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Hey, that looks great, is it only camping?

Yes, it is only a campsite, a kilo or so from Orpen.

We have driven through it just to have a look. There are a lot of people who say it is the best campsite in Kruger.

While I mostly stay in Hut accomodation it is realy is a gem of a camp so occasionly I rough-it and camp in a tent there just because it is such a authentic bush experience . Prime campsite is under an enormous Jackalberry tree.

The birdwatching is astounding al day long .
Scop's owl , Orangebreasted and greyheaded - bush shrikes , nesting hornbills to name a few .

And at night it is very small , intimate , dark and with very little human noise . You are right next to the boundary fence and are able to see and hear the nightime wildlife . Hyena and Civet patrol around the camp and you will definately hear Lions roaring during the night and early morning - sometimes very close by.

We've camped at Maroela several times. Truly a great camping area. On one occasion we even had the honey badger inside the camp, throwing over the dustbins. And as MikeV mentioned, this is the place to hear the lions at night.
A friend of my father told that many moons ago they had the lions inside the camp. Apparently he was returning from the ablution block when he almost walked into a lioness. He charged back to the ablutions and locked himself in a toilet - there he sat screaming for help.

On another point - don't know if this still can be done. We have, on one or two occasions, made arrangement with Orpen to come in late and then camp at Maroela - obviously we had to pay a fee - think it was something like R100 that time. If I remember correctly, the latest you could arrive was 3 hours after the gates closed. We had to give our registration number before the time; this was then given to the gate guard. The next morning we then had to go and book in at Orpen. This service made it much more easy for our “weekend trips' when we travelled from Pretoria.

Hi there

Close your eyes... think back 14 years.... see a small, secluded camping area in your minds eye.... and...
Snap... there you have it....

Nothing much changed at all, (except higher Fence) and at times.... truck loads of Overlanders.... but if you go in quieter Months.... you will not regret it
JUST DO IT

Hi FIZZPOP, i was just asking because i have read on another website that there are 2 huts that people can sleep in. I just cant remember there being 2 huts so thought maybe they had built them in the camp or made the camp bigger, to put them in.

Hi
I last stayed in Dec 05, and there were no huts to sleep in (that i observed anyway)!!!

From when you were last there early 90s:

Changes are, from Memory, (i was first there in Dec 90 on Honeymoon and every year since) are -
the fence line behind the ablution block was moved back about 10 m.
There is a basic wooden viewing platform in the one corner near river and old Ngala road.
Electrified Fence (now 1.8m high)
Attempted to place drainage pipes and culverts to stop camp being progressively washed away into the Timbavati.
Two "permanent" overlander campsites near entrance gate.
There is a lot more traffic on the roads near the camp as per Tamboti opening since mid 90s.
Still the best little camp....enjoy

Pierre - I envy you! I will be working...... ALL the roads have great potential. The gravel road to Rabelais has produced the least for me in recent years, but then if you turn onto the Talamati road, we have had great sightings of Lion, cheetah, sable and general game.

My favourite remains the Timbavati, both lower and upper. Then the tar road through to Satara, especially at Nsemani dam, has always been good. You really can't go wrong with any of the roads in the area. GOOD LUCK!

We "discovered" Maroela during the 1970's and it became one of our preferred camps.
We spent part of every Kruger trip at this camp.
In those days my parents were keen caravaners.

I stopped going to Kruger when I moved to Natal, but decided to book a few days at Maroela Camp during March '06.
My husband and two kids have never been to Kruger before.
My parents joined us too, trusty old (albeit well looked-after) caravan in tow.

Needless to say, it felt like being 'back home' again for me.
The changes were mostly positive - back int the '70s the ablution block was made of corrugated iron - if memory serves correct.
The only thing that was amiss, was the communal fireplace, which was tended to by an old Madala (the person in charge of the camp) I forget his name, but a true gentleman who enhanced our bush experience. He was always friendly and always willing to assist.
He also told some real "fireside" stories.

My kids were in absolute awe.
Craig (13) discovered previously unknown photographic ability, whilst Bronwen (8 ) asked questions non-stop.

All too soon did we have to pack up and leave and THAT my dear friends, was the HARDEST thing I have EVER in my entire life had to do.
I simply could not leave that camp - not knowing when I will ever see it again.
I made a promise to myself there and then that I WILL BE BACK! (as they say in the movies)

We spent this last long weekend at Maroela.
It is a beautiful camp.
The camp was fully booked but there was never a feeling that the place is full.
There are 3 showers (in the men's ablutions) and this was never a problem.
Ablutions were always clean.
Funnily we noticed that our vehicle was the only sedan in the camp, only SUV's and bakkies!
Also most vehicles in the park were SUV's and bakkies - the roads aren't that bad

Every single evening and morning we heard lions roaring nearby and the hyaenas were patrolling the fence looking for scraps.
Obviously people are still feeding them even though signs are posted everywhere asking guests not to.

We had very few good sightings: a fleeting glimpse of about 5 cheetah (mom and large cubs), lion, elephant, but generally the area was very quiet.

I would say to be safe a 20 m cord should be sufficient.
The sites are not always clearly marked and if the camp is full you may end up having to squeeze in somewhere far from a power point.
You may also be lucky and find a site right next to a point.

20 meter is enough for most and it must be robust as it crosses a minor road serving the front fence sites (or bury it) .
But an separate extra 10 meter is recomended .

I understand that this is right next door (so to speak) to Tamboti.
I think it would be obvious to say that there is no accomodation unless you bring your own (tent, trailer, caravan, campervan).
Do any of your fine-fellow-forumites have any experience of this camp. What is it like?

We stayed at Maroela in late April this year.
It is right next to Tamboti and is only for caravans and tents (bring your own).
It is a small camp, with the one side overlooking the Timbavati.
There is a communal kitchen with 24 hour boiling water and a communal freezer.
There is power for the camp sites but the sites are not marked so you may sometimes need a long extension cord.
The fact that the camp is so small and only residents are permitted makes this camp special.
It is highly recommended although the routes in the area are not that good.
It is better to head toward Satara way on your drives.
Any other questions fire away!