Some of Marataba's most extraordinary wildlife encounters happen from the water. The flat-bottomed boats glide along the Matlabas River, delivering intimate Big Five sightings that reveal animal behaviour you'd never witness from land.
water safari
Wildlife at Water Level
Glide quietly along the Matlabas River, drawing close to wildlife at the water's edge. Hippos yawn in shallows metres away, elephants wade in to drink and cool off, birds dive for fish whilst your boat drifts past. Game approaches the banks throughout the day, unaware of your presence.
This isn't distant viewing - it's intimate encounters with animals behaving exactly as they should, undisturbed by the quiet boat floating through their world.
from the water’s edge
Whilst land vehicles watch from afar, your boat floats quietly into spaces four-wheel drives can't reach. Animals relaxed at the water's edge reveal behaviours they'd never show a vehicle - mothers bathing calves, predators drinking unguarded, birds fishing from low branches. The river becomes your safari route, offering access and intimacy that redefines what close wildlife viewing means.
Morning and Sunset Journeys
Whether watching resident hippos, observing game at the water's edge, or enjoying sundowners as the Waterberg glows, your water safari delivers gentle, respectful wildlife encounters.
Morning and sunset journeys depart from Safari Lodge and the Marataba Residence, and include beverages and snacks. Your field guide navigates the river whilst sharing insights about this unique ecosystem, giving you time to absorb the privilege of experiencing Marataba's wildlife from a new perspective.
The river safari was something out of a movie as we were lucky enough to watch a group of bull elephants have some fun in the water.
Kim Russel - United States
