A SAFARI RETREAT AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE WATERBERG MOUNTAINS
Situated in the Marakele National Park, meaning ‘a place of sanctuary’ in Tswana, lies the two luxury lodges and one private residence of Marataba. As a private 23,000-hectare section of Marakele National Park, Marataba has been built with natural materials that seamlessly weave into its wild surroundings, whilst maintaining a contemporary and luxurious design with comfort at its heart.
At the foot of the Waterberg Mountains lies the five luxury rooms of the Mountain Lodge. Designed with a minimalist Scandinavian-style architecture, each suite has its own king size bed, wood-burning fireplace, en-suite rain shower and shaded viewing deck with picturesque views of the plains and mountains beyond. You can also stay on the winding waterways of the Matlabas River in the Safari Lodge which is comprised of 15 luxury stone and canvas tents, each with a comfortable king size bed, en-suite bathroom, an outdoor shower and a private terrace to witness the South African wildlife amble by. For a peaceful family retreat, there is also the Marataba Residence which comprises of four luxury tents each with their own en-suite bathroom.
For those seeking adventure beyond guided drives and bush walks, glide down the Matlabas River to see countless game by the water including hippos wallowing, elephants foraging and birds flying overhead. You can also spend the night under the stars in the Thabametsi Treehouse, a remote and luxurious two-level treehouse which is completely solar-powered and offers panoramic views of the Waterberg and Marakele plains.
Marataba, South Africa
At a glance
- Set in a 23,000-hectare private section of the Marakele National Park
- Choice of two luxury lodges, the Safari Lodge and the Mountain Lodge, and one private residence
- The Safari Lodge is comprised of 15 tents, each with a king size bed, en-suite and an outdoor shower
- The Mountain Lodge has five luxury rooms with a king size bed, en-suite rain shower, wood-burning fireplace and shaded deck
- The private Marataba Residence includes four luxury tents, en-suite bathroom, sun deck, fire deck and a private pool as well as a resident butler, housekeeper and chef
For leisure and pleasure
- Embark on a Miss Mara Water Safari with a flat-bottomed river boat in the morning or at sunset
- Guided safari game drives and bush walks
- Spend a night under the stars in the Thabametsi Treehouse
Planning my first solo trip felt like a big step, but The Ultimate Travel Company made it easy from the outset. I reached out over a year in advance, and Rob Kent quickly put together a thoughtful itinerary based on exactly what I was looking for, securing great flights and always being available to talk things through. Everything ran smoothly and I felt looked after every step of the way. The accommodation in Japan, Fiji and Tahiti was excellent and the experiences unforgettable.
