Jaci's Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province, South Africa

The staff at Jaci’s Safari Lodge go out of their way to make this African safari holiday a real treat.

If you want to feel like you own a patch of Africa, reserve the two-bedroom Nare Suite at Jaci’s Safari Lodge in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. Think private dining on your wooden terrace on the edge of the Kalahari while watching animals at the waterhole just metres away.

Think African heat relieved by a dip in the mini-pool. Conjure up the image of a bedroom with a thatched roof and low stone walls to which canvas panels are attached, which zip open to let the outside in.

Inside is a luxurious four-poster bed and a stone bath that looks inviting enough for two. Top this off with private game drives guided by a professional and you have your spot in Africa for a romantic honeymoon, a family safari vacation or a special treat. The other eight rooms at Jaci’s Safari Lodge have many of the same qualities as the Nare Suite, but with differing degrees of exclusivity.

The fascinating history of Jaci’s safari lodge is documented in a portfolio of pictures found in the lounge, along with anecdotes of happenings during its construction.

Since opening in 2000, Jaci’s Safari Lodge and its sister, Jaci’s Tree Lodge, have progressed to become two of the most popular safari destinations in Madikwe Game Reserve – not only for the memorable and varied game sightings, which include endangered wild dog, cheetah and black rhino, but also because of the generosity and hospitality of the staff.

Jaci’s staff have a vested interest in guests’ wellbeing, because twenty-five per cent of Jaci’s is actually owned by them through Jaci’s Staff Trust. The opportunity to become a shareholder comes after having been employed at Jaci’s for five years.

The pride that staff take in their ownership is evidenced by the way they look after their guests. It is what makes a stay at Jaci’s Safari Lodge so memorable.