Marataba Mountain Lodge

distinctive Camp | Marakele National Park, South Africa

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Marataba Mountain Lodge is a luxury retreat within the private Marataba Reserve, a mosaic of plains, mountains and valleys that guests explore on foot from this stylish and eco-friendly property. Marataba's 57,000 acres of private land is home to predators, primates, antelope, small carnivores and at least 400 bird species. The natural scenery is unrivaled. Seek out animals both small and large, including rhino, on foot with specialist walking guides.

Our Expert Says

While Marataba Mountain Lodge is a relatively new camp, Marataba Reserve is well-established and truly a remarkable wildlife experience. And while it doesn't carry the name recognition that Kruger or Sabi Sand does, it delivers one of the most scenic and unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. It's malaria-free as well, and if you're not keen on walking, which is the main focus from Marataba Mountain Lodge, simply choose Marataba Safari Lodge instead.

– Greg Courter

The Camp

Location: Marataba Private Reserve, Marakele National Park, South Africa
Number of Tents: 5

Marataba Mountain Lodge sits within a 57,000-acre private reserve inside Marakele National Park. With just five tents, Marataba Mountain Lodge is an intimate camp tucked into the hillside at the base of Waterfall Valley, surrounded by mountain streams and the source of the Matlabas River. Views over the valley are spectacular, with wide-angle vistas of the Waterberg escarpment merging into acacia savanna. In each of the rooms, wall-spanning glass doors bring the outside in and combine with wood, stone and a neutral color palette for a slightly modern, minimalist look in an open-concept layout. Each accommodation has an en suite bathroom and wood-burning fireplace for cooler nights. The camp operates on 100% solar power. The central area of camp is an intimate place to gather with a conversation pit set around a campfire, a viewing deck, a swimming pool and a cozy indoor fireplace warming lounge and dining spaces. The Thabametsi Treehouse can be booked during your stay at an additional cost.

Facilities & Amenities

En suite bathroom with indoor shower
Shampoo, soap and lotion
Hair dryer
Air conditioning
Room fan
Fireplace
Mini-bar
In-room safe
220v charging outlets
Wi-Fi available
Central swimming pool
Thabametsi Treehouse (extra cost)
In-room massage (extra cost)
Laundry service (extra cost)
Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
Credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Marataba Private Reserve offers exceptional animal viewing, with both mammals and birds in abundance. The Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, black rhino and white rhino—as well as greater kudu, impala, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and spotted hyena can be seen. Small carnivores like bat-eared fox and jackals also occur on the reserve. With the continual backdrop of the Waterberg Mountains, photography can be breathtaking. Wildlife drives occur in the early morning and late afternoon and evening. Being in a private reserve, you can search for nocturnal species after dusk and go off-road to find more elusive animals. Walks are a highlight at Marataba, where giraffe, rhino and other animals can be tracked on foot with armed guides and trackers (longer trail walks incur an extra cost). The Miss Mara is Marataba's boat, providing opportunities for water safaris on the Matlabas River, where elephants snorkel and waterbirds flock.

The below chart illustrates typical frequencies of major wildlife sightings at Marataba. Predators, including lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and brown hyena occur, along with both black and white rhino, buffalo, elephant and various antelopes. Other small creatures, such as Chacma baboon and vervet monkeys, also occur, and birding is excellent with yellow-billed hornbills, little bee-eater, African Scops owl, fiery-necked nightjar, lilac-breasted roller and more.

Country	Park/Reserve	Black Rhino	Buffalo	Eland	Elephant	Gemsbok / Oryx	Giraffe	Greater Kudu	Hartebeest	Hippo	Hyena	Leopard	Lion	White Rhino	Wildebeest	Zebra
South Africa	Marakele National Park

Usually viewed

Frequently viewed

Occasionally viewed

Sporadically viewed

Rarely to never viewed

Climate

Month	Max	Min	Rainfall
January	98° F	70° F	3.25 in
	36° C	21° C	83 mm
February	94° F	67° F	2.5 in
	34° C	19° C	64 mm
March	89° F	64° F	2.78 in
	31° C	17° C	71 mm
April	82° F	57° F	1.17 in
	27° C	13° C	30 mm
May	77° F	45° F	0.4 in
	25° C	7° C	10 mm
June	72° F	39° F	0.16 in
	22° C	3° C	4 mm
July	72° F	38° F	0.12 in
	22° C	3° C	3 mm
August	78° F	46° F	0.02 in
	25° C	7° C	1 mm
September	84° F	54° F	0.51 in
	28° C	12° C	13 mm
October	88° F	62° F	0.81 in
	31° C	16° C	21 mm
November	88° F	64° F	2.86 in
	31° C	17° C	73 mm
December	90° F	67° F	2.47 in
	32° C	19° C	63 mm