The Bush House in the Western side of Madikwe game reserve has recently been sold by its long term family owners to the ‘Last Word’ group of hotels - another company that is family owned and which specialises in ‘small and intimate properties’. We were rather staying on the cusp of the change. A new management couple, Tataum and Jaco, were in place, but it seemed that many of the rest of the staff were retained from the previous regime. Without fail, all of those staff were friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. The staff are at the heart of a good game lodge, and their current staff are, without exception, brilliant. The feel is one of being embraced into a family - not formal or stuffy. We had many interesting and varied chats with Tataum, Jaco, Jodie, Caitlin and Jon. Roxan, Tebogo and Chef Bertha (with the rest of their team) provided us with tasty meals every day. Some of the changes benefitted us enormously: Many of the bar drinks were now included in the room rate - although there were also some ‘premium’ drinks that could be ordered which would incur a cost. It was very clear, however, which were which, and the included selection was very wide. It is also now the policy that they would not normally have more than six guests in a vehicle. As a photographer, I really appreciated this change. It can be hard to get the shots you want when you are ten in a wagon. Our guide was Jodie and she was great. She was fun and knowledgeable- but also happy to admit when she didn’t have the facts to answer our questions - with a promise to investigate. As experienced safari goers, we appreciated the fact that she engaged her different guests at their different knowledge levels. I enjoyed being with a single guide for the whole stay, as it allows you to build a rapport. A longer stay also allowed us to explore more of the various areas and ecotypes within the vast Madikwe reserve. Jodie made sure we went to many different areas - even taking us on a couple of extended drives out to the East of the reserve (where we had a superb picnic in lieu of afternoon tea). The diversity of the wildlife was excellent. In terms of the ‘headline’ species, lions were viewed on most days, with the cheetah giving us three photographic opportunities over the holiday. We were lucky enough to get one glimpse of a leopard - but we were aware that it would be a long shot at Madikwe, as the leopards are not as habituated as in somewhere like Thornybush or Sabi Sands. The wild dogs gave us the run around - but then treated us to a beautiful evening viewing at the Bush House waterhole. We then picked them up a couple of days later on a hunt. That waterhole was the highlight of our Bush House stay! With little to no water remaining at the end of winter at non-pumped pans the Bush House bore-hole fed offering brought in a seemingly endless parade of species eager for a drink: impala, zebra and magnificent male kudu jostled for position until the elephants arrived. They bullied their way in, chasing off the smaller beasts to get at the sweet, fresh water. This is Bush House’s other secret weapon - you get to experience these spectacular views in safety and comfort from the patio, the garden, the pool area or the absolutely fabulous underground hide. Again, for a photographic enthusiast this is an amazing draw. Being able to experience these things from water level gives fantastic photographic opportunities not afforded in many places. One of the things that can sometimes start to become apparent on a longer stay at a lodge is the repeat cycle of the evening menu. Many guests do not stay more than four days, so they would not notice. At Bush House the evening menu was presented at afternoon tea, and consisted of a single starter and dessert, with a choice of two options of main course. When declared vegetarians or vegans were present, one of the choices would be that. I can honestly say that in eleven nights there was not a repeated menu. Some of the choices were the same, but the menu as a whole was different every night. On one occasion, Colin and I declared we did not want a starter (as neither of us like beetroot, which was the main ingredient). The chef came from the kitchen and offered us a number of alternatives, which we happily accepted. We ate fantastic steaks (from beef, ostrich, and gemsbock), and some tasty fish (whiting and kingclip). There were also a couple of exceptional curries. I felt the portions were just right for a three course meal (although occasionally I couldn’t finish the main course). On our extended Eastern safari drive we were treated to an amazing picnic, complete with a bottle of bubbly! Breakfast was less varied (but no less tasty) - pastries would alternate between croissant and pain-au-chocolate. Four cereals were available on a daily basis along with mixed fruit salad and both plain and fruit yoghurt. A cooked breakfast of eggs (a variety of ways),bacon, a sausage (that varied between lamb, smoked pork or chicken), mushrooms, potato rosti and grilled tomatoes, along with brown or white toast. There was always a large carafe of juice on the individual breakfast tables. It was fairly random whether you got cranberry, orange or apple, but I’m sure if we hadn’t liked what was provided they would have changed it immediately. The afternoon teas had a savoury element with a salad, followed by a sweet treat. I haven’t commented on the decor or facilities in the rooms as renovations were in progress as we left - so it will be different when you get there. I think, in conclusion, I can say that an extended stay at Last Word Bush House Madikwe was definitely an excellent idea - especially for anyone with a serious interest in photography.…