​Overview – Marakele NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many Africa guidebooks, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Philip is the author of many Africa guidebooks, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Philip is author of the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Marakele, at the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, is a scenic destination in remote wilderness. The park is home to the Big Five, but sightings are hit-and-miss. A highlight is the vulture viewpoint where Cape vulture can be spotted. The park is divided into two sections: the first contains easy-to-drive gravel roads but not many animals; the second is far wilder but also richer in wildlife.

 
View Photos (19)
Open Map
Best Time To Go May to September (Dry season)
High Season Never (The park is little visited)
Size 670km² / 259mi²
Altitude 983-1,986m / 3,225-6,516ft
+17 Photos

Pros & Cons

  • Beautiful rugged scenery
  • Excellent birding
  • Off-the-beaten-track destination with great wilderness appeal
  • Self-catering accommodation for self-drive visitors
  • Upmarket lodge in exclusive private concession
  • Malaria-free
  • Low-key wildlife viewing and predator sightings are rare
  • Far away from South Africa's main tourist attractions
  • The road network is limited, and some tracks are 4x4 only

Marakele NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Marakele is a relatively new national park. Many large animals have been introduced, including lion,cheetah, elephant and buffalo, but numbers are still low. White rhino is spotted regularly, and black rhino is present, but rarely seen. Several interesting antelope species can be encountered, including the rare tsessebe.

Scenery

Marakele lies in the transitional zone between the dry western and moist eastern regions of South Africa and is characterized by rugged mountain landscapes, rolling hills and deep valleys. Magnificent yellowwood and cedar trees, beautiful suikerbos protea shrubs, five-meter-high cycads, and tree ferns are just some of the botanical delights.

Weather & Climate

Marakele’s two distinctive seasons dictate how you dress while visiting the park. It’ll be wet-weather gear on top of cool clothes in the rainy but hot summer months (October to April). And you'll need lots of warm layers to combat the cold nights of the dry winter season (May to September).

Best Time To Visit

Despite the dusty haze that develops in the parched depths of the Dry season (May to September), this is still the best time to spot Marakele’s wildlife. The animals are easily found as they stay close to rivers and waterholes. And when they do duck into the bush, there’s not much ground cover to hide them. That said, birders will want to visit in the wetter months when migrating birds pass through.

Want To Visit Marakele NP?

Marakele Safaris

Marakele NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Alan Murphy  –  
Australia AU

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.

In the wilds of the Waterberg
3/5

In the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Marakele is packed full of wildlife and stunning bush landscapes. The park is set up in two sections – to gain access to the wilder second half where all the Big Five roam in abundance, you press a...

Full Review

All 7 Expert Reviews
Latest User Review
Chris  –  
South Africa ZA
Reviewed: Oct 18, 2021
The gravel roads are the worst of SANParks and not suited for sedan vehicle at all. Shame on you!!!
1/5

Don't go there, the gravel roads are so bad all attention needs to be on driving the bad road condition's , it's impossible to do game viewing at the same time. Sedan vehicles should not be allowed to enter the park!!!!

Full Review

All 26 User Reviews Write a Review