Madikwe and The North

Introduction

Madikwe & The North encompasses the North West and Limpopo Provinces.

The North West Province of South Africa is bounded on the north by Botswana, on the south by the provinces of Free State and the Northern Cape, and on the northeast and east by the Limpopo Province and Gauteng.

Apart from its enviable setting in the western Magaliesberg, there’s always plenty to see and do in the popular holiday resort of Rustenburg. From there, less than half an hour’s drive takes you to the glamorous Sun City Resort and its enormous range of leisure options.

Nearby, you have an excellent chance of spotting the “Big Five” at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. History buffs will be fascinated by Mafikeng, and in particular its museum, which has exhibits relating to the Siege of Mafeking, the Barolong people and the Bushmen.

Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province is a unique terrain of vast savannahs and rocky outcrops and home to Africa’s Big Five. 

South Africa’s northernmost province, Limpopo, borders onto Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana, making it the ideal entrance to Africa. Named after the great Limpopo River that flows along its northern border, this province is rich in wildlife, spectacular scenery and a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.

Known as the Great North, Limpopo is land of legend. Ruins and relics abounds in ancient forests, sparkling trout waters, hot mineral springs and waterfalls. Much of it has remained unchanged for centuries, offering unlimited opportunities in Limpopo for the enjoyment of untamed Africa. Limpopo is home to ancient lands and pre-historic secrets.

The Waterberg is a popular safari destination featuring Leobo Private Reserve, Welgevonden and Marakele National  Park.

When To Visit

MADIKWE

Forming the southern part of the Kalahari Desert the North West Province offers almost year-round sunshine, making suntan lotion and a hat a prerequisite when visiting the North West Province, South Africa. The capital city, Mafikeng, enjoys weather indicative of largely the entire North West Province, with towns in the western areas only slightly hotter and those further south a bit cooler.

The summer months (from August to March) bring brief but refreshing afternoon thundershowers. The town has an above average rainfall of 300 to 700 mm annually. Summer temperatures range between 22 and 34ºC and winter brings with it dry, sunny days and chilly nights. The average winter (from May to July) temperature is 16ºC but can range from an average of 2 to 20ºC in a single day.

The North West Province is all about the authentic African bush experience, and it is the hot, dry Africa that, if properly prepared for, is truly special. Small wonder, then, that so many indulge in the many water recreational facilities available throughout the region.

The Waterberg

Finding itself at South Africa’s northernmost area and bisected by the tropic of Capricorn, visitors to Limpopo can expect sunshine, long summer afternoons and dry days for most of their stay. Polokwane (previously known as Pietersburg), the capital city of Limpopo, lies more or less in the centre of the Limpopo province and its weather is reflective of most of it. Only the region east of the city offers markedly different climate, with most the subtropical conditions of the Lowveld providing weather more suited to dense forests. Polokwane offers an extremely pleasant climate for most of the year. With almost all year-round sunshine, it can get rather hot in the summer months (October to March) averaging 27ºC. The lowveld is less forgiving in the swelter of summer afternoons, with towns such as Phalaborwa known to reach 45ºC. Generally, however, visitors to the Kruger National Park area can expect temperatures around 30ºC in summer. 

Don’t be surprised to find late afternoon growing heavy with clouds and you can expect short thunderstorms. Winter is typical of the interior highveld plateau. A sunny season of chilly, early mornings, warm middays, dry afternoons and cool to cold nights. In general the weather of Limpopo will greet you with a hospitable display of sunshine and reserve.

Temperature & Rainfall

Climate Chart – Johannesburg

Climate Chart – Marakele

Climate Chart – Madikwe