North West Province Travel Guide

North West Province is not typically visited as a stand-alone destination but rather as the location of two important safari reserves within easy reach of Johannesburg. Both Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve offer excellent wildlife viewing and are especially attractive to travellers seeking malaria-free safari options.

Pilanesberg National Park is about a two- to three-hour drive from Johannesburg and sits inside the crater of an ancient extinct volcano. The reserve supports a wide range of southern African wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and over 260 bird species.

Because of its proximity to Johannesburg and its range of accommodation styles, Pilanesberg is particularly popular for short safaris, family trips and weekend wildlife escapes.

Further north along the Botswana border lies Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa's largest private conservation areas. Madikwe is known for its strong wildlife populations, excellent chances of seeing African wild dogs, and a collection of high-quality safari lodges.

Like Pilanesberg, Madikwe is malaria-free, making it a popular safari destination for families travelling with children. The reserve is approximately a four- to five-hour drive from Johannesburg.

North West Province is also home to a private Kalahari conservation reserve where visitors can participate in wildlife volunteer programmes. These conservation-focused safaris give travellers the opportunity to assist researchers and conservation teams with activities such as monitoring wildlife with camera traps, predator research, vegetation surveys and anti-poaching patrols.

For conservation reasons, the exact location of this reserve is not publicly disclosed, but the programme provides a rare opportunity to experience hands-on wildlife conservation in a remote Big Five reserve.