THE WELLNESS TRAIL : MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK & MARATABA SAFARI LODGE - SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS & ACCOMMODATION (Limpopo)

There is SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF in South Africa, so much we either don't even know exists, or haven't really thought about experiencing, and REALLY, REALLY should, its such a travesty if we don't. We said it before, and will keep saying it, even if only to ourselves, we keep trying to, or dreaming of experiencing the world outside of our borders, before we have even truly lived within our own country. We have so much yet know of or see so little...

Please consider this, really explore it online and make it a mission to see first hand what we have on offer, before your next foreign holiday, or your next usual coastal trip, or at the very least within the next 5 years, make SOUTH AFRICA YOUR BUCKET-LIST. We doubt you will ever regret our own Motherland once you truly know her. So few of those who we envy internationally will ever have what we have locally, and they are the ones who envy us, more than we will ever fully realize, lets see why...

Please meet......

First, the Park, the GREAT, MAJESTIC & HEAVENLY Marakele National Park, that we didn't even know existed until now. We say heavenly, because while we wait our turn with the greater powers, we were left with a sample of what to expect, whatever your beliefs, this must be where we are heading, afterwards, this must be what the other side is like.

We are not sure we could handle more....

Marakele is in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, two hours drive from Pretoria, and as its Tswana name suggests, it has become a 'place of sanctuary'. It has an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and the moister eastern regions of South Africa.

'Contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills & deep valleys characterise this park. Rare finds of Yellow wood 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 an amazing variety of birds, including whats probably the largest colony of endangered Cape Vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here'.

5 major interest points are the Cape Vultures, the Great African Elephant, the Leopard, Kudu and the apparently not often seen anywhere else, Antelope species such as Reed buck.

Typical Park life activities include Bird Watching, Sunset & Sunrise Drives, Bush Walks, but there is also a two night 4x4 Eco Trail. The experienced & qualified Field Guides/ Rangers will show you how to enjoy the core of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve Wilderness and all it has for you to experience.

Find out more about MARAKELE @ SANPARKS - MARAKELE, but first let us tell you more about your Accomodation options, they have few ways for you to experience the full meaning of Park-Life, and it includes the overnight options.

Depending and your budget, or needs, we have the Sandparks option, which includes the seriously awesome top class TLOPI TENTED CAMP, and then there is the luxurious option of the incredible MARATABA SAFARI LODGE. Again, it depends on your budget and needs.

The TLOPI TENTED CAMP is such a mind-blowing way to experience the park and its offering, as you are tight in the thick of the park, but you still, even with a tent, have a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen, and beautiful veranda. That's the Tented Camp Safari Tent option, but we still have the guest cottage, and 38 awesome camp sites, with decent and well looked after communal ablution areas . We LOVE the Safari Tent option.

Find out more @ SANPARKS MARAKELE ACCOMMODATION

But then there is this option, mmmmm, heaven, the good life, pa-ra-dise, harnessed....

Meet....MARATABA SAFARI LODGE.....(Maybe the best spoil ever....at least once in your life...)

"Marataba is a malaria-free 23000 hectare private concession within the Marakele National Park, (Limpopo, South Africa.) Just four hours from Johannesburg, this is a sanctuary where busy people can find themselves again by connecting with nature. We were rendered breathless by the dramatic Waterberg mountains, vast plains, rich animal diversity and winding rivers cutting through the landscape. Allow us to share it with you!" Robert More (CEO)

This is MARATABA, and its absolutely beautiful, it captures the beauty of its surroundings and is the beauty of its landscapes.

Marataba consists of TWO main lodges, namely the MARATABA SAFARI LODGE & the MARATABA TRAILS LODGE.

The Safari Lodge, "is a simple extension of the natural environment beyond its walls - rich, bold, organic and patently magnificent. If you sit quietly for long enough you can feel the energy of the countless people who have made this place home since The Stone Age".

With 5 luxurious tents at the Marataba Trails Lodge, "the intrepid explorer is treated to an incomparable walking safari on natures terms, without compromising on the creature comforts".

But the most exciting part is the field trips, the walks, game drives, water safaris, the wildlife, the trails, the adventure, the food, and everything pulled together by the Waterberg and the National Park.

They have taken majestic to a whole new level. They even have a Spa offering a n array of massages, beauty, skin and grooming treatments, and they can help you follow a healthy and active lifestyle, if complete relaxation isn't your thing. You are here to indulge, how you do that is up to you.

Just have a look at the images below, and get a taste, then completely explore their website @ www.marataba.co.za...you will salivate...ALOT!