About
Deep in Big Five country, tented camps have reached a whole new luxury level. Lavish Marataba sits within a large exclusive use 23 000 hectare private concession of the Marakele National Park, and pairs quality game-viewing with spectacular scenery. Set between grassy Waterberg Mountain foothills, dense bushveld and deep river gorges, its 15 indulgent tents are accompanied by a pool – from which elephants sometimes sip – and gourmet dinners. Johannesburg is just four hours away.
Accommodation
‘Tents’ is a slight misnomer, for the canvas here comes with lots of glass and dry stone. Each opulent suite boasts a freestanding bathtub, positioned beside large windows for wildlife-watching while you soak. Similar views – of the Marakele escarpment, plains and a river – are available from outdoor showers (indoor also provided), and expansive private decks. Inside you’ll find air-conditioning, exquisite furnishings and king-size beds
Facilities
Created from more dry-stone walling, the conical-towered central building affords an exotic mix of huge glass walls, cow-skin throws and ethnic-style divans. A library and lounge lead onto a lawn, which faces a watering hole popular with animals. Gourmet dinners are served there every night. There’s also the pool and its sun loungers, plus hammocks hanging between ancient cedarwood trees.
Activities
A soft wake-up call rouses guests for breakfast, and then a dawn game drive. Following a lengthy lunch, afternoon at leisure and high tea, a second drive or guided bush walk is provided, as are boat-rides on the Matlabas River for sundowners and sensational mountain views. Whatever you do, look out for the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures, and Marakele’s impressive leopard population.
Child Policy
Malaria-free, Marataba has a family area in which two adjacent (not inter-leading) tents are enclosed. Up to two children (14 or under) may also sleep in a tent with their parents. But note that kids under 6 aren’t permitted at the lodge without special arrangement, and cannot undertake game drives.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
We have just come back from a wonderful 7 night break to South Africa. We were incredibly well looking after from the second we stepped off the plane, by a lovely representative of Best of South Africa Travel - who met us and escorted us through customs and immigration literally behind the pilots. It was very efficient, and we felt very sorry for everyone else who had to queue for at least an hour! We didn’t want to hire a car and drive ourselves, so we had private transfers to two amazing game lodges, Marataba Safari Lodge and Madikwe Kopano. Best of SA Travel arranged a bush dinner for my husbands 70th birthday which was very special and a real treat to have supper out in the middle of the bush with candles and lanterns lighting up the tables. All in all we had a most wonderful time and plan to go back and do Cape Town and Winelands in 2018. We will definitely book with Ash and her team again, we felt very well looked after from start to finish.
M Hemsley who stayed here in November 2016.
Marataba Safari Lodge , The Waterberg has been rated 1 time, with an overall rating of 5.00 out of 5.
