Please note the following, Rehabilitation of roads in Marakele National Park: Please note that roads in Marakele National Park are being rehabilitated. We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result, but assure you of our excellent service at all times.
Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, as its Tswana name suggests, has become a 'place of sanctuary' for an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa.
Contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys characterize the park. Rare finds of yellowwood and cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here.
All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds including whats probably the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here at Marakele National Park.
5 Things to Seek at Marakele National Park* Cape Vulture
* African Elephant
* Rhino
* Kudu
* The not-so-often-seen-elsewhere antelope species such as reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, eland and tsessebe can be found here.
View Room Types and RatesSpecial Notes- You will be warned at reception about roads that are inaccessible in the Park. Should you drive on these roads and get stuck we will contact a towing company for you and you will be charged for recovery expenses.
- No driving at night is allowed in the Park.
- No collection of firewood.
- Remember charcoal or wood, as this is not available in the park.
- A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the Parks boundaries.
- You have to vacate the tent at 10:00 on the day of departure.
- The key for the gates must be returned to reception on the day of departure. Alternatively you can leave the key at the points indicated to you by the receptionist.
Important Notice 1. Accommodation rates do not include
Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the
Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.
Other Facilities:Shop: In Thabazimbi.
Restaurant: In Thabazimbi.
80km of our roads are accessible to normal sedan vehicles.
No ATM facility available in the park.
Only Credit Cards are accepted at reception.
Electricity: Only the tented camp and camping site is supplied with electricity.
Fuel: Petrol and diesel available in Thabazimbi.
Garage: In Thabazimbi.
Medical services: Doctor and hospital in Thabazimbi.
Telephone: There are no public telephones in the park, but these are available in Thabazimbi.
Post Office: In Thabazimbi.
Police: The nearest police stations are located 12km from the office and camping site in Thabazimbi and approximately 18km north of the Kareehoek turnoff at Hoopdal.
Camps at Marakele National ParkTlopi Tented CampEach tent has two beds (two stretchers are available which are more suitable for children), private bathroom (shower, wash basin and toilet), and a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator/freezer, two-plate stove and electricity.
Each tent has a veranda with table and deck chairs and barbecue facilities. One tent has wheelchair access. The camp is unfenced and is approximately 17km from the Reception Office.
Bontle Camping SiteThere are 38 campsites with power arranged into 3 clusters with one communal ablution block per cluster.
Gate Times at Marakele National Park:Gate opens at 06:00 and closes at 18:00 - 1st Sept to 30th April
Gate opens at 06:00 and closes at 17:30 - 1st May to 31st August
Summers are hot but the area does not suffer from the stifling humidity so typical of the eastern Lowveld. The park is situated in the summer rainfall region and rainfall occurs in the form of heavy thunderstorms or soft rain. Winter is moderate with frost occurring in the low-lying regions only. Mornings and nights can be cold, but day temperatures are pleasant. Rainfall between 500 – 700mm per annum.
Bird watching and game viewing.
Mountain pass up to an incredible view and proximity to the Cape vulture colony.
Morning and Sunset drives available.
Morning and Sunset Bush walks available.
Two nights 4x4 eco trail available.
Two nights Hiking Trail opening soon.
In addition to the full cancellation of a reservation, any amendment to an existing reservation, which results in the value of the revised reservation being less than the original value, could result in cancellation fees being levied, according to the following schedule:
- No cancellation fees will be incurred for cancellations or changes 46 days or more prior to arrival;
- Cancellations fees of 50% of the total reservation is payable for cancellations and changes received between 45 and 30 days prior to arrival;
- A 100% cancellation fee is payable for cancellations received within 29 days of arrival;
- A 100% cancellation fee is payable for non-arrivals (no-shows).
If the arrival date of the itinerary is postponed prior to or on date of arrival and then cancelled at a later stage, the fees that applied at the time of amendment will be enforced if the amount is greater than the new cancellation fees.
Modification and cancellation charges may be levied on any other reservations amended or cancelled online, irrespective of the channel through which the reservations were originally made, and subject to the terms and conditions.
- Conservation levy is always excluded from the booking amount and needs to be settled on arrival.
