The North West is home to a number of Big Five malaria-free game reserves, making it an ideal destination. Tessa Reed rounds up some of the lodges an easy drive from Johannesburg.

1.Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge

Situated a 214 km, or just over three hours’ drive from Johannesburg on the slopes of an ancient volcano in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge offers 90 en-suite rooms. Activities include game drives, bush walks and bird watching. The lodge also boasts two tennis courts, a climbing wall, putt-putt course, two swimming pools and a pool table. The spa has four treatment rooms, including one suite suitable for couples as well as a rasul chamber and hydro pool. The lodge also offers a junior rangers programme that offers an educational and fun experience for children, while also taking them off the hand of their parents.

2.Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway

Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway is situated 277 km, or just over three hours’ drive from Johannesburg. The lodge is perched on a gorge overlooking Sterkstroom in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. The secluded lodge offers accommodation in eight guestrooms, each with a stone bath, indoor and outdoor showers, a private deck and plunge pool. Facilities at the lodge include an infinity pool, lounge and fireplace. An infinity pool offers a sweeping view over the bushveld.

3.Jaci’s Lodges

Jaci’s Tree Lodge and Jaci’s Safari Lodge are located in the Madikwe Game Reserve, 311 km out of Johannesburg, or just over four hours’ drive. Jaci’s Tree Lodge comprises eight luxury tree houses made from African rosewood and thatch, which are perched on wooden stilts and overlook the Marico River. Each room has its own balcony, stone bath and outdoor shower. The lodge also boasts a hide, overlooking a watering hole. Jaci’s Safari Lodge offers eight thatched rooms, each with a large mosaic bath, outdoor shower and private deck. For families, the Nare Suite and Safari Suite can sleep families of six or eight, offer a private plunge pool and are booked with their own guides and game-drive vehicles.

4.Bakubung Bush Lodge

A mere 203 km outside of Johannesburg, or a two and a half hour drive, Bakubung Bush Lodge in the Pilanesberg offers standard, kind and double rooms, all with doors leading onto either a balcony or a patio, and featuring panoramic views of the Park and the Hippo Pool. The lodge is well-suited to families, with facilities including a volleyball court, swimming pool with a view over the bushveld, action cricket and table tennis. The lodge also offers a junior rangers programme.

5.Impodimo Game Lodge

Impodimo Game Lodge is located 343 km, or just over four hours’ drive from Johannesburg. The lodge comprises 8 luxury suites and one two bedroom deluxe suite, accommodating up to 20 people. Each suite includes an en-suite bathroom and outside shower, covered patio and closed system fire place. The deluxe suite features a lounge and dining room, private boma deck and a plunge pool. Facilities at the ludge include a swimming pool overlooking a waterhole and a boma. In-room spa treatments are also available.

6.Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge

The exclusive Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge is located 344 km outside of Johannesburg – just over four hours away and comprises four suites – a luxury double suite, a luxury twin suite, a honeymoon suite, a two bedroom emperor suite and a two bedroom royal villa that can cater for families with two to three children. All suites and the villa offer private viewing decks overlooking the bushveld as well as a private pool and fireplace.

7.Sediba Private Game Lodge

The Sediba Private Game Lodge is situated in the Welgewonden Game Reserve a mere three hours outside of Johannesburg, 285 km, and consists of two all-suite lodges, the 10-suite Letlapa and the five suite Letlapala. Each suite comprises an open plan lounge with fire place, private viewing deck overlooking the Waterberg Mountains with built-in Jacuzzi and outdoor shower. Facilities include a spa, library and swimming pool at each lodge. The lodges are 10 minutes’ drive apart.

8.Three Cities River Lodge

Three Cities Madikwe River Lodge is located 358 km or four and a half hours’ drive from Johannesberg on the banks of the Groot Marico River in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the Madikwe game Reserve. The lodge offers sixteen secluded split-level thatched chalets, each with en-suite bathrooms, outside showers, a private wooden deck overlooking the forest and river, and a separate lounge. Other facilities include an outdoor boma as well as a swimming pool and sun deck. Babysitting facilities are also available.

9.Morukuru Family Farm House

The Morukuru Family Farm House is situated 301 km, or just under four hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the Madikwe Game Reserve. The house is a great option for families and groups. It offers accommodation in five spacious en-suite rooms. The house also offers a large heated swimming pool and library. The house is booked for exclusive use and a private butler, chef and guide will take care of the guests’ needs. A nanny service is also available.

10.Madikwe Lelapa Lodge

Madikwe Lelapa Lodge is situated 311 km, or just under five hours’ drive from Johannesburg, and offers accommodation in 12 suites, including family suites with adjoining rooms, for a maximum of 24 people. The 12 suites comprise of an open plan bedroom and living area, indoor and outdoor showers, a private plunge pool and wood-burning fireplace. Children’s activities and a babysitting service are available.