Stories from the bush
Journal
Field notes, wildlife guides and travel-planning pieces written by the team who lives and works at Jaci’s Private Lodge. Whether you’re preparing for a first safari or returning to a place that already feels like home, the journal is where we share what we’ve learned along the way.
Awards & Recognition
Jaci’s Private Lodge Wins 4 LUXE Global Awards 2026
Jaci’s Private Lodge Celebrates Four Wins at the 2026 LUXE Global Awards We’re proud to share an exciting milestone for Jaci’s Private Lodge: four honors at the 2026 LUXE Global Awards, recognizing our approach to safari hospitality and the experience we continue to create in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve. Jaci’s Private Lodge was […]
Jaci’s Stories
The Story of Jaci’s Private Lodge: Family, People and 26 Years in Madikwe game reserve
The Story of Jaci’s Private Lodge: Family, People and 26 Years in Madikwe game reserve The history of Jaci’s Private Lodge begins long before this family-run safari lodge became part of the Madikwe landscape. Jan and Jaci first met while living and working on Bazaruto Island, surrounded by the ocean, wild places and the kind […]
Safari Guide
Why Madikwe Is One of the Best Destinations for a First Safari in South Africa
Why Madikwe Is One of the Best Destinations for a First Safari in South Africa Madikwe Game Reserve has a way of making a first safari feel complete. It is the kind of African safari that works especially well for a first timer. For guests planning their first safari in South Africa, there is often […]
Wildlife
African Wild Dogs in Madikwe: Meet One of Africa’s Most Remarkable Predators
African Wild Dogs in Madikwe: Meet One of Africa’s Most Remarkable Predators There is a particular kind of excitement when a guide says wild dogs have been found in Madikwe. Unlike a lion resting beneath a tree or an elephant feeding quietly beside the road, an African wild dog sighting can change in seconds. […]
Safari Guide
African Big Five Safari in Malaria Free Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe’s 75,000-hectare savanna ecosystem is a malaria free sanctuary where African wildlife thrives. Here, the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) roam freely.
Wildlife
Lions in Madikwe: Safari Lodge Guide
Madikwe Game Reserve spans about 75,000 hectares of malaria-free savanna reclaimed by Operation Phoenix’s massive 1990s wildlife relocation. Here, lions roam a mosaic of bushveld and riverine valleys.
Wildlife
Leopards in Madikwe: Safari Lodge Guide
Our day at Jaci’s private lodge often begins at dawn with anticipation in the air. Leopards are masters of the night; their silent world is one we’re privileged to enter.
Wildlife
Elephants in Madikwe: Safari Lodge Guide
In Jaci’s safari vehicles, elephant sightings feel like a grand spectacle. A matriarchal herd approaches the waterhole, babies in the middle, sub-adults flanking protectively, and the wise old matriarch at the front.
Wildlife
Rhinos in Madikwe: Safari Lodge Guide
Our day often starts before sunrise, noses steaming in the chill air as we set out in our sturdy safari vehicles. Rhinos in Madikwe are free ranging and often calm around vehicles, a true privilege for our guests.
Travel Planning
Malaria Free Safari in South Africa: Where to Go & What to Expect
A malaria free safari in South Africa appeals to travelers who want the depth and atmosphere of a classic safari without adding malaria risk planning to the itinerary. It is a practical choice, but not a lesser one.
Plan your stay at Jaci’s
Come for the wildlife, stay for the warmth, and leave with a deeper connection to Madikwe.