Marakele National Park Safaris
The national park of Marakele is located in the far north of South Africa, within the Limpopo Province. It forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere, a region of dramatic mountain ranges, sprawling bushveld, and deciduous forest.
When to go to Marakele National Park
Best Time to Go
A malaria-free National Park
A wide range of wildlife
A wonderfully varied landscape
An array of activities
Epic Wildlife & Mountain Scenery
The word ‘Marakele’ means ‘place of sanctuary’ in the Tswana language, a reference to the wealth of wildlife that thrives in this beautiful park! As it is malaria-free, it is an excellent option for families.
Marakele is accessible via road transfer from Johannesburg, a journey of about 250 kilometres. Alternatively, visitors may fly in. Most of the roads that run through the park are well laid, and a narrow tar track takes you up to the summit of the Waterberg Mountains for spectacular views!
Activities & Wildlife
Look forward to first-rate service and seeing a vast array of wildlife in Marakele. Private reserves within the park also offer exciting rhino conservation experiences.
Wildlife
Birdlife
Rhino Conservation
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Predators in the area include lion, leopard, and brown hyena, while herbivores such as elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, eland, reedbuck, and the rare tsessebe may be seen grazing the grasslands. The rivers are home to hippos, frequently viewed from the lodges’ own boat, the Miss Mara. Enjoy expertly guided game drives and water safaris to experience it all.
The birdlife is also impressive, featuring one of the biggest colonies of Cape vulture in the world! There are plenty of other raptors too, as well as songbirds and waterbirds.
During a stay at Marataba Private Reserve – within Marakele National Park – rhino conservation experiences are available. This is a chance to join a team of expert guides, wildlife vets and researchers as they engage in the veterinary care of rhinos. *Only available at certain times of the year.
History
Marakele achieved national park status in 1994. Marakele’s beginnings as a national park were not ideal, due to neglect caused by a lack of funding. Fortunately, a team of investors stepped up, among them the late Paul van Vlissingen, Dutch businessman and philanthropist. The group teamed up with South African National Parks to restore Marakele to the place of sanctuary it had once been – a goal achieved with two years! Restoration included the purchase of further land, the improvement of feeding facilities and fences, the maintenance of access roads, and even the construction of a village! Accommodation options were developed, placing the park back on the map for keen safarists. And with wildlife numbers on the rise, culminating in the reintroduction of buffalo in 2013, Marakele National Park has emerged as a success story.
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.Good to Know
01.What are the best accommodation options?
Our favorite part of the park is the Marataba Reserve, a private concession covering 30,000 hectares. The reserve is home to three superb properties. Marataba Safari Lodge provides luxurious accommodation for all travellers, especially families. Marataba Mountain Lodge is a smaller lodge and is better for couples and adults. Both lodges offer game drives, bush walks, and river cruises, but Safari Lodge also has a children’s program of activities.
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