After extensive research, the South African government found that this land would best be utilised as a game reserve, to economically uplift this otherwise rather poor area[citation needed].

The process of reintroducing wildlife to the area began in 1992 under the codename Operation Phoenix which relocated entire breeding herds of the African bush elephant, African buffalo as well as south-central black rhinoceros and southern white rhinoceros along with various species of antelopes.

[citation needed] The terrain is mainly open grasslands and bushveld plains, interspersed with rocky outcrops and single mountains.

[citation needed] Madikwe forms part of a semi-arid region on the edge of the Kalahari desert.

Game viewing is good at all times of the year though most animals tend to congregate around available water sources during the winter.