A 21 000ha piece of unspoilt Africa within the Marakele National Park (Setswana for place of sanctuary), it is unlike anything you have seen. With spectacular landscapes and iconic wildlife, this place holds its own among South Africa’s greatest reserves. Maratab Safari Lodge is n 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.

The lodge creates exclusive and highly-personal experiences for you – from traditional game drives and Miss Mara water safaris, to specialist Marataba hiking trails. Come and explore your own way. 

A remote outpost in the lap of mountains, this is a place to unwind or find adventure, with loved ones, good friends or on your own. Between the hours spent out on safari, the lodge offers a home-from-home to lie by the pool, enjoy a spa treatment, or simply choose your perfect spot to absorb the surrounding bush.

Game drives, in open safari vehicles, head out each day at sunrise and again in the late afternoon to find the reserve’s many fascinating animals, both diurnal and nocturnal. This is a truly personal experience: no more than seven vehicles are in the concession at any one time and, because the animals are accustomed to them and do not see them as a threat, the field guides are able to take guests within close range of Africa’s most impressive species. Photographic opportunities are spectacular!

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.