Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Limpopo
FROM
R4,995 pp/night sharing
Normal Selling Rate R16,380
Bookable anytime
valid from 11-10-2024 until 19-12-2024
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Limpopo
Features
- 23 000 hectre reserve, and we are the only lodge in the reserve.
- Varied species like brown and spotten hyena, bush big and warthog, bat eared foxes.
- Great birding.
- Big FiveYes
- Off RoadYes
- Camp FencedNo
- Child PolicyChildren of all ages are welcome
- PoolYes - At The Main Area Only
- SPAIn-room Massages
- AirconYes
- Cellphone SignalYes
- Malaria AreaNo
- Back-up PowerOff The Grid
Location
Marakele National Park, Waterberg Region
Getting There
3 hours by road from Johannesburg. Charter flights can be arranged directly into the Lodge.
Accommodation
11 x Luxury Tents
4 x Family Tents
Rates & Special Offers
Deals By Date
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Proof of SADC residency may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Surcharges and a minimum 3 night stay may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates quoted are only applicable to South African Residents. Discounted special offers for International Residents are available on request.
- Rates for self drive guests exclude Park Fees of R 400 per adult per stay / R 200 per child per stay, Guest Conservation Contribution Levy of R 169 per person per stay & Impact Levy of R 145 per person per night, which are to be paid at the lodge directly. Fees are subject to change, without prior notice.
- There will be a supplement of 50% on the per person sharing rate for single accommodation.
- Children of all ages are welcome at Marataba Safari Lodge.
- Children aged 0 – 5 years stay free of charge when sharing with 2 full paying adults.
- Children aged 6 – 15 years pay 50% of the per person sharing rate when sharing with 2 full paying adults.
- Children 16 years and older pay the full adult rate and need to occupy their own room.
- If two children under 16 are in a room on their own, one of the children is charged for at the full adult per person sharing rate.
- Children aged 6 years and older are permitted on game drives and safari activities at the discretion of the game ranger.
- Children under the age of 6 years have separate family safari game drives after breakfast.
About Marataba Safari Lodge
The Marataba Safari Company’s 23 000 hectare concession lies in the eastern sector of the magnificent Marakele National Park, at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains, approximately 3 hours drive north of Johannesburg in western Limpopo. Thabazimbi, Rustenburg and Ellisras are all within easy reach.
Within a dramatic landscape encompassing vast plains, dense bushveld, winding rivers, deep gorges and majestic mountains, Marataba is an exclusive 23 000 hectare private concession in the heart of Limpopo’s Marakele National Park, a ‘place of sanctuary’ for Africa’s Big Five and a multitude of other animal species including rare antelope such as roan, sable and mountain reedbuck. This malaria-free wilderness is also home to the world’s largest breeding colony of the endangered Cape Vulture. Birdlife within the park is prolific with more than 400 species having been recorded, a veritable birder’s Eden.
Marataba Safari Lodge is a simplistic extension of the natural environment beyond its walls boasting rich, bold, organic and utterly magnificent design elements.
It is said that if you sit quietly for long enough, one can feel the energy of countless people who have made this place home since The Stone Age.
Each canvas & stone tented suite is tastefully furnished & decorated with a contemporary twist.
The Accomodation
At Marataba guests can enjoy Glamping in one of 15 tented suites which includes 4 family suites allowing individuals & families to get closer to nature. These stone and canvas hideaways may look simplistic however they are anything but basic. Each tent boasts a king-sized bed, en-suite, outdoor shower, minibar and shaded viewing deck, whilst the family suites give children their own bedroom and bathroom. The lodge welcomes guests of all ages, with fun-packed kids’ activities and a childminding service.
Kiddies on Safari
At Marataba Safari Lodge children of all ages are welcome & therefore it is essential to have a kiddies programme that allow children of all ages to actively enjoy the African bush.
Marataba has carefully created environments that are welcoming to guests of all ages & encourage families to feel at home even when being away from home – but with some added luxuries. Space and places are provided for loved ones to come together and with every comfort & convenience afforded, there is time for the rest to take care of itself.
In addition to family game drives, a programme of specially-planned child activities are conducted at the Eco Garden education & entertainment area. Here, young guests can disconnect from the digital sphere as they become engaged with the many fascinations of the natural world.
Kids Activities on Offer:
- Family safari drives
- Bush orientation
- Bug CSI
- Rock painting
- Scavenger Hunt
- Marshmallows & Stargazing
- Cinema nights
About Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park is characterized by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys. All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds including the largest colony of endangered Cape Vultures in the world, have settled here.
Marakele is home to most of the large mammals synonymous with the African bush, including elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Lion and spotted hyena are the only large predators found in the park. A small pride will soon be re-introduced in the park. The wild dogs have been the first of these re-introductions. Resident antelope include, sable, kudu, eland, impala, waterbuck, tsessebe and many smaller species. Chacma baboon and Vervet monkey are two species to be watched carefully for mischief, particularly around the rest camps.
It is possible to see certain closely related species alongside one another. These include (eastern species first) Southern and Crimson breasted Boubou, Arrow marked and Pied Babbler, Tawny-flanked and Black-chested Prinia, Pintailed and Shafttailed Whydah, Black-eyed and Redeyed Bulbul, Grey and Cape Penduline Tit and Whitebrowed and Kalahari Robin.
The park is an excellent place to look for raptors, with many species using the uplift generated off the cliff faces of the Waterberg to sore on the thermals. Apart from the vultures, visitors should look for Gymnogene, Jackal Buzzard and several eagle species, including Black, African Hawk, Black-breasted Snake and Brown Snake Eagle. In summer Wahlberg’s Eagle becomes prominent. On areas of high ground Cape Rock Thrush, Mocking and Mountain Chat, Malachite and Greater Double-collared Sunbird and Swee Waxbill should be searched for.
Other species to look out for in the lower lying bushveld and broadleaf woodland regions include Purple Roller, Black Cuckooshrike, Brubru, Whitecrowned Shrike and White Helmetshrike and the exquisite Blue, Violeteared and Blackcheeked Waxbills. Bee-eaters are conspicuous, particularly Whitefronted and Little with Swallowtailed (winter) and Carmine and European (summer) present as well. Visitors staying at the Tlopi tented camp should be on the look out for Pied Kingfishers.
Lodge Features
Boma
Lodge Pool
Additional Activities
- Barge cruise: Available at an additional charge, subject to availability and must be pre-booked well in advance.
- The Specialist Marataba Trails Experience at an additional charge.
- Eco-Garden kids centre offering specially-planned activities for all children.
Getting There
FROM OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL
• Starting at Oliver Tambo International Airport (ORT)
• Depart ORT following the airport exit signs (R21 & R24)
• Approximately 200m thereafter, the road forks. Take the right fork towards R21 N Pretoria/R24 Johannesburg
• The road immediately turns sharply to the right. Get into the left lane and follow the signs to R21 N Pretoria as you exit the airport
• After exiting the airport, get into the left lane and follow the R21 N Kempton Park/Pretoria signs
• After 300m, take the left off-ramp, following the R21N Kempton Park/Pretoria signs
• Once on the R21N drive for 36.3 km
• You will see signs indicating exit 134 (N1 Noord, Pretoria/ Polokwane/Johannesburg)• Take the 134 exit
• Immediately thereafter, the road forks. Take the right fork towards N1 North-Polokwane
• Continue on the NI North-Polokwane passing through two toll gates
• Take off-ramp to Bela-Bela / Warmbaths (R516)
• In BELA-BELA, turn right at the first set of traffic lights into Marx Street (Waterfront Shopping Centre ahead of you)
• Continue across one intersection with traffic lights (Engen & Total petrol stations on either side) until you reach a T-junction. The Elephant
Spring Hotels is ahead of you
• Turn left into Sutter Road (Thabazimbi sign post ahead)
• At the T-junction, turn right into Ritchie Rd
• Shortly thereafter, you will reach another T-junction, withthe SPAR Centre directly in front of you. Turn left.
• You will get to a circle. Turn left
• Continue until you reach a traffic circle. Turn left at the sign for Thabazimbi. (R516)
• In THABAZIMBI, turn left at third stop sign towards Lephalale / Sentrum (at the Total petrol station) onto the R510
• Travel for 32km, and turn right to Lephalale (Stay on the R510)
• Drive 11km and turn right at the Marataba Safari Lodge sign post
• Travel 8km along the gravel road. The Marataba gate is on your left hand side