Marakele National Park
All-in-One
This page displays all information relevant to this park/camp, except the following:
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. Contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys characterize the park. Rare finds of yellowwood and cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here. All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds including what’s probably the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here.
Areas of Special Interest
A narrow tar road takes visitors up to the top of the Waterberg massif. Views and scenery are spectacular. One is also in the proximity of the vulture colony and these large birds will soar past at close quarters.
5 Things to Seek
- Cape Vulture – the park hosts one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of this endangered species. While birds may be seen in the air catching thermals anywhere in the park, the drive up to the Sentech Towers is nearest to the colony and close encounters with these enormous birds will leave visitors breathless.
- African Elephant – while some elephant had been previously reintroduced into the park, it was the release of the Tuli elephants in 1999 that captured the public’s and media’s imagination.
- Rhino – Marakele has a high density of both rhino species and most visitors should see these animals, particularly the more gregarious and diurnal white rhinoceros.
- Kudu – as browsers these antelope are in their element at Marakele. Look out for the bulls with their magnificent spiral horns.
- The not-so-often-seen-elsewhere antelope species such as reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, eland and tsessebe can be found here.
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Accommodation
Camps
Tlopi Tented Camp
Each tent has two beds (two stretchers are available which are more suitable for 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. One tent has wheelchair access. The camp is unfenced and is approximately 17 km from the Reception Office.
Bontle Camping Site
38 campsites with power arranged into 3 clusters with one communal ablution block per cluster.
General Information
To view the accommodation prices, refer to Tariffs
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Activities
- Bird watching and game viewing.
- Mountain pass up to an incredible view and proximity to the vulture colony
- Night drives and guided trails are being planned - please enquire at Reception.
- Morning Bush walks *
- Sunset Drives *
* Please note that these can only be booked at Reception in the Park and are subject to the availability of qualified staff, thus, they may not be always available.
Facilities
Most of the park's roads are only accessible to 4x4 vehicles. The Kwaggasvlakte plains immediately north of the reception/office complex and camping site can be traversed in a normal sedan, as can the entrance roads to the safari tent camp and bush camp. The narrow track up to the towers is also accessible to sedan vehicles. Most other roads will present difficult terrain.
In an effort to keep the park ecosystem as undisturbed as possible, most facilities are located outside the park in the adjacent town of Thabazimbi
Other Facilities:
- Shop: In Thabazimbi.
- Restaurant: In Thabazimbi.
- Roads: The access road to the park is tarred; internal roads are gravel. The camp and surrounding areas are accessible by 4x4 vehicles only.
- Electricity: Only the tented camp and camping site is supplied with electricity.
- Fuel: Petrol and diesel available in Thabazimbi.
- Garage: In Thabazimbi.
- Medical services: Doctor and hospital in Thabazimbi.
- Telephone: There are no public telephones in the park, but these are available in Thabazimbi.
- Post Office: In Thabazimbi.
- Police: The nearest police stations are located 12 km from the office and camping site in Thabazimbi and approximately 18 km north of the Kareehoek turnoff at Hoopdal.
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Natural and Cultural History
- The park was first known as the Kransberg National Park when it was first proclaimed in 1994.
- The Waterberg was the area that the naturalist, poet and author Eugene Marais lived in and inspired such works as his renowned novel "Soul of the White Ant."
- Ramolefe Boy Moatshe has lived in the area all his life. On 4 August 1981 he survived a 15 minute bare handed fight with a leopard (that he had surprised) after taking a calf from the herd he was tending. Ten hours after the attack he made it to hospital. He spent 2 months in rehabilitation in the hospital.
- The park also has an abundance of iron-age sites that will be made accessible to visitors in the future.
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How to get there
- The park is situated in the Waterberg mountain range in the Limpopo Province (formerly Northern Province) near Thabazimbi, approximately 250 km north of Johannesburg, in a malaria-free area.
- Travelers can take either:
- the N1 to Warmbaths and from there follow the R516 via Mabula and Leeupoort to Thabazimbi
- or travel to Brits and follow the R511 via Beestekraal to Thabazimbi.
- Access road from Thabazimbi to the park has been tarred, but internal roads are gravelled. The road to the Sentech towers is a tarred single lane track.
- The routes surrounding the tented camp and bush camp are accessible to 4X4 vehicles only.
- The office is approximately 12 km from Thabazimbi crossing on the road from Thabazimbi to Alma.
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Park Map
Click on a map to view a larger version of it.
Park Map
Greater Marakele
Regional Map
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Tariffs
-
2008/2009 Tariffs (word document or pdf document)
Members of SANParks’ loyalty programme WILD do not pay conservation fees provided that proof of Identity and their WILD card are shown on arrival.
Daily Conservation Fee for 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008 |
|
|---|---|
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): |
R17,00 per person, per day |
SADC Nationals (with passport): |
R35,00 per person, per day |
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): |
R70,00 per Adult |
Tariffs for 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unit type |
No. of units |
Rate |
Base |
Max. beds |
Add. Adult |
Add. Child |
BONTLE CAMPING AREA |
||||||
35 |
R120,00 |
1–2 |
6 people per site |
R40,00 |
R20,00 |
|
Campsite CK6PZ (with power point, closest to whhelchair accessbile ablutions) |
3 |
R120,00 |
1–2 |
6 people per site |
R40,00 |
R20,00 |
TLOPI TENTED CAMP |
||||||
9 |
R630,00 |
1-2 |
2 single beds |
R116,00 |
R58,00 |
|
*Safari Tent ST2/4 (unit accessible to the mobility challenged) |
1 |
R630,00 |
1-2 |
2 single beds |
R116,00 |
R58,00 |
* Although each unit has only 2 beds, 2 additional stretchers are available per unit but only on request. These are more suitable for children. Occupants must inform the park directly in advance if they want such stretchers to be in place on their arrival – 014 777 1745. |
||||||
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General Information
Overnight Visitors:
- No driving at night is allowed in the Park.
- No collection of firewood.
- You will be warned at reception about roads that are inaccessible in the Park. Should you drive on these roads and get stuck you will be charged for recovery expenses of a minimum of R50, 00.
- Fines will be given if you drive off the roads.
- Your vehicle can be searched at exit points.
- Be aware of BABOONS and VERVET MONKEYS. Keep your tents closed when driving around and lock food in the tent’s cupboard. You may even turn the fridge slightly so that the door does not open easily. Don’t let anything lie around.
- Please do not feed the animals. Vervet Monkeys will soon become habituated to this and create serious problems in the future.
- You are not allowed to get out of your vehicle, except at places indicated to you on the map, by the receptionist.
- No pets are allowed in the Park.
- A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the Park’s boundaries.
- Firearms must be declared at reception.
- You have to vacate the tent at 09:00 on the day of departure.
- The key for the gates must be returned to reception on the day of departure. Alternatively you can leave the key at the points indicated to you by the receptionist.
- Please keep your entrance permit with you while driving in the Park.
- No fishing is allowed in the dam.
If you have a problem with the interpretation of the rules, please enquire at reception.
Climate
Summers are hot but the area does not suffer from the stifling humidity so typical of the eastern Lowveld. The park is situated in the summer rainfall region and rainfall occurs in the form of heavy thunderstorms or soft rain. Winter is moderate with frost occurring in the low-lying regions only. Mornings and nights can be cold, but day temperatures are pleasant. Rainfall between 500 – 700 mm per annum.
Day Visitors
Entrance from 07:30 to 16:00. No need to book in advance. Currently there is no limit on number of people per day. 4x4 routes as well as routes for sedan vehicles are open to day visitors.
- No visitors are allowed at the back of open vehicles.
- Your vehicle can be searched at exit points.
- No collecting of firewood.
- Day visitors have certain areas and roads where they can drive. You will be informed at reception about the roads that are inaccessible. Should you drive on roads that are inaccessible and get stuck, you will be charged for recovery expenses of a minimum of R50, 00.
- Fines can be given should you drive off the roads.
- People are not allowed to get out of their vehicles, except at places shown on the map by the receptionist.
- No pets are allowed in the park
- Firearms must be declared at reception
- A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the park’s boundaries.
- Office hours are from 07:30 in the morning until 16:00 in the afternoon.
- The gates close at 18:00 in summertime and at 17:00 in winter. If you are still inside the Park after the gates have closed you can be given a fine.
- Tour operators must be licensed with FGASA and SATOUR to operate in National Parks. A proper game-drive vehicle will be required.
- Tour operators will pay a set entrance price – check details with park. Tour operators must be registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and be in possession of a valid Deat membership card as proof.
*Should you be uncertain as to the interpretation of a rule, please enquire at reception.
Take Note
- Pets are not permitted in a national park
- Firearms must be declared at the entrance gate.
- No open vehicles are allowed. Passengers on the back of an open vehicle are also not allowed.
- Medical, pharmaceutical, vehicle repair, fuel, post office and police at Thabazimbi.
Handy Hints
- Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
- Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter - the region is subject to sudden changes in weather, particularly in the mountains.
- Remember charcoal or wood, as this is not available in the park.
- Visitors should also remember to take a torch along, as the camp has no illumination between units at night.
- The safari camp has not been fenced and therefore visitors to Marakele are warned to stay within the confines of the tent and deck area. Walking outside the confines of the camp will put you at risk of dangerous game and negatively affect the experience of other visitors.
Office Hours
07:30 to 17:00 - 1 May to 31 August
07:30 to 18:00 - 1 September to 30 April
Contact Information
For enquiries e-mail Marakele National Park or phone us on the following numbers:
Park Tel: +27 (0)14 777 1745
Fax: +27 (0)14 777 1866
GPS Coordinates
S 24º31.860' and E 027º29.896'
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Birding in Marakele National Park
Arguably the Park’s biggest birding attraction is the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs). However the park is also appealing to birders as it falls within the transition zone between the dry western regions and the moister eastern regions of the country.
Thus it is possible to see certain closely related species alongside one another. These include (eastern species first) Southern Boubou and Crimson-breasted Shrike, Arrow-marked and Southern Pied Babbler, Tawny-flanked and Black-chested Prinia, Pin-tailed and Shaft-tailed Whydah, Dark-capped (Black-eyed) and Red-eyed Bulbul, Grey and Cape Penduline Tit and White-browed and Kalahari Scrub Rob in .
The park is an excellent place to look for raptors, with many species using the uplift generated off the cliff faces of the Waterberg to ride thermals. Apart from the vultures, visitors should look for African Harrier Hawk (Gymnogene), Jackal Buz za rd and several eagle species, including Verreaux’s (Black), African Hawk, Black-chested (breasted) Snakeand Brown Snake Eagle. In summer Wahlberg’s Eagle becomes prominent. Rock Kestrel are prominent on the mountain plateau, while Peregrine and Lanner Falcons should be watched for.
On areas of high ground Cape Rock Thrush, Buff Streaked Chat, Mocking Cliff-Chat; Mountain Wheatear, Cape Bunting , MalachiteSunbird, Lazy and Wailing Cisticola, Gurney’s Sugarbirdand Swee Waxbill should be searched for.
Other species to look out for in the lower lying bushveld and broadleaf woodland regions include Purple Roller, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Brubru, Southern White-crowned Shrike and White Crested Helmet-shrike and the exquisite Blue, Violet-eared and Black-cheekedWaxbills. Bee-eaters are conspicuous, particularly White-fronted and Little with Swallow-tailed (winter) and Carmine and European (summer) present as well. The Matlabas River (formerly home to the Tented Camp, but now only accessible from the Hoopdal Road ) can be scanned for signs of Half-collared Kingfisher and African Finfoot. From the relocated tented camp, now called Tlopi, water birds have a different profile. Black Crake may be seen in the rushes just in front of the units. A steady stream of woodland species uses the foliage around the safari tents to drink from the water’s edge. At night Freckled and Fiery-necked Nightjars and Spotted Eagle and African Scops Owl compliment the pulse of crickets and cicadas.
An annual birding census in the park and surrounding farms is organised by the Marakele Honorary Rangers . Check the Big Birding Day link for sightings records and details on how to take part.
(Compiled by Chris Patton)
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Mammals
Marakele is home to most of the large mammals synonymous with the African bush, including elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Large Predators such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, leopard and now also lion, occur in the park. The wild dogs have been the first of these re-introductions. There is a pack of wild dogs in a holding facility (boma) and will be released as soon as the predator-proof fencing is completed. Resident antelope include, sable, kudu, eland, impala, waterbuck, tsessebe and many smaller species. Chacma baboon and vervet monkey are two species to be watched carefully for mischief, particularly around the rest camps.
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Vegetation
Approximately 55% of the park is characterized by the Waterberg Moist Bushveld vegetation type (veld type 12). This vegetation type occurs in the intermediate to high lying areas in the southern and south-eastern portions of the park. This area is characterized by relatively high rainfall (719 mm) and the resultant leaching of the soils results in a fairy low soil nutrient status. This limiting factor in turn results in a fairly low carrying capacity and only ubiquitous species such as kudu and common reedbuck are common in these areas. This vegetation type is characterized by Transvaal beechwoods (Faurea salinga), proteas (Protea caffra) and stem fruit trees (Englerophytum magaliesmontanum). The vegetation along the tarred road leading to the towers are typical of the vegetation type.
Another major vegetation type is the Mixed Bushveld (veld type 18), which covers approximately 42% of the park. This vegetation type is mainly found in the northwestern and isolated southwestern pockets of the park. It occurs predominantly on the undulating to flat plains and the soils are generally clayey, deeper and more nutrient-rich. Most of the charismatic game species such as black rhino, elephant and wild dog will be associated with this vegetation type. This vegetation type is characterized by species such as silver cluster leaf (Terminalia sericea), sickle bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) and round-leaved teak (Pterocarpus rotundifolias). The vegetation around the camping site and tented camp is typical of this vegetation type.
Less than 3% of the park is comprised of Sweet Bushveld (veld type 17). This veld type is mostly found along the banks of the Matlabas River and forms an important winter refuge area for game particularly during limiting periods at the end of the dry season. The planned western expansion of the park will include more of this vegetation type, which is crucial to sustain adequate numbers of prey species for large predators such as lion and spotted hyena.
One of the rare and threatened plant species of Marakele is the Waterberg cycad (Waterbergbroodboom) Encephalartos eugene-maraisii. The naturalist, author and poet Eugene Marais lived in the Waterberg for 16 years and this cycad was named in his honor. This cycad is endemic to the Waterberg region and grows to 5 m tall among low shrubs at an altitude of 1 450 m.
From its Waterberg Cycads to Yellow-woods and Camel Thorns, Marakele National Parks supports about 765 plant species.
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People with disabilities
Wheelchair Access
Marakele is a wilderness area with limited tourism facilities for everyone. Much of the park requires a 4x4 vehicle. The safari tent camp has 10 units, one of which is accessible to people in wheelchairs, with an access ramp and adapted ablution facilities (roll-in shower). No accessible facilities are available at the Bush Camp. The new reception block has a unisex ablution facility for people with mobility impairment. The camping site also has ablution facilities for wheelchair-bound visitors.
(Please see additional information on Wheelchair Accessibility)
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