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O i will take it slow. If the road is bumpy i have to be careful. My main concern is to get stuck in the mud somewhere on my way to the camp. A little bumpy is fine.

My plan was to go next sunday but looking at the weatherforecast it might not be a good idea since the chance of rain is increasing at the end of this week.
Maybe i have to postpone my trip untill later this month.

Hi

just wanted to know if there are braai stands in the camping section, and if the picnic site has gas like they do in kruger?

thanks!

In the camps there are braais available and you can get wood at the gate. Picnic areas are different from Kruger and have no shops or full time attendants. It is an area that you could relax and braai on a normal fire but no gas at any of the spots in Marakele.

At present the camp at bontle is so close to the picnic spot that most folks just go back to camp for the braai as it overlooks the waterhole and is a nice backdrop to a pleasant lunch.

Hi

Please find the attacehd information below on Marakele National Park

The Marakele National Park; in the south western section of the waterberg mountains has, a its Tswana name suggest, become a “place of sanctuary” for an impressive variety of wildlife; this is due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. The park is characterized by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clads hills and deep valleys.


Marakele is one of the younger national parks in South Africa having been initiated in 1986 when the state purchase a nucleus of five farms totaling about 15000 ha

The park was initially proclaimed in 1994 as the Kransberg National Park and from this core area, Marakele National Park has grown in extent to the current proclaimed area of some 90 000 ha and is still in a phase of considerable expansion. Land purchase has been made by the state, the national parks board trust fund and through private donations.


ACCOMODATION IN THE PARK


TLOPI TENTED CAMP

With furnished tented units overlooking the banks of the Apiesrivierpoort Dam. Each tent has two beds (Two Stretchers are available which are more suitable fro children), private bathroom (Shower wash basin and toilet) and a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator/ Freezer, two –plate stove and electricity. Each tent has a veranda with table and deck chairs and barbecue facilities.

BONTLE CAMPING SITE

38 Campsite with power points, arranged into 3 clusters with one communal ablution block per cluster.

All the parts of the park are accessible with all types of vehicle tyres. Marakele Accommodation caters for variety of guest requirements.





Tourism Attractions

The Park also has an abundance of Irion- age sites that will be made accessible to visitors in the future

ACTIVITIES

• Bird watching and game viewing
• Mountain pass up to an incredible view and proximity to the vulture colony
• Night drives
• Guided walks


Special Features

A narrow tar road takes visitors up to the top of the waterberg massif. The view and scenery are spectacular.

FACILITIES

In an to keep the park’s ecosystem as undisturbed as possible most facilities are located outside the park in the adjacent town of Thabazimbi


IN THE PARK

Roads: the access road to the park is tarred, while certain internal roads are gravel. The tented camp and surrounding areas are accessible by all vehicles
Electricity: The tented camp and camping site are supplied with electricity.

Just a bit more info about Marakele.
As far i know it's the only sanpark with marked disabled camping sites.

Thanks

@ Cassius

You mentioned nighdrives also. Are they really taking place in Marakele? Because they are not mentioned on the homepage ("activities")...

Do you have any further infomation for the night drives? Time/departing from... Can you take place when staying at Tlopi Camp?
Is it possible to register for a night drive before travelling so South Africa?


Thank you very much,
Niko

Hi,

I saw under Activities and Facililties for Marakele the following: 'Two nights Hiking Trail opening soon"

Can anyone please give me more information about the Trail and when can bookings for it be made.

Thank you,
JJ

Hi,

I'm looking for advice on the best way to travel to Marakele from Joburg (Rosebank) this weekend. Previous postings have indicated that it's better to go via Warmbaths than Brits, is this still the case? Would appreciate any advice. Not travelling in a 4x4. Thanks!

We were there last weekend Do not use the R511 past Diepsloot. The road is a mess. The Malibogwe route route to Brits is fine, but for about 30km past Brits the road is full of LARGE potholes. Once you go into Limpopo province the road improves again. I have not used the Warm Baths Bella Bella route for a long time so cannot comment on it. The road in the park once you go through the tunnel has been damaged by rain, but is passable in a normal sedan if you go carefully. Travel safely and enjoy

I am going there in 2 week's time. Any comments on the road via Bela Bela?

This road is not that bad, but after turning off form Bela Bela to Thaba, please be very careful - some nasty potholes.

Travel safe and enjoy your trip

thank you

Tobie I wish you fair weather and an enjoyable trip, Marakele is that special place. The road is good enough to tow a Metalian

Good light and happy shooting

Just returned from a memorable weekend.

A few tips:

The road from Brits to Thabazimbi (R511) is drivable. There is a stretch of about 30km where you just need to take it slow. But the huge potholes have been filled with cement so they are not deep and there are no tyre bursting sharp edges.

The road in the park from the subway up the hill to Tlopi is not good. You will manage with a sedan but the going will need to be slow.

The facilities at Bontle are prestine and we will be back.

Take it slow and you WILL mark a new bird off your list.

What a place!

I trust there is a trip report with lots of pics in the making!?

Would love to hear more about your weekend.