Madikwe Game Reserve is an excellent Big Five destination.
Lions are plentiful, but sightings of cheetah and leopard are more hit-and-miss. This is compensated, however, by good sightings of the rare wild dog. Both black and white rhino are present, with white rhino very common. In general, wildlife viewing might be slightly harder than in the Greater Kruger private reserves, but there are fewer vehicles around. This results in high-quality, private wildlife experiences.
The dry country habitat is home to the rare and interesting brown hyena, not often seen in other parts of the country. Another dry country special is the gemsbok, while eland and sable are two further uncommon (but highly sought after) antelope species you might encounter here.
For wildlife viewing, the months of June to September are the best. Animals gather around permanent water sources as the vegetation thins, making wildlife easier to spot.
Elephant
CommonGiraffe
CommonHippo
CommonBuffalo
CommonZebra
CommonWildbeest
CommonWhite Rhino
CommonBlack Rhino
OccasionalLion
CommonLeapard
OccasionalCheetah
OccasionalHyena
OccasionalWild Dog
Common