Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
Why visit Marataba?
Marataba is a private reserve sharing an unfenced boundary with Marakele National Park in South Africa's Waterberg region. The reserve offers malaria-free Big 5 safaris amid a conservation success story that includes hosting a globally significant population of white and black rhino.
Marakele National Park
Nestled in the Waterberg mountains, Marakele National Park forms a vital part of the UNESCO-designated Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, safeguarding this transition zone between the dry western regions and the moist eastern parts of the country.
The park’s 765 plant species include rare Waterberg cycads, yellowwoods, proteas, and camel thorns. Mixed bushveld, Waterberg moist bushveld, and sweet bushveld all occur here. Its vastly varying altitudes – from 1,050m above sea level in the valley plains to the west and southwest to 2,088m above sea level on the summit of the Kransberg – also ensure a diversity of wildlife and plant species.
Marataba quick facts
230km² (23,000 hectares) within the 670km² (67,000-hectare) Marakele National Park
A private concession offering exclusive experiences for luxury lodges, separating it from the public access areas of the park
Rare wildlife sightings: The concession is known for exceptional sightings of elusive species, including cheetah, wild dog and the highly sought-after pangolin
"Marataba" means "place of peace at the mountain" in the local Setswana language
What wildlife will I see at Marataba?
Wildlife likely to be encountered during game drives in Marataba includes the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard), cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and various antelope species.
Marataba offers birdwatchers a varied list, including one of the world’s largest Cape vulture colonies, shaft-tailed whydah, southern pied babbler, grey and Cape penduline tits, Cape rock thrush, buff-streaked chat, mocking cliff-chat, mountain wheatear, Cape bunting and swee waxbill.
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Marataba FAQs
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Our safari prices typically include accommodation, all meals and described activities, park fees, experienced guides, airport transfers and 24/7 support from our team. Specific inclusions vary by package – contact us for detailed itineraries.
You only make your first payment when you book your Marataba holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
We have been handcrafting experiential safaris since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Booking through a respected tour operator with many years of experience means that all you need to focus on is helping us design your safari and then having a superb vacation. The rest - all the nitty-gritty detail and admin is done while you relax. Our 24/7 concierges take care of problems such as flight changes and missed flights, last-minute road transfer and lodge changes due to unexpected events, and itinerary changes requested by you.
Remember that you will not save money by attempting to book and manage your own safari, but you will inherit mistakes and problems that arise.
Yes, your money is safe. Your payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability. See what travellers say about us.
Yes, by booking your safari with Africa Geographic, you make a significant difference because:
We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level
Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about Africa's incredible biodiversity and the local people who protect it
Our chosen lodges support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited vehicle numbers and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem
YOUR safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Start planning your Marataba holiday
Our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!