Marakele National Park Overview
Flora and Fauna of Marakele National Park
Waterberg mountain range, the perfect location for the national park, has rich habitats as it houses a wide variety of endangered or endemic flora. Grassy hills, majestic mountains and deep valleys are the main features of the Park, you can enjoy. Some of the common plant species found here are yellowwood and cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns. The vegetation type found here are mostly transvaal beechwood, protea, stem fruit trees, round leaf teak, sickle bush, camel thorns and silver cluster leaf. One of the rarest and endangered plant species found in National Park is the Waterberg Cycad which is native to the Waterberg area and grows upto 5 metres tall. Altogether, Marakele National Park supports over 765 different plant species.
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Marakele National Park is home to a wide variety of animals ranging from four of the Big Fives to Chacma baboons. The Park offers a good opportunity to see up close predators like lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and some large mammals like elephants, black rhinos and white rhinos near the water sources. The Park also has an incredible variety of birds including one of the largest flock of endangered Cape Griffon vultures in the world, including 800 breeding pairs too.
Another speciality of Marakele National Park is the 16 different varieties of antelopes such as the kudu, rare ones like the reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, sable antelope, tsessebe and eland can be found in the Park. Besides these there are black mane lions, gemsbok, giraffes, cheetah, zebras, spotted hyenas, mongoose, wild cat, warthog, aardvark, aardwolves and many more.
The Park is also home to over 250 different bird species which you can observe in your Birdwatching expeditions. You can see the Buff-streaked chat, Cape rock thrush, the Jackal buzzard and the Mocking cliff chat.
Things to Do at Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park is perfect for bird watching as it is home to a wide variety of birds such as the Peregrine Falcon, Cuckoo Hawk and the Booted Eagle. You can get a good view of the Pied Babble, African Finfoot, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Fiery-necked Nightjar and Kori Bustard at the Kwaggas Vlakte, the camping area in the park. The best time to go bird watching in Marakele National Park is from November to April, and the ticket prices are included in the Park’s entrance fee.
- Location - Marakele National Park, Thabazimbi.
- Timings - 6am to 6pm
- Price - $10-$20 for adults and $5-$10 for kids
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Game drives at the Marakele National Park offer the best chances to see the black rhino, white rhino, African elephants, antelopes, the majestic Cape Vulture and the pride of lions in close proximity. This activity is best done at the break of dawn. The game drive will also take you to the section where the predatory Big Fives are dominant, including lions, hyenas and leopards.
- Timings - 6am to 6pm
- Price - $10 - $35
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Guided bush walks are an amazing activity of the park where you will be joined by an armed Park ranger for these nature walks. There are set paths which are meant for bushwalking and it is definitely a great way to enjoy the unique landscape of the Park as well as catch a glimpse of the animals here. The best time to go bush walking is in the early mornings or in the evenings.
- Timings - 6am to 6pm
- Price - $7 - $15
The Bontle Rest Camp consists of 36 campsites divided into 3 clusters and have a variety of tents such as permanent tented units and set up tent areas. The permanent tented area is known as the Tlopi rest camp and it has 4 family units and 6 two sleeper units. These units have private verandas, kitchen and outdoor barbecue facilities. The Bontle Campsite is set close to the entrance while the Tlopi Campsite is a little far back.
Timings - 6am to 6pm
Price - $25 - $100
Also known as ''The Wilderness experience on wheels'' the 4x4 Eco Trail is a slightly tough activity, as it can cause damage through the tough trails, and a lot of sharp boulders. In this trail you will get a chance to drive by the Predator's zone where the pride of lions and leopards can be found. The trail also goes past the Cape Vultures breeding area. The trail is about 49 km and takes about 48 to 52 hours to complete.
Timings - 6am to 6pm
Price - $200 - $300
The Ikhutseng picnic spot is within the Marakele National Park and is located in the Kwaggas Vlatka region. This is a beautifully wooded area and is approximately 4km from the main entrance of the Park. This area is also good for bird watching and it is where you can see the rare Waterberg cycad trees.
Timings - 6am to 6pm
Price - $5 - $15
Camps and Lodges
boundaries of Marakele National Park, this African luxury lodge has 15 luxury tents overlooking the mountain landscapes and the river offering incredible vistas of the wilderness surrounding the premises.
Location - Marakele National Park, Haartbeestfontein, 2194, South Africa.
Amenities - Bar, pool, parking, restaurant, fireplace, flat screen TV, jungle spa and terrace garden.
Price - $1400 - $1500
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This serene property is located within the Marakele National Park and offers accommodation that is not secured by fences. There is a watering hole close by where elephants and other herbivorous animals come by several times a day giving you a perfect viewing platform.
Amenities - Fully equipped kitchen, verandah, barbecue facilities
Price - $95 - $200
This pleasant resting camp offers 36 campsites and 10 tent sites which are divided in three clusters. The property offers an unobstructed view of the Park and the imposing mountains. The tent units all have their own private veranda from where you can enjoy a good view of the Park as well as the nearby watering hole.
Amenities - Parking space, kitchen
Price - $25 - $ 95
Motswere Guest Cottage offers a comfortable accommodation option right inside the Marakele National Park. A prior farmhouse now converted to a guest house, in 2012 is a beautiful and serene place with excellent views of the Park and the surrounding wilderness. You can hear the animals prowling nearby and the lions roaring in the Predator zone.
Amenities - Flat screen TV with DSTV channels, fully equipped kitchen, fridge, microwave, barbecue facilities, fenced garden area
Price - $150 - $180
Griffons Nest is an enchanting, rustic and self-catering, Cape Dutch house that is located in Marakele National Park. It offers a stay for a minimum of 4 or 8 people at a time. The property is perfect for a tranquil getaway with an option of game viewing on-site.
Amenities - Open lawn living area, barbecue facilities, bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, firepit.
Price - $50 - $65
Kulilo Lodge is located just opposite the main entrance of Marakele National Park. The lodge offers 2 separate air-conditioned guest rooms and a separate shared bathroom equipped with a shower, washbasin and toilet. Other in-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, a hairdryer, a bar fridge as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Location - Koedoeklapper 60, Khaya Kwa, 0380, Limpopo
Amenities - Parking, swimming pool, bar, kitchen, TV room, kitchen facilities, barbecue area, tea and coffee making facilities, wifi.
Price - $40 -$50
Marakeli Guest House offers guests a comfortable stay with the beauty of the Waterberg Mountains and Marakele National Game Reserve right next to it. There are 8 classic rooms with a wide range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for guests. There is a fully equipped communal kitchen and outdoor barbecue facility.
Location - Marakeli Farm 437 Portion 32, Thabazimbi, 0380, Limpopo
Amenities - Swimming pool, communal kitchen, barbecue area, parking, laundry, ironing services, wifi, fridge, microwave.Price - $35 - $45
Plan Your Visit to Marakele National Park
By Car / Cab - You Can Rent 4WD at the or Tambo International Airport and Easily Drive to the Marakele National Park and This Will Take You a Few Hours at Most.
By Air - You Can Organise a Charter Plane to Land at the Marakele Airstrip Through Your Tour Operator or You Can Take an International Flight Into the City of Johannesburg and Drive to the National Park Which Takes About 5 Hours for 278 KM Distance.
By Bus - You Can Take a Bus From the Lanseria Airport to the Bus Stop at Kranskop From Where You Can either Rent a Car or a Cab to the Marakele National Park.
By Train - You can take a train from Johannesburg to either Marlboro or Pretoria. Then board a bus to Kranskop and then drive to Marakele National Park.
Even though the Marakele National Park is great to visit all year round, the months of May to September are the best for spotting animals as the weather here gets too dry during this time and the animals in the safari come out of their hiding spots to look for watering holes. Best time during the day to visit the National Park is in the early morning or late evenings when the weather is at its best.
Documents Passport, visa, ID proof, Driving License.
Clothes Pack comfortable and airy clothes. Avoid bright colours for game drives.
Emergency MedicinesPrescription medication, sanitizer, ointments for cuts and bruises, medications for stomach issues and painkillers.
Essentials Sunglasses, bug repellent, sunscreen, water bottle, sling bag, personal Toiletries, mask, camera.
Carry a first aid kit with motion sickness cough and cold medicine along with anti inflammatory cream and painkillers.
Sanitizer and Disinfecting wipes to be used after any kind of contact with people, vehicles, stairs, gates, toilets etc.
Anti-theft sling bags are best to keep your personal belongings safe
ID proof such as passport.
FAQ's of Marakele National Park
What activities can we do at Marakele National Park?
Game drives are best to visit the Predator zone and get a good look at the Big Fives.
Bushwalking is perfect to explore the landscapes and see the unique vegetation more closely.
Marakele National Park is a haven for birdwatchers and you can see a great view of a variety of birds especially at the Kwaggas Vlakte picnic spot.
The 4x4 eco trail takes you on an exciting ride across the predator zone as well as the vulture breeding area. The trail itself is 49 km in length and to complete it takes more than 48 hours.
How many days do you need at Marakele National Park?
2 days is ideal for you to visit the Marakele National Park. During this time you will get a chance to see the Big 5 and admire the picturesque landscape and birds at the park as well as indulge in several activities in the Park.
Best time of year to visit Marakele National Park?
Best time of the year to visit Marakele National Park is between the months of May to September when the weather is a little warm and dry due to which the animals come out of the hiding to look for watering holes making spotting animals a lot easier.
What facility will you get in Marakele National Park?
In order not to disturb the ecosystem of the Park, most of the facilities are provided outside the Park in Thabazimbi. Basic facilities in the Park are picnic areas, tent, campsites and lodge accommodations, about 80 km of paved roads, electricity in the accommodation facilities.
What are the best places to visit in Marakele National Park?
Sentech Towers - This place provides the best and closest view of the breeding ground of the Cape Griffon Vultures.
Kudu Drive - This section of the Park offers excellent opportunities for photography and bird watching.
Eastern section - Here you can get a good view of the Big Five.
Western section - This is the best area to view both the black and white rhinos.