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Marataba Game Reserve is a malaria-free concession forming part of the Marakele National Park. The park is a ‘place of sanctuary’, as its Tswana name suggests, conserving 67000ha (165560ac) of the Limpopo Waterberg’s biodiversity, as well as Iron Age sites of great historical significance. It’s wildlife includes the Big Five and abundant bird species, with the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (including 800breeding pairs) in the world to be found here. Marataba’s luxury lodges – Safari Lodge and Mountain Lodge – provide guests with bases from which to explore the wilderness their own way. The lodges offer programmes of unique activities to get guests closer to nature and the animals, including Marataba Trails and Miss Mara WaterSafaris, as well as traditional open-vehicle game drives.
Marataba Game Reserve is a malaria-free concession forming part of the Marakele National Park. The park is a ‘place of sanctuary’, as its Tswana name suggests, conserving 67000ha (165560ac) of the Limpopo Waterberg’s biodiversity, as well as Iron Age sites of great historical significance. It’s wildlife includes the Big Five and abundant bird species, with the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (including 800breeding pairs) in the world to be found here. Marataba’s luxury lodges – Safari Lodge and Mountain Lodge – provide guests with bases from which to explore the wilderness their own way. The lodges offer programmes of unique activities to get guests closer to nature and the animals, including Marataba Trails and Miss Mara WaterSafaris, as well as traditional open-vehicle game drives.
All Meals
Teas / Coffees
Minibar in room
Soft Drinks
Outdoor Pool
Treehouse
Fireplace
Outdoor Shower
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With private traversing across its 23 000ha, a limit to the number of guests on safari, and exceptional MORE Guides, Marataba creates highly personalised game viewing experiences. Whether you choose traditional twice daily game drives, after-breakfast bush walks, specialist Marataba Trails, or sunset Miss Mara Water Safaris, we guarantee you authentic and diverse wildlife adventures.
326km (203mi) / 3.5 hours drive to the lodge.
25-minute drive to Marataba Safari Lodge / 1h drive to Marataba Mountain Lodge.
Marataba South Africa is a 23 000ha (56 834ac) private concession within the Marakele National Park, in South Africa’s Limpopo province. The park and concession fall within the UNESCO recognised Waterberg Biosphere – the only savannah biosphere in the world!
Marataba Game Reserve is a malaria-free concession forming part of the Marakele National Park. The park is a ‘place of sanctuary’, as its Tswana name suggests, conserving 67000ha (165560ac) of the Limpopo Waterberg’s biodiversity, as well as Iron Age sites of great historical significance. It’s wildlife includes the Big Five and abundant bird species, with the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (including 800breeding pairs) in the world to be found here. Marataba’s luxury lodges – Safari Lodge and Mountain Lodge – provide guests with bases from which to explore the wilderness their own way. The lodges offer programmes of unique activities to get guests closer to nature and the animals, including Marataba Trails and Miss Mara WaterSafaris, as well as traditional open-vehicle game drives.
Marataba Mountain Lodge is perched on the side of the mountain, with 180 degree views into Waterfall Valley. It is utterly remote, in a wilderness world of its own for never more than 10 guests at a time. This is a lodge in harmony with nature, fully solar powered and with a Scandi-style architectural simplicity that seamlessly blends it into the environment. Your Eco Suite (one of just five) is simple and sophisticated, without clutter to distract from where you are. Even its design elements, from stripped-back wood furnishings to the stone colour palette, have taken their cue from nature. While their eco-friendly operation ensures they have very little impact on it.
Glamping in one of Safari Lodge’s 15 luxury Tented Suites brings you closer to nature, without trading comfort for the experience. You might spot a passing elephant or giraffe right from your deck! The 11 two-sleeper Tented Suites are contemporary chic, but still manage to capture the essence of classic 'out of Africa'. Each features a king-sized bed, fully-stocked minibar, freestanding bath, en-suite and outdoor showers, along with a shaded deck raised on stilts to make the most of the bush views.
Each of the four Family Tented Suites gives children their own en-suite bedroom. It’s just like home with a bunkbed, ample toys and games, fun bath-time amenities, robes and slippers, and a spacious shower. There’s plenty of room for everyone, and the separate, en-suite main bedroom gives parents more of their own space to feel right at home, too.
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!
As one of Marataba’s many tailor-made experiences, bush walks are something truly special. Guests are immersed in the bush, rather than just observing it. All five senses are engaged, as they feel scrub crunch beneath their feet, touch the velvety acacia seed pod, hear the crack of a branch indicating they are not alone, and spot big game at eye level – exhilarating! Marataba's expert guides will tailor walks to each guest’s area/s of interest, focusing on mammals, birds, insects, plants, geology, etc.
A specialist walking experience for the seasoned hiker who is looking for a challenging trail in a unique part of the world. Marataba is blessed with a great diversity of ecosystems and landscapes, and its trails leading through different areas of the reserve – along riverine, gorge, mountain, and interest routes – provide a variety of experiences. Marataba's expert trails guides will advice on suitable routes based on guests’ preference/s and fitness levels.
Morning and sunset water safaris are operated on the Matlabas River, a scenic 30-minute drive from Safari Lodge and 45 minutes from Mountain Lodge. An experienced Marataba field guide conducts a cruise along the waterway, which provides plentiful game viewing opportunities. Guests can expect to see hippo, crocodile, abundant birdlife, and land animals (like elephant), coming to the water’s edge to drink and forage.
Along with the lodges’ options and flexibility around accommodations and meals, tailor-made activities give children (5 to 11 years) a little extra freedom to explore and just be kids – and make family travel child’s play. Based at Safari Lodge, the Eco Garden children’s entertainment and education space keeps young guests occupied with the wonders of the natural world, as well as sporting and creative activities, during their stays. Just some of the fun includes: family morning game drives; bug CSI; spoor casting; pool games; rock painting; cookie baking in the kitchen; kids’ picnic; toasting marshmallows and stargazing; and kids outdoor cinema.
The hours between safaris are an ideal time to spend being pampered. A selection of indulgent therapies is offered by expert therapists in the quiet retreat of guests’ own suites or private decks – a luxury unique to Africa. Guests choose from massages, exfoliations, reflexology, and facials with Africology skincare products and essential oils – all ethically formulated with the finest natural and organic ingredients – as well as manicures and pedicures.
Marataba's chefs are adept at crafting cuisine that will appeal to any palate, be that sweet tooth, vegetarian, health fan or meat lover. Only fresh..
On safari at Marataba, dining is an adventure in itself. Familiar dishes are given an exotic twist, local delicacies give you a taste for South Africa
Hotel facilities with your booking:
Outdoor Pool
Treehouse
Fireplace
Outdoor Shower
Inclusions with your booking:
All Meals
Teas / Coffees
Minibar in room
Soft Drinks
326km (203mi) / 3.5 hours drive to the lodge.
25-minute drive to Marataba Safari Lodge / 1h drive to Marataba Mountain Lodge.
