Reservations · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 · Sat 09:00–13:00 SAST +27 14 004 0056 WhatsApp +27 82 551 1997
Cyber Cape TownSafaris & tours · Est. 2001

Directions to Madikwe, Pilanesberg & the Cape safari reserves

Routes, gates, gate times, fees and flights for every reserve we book — with the details lodges send their guests. Checked October 2026.

Map of South Africa showing Madikwe, Pilanesberg and the safari reserves near Cape TownMadikwe lies on the Botswana border about 4 hours north-west of Johannesburg; Pilanesberg is about 2 hours from Johannesburg; the Cape reserves are 2 to 4 hours east of Cape Town.Cape reservesJohannesburgPretoriaGaboroneMadikwePilanesbergCape TownGeorge
City · Safari area · Main road route. Not for navigation.

At a glance

Drive times

FromToDistanceTime
JohannesburgPilanesberg & Sun CityN4 west, R556≈ 170 km≈ 2 h
PretoriaPilanesberg & Sun CityN4 west, R556≈ 150 km≈ 1 h 30
Lanseria AirportPilanesberg & Sun CityR512, N4, R556≈ 130 km≈ 1 h 45
JohannesburgBlack Rhino Game ReserveN4 west, R556, R565≈ 200 km≈ 2 h 30
JohannesburgMadikwe (Abjaterskop Gate)N4 to Zeerust, R49≈ 360 km≈ 4 h
Sun CityMadikweR565, N4, R49≈ 230 km≈ 3 h
Gaborone Airport (Botswana)Madikwe (western lodges)Tlokweng / Kopfontein border≈ 30 km≈ 45 min + border
Cape TownAquilaN1, R46≈ 170 kmjust under 2 h
Cape TownInverdoornN1, Ceres, R46, R356≈ 200 km≈ 2 h 30
Cape TownMont EcoN1, R60, R62≈ 215 km≈ 2 h 30
Cape TownSanbonaN1, R60, R62≈ 230 km3–3 h 30
Cape TownGarden Route Game LodgeN2 east≈ 350 km≈ 3 h 45
Cape TownGondwanaN2 east, R327≈ 380 km≈ 4 h
George AirportGondwanaN2 west, R327≈ 75 kmjust over 1 h
George AirportGarden Route Game LodgeN2 west≈ 85 km≈ 1 h

Times are without stops, outside peak traffic. Prefer not to drive? We arrange road transfers and flights for every reserve — ask us.

North West · Botswana border

Getting to Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe is a closed reserve: there are no day visitors and no self-drive game viewing. You drive or fly to your lodge, and from then on the lodge does the driving. Plan to arrive in daylight — the gates close at 18:00.

By road from Johannesburg or Pretoria

≈ 360 km · about 4 hours · tar all the way to the gates

  1. Take the N4 toll road west (from Johannesburg, join it via the N1 north or the R512/Hartbeespoort).
  2. Stay on the N4 past Rustenburg, Swartruggens and Groot Marico to Zeerust. Fill up here — there is no fuel inside the reserve.
  3. In Zeerust, turn right at the second stop street into President Street and follow the signs for Gaborone and Madikwe Game Reserve onto the R49.
  4. Follow the R49 north for about 97 km to Abjaterskop Gate, the first entrance.
  5. Wonderboom Gate is 7 km further along the R49. Just before the Kopfontein border post, the Derdepoort Gate road turns off to the right for some western lodges.

Lodges ask guests not to rely on GPS for the last stretch — some apps send you down old farm roads. Follow the lodge’s directions, and phone them from Zeerust if you will arrive after 16:00.

Gates, gate times & fees

GateMainly used by
AbjaterskopCentral and eastern lodges, coming from Zeerust
WonderboomWestern lodges (7 km past Abjaterskop)
Tau & DerdepoortSome western lodges, and guests from Botswana
MolatediEastern lodges, from the Molatedi side

Your lodge confirms which gate to use when you book.

Gate hours
06:00–18:00 every day
Late arrivals
Only by arrangement with your lodge, with an escort. The reserve closes completely at 21:00.
Conservation fee (by road)
R180 adult · R80 child, per stay
Conservation fee (by air)
R240 adult · R150 child, per stay
How it’s paid
Usually added to your lodge bill, not paid at the gate

By air: the Federal Air shuttle from O.R. Tambo

Federal Air flies a light aircraft (usually a Cessna Grand Caravan) from its own terminal at O.R. Tambo International to Madikwe’s two airstrips every day. The flight takes about an hour instead of a four-hour drive, and your lodge meets you on the airstrip.

Daily schedule, 2026
FlightDepartsArrives
Johannesburg → Madikwe10:0011:00
Johannesburg → Madikwe13:0014:00
Madikwe → Johannesburg11:3012:30
Madikwe → Johannesburg14:3015:30
Check-in
At the Federal Air terminal, from 07:30 until 1 hour before departure
Times
Can move by up to an hour; some flights stop at both airstrips
Luggage
Soft bags only: 1 × 20 kg bag (max 60 × 40 × 30 cm) + 1 × 5 kg hand luggage per person
Connections
Allow at least 2 hours to connect with a domestic flight and 3 hours for an international one
Weather
If the plane can’t fly, Federal Air may send you by road instead

Madikwe East airstrip

Etali, Jaci’s Safari Lodge & Madikwe House, Jamala, Madikwe Hills, Madikwe Safari Lodge, Makanyane, Mateya, Molori, the Morukuru houses, Mosetlha Bush Camp and others in the east.

Madikwe West airstrip

Buffalo Ridge, Impodimo, Motswiri, Rhulani, RockFig, Tau Game Lodge, The Last Word Madikwe, Tuningi and others in the west.

From Gaborone, Botswana

Madikwe’s western edge is only about 30 km from Gaborone’s Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. Cross at the Tlokweng / Kopfontein border post, and Wonderboom and the Derdepoort Gate road are just inside South Africa.

Border post (Botswana / South Africa)Open
Tlokweng / Kopfontein06:00–00:00
Sikwane / Derdepoort06:00–19:00
Pioneer Gate / Skilpadshek06:00–00:00

Everyone needs a passport. Hired cars need a cross-border letter from the rental company.

Road transfers & from Sun City

Road transfers run from O.R. Tambo and Lanseria airports, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sun City and Pilanesberg. They take 4–5 hours from Johannesburg and are priced per vehicle, so they work out best for two or more people. Some operators charge extra for pick-ups between 18:00 and 06:00.

Combining Pilanesberg and Madikwe? From Sun City it is about 3 hours: the R565 to the N4, west to Zeerust, then the R49.

North West · next to Sun City

Getting to Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Pilanesberg is the easiest Big 5 reserve to reach from Gauteng — about two hours on good tar roads, with Sun City at its southern edge. Unlike Madikwe, you can drive yourself around the park during gate hours.

By road from Johannesburg & Pretoria

Johannesburg ≈ 170 km · 2 h — Pretoria ≈ 150 km · 1 h 30

  1. Take the N4 toll road west towards Rustenburg.
  2. Turn north onto the R556, following the Sun City and Pilanesberg signs.
  3. Western gates (Bakubung, and the lodges west of Sun City): stay on the R556 past Sun City.
  4. Eastern gates (Manyane, Bakgatla): near Sun City take the R510 towards Mogwase and follow the park signs.
  5. Black Rhino Reserve and Shepherd’s Tree: at the four-way stop past Sun City, turn right onto the R565 — Shepherd’s Tree’s entrance is 12 km along.

From Lanseria Airport (the closest airport): take the R512 north to the N4 at Hartbeespoort, then continue as above — about 1 h 45. From O.R. Tambo: via Pretoria on the N1/N4, about 2–2 h 30.

Which gate for your lodge

GateWhereLodges
BakubungJust west of Sun City (R556)Bakubung Bush Lodge & Villas, Tshukudu
Kwa MaritaneBetween Sun City and Pilanesberg AirportKwa Maritane Bush Lodge
ManyaneEast side, via Mogwase (R510)Manyane Resort
BakgatlaNorth-east, near SaulspoortIvory Tree, Bakgatla Resort
Black Rhino Game ReservePrivate gate on the R565, north-western sideAll nine Black Rhino lodges
Shepherd’s TreePrivate entrance on the R565Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge

Pilanesberg has five public gates and a separate gate for the private Black Rhino Reserve. Lodges inside the park send exact directions with your booking.

Gate times

MonthsOpenClose
November–February05:3019:00
March–April06:0018:30
May–August06:3018:00
September–October06:0018:30

September has been published both ways (06:30–18:00 and 06:00–18:30), so plan on the earlier closing time that month. Allow enough time to reach your lodge before the gate closes.

Entrance fees (per day)

VisitorFee
South African adultR168
South African child (5–12) or pensionerR84
SADC adult · childR385 · R275
International adultR748
Car, SUV or bakkieR168

Rates published by the park from 1 December 2025. South Africans need an ID document to get local rates. Lodges inside the park often include or add these fees — we confirm when you book.

Getting to the Black Rhino Game Reserve

Johannesburg ≈ 200 km · about 2 h 30 — Lanseria ≈ 1 h 30 · tar to the gate

  1. From Johannesburg or Pretoria take the N4 west, then the R556 north towards Sun City and Pilanesberg. (A slightly longer, scenic option runs via Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg.)
  2. Continue past Sun City to the four-way stop and turn right onto the R565.
  3. The reserve has its own private gate on the north-western side of Pilanesberg — not one of the public park gates. Your lodge sends the exact directions and GPS position with your booking.
Who can enter
Only guests staying at the reserve’s lodges; game drives are guided in open vehicles
Gate times
As for Pilanesberg (05:30–19:00 in summer, 06:30–18:00 in winter). Entry closes 1 hour before the gate closes
Roads
Tar to the gate; tar and gravel inside — fine in a normal car, easier with a bit of ground clearance
Park fees
Pilanesberg rates (R168 South African adult, R748 international adult, R168 per vehicle) — check whether your lodge rate includes them
Flying in
Road transfers from O.R. Tambo, Lanseria and Johannesburg or Pretoria hotels; charters to Pilanesberg International

Flying in

Pilanesberg International Airport sits right next to Sun City, but it currently has no scheduled airline flights. A fire destroyed its terminal in August 2023, it runs from temporary facilities, and an upgrade went out to tender in October 2026. Charter flights can still land by arrangement. Most guests fly into Lanseria or O.R. Tambo and drive or take a transfer.

Western Cape

Getting to the safari reserves near Cape Town

All six reserves are reached on good main roads from Cape Town, with short gravel stretches at the end for some. Every reserve needs a confirmed booking before you arrive — there is no casual entry.

Map of the Western Cape safari reservesAquila and Inverdoorn lie north-east of Cape Town beyond Worcester; Mont Eco and Sanbona are near Montagu on Route 62; Garden Route Game Lodge and Gondwana are on the N2 near Mossel Bay, west of George.Cape TownWorcesterGeorgeAquilaInverdoornMont EcoSanbonaGarden Route Game LodgeGondwana
Town · Reserve (tap for directions) · positions approximate

Karoo · ≈ 170 km · just under 2 h

Aquila Private Game Reserve

  1. Take the N1 past Paarl and through the Huguenot Tunnel (toll).
  2. Continue past Worcester and De Doorns, up through the Hex River Valley.
  3. About 30 km after De Doorns, just past the “10 km to Touws River” sign, turn left onto the R46 towards Ceres.
  4. The main entrance is about 3 km along, on your left.

Day safaris and overnight stays. No entry without a confirmed booking. Shuttles from Cape Town and fly-in safaris are available.

Ceres Karoo · ≈ 200 km · ≈ 2 h 30

Inverdoorn Game Reserve

  1. Take the N1 through the Huguenot Tunnel and turn off for Ceres before Worcester (via Wolseley and Michell’s Pass).
  2. Go straight through Ceres on the R46 towards Touws River for about 43 km, until the tar ends at the Calvinia / Sutherland sign.
  3. Continue 5.7 km on gravel, then turn right onto the R356 to Sutherland.
  4. After 7.4 km keep left at the fork; Inverdoorn is 6 km further, on your left.

Overnight guests. Transfers from Cape Town leave around 09:30 and arrive around midday, in time for the afternoon drive.

Klein Karoo · ≈ 215 km · ≈ 2 h 30

Mont Eco Private Game Reserve

  1. Take the N1 through the Huguenot Tunnel to Worcester.
  2. Follow the R60 through Robertson to Ashton.
  3. Take the R62 through Kogmanskloof to Montagu.
  4. The reserve is on Driekuilshoogte Road, about 45 minutes from Montagu, on the slopes of the Langeberg.

Day-visit packages and overnight stays.

Klein Karoo · ≈ 230 km · 3–3 h 30

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

  1. Follow the Mont Eco route to Montagu (N1, R60, R62).
  2. Continue on the R62 for about 38 km past Montagu and turn left at Die Vlakte (Sanbona signs).
  3. The road turns to gravel — keep to about 40 km/h. The main gate is 7 km from the turn-off.
  4. Park at the main gate; a complimentary transfer takes you to your lodge (about 25 minutes).

Overnight guests only. Private airstrip near Bellair Dam for charters arranged with the reserve.

Garden Route · ≈ 350 km · ≈ 3 h 45

Garden Route Game Lodge

  1. From Cape Town take the N2 east for about 348 km.
  2. The entrance is on the N2, 7 km past Albertinia.
  3. From George: N2 west for 85 km; cross the Gouritz River Bridge and the entrance is 12 km further.

Nearest airport: George (≈ 1 h).

Garden Route · ≈ 380 km · ≈ 4 h

Gondwana Game Reserve

  1. Take the N2 towards Mossel Bay and George.
  2. Near Mossel Bay, skip the first Herbertsdale turn and turn left onto the R327 to Herbertsdale / Mossdustria.
  3. After 14.5 km, cross the railway line and turn right at the large brown Gondwana sign. The road becomes gravel after the cattle grid.
  4. Keep right at the fork; the main gate is 3.2 km further. Report to security for directions to your lodge.

From George Airport: N2 west past Mossel Bay; 200 m after the Total garage, turn right onto the R327 (≈ 75 km, just over 1 h). Overnight guests only.

Before you go

Driving to a safari in South Africa

  • Drive on the left

    Speed limits are 120 km/h on freeways, 100 km/h on rural roads and 60 km/h in towns. Treat a traffic light that is out as a four-way stop.

  • Arrive before dark

    Gates close at 18:00–19:00 and rural roads have animals, pedestrians and potholes at night. Aim to reach your lodge by mid-afternoon.

  • Fuel & tolls

    Fill up in the last big town (Zeerust for Madikwe). Attendants fill your car; most stations and the N1/N4 toll plazas take cards.

  • Licence & papers

    Carry your driver’s licence (an international permit if it isn’t in English) and passport. Hired cars need a letter to cross into Botswana.

  • Don’t trust GPS blindly

    Use the directions your lodge sends. Apps sometimes pick closed gates or farm roads near reserves.

  • Or let us drive

    We book road transfers, the Federal Air shuttle and charters — see which airport suits your safari.

Tell us where you’re flying in — we’ll plan the rest

Send an enquiry WhatsApp us
Ask LucyAI trip planner