene sanctuaries with kindness and lovely people. This is cosy living rather than hurried existence, a slowed down experience that emphasises personal happiness. And right in the middle of this purpose we forged our our singular core value - kindness – the very essence of heart candy and the seat of inner happiness.  However, compassion is hard to come by in the real world. It’s often confined to close family or great friendship, rarely dished out in bucket loads by hotels. It is a rather elusive quality.

We realised that if we employed the right people (and we do), who showed amplified levels of kindness, with commensurate trust and confidence, the image of our brand would become hauntingly elusive.

We could become known as lovely people who look after lovely people and because lovely people attract one another this could form part of a self-sustaining alchemy, autocatalytic in that the combination of sanctuary, kindness and lovely people propels itself.

Damian Ivan

Damian Ivan

Bertha Segwe

Bertha Segwe

Charlie Mogorosi

Charlie Mogorosi

Isaac Dithate

Isaac Dithate

Jodi Medlock

Jodi Medlock

Jon Cason

Jon Cason

Nosa Morake

Nosa Morake

Roxan Masimong

Roxan Masimong

Tebogo Dithate

Tebogo Dithate

Keitumetse Matshidiso

Keitumetse Matshidiso

Caitlin Butterworth

Caitlin Butterworth

Dora Sebuenyane

Dora Sebuenyane

Jonny Zeelie

Jonny Zeelie

Joyce Zeelie

Joyce Zeelie

Neo Selehelo

Neo Selehelo

Phemelo Sam Mokgadi

Phemelo Sam Mokgadi

Sarah Molebatsi

Sarah Molebatsi

Thabiso Mothibi

Thabiso Mothibi

Last word staff

We're ready for you

Our mission simply: To make people happy. In lockdown we found a new purpose; To fill serene sanctuaries with kindness and lovely people. This is cosy living rather than hurried existence, a slowed down experience that emphasises personal happiness. And right in the middle of this purpose we forged our our singular core value - kindness – the very essence of heart candy and the seat of inner happiness.  However, compassion is hard to come by in the real world. It’s often confined to close family or great friendship, rarely dished out in bucket loads by hotels. It is a rather elusive quality.

We realised that if we employed the right people (and we do), who showed amplified levels of kindness, with commensurate trust and confidence, the image of our brand would become hauntingly elusive.

We could become known as lovely people who look after lovely people and because lovely people attract one another this could form part of a self-sustaining alchemy, autocatalytic in that the combination of sanctuary, kindness and lovely people propels itself.

Damian Ivan

Damian Ivan

Bertha Segwe

Bertha Segwe

Charlie Mogorosi

Charlie Mogorosi

Isaac Dithate

Isaac Dithate

Jodi Medlock

Jodi Medlock

Jon Cason

Jon Cason

Nosa Morake

Nosa Morake

Roxan Masimong

Roxan Masimong

Tebogo Dithate

Tebogo Dithate

Keitumetse Matshidiso

Keitumetse Matshidiso

Caitlin Butterworth

Caitlin Butterworth

Dora Sebuenyane

Dora Sebuenyane

Jonny Zeelie

Jonny Zeelie

Joyce Zeelie

Joyce Zeelie

Neo Selehelo

Neo Selehelo

Phemelo Sam Mokgadi

Phemelo Sam Mokgadi

Sarah Molebatsi

Sarah Molebatsi

Thabiso Mothibi

Thabiso Mothibi

VOTE NOW – 2024 TRAVEL+LEISURE AWARDS

All five of our Intimate Hotels and Safari Camps are nominated in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, please take a moment to vote for us by clicking here