When we discovered Marataba, we instantly knew we had found something very special. A 21 000ha piece of unspoilt Africa within Marakele National Park (Setswana for 'place of sanctuary'), it is unlike anything we have ever seen. With spectacular landscapes and iconic wildlife, this place holds its own among South Africa’s greatest reserves.
Within this vast wilderness, Marataba Safari Lodge is one of just two luxury lodges offering small group, exclusive safaris. For a one-on-one, private African safari, you truly don’t get better than this.
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Video
360 Panoramas
Rooms
Units
Facilities
Activities and Services
Welcome to Marataba! Credit: Marataba Safari LodgeMain entrance to Marataba Safari Lodge
Private Deck of a Luxury Tented SuiteCredit: Marataba Safari LodgePrivate Deck of a Luxury Tented Suite
Luxury tent interiors
Luxury tent interiors
Open plan bathroom en-suiteCredit: Marataba Safari LodgeOpen plan bathroom en-suite
Open plan bathroom en-suite
Outdoor shower
Luxury tent views
Private in-room spa treatment
Exterior view of family suite
Family tent with En-suite childrens bedroom
Childrens room with en-suite bathroom
Childrens Room
Childrens en-suite bathroom
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse
Miss Mara
"Miss Mara" water safari along the Matlabas RiverCredit: Marataba Safari Lodge"Miss Mara" water safari along the Matlabas River
Miss Mara - Water Safari
Afternoon sunsets on safari
On safari: Elephants are one of Marataba's signature speciesCredit: Marataba Safari LodgeOn safari: Elephants are one of Marataba's signature species
Bush Dinner
Morning coffee stop while on safari
Gin safari sundowner experience
Private airstrip
On Safari
On safari: LeopardCredit: Marataba Safari LodgeOn safari: Leopard
On Safari - Elephants
on Safari - Hippo
On Safari - Elephant
Marataba Safari Lodge 360 Virtual Tour
Marataba Safari Lodge 360 Virtual Tour
Each of the 11 canvas-and-stone Tented Suites is tastefully furnished and decorated with a contemporary twist. Whether sharing it with lover, friend or family (or keeping it all to yourself), the interior is ample, and the attention to detail impeccable.
Each Tented Suite is approximately 45m2 and has a private deck, a double bed (convertible to twins), air conditioning, open-plan bathroom en-suite, outdoor shower, in-room safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.
Each of the four luxury tents is ideal for a family safari stay and includes a second children’s bunk-bed room kitted out just for them and with its own en-suite (including a shower). This section is separated from the main bedroom, giving parents (and kids) their own space. These tents are not on stilts to ensure the safety of our young guests.
Each of the four luxury tents is ideal for a family safari stay and includes a second children’s bunk-bed room kitted out just for them and with its own en-suite (including a shower). This section is separated from the main bedroom, giving parents (and kids) their own space. These tents are not on stilts to ensure the safety of our young guests.
Marataba Residence
Nestled alongside the tranquil Matlabas River in Marataba, this exclusive-use Residence offers sweeping vistas of the landscape and its majestic mountains. This is a family nature retreat where you set your own safari agenda, spend leisurely afternoons observing wildlife along the riverbank, enjoy sundowners and memorable alfresco dinners. You have four separate Luxury Tents for ultimate privacy with a main area that includes a lounge, dining area, kitchen, an open bar, a welcoming fireplace, a boma facility, and a pool. Your residence butler takes care of the details, and your personal chef arranges gourmet meals, and everything in-between. With everything taken care of you can relax and enjoy all the wonders of a safari at Marataba.
Property Facilities
Bar, Eco Friendly, Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Secure Parking, Spa
Take an unhurried cruise along the Matlabas River on Miss Mara. Nothing tops watching the sun shimmy into a liquid horizon in vivid colour, as you sip on a G ‘n T to the splash of a grunting hippo.
The perspective of the bush is quite different when experienced from the water. An excursion on Miss Mara is highly recommended as a unique and highly enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the magnificence of the reserve.
Morning and afternoon cruises are conducted on the Matlabas River, just 20 minutes drive from the Lodge. Delicious refreshments and snacks are provided; from pastries and hot chocolate, to G ‘n Ts and Canapés.
One of Marataba’s experienced Field Guides will conduct the slow cruise along the river. You can expect to see birdlife a-plenty, hippos in the water, and the many creatures that walk the plains of Marataba along the water’s edge.
COST R200 per person
Your Stay
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 15
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Madikwe Safari Lodge | Madikwe Game Reserve
Everything about the 76 000ha malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is vast – its scenery, its wildlife, its skies… The rich and undulating landscape is punctuated by enormous volcanic intrusions (inselbergs) and this unique topography reveals an astonishing array of wildlife – including all of Africa's Big Five. Madikwe Safari Lodge’s three exclusive retreats – Lelapa, Kopano, Dithaba – are located to appreciate the vastness and diversity of the surrounding landscape and wildlife. With unfenced proximity to this wilderness, you’ll experience a thoroughly authentic connection with the wild.
Long hours may be spent in relaxation or quiet contemplation
Your suite with beautiful views out over the open savanah
En-suite bathroom leading to outdoor shower
Private swimming pool, often interrupted by elephants walking past
Bush dinners
Dithaba Lodge
Burchell's zebra, a common sighting while on safari
African elephant - pretty much a guaranteed sighting
The Field Ranger looking at the Big 5 & the Small 5 too
A lifetime experience, creating potential rangers of the future
The Eco-House, center of the Madikwe Kidz Club program
Baking with our enthusiastic chefs in-the-making
Signature specie - African Wild dog
Explore, experience
Breathtaking landscapes
Dithaba Lodge - Boma dinner
Dithaba Lodge - Bird watching
Breakfast
Dithaba Lodge - Lounge area
Dithaba Lodge - Breakfast setup
Guest deck dining area
Star deck dining setup
In-room dining
private plunge pool
Dithaba Lodge - Suite interiors
Kopano Lodge - Welcome area
Kopano Lodge - Boma dinner
Kopano Lodge - Guest lounge
Kopano Lodge - Suite interiors
Kopano Lodge - Suite interiors
Kopano Lodge - Suite interiors
Kopano Lodge - Suite interiors
Kopano Lodge - Bathroom
Kopano Lodge - Outdoor shower
Kopano Lodge - Plunge pool
On safari - Wild dog
Enjoy an evening under the stars with our bush dinner experience
On safari - Elephant
On safari - Cheetah
On safari - Sundowner drink stop
On safari - Rhino
On safari - Giraffe
Lelapa Lodge - Guest pool view
On safari - Baby elephant
On safari - Lion
On safari - Leopard
On safari - Lion
Bush breakfast
Madikwe Safari Lodge 360 Virtual Tour
Madikwe Safari Lodge 360 Virtual Tour
Lelapa literally means ‘family’, and this is exactly how we want you to feel - there is no restriction in terms of age or generation. Many of us have kids of our own, so we know and understand what an unforgettable experience it is for children to be in the bush. We have taken a lot of time to design a kids’ menu of activities, which will keep juniors entertained, and parents relaxed. The recent addition of a communal pool will no doubt provide hours of enjoyment and simple relaxation, best spent in the company of family and new-found friends.
Each of the 12 Suites is spacious, comfortable and ever respectful of the natural environment beyond. Indoor and outdoor showers, private plunge pool and wood-burning fireplace are just some of the added creature comforts to enhance Mother Nature’s subtle signature.
Each Suite is approximately 100 m2/1080 ft2, and has a double bed (convertible to twins), air-conditioning, ceiling fan, bathroom en-suite, safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.
Two rooms are Family Suites, and have a second bedroom with children’s bunk beds, and sleeper couch.
Suites: 12 for 24 guests Size of suites: 100m2 Children: Yes (all ages) Children on safari: Yes (< 5 Family Safari/ > 6 Normal Safari) Children activities: Yes Babysitting: Yes, extra cost Double bed convertible to twin: Yes Private plunge pool: Yes Air-conditioning: Yes Fireplace: Yes Room Fan: Yes Outdoor shower: Yes Indoor shower: Yes Free Wi-Fi: Yes (Public area only) Satellite television: Yes (Public area only) In-room safe: Yes Personal bar: Yes Telephone: Yes Suitable for disabled guests: Yes, but with assistance Guests per safari vehicle: 8 Private 4 x 4 safari vehicle: Yes, subject to availability
Kopano directly translated means ‘small gathering’. The Lodge comprises just 4 Suites (each with private plunge pool) which share a magnificent common area. Fine dining to the hoot of an owl, the roar of a lion or the crazed whoop of a hyena is the stuff that dreams are made of. Note, children of 16 and older are welcome.
Each Suite is approximately 100 m2/1080 ft2, and has a double bed (convertible to twins), air-conditioning, fireplace, ceiling fan, bathroom en-suite, outdoor shower, safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.
Suites: 4 for 8 guests Size of suites: 100m2 Children: No Double bed convertible to twin: Yes Central public pool: No Private plunge pool: Yes Air-conditioning: Yes Fireplace: Yes Room Fan: Yes Outdoor shower: Yes Indoor shower: Yes Free Wi-Fi: No (Access at Lelapa Lodge) Satellite television: Yes (public area only) In-room safe: Yes Personal bar: Yes Telephone: Yes Suitable for disabled guests: Yes, but with assistance Guests per safari vehicle: 8 Private 4 x 4 safari vehicle: Yes, subject to availability
With only 4 Suites (each with private plunge pool), this Lodge is well suited to a group of friends or family members making it their own while on safari. Or for those who simply prefer the sound of nature and little else.
Each Suite is approximately 110 m2/1180 ft2 and has a double bed (convertible to twins), private plunge pool, air-conditioning, fireplace, ceiling fan, bathroom en-suite, outdoor shower, safe, mini bar, direct-dial telephone, hairdryer and a range of deluxe amenities.
Suites: 4 for 8 guests Size of suites: 110m2 Children: Yes (if booked exclusively) Children on safari: Yes (if booked exclusively) Children activities: Yes (if booked exclusively) Babysitting: Yes, extra cost Double bed convertible to twin: Yes Central public pool: No Private plunge pool: Yes Air-conditioning: Yes Fireplace: Yes Room Fan: Yes Outdoor shower: Yes Indoor shower: Yes Free Wi-Fi: No (Access at Lelapa Lodge) Satellite television: Yes (Public area only) In-room safe: Yes Personal bar: Yes Telephone: Yes Conference facilities: Yes, but no dedicated room Suitable for disabled guests: No Guests per safari vehicle: 8 Private 4 x 4 safari vehicle: Yes, subject to availability
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access, Kiddies Club, Malaria Free, Pool, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee
Services
Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Laundry Service, Room Service
Your Stay
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 20
Special Interests: Big 5, Birding, Flora, Star Gazing, Wine
Lion Sands River Lodge | Sabi Sand Nature Reserve
Lion Sands River Lodge is situated in the Lion Sands Game Reserve – one of Africa’s truly unspoiled wilderness areas, where the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve meets the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The lodge is the Eden of the More family’s youth and the first Lion Sands’ lodge to welcome guests, who between visits have married, become parents, and whose children have grown and now come to stay. In recent years the lodge has undergone a renovation that has introduced a new sense of brightness and space – where lovers and families come together and share extraordinary experiences. This is a place for making memories.
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Video
360 Panoramas
Rooms
Facilities
Activities and Services
River Lodge ReceptionCredit: DookPositioned in the shade of a 300-year-old Jackalberry tree, welcomes guests to our new Sabie riverside sanctuary.
River Lodge GalleryCredit: DookWith a Safari Boutique and spiral staircase leading up to a Creative Lab, where guests can transform their photographs into works of art.
River Lodge Firepit LoungeCredit: DookA relaxation area for pre-dinner drinks and tales told under the stars.
River Lodge Guest Swimming PoolCredit: DookProviding welcome respite from the heat of the day, and an ideal spot to watch animals coming down to the Sabie to drink.
River Lodge BarCredit: DookA place to pause between safaris
River Lodge Guest LoungeCredit: DookWith panoramic windows and fold-back glass doors, allows guests to fully appreciate the natural setting.
River Lodge River SuiteCredit: DookOne of four exclusive waterside havens for both couples and families, each with its own plunge pool and deck offering the best game-viewing seats in the house .
River Lodge River Suite BedroomCredit: Dook
River Lodge River Suite bathroomCredit: Dook
River Lodge Luxury RoomCredit: Dook
Dining Room
Breakfast on the deck
Gym
Aerial view River LodgeCredit: Dook
Aerial view River LodgeCredit: Dook
Walking safariCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
Kids on safariCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
Vehicle tracking LionCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
Lions on the bridgeCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
ElephantsCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
HipposCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
Chalkley TreehouseCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
Kingston TreehouseCredit: Lion Sands Game Reserve
Gourmet food
Gourmet food
Food and Wine
Outdoor dining - Boma
Gourmet food
Gourmet food
Gym
Gym
Gym
Outdoor dining - River bed dining
Spa
Spa
Spa
River Lodge
Breakfast
Guest dining area
Creative lab
Creative lab
Creative lab
Breakfast area
Pool dining setup
Gallery
Guest area
Guest area
Chalkley Treehouse
Chalkley Treehouse
Kingston Treehouse
Lion Sands River Lodge 360 Virtual Tour
Lion Sands River Lodge 360 Virtual Tour
8 Luxury Rooms have bathroom en-suite, lounge area with mini bar and wooden deck from which to appreciate the wilds beyond.
6 Superior Luxury Suites are larger in size, and have ample open-plan bathrooms and outdoor showers - 2 sets are interleading, and are therefore ideal for families.
3 River Suites are located further from the guest areas and are therefore more private. They have incredible river views, best appreciated from the expansive decks. River Suites also have outdoor showers.
1 Family River Suite is located further from the guest areas and is, therefore, more private. They have incredible river views. The suite has 2 bedrooms with interleading doors, and are therefore ideal for families.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access, Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Internet, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee
Services
Airport Shuttle, Credit Card, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service, Room Service
Africa has been called the greatest show on earth, and Lion Sands presents a safari that plays out like a highlights reel. Our reserve conserves 5 000ha (12 500ac) of a habitat that is home to the highest and most diverse concentration of wildlife in the southern hemisphere. You will see all of Africa’s iconic species – lion leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, and zebra – along with a supporting cast of no less intriguing 137 mammal species and over 450 varieties of bird. Our safaris present an adventure that is wild, and then some!
Being entirely private, Lion Sands offers you an intimate safari experience. With only six guests to a game viewer and exclusive traversing on our reserve, you’ll have minimal encounters with other people. Though compelling sightings do attract more attention, the number of vehicles here is also limited. This ensures the animals aren’t put under stress and you are able to spend more time with them, observing their natural behaviour. While you are out exploring, you will by no means be roughing it. Your game viewer has cushioned bucket seats, waterproof device holders, blankets and ponchos – and stops off in a scenic spot for drinks and snacks.
These are our after-breakfast walks on the wild side. For those who wish to experience the bush, not just observe it, there is no better guided excursion. You are dropped in the thick of things and all five senses engage… Feel the scrub crunch beneath your feet, touch a velvety acacia seed pod, hear the crack of a branch indicating you are not alone, and spot the game appear just metres off – exhilarating! This is also a wonderful opportunity to encounter the smaller creatures, often missed on safari vehicles, and to discover more about the reserve’s plants – many with fascinating medicinal properties and traditional uses.
The African landscape stretches as far as the eye can see at Lion Sands, and we knew we had to find a special place to capture and enjoy its vastness and splendour. Guy Aubrey Chalkley once set up camp in a majestic centuries old Leadwood Tree to escape predators roaming the plains below.
We decided that this would be the ideal place to build the ultimate bush bedroom, the Chalkley Treehouse. The treehouse is a secure and lavish platform under the African stars, with all the comforts that a guest can experience at a five star safari lodge.
We take our guests to the tree house at sunset, where drinks and a scrumptious picnic dinner await them.The hours of African dusk can be enjoyed relaxing and absorbing the vastness of the bushveld as it transforms from day to night, before turning in for slumber beneath the incredible night sky.
Make your way through rows of magnificent white boulders and across a small drawbridge, and you will find Africa opening up in front if you. Set amid the pure and untouched wild, you will be surrounded by African bush and uninhibited wildlife at its best.
The Kingston Treehouse is constructed entirely from wood and glass, with contemporary décor in understated hues of greys, white, black and purple. No matter what the weather has in store, you will have a safe and luxurious setting with a unique window to enjoy the ever-changing views. In fact, we defy you to find two identical African sunsets.
The 60m2 Treehouse is situated about 5 minutes from the main lodge, and you will have radio contact with the rangers, should you choose to. You will also find some cellphone reception; but don’t expect any wi-fi in the bush. Kingston is equipped with full bathroom and shower facilities, and Africology products to complete your sensory experience.
Enjoy a dinner of tapas or a full meal with Champagne, under the splendor of an African starlit sky.
From boma feasts to safari refreshment stops, dining promises to be a highlight – for all our guests, with any dietary requirement, including kosher, catered for. Our chefs transform local recipes into contemporary dishes, giving you a taste for Southern Africa. Paired with premium wines from the Cape, dining becomes an experience. Our wine tastings are also a favourite of connoisseurs and dabblers, alike.
In our experience, being well taken care of inspires a fundamental sense of well-being. And how better to indulge than with luxurious accommodation, wholesome food, and spa therapies? We favour Africology products, instilled with the belief that self-care brings balance. So with our massages, wraps and facials, we promise a wellness experience to rejuvenate your body, quiet your mind, and revitalise your spirit.
Lion Sands together with More Community Trust assists our local Huntington and Justicia B villages, and you can get involved, too. Take a community tour, the proceeds of which go to our development projects here, or roll up your sleeves to help out through our Get Your Hands Dirty initiatives.
These centre on education, infrastructure, health and environment, and you can choose the area best suited to your skills and interest. These are extraordinary social experiences that bring you to the heart of Southern Africa to make your own and others’ dreams come true.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 18
Special Interests: Big 5, Birding, Flora, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine