SANParks.org Forums

Hi all,

I have been visitng the BIG KNP for a few years now but I want to book at Marekele for the first time.
I need advise and I did go threw the forums for some help but still need to find out a few small stuff.
1. Is there Fuel inside the park?
2. Is there a restuarant or shop?
3. Can I drive ther if I don't have a 4x4?
4. Is there an updated map of Marekele?

All the help will be appreciated very much.

Hey Rooster

I cant offer advice but I am interested to know where this Park is??

Hi Rooster,

Some of the small stuff can be found on this page :

Wishing you a wonderful visit to Marakele


Sheenaugh-Lee, you will find the info you need, here :

Hi Rooster

I am green. We were there last year for a short weekend and have really enjoyed the stay. I will return any day if the opportunity arise.
I highlight were the rhino's that were next to the unfenched camp. They were no more than 5m from the closest tent when we were there. I have posted a photo of that.
We missed the elephants, but saw the evidence that we missed them by hours.
Definately take a drive to the lookout on top op the mountain. It is not that scary!!!
The shop is to basic, but Thabazimbi, only a couple of minutes away offers everything.
The roads were in a very good condition when we were there, but i suppose that depends on rain and the whether.

Enjoy, enjoy!

MATTHYS & HoepHoep thank you for the reply.
It sounds like the Park is awsome.

Can't wait for this trip to start!!!!

Speak for yourself!!

@ Eagle Owl: Bangjan!

Rooster,

If you not in a 4x4 do not try to drive the 4x4 route. We had to drive the route very slowly and found it not so easy to drive as the "4x4" routes in Kruger or some other Wildlife parks that claim its a 4x4 track.

The routes near the campsite is not a problem, but its the one running past the tented camp area that need losts of care to drive.

We were lucky to spot rhino's in the park while we were having a small breakfast break at a picnic area where you can get out. When we returned to camp a few rhino's came to break-up a braai at the camp. The ostriches can also be a problem if you leave food outside on a table. The campsites are not fenced in and blend in with the natural surrounding nearly like Tsendze camp in Kruger.

Driving up the mountain is a must but can be scary and just pray that another car is not coming down. The path is very narrow, but there is a few spots where two cars can get pass each other at least. Up this road you will have a good chance to spot Klipspringers and then from the top you can watch the vultures. The nests are a bit far off so you will not be able to get close-up shots, but you should see them flying overheads.

Both sections have lots of game and you should be able to see plenty even if you cannot take the 4x4 route.

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

Is there Fuel inside the park?

There is no fuel station in Marakele National Park; however the park is only 12km away from Thabazimbi town were there are fuel stations.

Is there a restaurant or shop?

The Park has a small shop at the gate; with only basics; if you need supper, breakfast or launch meal; you can buy most of the groceries at SPAR, Pick & Pay and other stores

Can I drive there if I don't have a 4x4

More than 80% of Marakele National Park road can be accesses with normal car; I would encourage you to have your 4x4 you might not want to restrict yourself to drive to around the park.

Is there an updated map of Marakele

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/marakele/tourism/map.php

I am not suicidal.

Some friends of ours went there to celebrate their anniversary in February this year. They were driving one of those Vito kombis.

Unfortunately the wife was the one driving up the mountain. (I did warn them beforehand of the road to the look out point...but some people just don't listen... )

Anyhow..as they drove higher she got so scared that the vehicle would start going backwards (she is a good driver nonetheless) that she raced the kombi to the top!!!! I can only imagine what would have happened if a vehicle was coming back down...

Cassius,

The maps you linking does not even indicate the camps, what about identifying specific roads to drive?

When will the park issue maps that can be used by visitors. I am sure I've received a much better map 4 years ago when we visited the park? Can't you download those maps?

Below is a link to a map on google. Click on statelite Icon to see the satelite image. The first road is in the north so move south-east to see the pass to the towers :

http://streetviewhq.com/maps/South-Afri ... ional-Park

This link was found on the 4x4 route, but actually shows the whole park and IMO a much better map than on the park home page

http://www.sanparks.org/images/parks/ma ... ap_4x4.pdf

Thank you all for the replies!!!

Maybe just one last question, what type of wildlife can I expect?
Is there lions, leopards, elephants,Hippo exct?

Once again thank you to all!!

Rooster, I can't think that I have read a trip report where somebody saw leopard or lion...but as far as I know there are suppose to be lions in the region where the elephants are. As for leopard...we saw spoor that belongs to a big cat (not as big as lions, but probably leopard) in the vicinity where the rhinos are...and near a picnic spot. In the picnic spot itself ( I can't recall the name...shame on me) there were lots of fresh footprints of much smalller cats like the African wild cat.

Have you seen some of the Marekele tripreports?

There are definitely elephants, we only saw dung, but there are beautiful pictures of them on some of the trip reports.

Thanks again for all of the replies, I will do a Trip report when we return!!
Just have to wait for 6 months before we can go?

You could do a day trip in the mean time...????