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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.
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.
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi
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, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Fan, Fridge, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee
Available Services
Credit Card Facilities, Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Boating, Game Drives
Activities Nearby
Duration: ±3 hours
Game drives, in open safari vehicles, head out each day at sunrise and again in the late afternoon to find the reserve’s many fascinating animals, both
diurnal and nocturnal. This is a truly personal experience: no more than seven vehicles are in the concession at any one time and, because the animals
are accustomed to them and do not see them as a threat, the field guides are able to take guests within close range of Africa’s most impressive species.
Photographic opportunities are spectacular!
• Includes: a hot beverage or sundowner stop in a scenic spot to purely appreciate being in the bush and in the moment
• Children 6 years and older are welcome on the twice-daily game drives
• The children’s game drive (for young guests 3 to 5 years) goes out after breakfast daily - parents are welcome to go along, subject to availability
of seats
This offering is inspired by Rob and Britt More’s first-hand experience of travelling with their twins, Mack and Madi. Along with the options and
flexibility around accommodations and meals at Safari Lodges, we offer tailor-made activities for children (5 to 11 years) that provide a little extra
freedom to explore and just be kids – and make family travel child’s play. Our pledge is to show your children the wonders of our beautiful world and
to introduce them to fascinating people – encouraging them to discover and learn through having FUN!
Our Safari Club Eco Garden is a dedicated children’s entertainment and education space that keeps young guests occupied with the wonders of
the natural world, as well as sporting and creative activities, during their stay. Just some of the fun includes family morning game drives, ‘spoor’
identification and mould making, pool games, rock painting, cookie baking in the kitchen, kids’ picnic, toasting marshmallows, stargazing, and kids’
outdoor cinema. Parents are welcome to join in or sneak a few hours for themselves.
A Night in a Treehouse*
Thabametsi is our newest and most impressive Treehouse yet! It is solar powered and built on two levels – with a main bedroom, shower room and
furnished decks offering views of the Waterberg and across the verdant expanse of the Marakele. Guests, delivered by safari vehicle in the late
afternoon, spend the sunset hours enjoying a sundowner and sharing a gourmet picnic whilst spotting animals out on the plains, before falling asleep
counting shooting stars. This is the ideal hideout for a family of four (including two children, 6 to 15 years) who want to experience an authentic night
out in Africa – in complete luxury.
• A Treehouse Experience is booked in conjunction with lodge accommodation
• A Treehouse stay is charged at a per person sharing per night rate, over and above the lodge accommodation rate
• Guests pack an overnight bag with their essentials, leaving the rest of their belongings back in their room
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on guests’ fitness levels
These are our after-breakfast walks on the wild side. Guests are immersed in the bush, rather than just observing it. All five senses are engaged, as
they feel scrub crunch beneath their feet, touch the velvety acacia seed pod, hear the crack of a branch indicating they are not alone, and spot big
game at eye level – exhilarating! Our expert guides will tailor walks to each of our guest’s area/s of interest, focusing on mammals, birds, insects, plants,
geology, etc.
• Children under 16 years are not permitted on the bush walks
• Guests should wear: neutral-coloured clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Guests should bring along: a lightweight dry mac jacket, camera/smartphone, and binoculars
The hours between safaris are an ideal time to spend being pampered. A selection of indulgent therapies is offered by expert therapists in the quiet
retreat of guests’ own rooms or private decks – a luxury unique to Africa. Guests choose from massages, exfoliations, reflexology, and facials with
TheraNaka herbal-infused spa therapy products – all ethically formulated with the finest natural and organic healing ingredients – as well as manicures
and pedicures. Yogis will find no better place to stretch out any leftover tension than on their private decks overlooking the serene reserve. Guests
need not pack their mats with these available to borrow from the lodge reception.
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.
Guests staying at Marataba Luxury Lodges will meet the team, receive a pre-operational briefing, and depart at the predetermined time.
Once the rhino has been located and darted, guests will actively participate in the activity, involving tasks that may include: fitting tracking collars, ear-notching, collecting blood and tissue samples, and micro-chipping of horns. This experience does not include dehorning interventions.
Each intervention offers a unique and singular experience with one animal. It's important to note that, with smooth operations, the duration can vary from approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Once the intervention is complete, the blindfold and earplugs are removed, and the reversal drug are given to the rhino.
Opportunities are provided for guests to take photos, and if safe to do so, take photos with the animal and field team. The guide will also photograph the guests experience and these images will be made available upon return.
After the intervention, the conservation team provides a debriefing and a 'behind the scenes' tour of their operations room, for a comprehensive understanding of how the intervention aligns with conservation efforts and how the collected data contributes to the cause.
Please note that interventions are limited to the months between April and September, due to more favourable weather conditions, ensuring the safety of the animals, and there are approximately 60 activities that take place place throughout the year.
Cost:
R95 000.00
For a group of 15 guests
Availability:
April to September
