Marataba Safari Lodge

Marakele, South Africa

Virgin rating

Tented Suite, Marataba Safari Lodge, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tented Luxury Suite, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Bush Walks and Safari Experience, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Safari Experiences, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Waterberg Mountain, Marataba Safari Lodge, Johannesburg, South Africa
View of Waterberg Mountain from Marataba Safari Lodge
Marataba Safari Lodge
Water Safari at Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Miss Mara Boating Experience, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Marataba Safari Lodge
Tented Luxury Suite
Boma Area
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse
Tented Suite, Marataba Safari Lodge, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tented Luxury Suite, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Bush Walks and Safari Experience, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Safari Experiences, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Waterberg Mountain, Marataba Safari Lodge, Johannesburg, South Africa
View of Waterberg Mountain from Marataba Safari Lodge
Marataba Safari Lodge
Water Safari at Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Miss Mara Boating Experience, Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Marataba Safari Lodge
Tented Luxury Suite
Boma Area
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse
Thabametsi Treehouse

The hotel

The Marataba Safari Lodge is a family run property set in the Marakele National Park, 23,000 hectares of private land in the foothills of South Africa's Waterberg Mountains. At Marataba the staff and their families are committed to making sure that you have the best and most unique holiday experience; from fun filled family safaris, to weddings and romantic honeymoon breaks. With their expert knowledge of the local area, the Marataba Rangers will guide you through the South African bush, where you will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of some fantastic local wildlife. Accommodation comes in the form of 15 exquisitely decorated canvas tented suites, each with their own free-standing bath tub and spacious private deck. For complete privacy enjoy an overnight stay at the Thabametsi two level treehouse and experience the African bush 9ft off the ground!

Amenities

  • Babysitting service
  • Families
  • Honeymoon
  • Safari
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Swimming Pool
  • Near National Park

Where is it

Set in the grounds of the Marakele National Park, in the foothills of South Africa's Waterberg Mountains. Transfer time: 4-hour drive from Johannesburg Airport and a 2-hour drive from Sun City.

Hotel information

15 canvas-and-stone Tented Suites, each with their own private deck overlooking the sweeping plains and meandering river below. A free-standing stone bath invites you to appreciate the opulence of the suite’s interior, while indoor and outdoor showers take full advantage of the dramatic scenery of the Waterberg Mountains.

All Inclusive of: all meals, tea/coffee, soft drinks, local brand beers, spirits and house wines. Twice daily game-drives with refreshments and snacks. Game activities such as bush walks, astronomy, wildlife lectures, bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, bush diners and children's activities.

Main lodge bar, guest lounge, dining area, boma, and viewing/dining deck. Serviced guest pool, with shaded loungers and towels. In-room spa* and beauty treatments* available. Complimentary WiFi. Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Safari Club. Eco Garden kids’ entertainment and education area=. Daily game drives (sunrise and late afternoon). Bush walks. Walking trails. Water safaris*. A night in a Thabametsi Treehouse* - enjoy an overnight stay in a solar powered treehouse built on two levels, with a bedroom, full shower room facilities, and dining and lounge areas. Babysitting service*.

3 nights between 18 Dec-3 Jan.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (666)
  • Very good (43)
  • Average (7)
  • Poor (6)
  • Terrible (2)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Very average and a tourist trap

Mar 24, 2024 E2114WUmarkh Johannesburg, South Africa

My wife and I spent 3 nights here. We had high expectations since the lodge is steeply priced. This brings me to the next point- Tourist trap!! Local don’t stay here often- perhaps of the price or they know better. The game drives are good. Marnus is a great ranger and has plenty knowledge. The morning drives should start 5:30 am and be back at… Read more
My wife and I spent 3 nights here. We had high expectations since the lodge is steeply priced. This brings me to the next point- Tourist trap!! Local don’t stay here often- perhaps of the price or they know better. The game drives are good. Marnus is a great ranger and has plenty knowledge. The morning drives should start 5:30 am and be back at 8:30 NOT 10am like most mornings when the sun is punishing you. The positives were staff is amazing! Thabang and Tumi are super heroes! Their service were great and cannot fault them! Rooms were comfortable- no views however. Nice beds! No pillow choice. This must be implemented!Coffee in rooms are shocking for a lodge of this standard/ surely Nespresso machines are now a days the new standard. Instant coffee is a slap in my face. Amenities are average - nothing special! The pool was never really available due to maintenance- there isn’t a lot to do besides game drives- The spa is operated by 1 person only so no couples messages are possible. The bar at the lodge is really only a coffee station with few bottles of alcohol. The worst was the food and possible the reason why we went. Breakfast was good but that is where it ended. Lunch menu was a disaster- pulled pork bagels? Really- no pork on the bagel. Salads are disappointing.. !! Why attempt French dinning in the bush?? Dinner was a no gone all the nights. Never had a nice beef fillet or beefy meal. No African cuisine like melktert, koeksisters, paptert. The chef should be fired. The venison was tough Most times. Unfortunately the boma night that rain out but all the food was cold . This was served inside the dining area but sides and meat was cold- No plan B was in place. Quality of meat again bad- wors, lamb chop, list goes on.. A lodge of this standard should up their game by 50%. I normally try to see the best in any place but unfortunately this is a bridge too for Marataba Safari. It has potential but start in the kitchen and bar first. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Magical

Mar 16, 2024 Gary P Royston, United Kingdom

We were here eight years ago and had a fantastic time on our first visit. We thought that was the one and only time until friends suggested we all toured South Africa to celebrate a special year. As we enjoyed Marataba so much we included the experience. What a great thing to do. It felt like home as we arrived and the memories flooded back. But… Read more
We were here eight years ago and had a fantastic time on our first visit. We thought that was the one and only time until friends suggested we all toured South Africa to celebrate a special year. As we enjoyed Marataba so much we included the experience. What a great thing to do. It felt like home as we arrived and the memories flooded back. But then it only got better. Firstly can we thank Moses our guide for making a great experience into an amazing time. It’s always nice to find any place that maintains its standards. However Marataba has got even better. Accommodation still amazing glamping in 5* luxury. Game drives as always excellent. But then the bar raised by our first night Brai and the Bush breakfast. Our butlers Douglas and Tumi were like extended family and Moses joined us for meals and will remain on my contact list. I’m not the most mobile person but the staff ensured I had a fantastic experience. This is not an inexpensive experience but one worth every rand. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great base for Big Game drives in spectacular setting

Feb 10, 2024 Excursion30813358683

The most friendly and professional base for big game drives in a beautiful setting in wooded savannah with the Waterberg mountains as backdrop. Food and accomodation excellent, staff friendly and helpful and the bush rangers superb. Impala on the lodge lawn and elephants just down the track!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating More Safari Lodge, and team ... just so good!

Dec 29, 2023 AndyO1252 Johannesburg, South Africa

Having been to Matataba Mountain lodge the last two Decembers with family and having loved it, when faced with CT or the Bush at short notice for Christmas for just two of us, one quick call to Natalie at More secured us a three night stay at Marataba Safari Lodge. We were keen to try something different but still experience the absolute beauty of… Read more
Having been to Matataba Mountain lodge the last two Decembers with family and having loved it, when faced with CT or the Bush at short notice for Christmas for just two of us, one quick call to Natalie at More secured us a three night stay at Marataba Safari Lodge. We were keen to try something different but still experience the absolute beauty of the Marataba property, its mountains, its staff and its abundant wildlife. Safari lodge is magic, the rooms as good as you can get, every member of team were superb, their efforts over Christmas were wonderful. We are More collection fans across their portfolio and we left Safari Lodge even "more" so : ) Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating WOW!!

Dec 22, 2023 Sherpa479757

What a truly special place. Everyone and everything was so wonderful, value for money verses other lodges we’ve been to also exceptional. Our tour guide Lauren was fantastic, all the staff highly attentive and exceptional. We’ve been to some amazing places around the world and this was top notch. Thank you all