The Madikwe Reserve on South Africa’s northern border with Botswana is a hidden gem. This malaria-free reserve of 185,000 acres was designated as a conservation area in 1991 when the government combined several struggling farms into the park. This was followed by a translocation project that reintroduced 8,200 animals, including buffalo, elephant, rhino and later predators like lion, leopard and cheetah. This is also an area where wild dog can be found. It is a fabulous game viewing area especially for clients who are unable to take anti-malaria medications.
December 2022, just as the doors to their guests were about to reopen, the main lodge was struck by fire. The flames rapidly rose into the thatch of the roof and by the time it was over the main lodge, kitchen and guest areas were all totally destroyed. Thankfully the guest villas were spared. Despite this massive blow, the owners elected to instead focus on rebuilding with an emphasis on an improved guest experience.
The architects and contractors worked day and night and in October 2023, just 10 months later a magnificent phoenix arose from the ashes. Jamala is a lodge that I book often for my clients. It is small (only 10 guests) and extremely well run. Rodney and Nico, the general manager and executive chef, are always on site and the guest experience is very personal, warm and intimate. So in November I was determined to visit Rodney and Nico to see this phoenix for myself.
Jamala has the most amazing watering hole directly in front of the lodge. In the dry season it is an oasis that is frequented by hundreds of animals each day. There is almost no need to go out on game drives, guests can enjoy a sofa safari – camera in one hand and a cocktail in the other. Our arrival was greeted with a plethora of animals in front of the lodge.
The new lodge is a modern structure of concrete and glass very tastefully decorated with an African theme. The entire collection of art and books had to be replaced and the new collection appeals to a younger audience. This is juxtaposed with the traditional thatched accommodations of the five luxury villas. Jamal has upgraded the bathrooms and décor but the villas with private pantry, individual plunge pools and views of the watering hole are magnificent.
Nico is a master chef and has published several outstanding recipe/cookery books. When disaster struck, he elected to upgrade the kitchen to a state-of-the-art facility. We were very proudly escorted on a private tour of his new domain. This kitchen has to be the envy of every restaurant chef. The delicacies and cuisine that emanated were amazing. I can honestly say that the meals we had were amongst the finest we have had anywhere. Not pretentious just extremely flavorful and magnificently presented.
The staff, from the guides to the waitstaff, at Jamala have been with Rodney almost since it’s opening. They have grown with the property and are an integral part of the entire guest experience. It was heartwarming to reconnect as it had been 6 years since my last visit.
Our two days here flew by and we left satisfied in the knowledge that our clients will be well cared for and will have a phenomenal experience at Jamala.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most of Africa’s large variety of snakes are not venomous. Among the poisonous are the gaboon viper and other adders, cobras, mambas (black and green), and the boomslang. The python is not venomous, but it constricts and suffocates its prey.
van Lill, Dawid. African Wildlife Trivia (p. 7). Penguin Random House South Africa. Kindle Edition.
