Topography of Madikwe

The diverse topography of Madikwe, ranging from the jumbled hills of Tshwene Tshwene and the stark contrast of the hills abruptly rising from the otherwise flat north-western plains to the prominent ridge of the Dwarsberg, is ultimately due to the underlying geology of the area. The scenery we observe in Madikwe today is the result of billions of years of geological processes that are carrying on to this day, ensuring in 20 million years time Madikwe will look different to what it does now.

The Dwarsberg forms the southern boundary of Madikwe Game Reserve, and runs from east to west. This range has been drastically eroded with Branwacht, the highest point, reaching only 1 228 metres / 4 030 feet.

Northwards into Madikwe, an undulating plateau covered in dense bushveld vegetation suddenly drops away at the Tweedepoort escarpment to a lower, flat savanna plain. Scattered inselbergs dot this savanna, bringing relief to an otherwise flat area.

The Tshwene Tshwene Hills, more or less in the centre of the reserve, reach 1 328m / 4 360ft, making this the highest point in Madikwe.
The Molatedi Gate on the eastern boundary is close to Lotteringskop, and the entrance gate on the western side has a good view of Abjaterskop.