Marataba Game Lodges
Big Five Safaris in Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park (a place of sanctuary, as its Tswana name suggests), holds its own among South Africa’s reserves for the ultimate African luxury safari
When we discovered Marataba, a 23 000ha (56 834ac) privately managed section of unspoilt Africa within Marakele, we instantly knew we had found something special.
Prepare to be enriched by the sweeping Waterberg Mountain vistas and impressive wildlife diversity, including the Big Five with special sightings of rhino, our signature species.
Our two luxury lodges cater to both soulful explorations and active family safaris. With game drives, bush walks and a water safari, you’ll get closer to nature than ever before, and our people will take care of your every need.
Taking a closer look
Something for Everyone
Safari
Game drives, in open safari vehicles, head out each day at sunrise and again in the late afternoon to find Marakele's many fascinating animals. Get within close range of Africa’s most impressive species, with some surprise stops along the way.
Learn MoreProfessional Field Guides
Experience Marataba with our experienced FGASA-accredited field guides. Our MORE Field Guide College brings high calibre guides into the industry, including historically disadvantaged students from surrounding communities.
Bush Walks
Part of the Morning Safari, our bush walks are a special chance to get off the vehicle and in touch with nature. Your expert field guide will position you downwind of bigger game and call your attention to the smaller creatures often missed on drives.
Water Safari
Some of Marataba’s most extraordinary sightings occur from the deck of our flat-bottomed river boat, Miss Mara. This unassuming vessel takes guests 2.5 km up the Matlabas River and back, often resulting in unforgettable wildlife encounters. This is the essence of a water safari – a slow, serene journey along the Matlabas River, perfect for birdwatching and relaxed, uninterrupted game viewing. Suitable for six years and older.
Rhino Conservation Experience
Marataba is a conservation success story with a healthy rhino population. Our rhino conservation experience, from April to September, offers you the opportunity to participate in a rhino intervention alongside vets. This may include supporting the fitting of tracking collars, ear-notching, collecting blood and tissue samples, and micro-chipping of horns. There is no dehorning in this experience. Advance notice is required and your participation fee supports the conservation of this endangered species.
Mack & Madi Kids Adventure
While you enjoy private time, our dedicated Mack & Madi crew of field guides and childminders will entertain your young ones from 5-11 years old. Our Safari Club Eco Garden is a child’s paradise and all-in-one bush entertainment space! Your children will learn how to track animals, camp in the bush, watch outdoor movies under the stars all while immersing themselves in nature. They will love the sense of freedom and adventure while making new friends.
In-room Therapies
The endless green of the Marakele gives you a head start in feeling healed and refreshed. Plan to enjoy one of our in-room therapies using organic TheraNaka™ products and done in the complete privacy, will leave you feeling reconnected to yourself.
Fly-in
Get to your safari experience even quicker by air. Enjoy exclusive and personalised service on the daily Federal Air charter flight from Johannesburg to Thabazimbi airstrip, where our team will warmly welcome you for transfers to the Lodge.
Kosher Experience
For our Jewish guests, we offer gourmet kosher cuisine, freshly prepared in a dedicated kitchen with separate meat and dairy areas. All of our ingredients are sourced from Beth-Din-approved suppliers and guests can either choose to self-supervise meal preparation or to bring in a supervising Mashgiach.
Purposeful Packing
When you Pack for a Purpose, you are giving others the experience of hope. The space you save in your luggage to bring with you a donation of much-needed supplies for our community school projects goes a long way towards helping us secure a better future for the children. We support Heuningvlei Primary School - for a list of needs, click here.
Lodge experience
Active family safari
Safari Lodge
Marataba offers a genuine safari adventure tailored for families and friends. Our luxury tents ensure comfort while you're immersed in the wild. Beyond game drives and bush walks, enhanced with unique surprises, there's ample opportunity for relaxation. Whether it's pool lounging, an in-room spa session, or simply soaking in the tranquil environment, the choice is yours. We keep things flexible – from dining to activities – for a seamless family experience. With our Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Safari Club, children are in for a treat: fun activities, an eco-garden play area, and a dedicated coordinator to guide them. It's all about creating cherished memories and sparking a lifelong love for nature.
Welcomes children of all ages. We offer child minding services for the little ones who are not able to join certain safari experiences.
Marataba
When you stay at Marataba Game Reserve, nature is yours to discover, and a perfect place to pause if on an active Southern African itinerary.
Discover and explore
- Safari Lodge
Testimonials
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Immerse yourself in our world
Explore and wander
Where to find us
Please be aware that Google maps is not always accurate
Key information
Self-Drive
The driving time from Johannesburg to Marataba Game Lodges is about 3.5 to 4 hours. In an effort to prevent poachers from gaining access to Marakele National Park, the Greater Marakele Security Hub, with co-operation from the Limpopo Roads Agency, has installed seven access control points to the park.
To gain entry, drivers must present a valid driver’s license and vehicles must display a valid South African vehicle licence disk.
LUXURY ROAD TRANSFERS
From O.R. Tambo International Airport: luxury road transfers to Marataba Game Lodges can be quoted for, booked, and arranged by MORE Reservations. Guests will be met at the airport and transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle. The drive to the lodges from O.R. Tambo is approximately 326km (203mi) and takes about 3.5 hours.
SCHEDULED SAFARI CHARTER
Air transfers to Marataba
Guests can fly directly into Marakele National Park, landing at the Matla Mamba Airstrip. The airstrip is a 25-minute drive from Marataba Safari Lodge and an hour’s drive from Marataba Mountain Lodge.
Marataba Air
MORE has partnered with Federal Air to offer daily flights from Johannesburg to Marataba Game Lodges, and vice versa.
All flight arrangements and logistics can be organised on request.
Unique Air
Unique Air operates a Safari Link scheduled air-transfer service connecting lodges in Marataba Game Lodges, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Welgevonden Game Reserve.
DIRECTIONS
Should you need any assistance en-route, please do not hesitate to contact Marataba on +27 (0)14 779 0018
Driving Directions: From Johannesburg to Marataba
• Depart O.R. Tambo International Airport following the airport exit signs (R21/R24)
• After about 200m, the road forks – take the right fork towards R21 Pretoria/R24 Johannesburg
• The road immediately turns sharply right – keep in the left lane and follow the signs for R21 N Pretoria
• After exiting the airport, get into the left lane immediately and follow the R21 N Kempton Park/Pretoria signs • After 300m, take the the R21 N Kempton Park/Pretoria off-ramp
• Drive for 34km, then take exit 134 (N1 Noord, Pretoria/Polokwane/Johannesburg)
• Immediately thereafter the road forks – take the right fork towards N1 North Polokwane
Recommended Route (±3.5 hours):
• Continue for 124km on the N1 North Polokwane, passing through two toll gates: Carousel Toll Plaza and Kranskop Toll Plaza (Please note: no debit cards are accepted)
• At the Kranskop Toll Gate keep to the left and take the exit for R33 Marble Hill/Modimolle – proceed through the toll gate and at the T junction turn left to R33 Modimolle
• Drive on for 79.6km, passing through Modimolle and through most of the main town of Vaalwater, until you reach a Spar and Total petrol station on your left
• Continue straight for 53.7km, as this road now becomes the R517, until reaching the turnoff to R510 Thabazimbi on the left-hand side • Turn left on the R510 Thabazimbi and continue on for 27km until you come to the Marataba sign and turn left
• Proceed through the SANParks boom and drive on for 8km, until you see the Marataba signage on the left, followed by our main gate • Follow the guard’s directions towards Marataba Safari Lodge, where we look forward to welcoming you!
Alternative Route (±4 hours):
• Drive for 20km, then take exit 156 for N4 towards Rustenburg • Once on the N4, continue straight for 43km
• Take the exit 245 towards Sandton/Brits (R511)
• Turn right at the top of the off-ramp towards Brits
• Continue straight for 141km on the R511, passing through Brits
• At the T-junction, turn right towards Thabazimbi
• Continue straight for 8.7km into Thabazimbi, then take the turn-off for Lephalale onto the R510
• Continue straight for 32km on the R510, then take the turn-off for Lephalale R510
• Continue straight for 11km, then turn right at the Marataba signpost
• Continue straight for 8km, Marataba Gate will be on the left
• Follow the guard’s directions towards Marataba Safari Lodge, where we look forward to welcoming you!
• NOTE: During the rainy season, it is advisable to use a high clearance vehicle to get to the Lodge.
FACT SHEET
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