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Marataba Game Reserve

Limpopo, South Africa

Two lodges in the Waterberg, built for families and friends who want the Big Five without sacrificing comfort.

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Property Overview

Marataba offers a genuine safari adventure tailored for families and friends inside Marakele National Park, with high-end tents across two separate lodges with all the creature comforts needed for an unforgettable experience in the wilds of Africa. Game drives and bush walks are the backbone of the experience, but there's plenty of opportunity to relax as well: pool time, in-room spa treatments, and open-air relaxation all find their place. A private four-bedroom residence is also available for groups or families wanting to share one space.

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SmartFlyer Exclusives

  • Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
  • Upgrade to next category (subject to availability)
  • Personalized welcome note and amenity
  • VIP exclusive experience: complimentary thirty-minute back and neck massage

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Agent Tips

  • Ask about a river safari aboard Miss Mara, Marataba's flat-bottomed boat, a slow float along the water with plenty of wildlife sightings.
  • Book the Thabametsi Treehouse for a night unlike any other–a sleep-out in the bush that sits somewhere between fantasy and the real Africa.
Accommodations

The perfect base for a safari adventure.

Marataba's two lodges offer distinct experiences within the same reserve. Safari Lodge houses guests in tented suites, with family tents available that include an additional bedroom for younger travelers. Mountain Lodge takes a different approach, with rooms styled in a clean, minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic that contrasts the bush outside. For larger groups and multigenerational families, the Marataba Residence sleeps eight to ten guests across four tented suites, with a shared main area, dining and lounge spaces, a private pool, and a deck overlooking the river.
Pool + Gym

For cooling off and unwinding.

Afternoons are best spent cooling off in the outdoor pool, with views of the Waterberg Mountains. The nearby craft bar and shaded viewing deck provide more space to unwind after a morning game drive, with views of the wildlife as it wanders by through the gardens.
Spa

In-room treatments.

While there's no dedicated spa at Marataba, you can still enjoy in-room treatments to relax and unwind – just ask the team and they can accommodate.
Restaurant + Bar

Local favorites and premium Cape wines.

At Marataba, meals are built into the rhythm of your days, with coffee and snacks on safari stops, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, each served in a stunning location, whether that's at the lodge itself or somewhere out in the bush. The kitchen puts a contemporary spin on local favorites, paired with premium Cape wines, and dietary requirements are handled with the same flexibility as the rest of the experience.

No safari day is complete without a sundowner, and Marataba offers two good options: the Waterberg Mountains as a backdrop on land, or out on the water during a Miss Mara river safari. Back at the lodge, the Wallow Bar picks up where the bush leaves off. A gin and tonic or an Amarula are the drinks of choice.
  • Vibe
    High-end lodges within a UNESCO biosphere, with world-class service and a strong focus on the unique landscapes.
  • Who's it for?
    Marataba is a natural fit for families with children who want to go on safari, thanks to the kids' program and family tents. It works equally well for honeymooners after something more intimate for the Big Five sightings, multigenerational groups making use of the Residence, and anyone with a genuine interest in wilderness, history, and conservation.
  • Location
    Marataba sits within Marakele National Park, three and a half hours from Johannesburg by road, with daily Federal Airlines flights and charter options also available. The reserve covers twenty-three thousand hectares of malaria-free bush in the Waterberg, privately managed and shared between only three lodges and camps, which means minimal vehicles out on the traversing land. The reserve falls within the greater UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, the only savannah biosphere of its kind in the world.

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