Safari Lodge: A Wilderness Without Walls

As sunrise lifts the veil of mist on distant, copper-tinged mountains, the rose-tinted bushveld chitters to life. Beckoned by the echo of a fish eagle’s call, you step out onto your private deck, the dew-scented morning breeze filling your lungs and your heart. This is no ordinary daybreak. This is your first awakening at Marataba Safari Lodge, a tented safari lodge that feels like home.

Cradled by the contours of the Marakele National Park, your luxury tent is surrounded by a vibrant mosaic of dramatic mountains, sweeping plains and winding waterways. Stone and canvas come together to create the Luxury Tents, each offering the unmatched comfort of a king-size bed, air conditioning and a luxurious bathroom.

Explore an African Wilderness

There’s a pulse to this place, a quiet thrum that ripples through the savannah and stirs the silver cluster-leaf and sickle bush. You might feel it in the stillness before a lion releases a guttural roar or the anticipation of a greater kudu holding its breath mid-step.

Whether on foot or by vehicle, game activities at Marataba Safari Lodge unleash the fearless explorer in you. Safari across the reserve’s diverse landscape covers a spectrum of natural wonders, including large game, prolific birdlife, fascinating insects, native plant life and striking geological features.

Bush walks will have you traversing the wilderness on foot and are as close and connected to nature as you can dream of being. Led by an expert FGASA-accredited field guide, a morning bush walk is an invigorating start to a day on safari, an immersive experience of ancient Africa.

Game drives with low vehicle density offer the freedom to follow signs of life, from elephant trails to distant calls, without confronting crowds.

Water Safaris begin gently aboard Miss Mara, gliding across the glassy waters of the Matlabas River. Here, the hush is broken only by the soft spray of a curious hippo’s breath or the electric-blue shimmer of a half-collared kingfisher plunging from its perch.

The Spirit of Connection: Family Safaris

Evenings in the Marakele National Park are spellbinding, honoured by the warmth and camaraderie of boma dining and stories shared to the bushveld’s nighttime chorus.

For those with a taste for adventure, Thabametsi Treehouse is perched between mountain and sky, an unparalleled overnight experience in the heart of Africa. This two-level solar-powered experience features a luxurious main area with a bed and a lounge area with sweeping views of the Waterberg and Marakele plains. The treehouse invites you to drift off under a canopy of stars, serenaded by the sounds of the wilderness.

At Marataba Safari Lodge, we’re passionate about sharing our love for Africa with everyone, including the next generation. Our Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Programme is designed to inspire a lifelong respect for nature in tomorrow’s conservation champions. We’ve curated a range of fun activities to engage and educate children of all ages, connecting young explorers with nature and local culture. From tracking animals and identifying ‘spoor’ to rock painting, cookie baking and outdoor cinema nights, each venture creates an environment of fun and learning.

The Journey That Follows You Home

Your days on safari will fill quickly with wonder, laughter and shared discovery. What lingers long after the game drives and starlit dinners is something far quieter – the feeling of having truly connected to the wild, the people you love and something far bigger than yourself. Our Creative Lab allows you to transform memories into lasting keepsakes by printing photographs, albums, and tangible reminders of your most cherished moments.

When the plains are behind you and the city lights return, we know you’ll carry a piece of Marataba with you – vivid, alive and always calling for you to return.

Discover more about Marataba Mountain Lodge by watching our YouTube Video below.

To begin your own Marataba Mountain Lodge story, please visit: https://www.more.co.za/marataba/safari-lodge