Jacis Private Beach House

By the 1940's the combination of chronic overgrazing and desertification had reduced the Marico district to a handful of struggling farmers and the poorest area in the province. Thus the Parks Board decided to create the Madikwe Game Reserve, not only to conserve the fauna and flora but also to provide a more favourable environment for the local people.Operation "Phoenix" saw the translocation of 10.000 head and 27 species of game into the newly fenced Park, the largest movement since Noah. The late Eric Chapman, together with Jan van Heteren, saw the potential and were the first investors establishing Madikwe River Lodge. Jan's outgoing personality, operational experience and his exceptional ability as a Restaurateur, together with Jaci's organizing skills and her outrageously successful decorational flair, soon made Madikwe River Lodge a much-vaunted destination.

However, soon after selling their interest in Madikwe River Lodge they were both yearning to invest in Madikwe and start their own Lodge again - the idea of Jaci's was born. After three long years of negotiation and planning with Parks they have been able to fulfill their dream. Out of their many contacts from Jan's very successful Restaurant days at Cynthia's and Pasha's in Pretoria, Jaci's exotic times, managing the Bazaruto Lodge in Mozambique, their joint effort in making friends with all their guests at River Lodge and Jan's current involvement with Zongoene Lodge at the mouth of the Limpopo, they were able to select a handful of lucky investors to help fund their dream. Thus, in spite of the torrential rains of this year and all obstacles, Jacis Safari Lodge has been delightfully established and opens in April 2000. With this team supporting Jacis you can expect superb personal service, a wonderful ambience, good food and wine and a great game trip. They hope you have fun and that they may have the pleasure of welcoming you back here with your friends in the near future.

Masterfully blends into its surroundings, encompassing a magnificent main area built around an ancient termite mound. The location was discovered and the concept envisaged by Jan in combination with Jaci's colorful decorating style and attention to detail you are sure of a memorable and unique Safari experience.

*Children aged 12 and under are comfortably accommodated in their parents' room on their own stretcher.

Jakis Safari Lodge:

Jaci's has eight thatched rooms, each with a charming built in, en-suite hand-made rock bath with an outdoor "safari" shower, and fans to keep a gentle breeze flowing. Six of the rooms have twin beds and the seventh and eighth room have king size four-poster beds. The Nare Suite has a self contained kitchen (for  chefs to prepare meals for you in the luxury of your own retreat), lounge and outdoor dining area.

Each room has a hand made ceramic fireplace surrounded by a stone chimney. The deck in front of the room allows you to sit and enjoy the surrounding sights and smells of the bushveld - whilst watching the animals walking past to drink. The walls in the bathroom are built using natural rock and the bath was constructed on site. In order to create a "tented feel" the rooms have canvas sides.  Children sharing with their parents are comfortably accommodated on camping stretchers in the rooms. Maximum 3 children per room.

Jakis Tree Lodge:

The raised rosewood walkways link the rooms to the main lodge - inviting you to explore your luxurious tree house.Luxurious silk cushions, cotton bed linen complimented by burnt orange suede beanbags, invite you to lie on the deck to admire the stars or curl up in front of your fireplace.The open plan bathroom features an enormous stone bath and handmade copper taps as well as an outdoor "jungle" shower.

* Children aged 7 years and under are taken on their own Game Drive during the day by one of the rangers - this is a kiddie's drive and is geared totally to the children's interests and age level.

*Baby sitters are provided to look after the "littlies" while the parents are on the Game Activities.

Jakis Safari Lodge:

• Fans
• Swimming pool 
• Reading space
• Ethnic craft shop

Jakis Tree Lodge:

• Bar 
• Lounge area
• Fireplace

*They provide an earlier evening meal at 18:00 for the "littlies" as they do not allow children in the boma for the evening meal. *Children aged 8 to 12 on the Game Drives with their parents are also given an earlier dinner in the dining room, when they return from the Game Drive

Jakis Safari Lodge:

Meals come from an ultra modern kitchen, spotless, in full view of the dining area. Dinners are eaten outside around the open fire in the boma under the stars, or out in the bush on a "braai", surrounded by nature.

Jakis Tree Lodge:

Expect outstanding meals from our open plan kitchen, bountiful cosmopolitan food!