Africa

Waterberg, Limpopo, South Africa

Marakele National Park is situated in the heart of the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Northern Province, characterised by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes , hills and valleys, as well as an impressive variety of wildlife.

The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, as its Tswana name suggests, has become a ‘place of sanctuary’ for an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa.

The park is characterised by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys.

Rare finds of yellowwood and cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here and Marakele supports 765 plant species.

All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds including the large colony of endangered Cape vultures.

The mountain top towers are a must. A narrow tar road takes visitors up to the top of the Waterberg massif. Views and scenery are spectacular. One is also in the proximity of the vulture colony and these massif birds will soar past at close quarters.

Things to Seek
Cape Griffin Vulture the park hosts the worlds largest breeding colony of this endangered species. While birds may be seen in the air catching thermals anywhere in the park, the drive up to the old military tower is nearest to the colony and close encounters with these enormous birds will leave visitors breathless.

African Elephant while some elephant had been previously reintroduced into the park, it was the release of the Tuli elephants in 1999 that captured the publics and medias imagination.

Rhino Marakele has a high density of both rhino species and most visitors should see these animals, particularly the more gregarious and diurnal white rhinoceros.

Cycads a park is host to a number of these prehistoric plants, particularly in the sheltered kloofs.

Kudu as browsers these antelope are in their element at Marakele. Look out for the bulls with their magnificent spiral horns.

Wild Dog a breeding pack was released into the park during 2002.

Birding - arguably the Parks biggest birding attraction is 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.

Roads
Some of the park’s roads are only accessible to 4×4 vehicles. You will be warned at reception about roads that are inaccessible in the Park.

The Kwaggasvlakte plains immediately north of the reception block can be traversed in a normal sedan, as can the entrance roads to the safari tent camp and bush camp.

The narrow track up to the towers is also accessible. Most other roads will present difficult terrain.

In an effort to keep the park ecosystem as undisturbed as possible, most facilities (shops, restaurant, fuel, etc) are located outside the park in the town of Thabazimbi.

Special notes
Transporting of people on open vehicles in the Park is not allowed.
No driving at night is allowed in the Park.
No collection of firewood.
You will be warned at reception about roads that are inaccessible in the Park. Should you drive on these roads and get stuck you will be charged for recovery expenses of a minimum of R50,00.
Be aware of Baboons and Vervet Monkeys. Keep your tents closed when driving around and lock food in the tents metal cupboard. You may even turn the fridge slightly so that the door does not open easily. Dont let anything lie around.
No pets are allowed in the Park.
A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the Parks boundaries.

Rooms
Tlopi Tented Camp
Tlopi Tented Camp with furnished units overlooking the banks of the Apiesrivierpoort Dam.
Each tent has two beds (two stretchers are available which are more suitable for children), private bathroom (shower, wash basin and toilet), a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator/freezer, two-plate stove and electricity.
Each tent has a veranda with table and deck chairs and barbecue facilities. One tent has wheelchair access.
The camp is unfenced and is approximately 17 km from the Reception Office.

Modikela Bush Camp
This camp is divided into three clusters (6 or 4 bed units) This will enable groups of smaller numbers to utilise the camp at a lower rate.
Each cluster has its own fully equipped kitchen/lapa (fully equipped with crockery, cutlery, gas stove and fridge and lapa with barbecue/braai facilities) and own ablution block.
Guests provide own bedding (sleeping bag, pillows and towels). Solar power for lights only.

Many of the roads in the vicinity of this Bush Camp are only accessible with 4×4 vehicles or vehicles with a high ground clearance.
Transporting of people on open vehicles in the Park is not allowed.

Activities
Bird watching and game viewing.
Mountain pass up to an incredible view and proximity to the vulture colony.

How to get there
The park is situated in the Waterberg mountain range in the Northern Province near Thabazimbi, approximately 250 km north of Johannesburg, in a malaria-free area.
Travellers can take either:
the N1 to Warmbaths and from there follow the R516 via Mabula and Leeupoort to Thabazimbi or travel to Brits and follow the R511 via Beestekraal to Thabazimbi.
The office is approximately 3 km from the Hoopdal/Rooiberg crossing on the road from Thabazimbi to Alma.
Access road from Thabazimbi to the park has been tarred, but internal roads are gravelled.

Gate Hours
The gates close at 18:00 in summertime and at 17:00 in winter. Residents with keys have daylight hours to get to the office or tent camp.
Late arrivals are not permitted.
The reception office is open from 07:30 to 17:00 in winter and 07:30 to 18:00 in summer.

Clothing & Accessories
Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter – the region is subject to sudden changes in weather, particularly in the mountains.
Remember charcoal or wood as this is not available in the park.
Visitors should also remember to take a torch along as the camp has no illumination at night.
The safari camp has not been fenced and therefore visitors to Marakele are warned to expect the unexpected.

Health & Climate
Summers are hot but the area does not suffer from the stifling humidity so typical of the eastern Lowveld.

The park is situated in the summer rainfall region and rainfall occurs in the form of heavy thunderstorms or soft rain. Winter is moderate with frost occurring in the low lying regions only. Mornings and nights can be cold, but day temperatures are pleasant. Rainfall between 500 700 mm per annum.