Children
Special Per Child 6 - 15 years sharing with parents R3 540 Per Child 0 - 5 years sharing with parents free
Jan - Apr '23 Per Child 6 - 15 years sharing with parents R7 350 Per Child 0 - 5 years sharing with parents R3 150
May - July '23 Per Child 6 - 15 years sharing with parents R6 300 Per Child 0 - 5 years sharing with parents R2 700
Aug - Nov '23 Per Child 6 - 15 years sharing with parents R7 000 Per Child 0 - 5 years sharing with parents R3 000
Dec '23 Per Child 6 - 15 years sharing with parents R9 450 Per Child 0 - 5 years sharing with parents R4 050
The rates are quoted per person per night
INCLUDED IN OUR RATES:
Accommodation
All meals, tea, coffee, high tea,
House wine (Boutique wines selected for you by us)
Local beers, soft drinks, mineral water and juice
2 game drives per day
Afternoon tea
Game drive snack
Use of the gym and steam room
Free wifi access
EXCLUSIVE:
Curio purchases
Bar and beverage items other than inclusive (as above)
reatments in the wellness center as per menu
Gratuities
Laundry
Daily Conservation fees
Game Reserve entry fees
Madikwe Airstrip fees
CONDITIONS
The single guest surcharge is 30% of the adult rate.
Single rate are not applicable over peak season.
Peak season are public holidays and from 20 Dec-03 Jan.
All rates are given in South African rands and include VAT.
Children rates are applicable for 1 child per adult.
Rates may be subject to change. All confirmed bookings will be honored at agreed rate.
A 30% deposit is required to a booking with full payment made no later than 4 weeks before check-in.
Cancelation fees are 50% up to two weeks before check- in and 100% thereafter.
Waterhole viewing suites 6 and 7 cannot be pre booked.
Waterhole viewing suite 5 is reserved for elderly and disabled guests.
Cancelation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing
Cancellations 15 days or more prior to arrival will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee of the total booking value.
Cancellations 14 days or less prior to arrival will be subject to a 100% cancellation fee of the total booking value.
A 10% admin fee will be retained for cancellations made after the card has been charged.
Deposit Policy
For all bookings made within 30 days of travel
Full payment Is required within 48 hours of your booking. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
For all bookings made more than 30 days of travel
A 50% deposit Is required within 48 hours of your booking and the balance 30 days prior to arrival. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
Game Drives
Guests at Etali enjoy two game drives per day. Drives are open to all guests over the age of six. Younger guests can arrange for kids-friendly bumble drives between game drive times.
Game walks can also be arranged upon request for guests older than 16 years. Guests over 60 years old require a bill of clear health from a medical doctor in order to go on game walks.
The Etali Waterhole
A surprisingly large variety and number of animals visit the Etali waterhole daily. Watch a herd of elephants approach the waterhole, the younger ones eager to drink and play. Or a leopard quietly drinking at night as you enjoy a boma dinner. Or an entire herd of buffalo noisily wading in to the water. Or a giraffe cautiously bending down to take a drink. We’ve seen all of the big 5, plus cheetah, plus African wild dogs, plus about every species of antelope in the Reserve at our waterhole.
At One With Nature
The Etali Waterhole is perfectly positioned in front of the lodge to allow for amazing, close sightings. Located in front of the lodge’s main deck and pool—and even closer to the boma dining area—you can savour breakfast, lunch and dinner, or enjoy a dip in the pool, whilst watching waterhole visitors. The private decks of three of our rooms overlook the waterhole as well. All of the photos of the waterhole were taken from the lodge main deck, boma, or the private decks of one of the waterhole-facing luxury suites.
Meals & Dietary Requirements
The Etali kitchen team prides itself on the quality and fexibility of our cuisine. Guests are encouraged to list their dietary requirements when making a booking.
Kosher Meals
Kosher meals are prepared fresh on site to your specifcations, preferences and satisfaction. With hundreds of Kosher bookings every year, guests benefit from our experience. Our specially Kashered kitchen and Kosher-only cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery is used throughout. A surcharge of R750 per person per day does apply to all Kosher meals.
Families and Limited Mobility Guests
Intergenerational travel is a specialty of Etali. Allow us to take of the entire family
Families Are Welcome
Children of all ages are welcome at Etali Safari Lodge. We offer a range of kids activities to help keep younger guests entertained while simultaneously respecting the experience of other guests.
Although children under the age of 6 are not allowed in dangerous game sightings, our kids program includes a “bumble” drive where our guides take the kids (with or without parents, depending on how much of a break you’d like), on a drive after breakfast. The bumble drive is one where dangerous game is not sought out, or closely approached, but our guides make the bush exciting, including by casting plaster-of-paris tracks. We also entertain children with kitchen activities like decorating cupcakes; kids’ manicures and face-painting; arts & crafts; and special kids menus during meals.
Kids activities are included in our rates and are adapted to the individual age and preferences of each child. Babysitting services are available on request, are subject to availability and may incur a small fee.
Young Guests
Over the years we have perfected the art of keeping children entertained during their stay in Madikwe. Whether casting animal tracks, or cooking up a treat we have a range of kids activities available to keep the young ones entertained. For toddlers child minding services are also available.
Our side-by-side family suites are also available for guests who would like to stay close to their children while also having their own rooms.
Limited Mobility Guest
Weelchair bound guests, and guests with limited mobility are welcome at Etali, including on game drives. Our weelchair accesible suite means that their stay will be as comfortable and memorable as any!
Getting to Madikwe
Etali Safari Lodge can be reached by road or air, from both Botswana and South Africa. Depending on your selected method, the journey should take between 1h and 4h30m.
Self Drive
Self drive is a popular option amongst local guests. The drive from Gabarone(1h), or Johannesburg(3h30 min - 4h30 min) is scenic and enjoyable, provided you do not get lost.
We suggest that guests unfamiliar with South African roads do not use the self drive option. We do not suggest using a GPS system to reach the lodge!
Road Transfer
Road transfers are a cost e fective way of reaching Etali from Johannesburg or Gabarone. Contact our reservations department for assistance in finding experienced and reliable road transfers.
We suggest guests using road transfer services contact use one of our, trusted and experienced, prefered suppliers
Air Transfer
Air Transfers are convenient with regularly scheduled fights available from O.R. Tambo international airport in Johannesburg(1h). A fer landing in Madikwe enjoy a 7km game drive back to the lodge. Airplane and helicopter charters are also available.Our reservations department can assist with booking air transfers
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2023 SADC Special Sharing rate
per person per night sharing
R5 500
Single per night
R7 150
6 - 15 yrs per child per night sharing with parents
R3 500
0 - 5 yrs
Only applies when the parents require baby-sitting service.
Kindly note that we offer a bumble drive for children under the age of 6 years.
Free of charge
R350
The rates include:
* Accommodation
* All meals, tea, coffee, high tea,
* 2 game drives per day
* Afternoon tea
* Game drive snack
* Use of the gym and steam room
* Free wifi access
* Kiddies programme
The rates exclude:
* House wine (Boutique wines selected for you by us)
* Local beers, soft drinks, mineral water and juice
* Curio purchase
* Bar and beverage items other than inclusive (as above)
* Treatments in the wellness center as per menu
* Gratuities
* Laundry
* Conservation Levy R190 per day and R 95 per child per day (below the age of 12 years) (subject to change)
* Game Reserve entry fees: ZAR180 per adult (once off) and ZAR80 per child under 12 years (once off) (subject to change)
* Madikwe Airstrip fees : ZAR240 per adult and R150 for children under 12 years (once off) (subject to change)
Terms and Conditions:
* Minimum 2 night’s stay
*
Applicable to RSA residence
* 01 January 2023 - 31 July 2023 Including public holidays
* The single guest surcharge is 30% of the adult rate.
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South Africa Is The Best Country For A Wheelchair-Friendly Safari
Of all the countries on the continent of Africa, the country of South Africa has the most resources to make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, from start to finish. South Africa’s airports, hotels, sightseeing spots, and restaurants are the most suitable for wheelchair users compared to other countries.
Etali Safari Lodge can be easily accessed by road, and is about a 4.5 hour drive from Johannesburg. We can organise a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to transfer you to and from the lodge.
A Wheelchair Safari In Madikwe Game Reserve
Our philosophy is that everyone should be able to experience the wilderness. Our reception turning circle has a ramp leading down to the main lodge area. All of the main dining areas—the inside main area (dining, lounge and bar), the outdoor covered main deck, and fireside boma area near the waterhole—are wheelchair-accessible. From the main deck, there is a connecting walkway to room 5, which is our wheelchair-friendly suite.
Suite 5 (and all of our luxury suites) have open indoor and outdoor showers, which are all wheelchair-accessible. Suite 5 has a waterhole view. If you would like any furniture in your suite re-arranged or moved, we are happy to oblige.
We also have a wheelchair on-site should you find that using one is helpful. During game drives, a mobility-impaired guest can sit in the front seat of the game viewer, next to the guide. (Secret: it’s the best seat in the house!)
Let us know your level of mobility and your needs and we will let you know how we can accommodate you. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the Etali Experience.
We also have a wheelchair on-site should you find that using one is helpful. During game drives, a mobility-impaired guest can sit in the front seat of the game viewer, next to the guide. (Secret: it’s the best seat in the house!)
Let us know your level of mobility and your needs and we will let you know how we can accommodate you. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the Etali Experience.
Safaris
Our guests regularly see the “Big 5”: lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. We also have frequent sightings of rare species like cheetah, African wild dog, and brown hyena. All this in a malaria-free wilderness. This is the safari experience that you’ll keep talking about.
Safaris at Etali are something special. Every day in the bush brings a new experience. We offer twice daily safaris in modified open Land Cruiser game vehicles, which include a canvas roof for sun protection. Your safari is led by an experienced guide, who shares a wealth of knowledge whilst driving the vehicle, and a “hawk-eye” tracker, who sits on a seat mounted on the hood of the vehicle to help spot animals and their tracks. Part of the magic of the bush is that you don’t know what nature will show you. The excitement of tracking a lion, rounding the corner and seeing a “crash” of rhino, or finding a pack of African wild dogs will stay with you forever.
What To Expect On Game Drive
Your first safari starts early in the morning, just before dawn (at 06:00 am in winter and 05:30 am in summer), to ensure that you are ready for sightings during the prime time of dawn. There is nothing like being out in the bush, watching the sun rise, looking for wildlife. Mid-way through your safari, your guide and tracker will stop and set up morning coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks. The morning game drive lasts around 3 hours and a fresh breakfast is on offer when you return to the lodge.
The afternoon safari starts after royal tea on the lodge’s main deck at 04:00 pm (in winter) and 04:30 pm (in summer). This drive also lasts around 3 hours. You will drive for an hour or two before stopping for “sundowners”—enjoying drinks of your choice, along with safari snacks, whilst watching the sunset. After sundowners, the “night drive” begins and you experience nocturnal animals by spotlight. Upon your return to the lodge, our staff will welcome you under a bed of stars and escort you to dinner.
Our Guide & Tracker Teams
The quality and experience of our guides and trackers will make your safari. Not all lodges have guide-tracker teams; we believe that two sets of experienced eyes give the best safari for our guests. Vehicles in Madikwe are allowed to drive off-road for most sightings such as lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo or unusual sightings, vehicles from all lodges in the park are connected via a radio system, and the number of vehicles at sightings are limited to ensure intimate and private experiences.
We offer blankets and hot water bottles when the temperature is cool; cold, fresh water for summer; and we have ponchos in case of rain.
Although guests under 6 years of age are not allowed on game drives, we organise “bumble” drives for younger guests, where larger predators are not sought out. Our guides and trackers are excellent with kids. In addition, we offer babysitting services, subject to availability and for an additional fee.
Walking Safaris In Madikwe
Walking safaris are also on offer. Being on foot gives a different and exciting perspective of the bush. These safaris are led by experienced guides, who carry a rifle and who have been trained in how to approach wildlife to allow guests to enjoy safe and thrilling encounters with any of the wildlife in Madikwe. Imagine watching an elephant or rhino with your own two feet on the ground—it is unforgettable.
Walks also unveil everything from the finer details of the bush to the grand swaths of landscape. This type of safari allows you to connect to nature at a whole other level. We focus on aspects of the bush that are easier to enjoy on foot rather than in a vehicle, like birds, trees, grasses, tracks, animal dung, soil, and rocks.
There are no set routes for these walks; our guides set a pace that is comfortable for the group. Walks are usually done after breakfast, for as long or short as the group would like. You do not want to miss this experience.
Walks are limited to those over the age of 16. Guests who are 60 years or older are welcome on walks as long as they have a medical certificate.
MADIKWE ENTRY FEES
• Once-off payment
• Paid directly by clients
• Rebuilding and Recovery levy
- R115 pppn (optional)
• Gate Entry Fees
- R180 per Adults per STAY
- R 80 per Child (3-9 yrs)
• Guest Conservation Contribution (GCC)
- R165 per Adults per DAY
- R 82.50 per Child (2-12 yrs)
• Guest Conservation Contribution (GCC)
- from 01 Mar 2023
- R190 per Adults per DAY
- R 95 per Child (2-12 yrs)
• Bed Levy
- ZAR 10 pppn from age 1 year old
• SUBJECT to change without notice,
Guests GCC are payable at the lodges and will be added to guests' bills split image
• Once-off payment
• Paid directly by clients
• Flight Entry
- R240 per Adult
- R150 per Child (3-9 yrs)
• SUBJECT to change without notice split image
