Marakele National Park is a 670-km² national park that is part of the Waterberg Biosphere in the Waterberg region of Limpopo, South Africa.

Understand

Giraffe at the watering hole at Bontle campsite

Landscape

The park is dominated by the Waterberg mountains with lush bushveld in the lower regions of the park. The Matlabas River runs through the park.

Flora and fauna

Klipspringer at Marakele

Marakele is home to the big five (buffalo did not exist in the park, but 20 disease-free buffalo (nine cows and eleven bulls) were re-introduced in 2013), 16 species of antelopes, and over 250 species of birds, including the largest colony of Cape griffon vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs).

Get in

Marakele is about 12 km outside the town of Thabazimbi, on the R516. From Gauteng, follow the N1 north to Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) and then the R516 towards Thabazimbi.

Fees

Valid to 31 October 2021:

• South African citizens and residents (with ID): R59 per adult, R29 per child, per day
• SADC nationals (with passport): R118 per adult, 59 per child, per day
• Foreign visitors: R236 per adult, R118 per child, per day

Get around

The park is accessible to all passenger vehicles, with the camp and tent sites on good roads. Also, approximately 80 km of roads within the park are accessible to all vehicles, the balance requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Do

• Sunrise Drive R240 per adult R120 per child
• Sunset Drive R240 per adult R120 per child
• Guided Walk R325 per adult

Sleep

Lodging

• Tlopi Rest Camp. Cottages R260-3265 for 1-4 people + R530 per additional adult (R265 per child) up to 8. Safari tents R1540-1900 for 1-2 people + R290 for additional adults (R145 for child) up to 3. (updated May 2021)

Camping

Ablution facilities at the Bontle campsite with toilets and showers inside and laundry (handwash) and dish washing basins on the outside

• Bontle camp site. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. 38 stands with power and communal ablution facilities. The camp site overlooks a watering hole and is not fenced. Rhino, ostriches and other animals can and will enter the camp, so be aware and take care when outside, especially at night. R325-380 for 1-2 people + R100 for additional adults (R50 for child). Safari tents R1380-1640 for 1-2 people + R290 for additional adults (R145 for child) up to 3. (updated May 2021)