Madikwe & Marakele

A large swath of bushveld and semi-arid Kalahari is home to rich biodiversity and wildlife

Flanking the Botswana border north of South Africa, two lesser-known game parks boast pristine wildlife and dramatic landscapes with far fewer crowds. Madikwe Reserve, one of the largest game reserves in northwest South Africa near the Botswana border, offers a unique off-the-beaten-path safari adventure accessible by car from Johannesburg (a 3-hour drive). This large expanse of bushveld and semi-arid Kalahari is home to rich biodiversity and wildlife, including the "Big Five." Because it encompasses different biomes, there is an abundance of unusual desert-adapted species you won't find in the more frequented Kruger Park.

So yes, there is less wildlife than in Kruger, but you’ll have the wildlife and nature all to yourself. Marakele National Park is also a must-see for travelers seeking high-touch safari experiences and community-based wildlife conservation. Smack dab in the middle of the Waterberg mountains, Marakele National Park is situated in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, offering the perfect wildlife sanctuary surrounded by expansive open grasslands and majestic mountain landscapes. Both parks are malaria-free.