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. The park is characterised by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys. 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 the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here.

NB. Some parts of the park are only accessible with 4x4 vehicles.

ACCOMMODATION

• Tlopi Tented Camp with furnished units overlooking the banks of the Apiesrivierpoort Dam. Each tent has two beds (two stretchers are available which are more suitable for children), private bathroom (shower, wash basin and toilet), 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 camp sites with power arranged into 3 clusters with one communal ablution block per cluster.

Overnight Visitors:

1. No driving at night is allowed in the Park.
2. No collection of firewood.
3. 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.
4. Fines will be given if you drive off the roads.
5. Your vehicle can be searched at exit points.
6. 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.
7. Please do not feed the animals.  Vervet Monkeys will soon become habituated to this and create serious problems in the future.
8. You are not allowed to get out of your vehicle, except at places indicated to you on the map, by the receptionist.
9. No pets are allowed in the Park.
10. A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the Park’s boundaries.
11. Firearms must be declared at reception.
12. You have to vacate the tent at 09:00 on the day of departure.
13. 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.
14. Please keep your entrance permit with you while driving in the Park.
15. No fishing is allowed in the dam.

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.

FACILITIES

Some 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, whereas Modikela Bush Camp is supplied with solar energy for lighting only.
• 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.

Rates
All rates are self-catering unless specified otherwise.

IMPORTANT: Deposits & payments
For bookings made more than 6 months before arrival a 50% deposit is required within 4 months of making a booking. For bookings made less than 6 months before arrival a 50% deposit is required within 10 days of making a booking. For bookings made within 40 days of arrival, immediate and full payment is required within 24 hours upon confirmation of the booking. Final and full payment for all reservations is due 40 days prior to arrival. Rates are to be used as a guide only - full quotes will be provided upon receipt of an enquiry.

When making an enquiry, please supply full detail regarding the number of adults, number of children together with their ages, arrival and departure dates, accommodation type(s) required and number of nights in each rest camp. Also supply alternative dates and rest camps where possible. Children under 2 are free of charge. Bookings open 1 year in advance - it is essential to book as early as possible for busy/peak periods and school holidays.