Everything. Wonderful staff, great location, a real out of Africa experience!

Stayed in January 2025

Enjoyed our stay. Staff very friendly

Stayed in December 2024

can't think of anything

Breakfast good, but when some item was gone no refill was supplied The setting in the trees are wonderful !Cabt

Stayed in January 2025

Food portions are generous and good quality. Staff are very friendly, professional and accommodating.

Stayed in January 2025

Although we staying in a tent I do think the upkeep could be a tad better. The shifts of the staff are quite intensive, I saw the same faces 24/7, as a person who was once in hospitality, late night dinners then waking everyone up for the 5am game drives is not fun. This did have an impact on the service, although staff was reallly friendly, they were often slow or absent

The game drives were amazing. The lodge itself is beautiful, dining area, views etc. very friendly staff

Stayed in January 2025

After thinking very hard about it, there was nothing we didn’t like!

Absolutely no complaints, very friendly staff, great food, perfect game drives!

Stayed in January 2025

The accommodation is becoming a little dated and looking in need of refurbishment. It just needs a bit of a revamp.

Fantastic staff, wonderful food, knowledgeable and professional rangers. An absolute pleasure.

Stayed in December 2024

Tent quality accommodation & mosquito netting requires improvements/upgrades. Cleaning standards requires more attention. Could the roads to the hotel site be improved?

The outstanding staff caring service and exceptional, creative catering for our dietary needs. Staff were accommodating to our needs and offered personalised service. Game ranger/driver was fantastic and very accommodating to ALL guests.

Stayed in November 2024

A tree fell on our tent just before we arrived which was a little worrying given the strong winds, but the staff dealt with it quickly.

Great staff, great food, and great game drives.

Stayed in December 2024

The main restaurant area could do with air conditioning!

The staff were incredible- so friendly and helpful. Our game drives were wonderful- very professional game ranger with amazing animals.

Stayed in December 2024

Amazing river frontage

Stayed in December 2024

The wooden showers

Beautiful area Clean and comfortable Good food Great Rangers

Stayed in November 2024

Thakadu Team, please work on these points: Great Gamedrives overall but the vehicle was fully packed with people (all 8 seats occupied). Havent seen any other vehicles from other lodges that full. I disliked the lunch. I also saw people with different type of food. Maybe that was the vegetarian option. It is just not clear what you could possibly get because there is no menu board. They come to your table and tell you the menu (couldnt understand everything). Besides that they forgot my bread. The service was overall very slow. When you come into the dining room you dont know where to sit because there are no numbers on the tables and there might also not be staff around to ask about which table is the right one. Not well organized. Felt chaotic. On my first GameDrive it was not clear in which vehicle I will be. They havent told me upfront. Felt uncomfortable as I had to stand outside and wait and explicitely had to asked one of the drivers. Poorly organized. The dining area outside was too dark. I could barely see my food on the table.

Great overall value when you book the right dates. Friendly staff. Easy to reach from Pretoria/Johannesburg. Navigate to Molatedi Gate with Google Maps to find the right way. I liked the Braai in the evening. I also liked the breakfast with good fruit selection. No proper bread though. The tents are good, aircon worked nicely. Room equiped with mini fridge, which is much appreciated. During the GameDrive the driver tried to show us as much as possible. The drive is relaxed and no crowding of vehicles when there is a sighting. Great! During the afternoon drive they provided drinks and snacks (dried beef, dried fruits, popcorn and nuts). That was lovely. During the morning drive they provided Coffee/other drinks and muffins. Overall great experience.

Stayed in November 2024

nothing!

We really can't understand the negative reviews about the facility and the staff. Either something has changed massively in the accommodation or some people would be better off staying at home. We were contactet befor we arrived by Whatsapp and had the oportunity to ask every question, we had. It was our first experience of this kind and our expectations were far exceeded in so many ways. We felt completely at ease there every second or actually like we were at home with our parents. Everyone on site contributed to the fact that we were really super satisfied and happy. Our safari guide in particular did a wonderful job of creating a sense of cohesion within the group of 4 couples. In addition, he did everything he could to give us exactly what we were longing for - to see and observe wonderful animals. The food was delicious, the beds were really comfortable and we were made to feel incredibly welcome. If we were in South Africa again, we would definitely come back!

Stayed in November 2024

Nothing

Remote river fronting and a small oasis in the dry madikwe

Stayed in November 2024

wifi only available in common area. everything is good.

Excellent 1st safari experience at Madikwe. We were lucky to spot all big 5; many thanks to Percy our Game drive operator! We are vegetarian and my son has many food allergies and Thakadu chef accommodated our needs. Tent were spot less and bedding were very comfortable. I would highly recommend this place.

Stayed in November 2024

-

Wonderful experience, beautiful lodge, friendly staff, good food and great game drives!

Stayed in November 2024

Everything was perfect, from our tent will all the comfort and best view , the friendly staff, the sightings with an amazing ranger, the 5 star food. The best weekend in the bush. We will be back for sure!

Stayed in November 2024

Dinner was too exotic for my african tastebuds.

The staff is very hospitable and ever smiling, very accommodative, interactive and welcoming.They don't bring their problems to work..Everything is organised...Loved the gamedrives and you are always constantly being fed, the tummy is always taken care of. the place promotes peace and quiet and connection to nature...very breathtaking.🥰😍

Stayed in November 2024

Nothing, however the tents need a little attention, for example the velcro of some of the windows need to be replaced and the bedside lamps stand need to be tightend from time to time

The Staff of Thakadu makes the difference, they go the extra mile to make you happy and feel at home. Percey was our perfect game ranger

Stayed in November 2024

The scenery, game drives, food, camps and everything was perfect! Wonderful experience!

Stayed in September 2024

There was nothing wrong with the property; however, I do believe that rooms could do with an update.

Exceptional staff who went above and beyond.

Stayed in October 2024

Not a negative but it is good to know that you need to pay for additional waters and drinks. Thakadu provides several options for drinks (coffee and tea) throughout the day and in your room. The amount of food and drinks is great. Room: coffe and tea and 2 small waters Morning: coffee and tea before game drive During game drive: coffe and tea with pastry/muffin Breakfast cold and hot served with coffee and tea Lunch: selected menu: starter main and dessert Afternoon tea and coffee Afternoon game drive: cocktails and snacks Dinner: 3-4 courses More than enough - and the food was excellent!

The entire staff provides an exceptional service from day one. You can tell each staff member works very hard to go above and beyond for each guest. The rooms were fantastic - large lux tents.being right on the river, was amazing - the bush is loud out night which makes it even more enjoyable. The lodge has elephants frequent the river evey day and we had lost count of how many elephants we watched playing in the river. Game drives are 10/10. We saw so many animals and saw all big 5!

Stayed in October 2024

The swimming pool was not very well cleaned.

It is a great place for the perfect African adventure, situated at Madikwe Game Reserve, which offers plenty of wildlife and good sighting of the big 5 . We saw lions, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, Buffalos, antelopes, and birds. Great staff are always looking for your every needs. The camp is owned and operated by the local community and has great value for money. The stay at the glamping fixed tent like units on the riverbed was great, really in the middle of nature. Units are very well equipped with air conditioning, hot water, refrigerator, and a balcony for relaxation. The common area has a TV and offers a magnificent view of the animals coming to drink at the river.

Stayed in October 2024

Nothing.

Loved how the staff was so welcoming and friendly. Through a conversation with the Manager we disclosed that the trip was a honeymoon , this conversation occurred when we were having dinner and by the time we reached our room we were surprised by a romantic bath , candle lit with petals and complimentary sparkling wine bottle. To my wife and I that was amazing. Not forgetting our game drive ranger Mr Tshiamo , the fella made the drive amazing. Thabiso the waiter was also welcoming generally all staff members are amazing. I highly recommend the place because even other guests there have amazing people skills.

Stayed in October 2024