A family-focused nature retreat in Marakele National Park on the edge of South Africa’s Waterberg Massif
Lounge, dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, bar, fireplace, boma, and swimming pool
Four luxurious ensuite tents with private decks overlooking the picturesque Matlabas River
Game drives, boat safaris, nature walks, community visits, stargazing, treehouse night, wildlife lectures, and kids adventure safari club
Built on the Matlabas river, in an area that supports all Big Five, including a significant population of white and black rhinos, Marataba Residence offers a thrilling combination of land- and water-based safaris. The animals in the Marakele National Park are non-migratory, so there is plenty to see all year round. The best period for birdwatching is from October to April. Please take note of the age restrictions and contact the YZ team for further information.
Game drives take place twice daily in open safari vehicles, making the most of the early morning and late afternoon wildlife presence in the area. Head out at sunrise and in the late afternoon, and explore the reserve’s 23,000 hectares. No more than seven vehicles are allowed in the concession at any one time, making the experience feel thoroughly exclusive. Please note that children aged 6 years and older are welcome on the twice-daily game drives, and there is a dedicated children’s game drive (for young guests aged 3 to 5 years) that departs daily after breakfast.
Morning and sunset water safaris are operated on the Matlabas river, led by an experienced Marataba field guide. Guests can expect to see hippo, abundant birdlife, and herds of elephant that collect at the water’s edge to drink and forage. Guests aged 6 and above are welcome on board.
Take to the bush for a morning nature walk led by an experienced guide who’ll tailor the activity to your specific interests. Feel the ground beneath your feet, hold a velvety acacia seed pod, hear the crackle of a branch that lets you know life is all around, and meet some of the resident wildlife at eye level! Please note that children under 16 are not permitted on the bush walks.
Gain insight at a deeper level into the reserve’s wild spaces as field guides and trackers present short nature talks on a host of subjects. Learn about elephant behavior, bird species, or the natural environment from the comfort of your own homely lounge. A great option for a rainy day!
Tailor-made activities offer children (5 to 11 years) a little extra freedom and the chance to explore and be kids! Marataba’s Safari Club Eco Garden is an entertainment and education space with a range of fun activities, including ‘spoor’ identification and mould making, pool games, rock painting, cookie baking, picnics, toasting marshmallows, stargazing, and outdoor cinema. Parents are welcome to join in or sneak a few hours for themselves!
In an area with minimal light pollution, now is your chance to see planets and stars you might never have noticed before with the naked eye. On this fascinating astral safari, your guide will point out the constellations that shift seasonally and those that are unique to the Southern Hemisphere (circumpolar constellations).
Experience the rhythms of Obakeng village life on this insightful tour that sheds light on the challenges faced by community members. There might be a chance to visit Heuningvlei Primary School and Itsoseng Daycare Center on Honingvlei Farm, the sole educational hub for the area.
Spend an exhilarating night in nature in the solar-powered two-level treehouse, which offers a main bedroom, shower room, and furnished decks with views of Marakele and the Waterberg mountains. Guests arrive by safari vehicle in the late afternoon, and spend dusk enjoying sundowners and sharing a gourmet picnic while spotting animals on the plains before falling asleep under myriad stars. This is the ideal hideout for a family of four (including two children, 6 to 15 years old) who wish to experience an authentic night in the bush without forfeiting luxury. Please note that the treehouse night incurs an additional cost.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Marataba Residence is located on the north-western edge of the Waterberg Massif in South Africa’s Limpopo province. Guests can fly by scheduled or private light aircraft from Johannesburg OR Tambo to Thabazimbi Airport, followed by a 40-minute drive.
The stylish, thatch-roofed communal space features a fully equipped kitchen, lounge, dining area, and bar.
Outside, making the most of its riverine frontage and sublime views, there’s a wide deck with plenty of al fresco seating, a boma, a fire deck, and a well-sized swimming pool with sunloungers and shade, surrounded by gardens. A resident butler is on hand to take care of every detail, and there’s also a housekeeper, a 24-hour concierge, and a chef who prepares delicious gourmet breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with all dietary requirements catered for. Spa treatments can be arranged in-room at an additional cost.
Marataba Residence comprises four beautifully designed, luxurious tents that comfortably accommodate eight adults and two children.
Spaced well apart and connected by a central common area, accommodations are positioned on the edge of the Matlabas river, with glass-panelled, fully retractable doors across the front of the bedrooms that open onto private decks boasting picture-perfect views. Light-flooded and elegant, with crisp white linens and billowing mosquito nets over the beds, each tent has an open-plan living and bedroom space with a writing desk and a comfortable sofa. Each en-suite bathroom has a deep freestanding bath, double basins, a separate toilet, and indoor and outdoor showers. The property also benefits from air conditioning, a welcome addition during the hotter months.
This is an exquisite safari offering from the MORE Collection, situated in a beautiful and remote area of South Africa, well away from the crowds. The luxurious lodge is great for all visitors, but especially for families with its four enormous family suites…
Marataba Mountain is a jewel in Marakele National Park and part of the MORE Collection, a great company that has run family-owned properties in SA since the 1930s. Elegant, Scandinavian-style, and fully solar powered, this lovely lodge blends in effortlessly…
