Location:- The Marakele National Park is a new game reserve under the management of South Africa's Nature Conservation and National Parks Board. The reserve lies about 250 km north of Johannesberg in the heart of the Waterberg, a pristine mountain range rich in game. The parks starts north of the town Thabazimbi and ends south of the Lalapala river. The vegetation in the valleys of the Marakele Park comprises innumerable species. Even the rare yellowwood trees can be found here, huge cedars and up to 5 metre high cycads. The game stock comprises all big predators, elephants, black and white rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, kudus, waterbuck and eland antelopes. And there are numerous bird species. Spectacular are the Cape vultures which are threatened by extinction. More than 800 breeding pairs live in the park, the biggest population of this vulture species in South Africa.

At a glance:

• Accommodation - Capacity - 680 guests
• Each tent in Tlopi tented camp has a shower and a fully equipped kitchen with fridge and hot plates.
• Barbeque
• Swimming pool
• Mountain biking
• Game drives
• 24 hour electricity
• Malaria free destination
• A true african safari

Accommodation:- Tlopi is the name that the locals call the river, which feeds the dam on which the camp is situated. Each tent in Tlopi tented camp has a shower and a fully equipped kitchen with fridge and hot plates. On the verandah there are a table, chairs and a barbeque. The restcamp is not fenced and game can visit at any time.

Activities:- Game drives and bush walks are available within the reserve.

Wildlife:- 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. There is a pack of wild dogs in a holding facility (boma) and will be released as soon as the predator-proof fencing is completed. 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.
Arguably the Park’s biggest birding attraction is one of the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world (more than 800 breeding pairs). However the park is also appealing to birders as it falls within the transition zone between the dry western regions and the moister eastern regions of the country. Thus 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.

Access:- The Waterberg Mountain area is part of the Bushveld district of the Limpopo Province, a two and a half hour drive north from Johannesburg on the N1.

Child Policy:- Children are welcome at Marakele National Park and is the ideal holiday getaway for families.

Power supply:- There is 24 hour electricity to all rooms.