Marataba Mountain Lodge

Overview

Marataba Mountain Lodge overlooks Waterfall Valley in a privately managed section of Marakele National Park, in South Africa’s Waterberg region. With just five rooms for up to ten guests, the solar-powered lodge offers an intimate safari setting. Contemporary interiors, private viewing decks and fireplaces make each room a comfortable retreat. Game drives explore Big Five territory, while guided bush walks and water safaris offer different perspectives on the reserve. Between activities, the shared infinity pool looks out across the valley. Its secluded setting particularly suits couples and travellers who value quiet time, with the mountain scenery an attraction in its own right.

Fast Facts

Waterberg, South Africa

Marataba

5 Luxury Rooms

Ages 16+

Malaria-free

Air-conditioned rooms

Swimming Pool

Game Drives, Walking Safaris & River Cruises

Gallery

Summary

Pros & Cons

⊕ Just five rooms, creating a small and intimate lodge atmosphere
⊕ Wide views over Waterfall Valley from the lodge and rooms
⊕ Big Five wildlife, including both black and white rhino
⊕ Game drives, guided bush walks and Miss Mara water safaris
⊕ Cosy rooms with fireplaces and private shaded decks

⊖ Steep paths and steps make access challenging for guests with limited mobility
⊖ Reaching Mountain Lodge requires an additional lodge transfer after arriving at Safari Lodge
⊖ Limited routes from the lodge mean a 20–30-minute drive before reaching the reserve’s wider road network, with fewer wildlife sightings along the way.

Location

Marataba Mountain Lodge overlooks Waterfall Valley in South Africa’s Waterberg region, in Limpopo. It sits within a privately managed section of Marakele National Park, with a secluded hillside position and views across the surrounding mountains and bushveld.

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The Lodge

The small main lodge centres on the valley views, with comfortable seating and a fireplace for cooler evenings. A dining area and outdoor deck provide spaces to unwind between activities, while the shared infinity pool and dedicated spa sit beside the main lodge.

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Rooms

Five Luxury Rooms have a simple, cosy mountain-cabin feel, with beds facing towards the valley. Each has air conditioning, a fireplace and a private shaded deck, plus an en-suite bathroom with an indoor rain shower. Uphill paths and steps connect the rooms to the main lodge.

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Activities & Experiences

Morning and afternoon game drives form the main safari routine, led by a field guide without a separate tracker. Guided bush walks reveal smaller details of the bush, while Miss Mara cruises along the Matlabas River. Night drives offer opportunities to look for nocturnal wildlife.

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Wildlife & Birds

Marataba is home to the Big Five, including both white and black rhino, alongside giraffe, zebra and various antelope. Brown hyena and pangolin are present but seldom seen. Birdlife includes lilac-breasted rollers, brown snake eagles and black-chested snake eagles, with waterbirds along the river.

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Child Policy

Marataba Mountain Lodge welcomes guests aged 16 and older, with the full adult rate applying. There are no dedicated family rooms or children’s programmes, and the atmosphere is geared towards couples and adults seeking a quiet safari stay.

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Getting There

Marataba is approximately three-and-a-half to four hours by road from Johannesburg. Guests arriving by road first reach Safari Lodge, where the team arranges onward transport to Mountain Lodge in a safari vehicle. Flying to Thabazimbi Airstrip is another option, with a pre-arranged road transfer to the lodge.

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The Lodge

Marataba Mountain Lodge sits on a hillside overlooking Waterfall Valley, with simple, Scandinavian-inspired design and an intimate atmosphere. The main lodge includes a lounge with a fireplace, a bar and dining area, an outdoor viewing deck and a boma. Comfortable seating makes the most of the valley views, while the kitchen and service areas are tucked away at the back. Shared facilities include an infinity pool overlooking the valley and a dedicated spa, with treatments available at an additional cost. The lodge runs on solar power. Its mountainside layout makes it unsuitable for guests with limited mobility.

Rooms

Marataba Mountain Lodge has five rooms in one category, Luxury Rooms. Their simple, mountain-cabin feel creates a cosy, romantic atmosphere, with beds facing out towards Waterfall Valley. Each room has a private, shaded deck with seating to enjoy the views. Air conditioning and a fireplace provide comfort through the seasons, alongside a minibar and desk. The en-suite bathroom has an indoor rain shower with a window overlooking the landscape, a single basin and drawer space. Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are provided. There are no dedicated family rooms, and the lodge welcomes guests aged 16 and older. An uphill walkway and steps connect the rooms to the main lodge. The closest room involves a shorter walk, while those farther away require more climbing. This makes room access challenging for guests with limited mobility or anyone who struggles with inclines.

Activities & Experiences

Morning and afternoon game drives form the main safari routine at Marataba Mountain Lodge. Drives generally last around three to three-and-a-half hours, with a coffee stop in the morning and sundowners in the afternoon. Each vehicle is led by a field guide, without a separate tracker. Night drives offer opportunities to look for nocturnal wildlife. Guided bush walks explore the smaller details easily missed from a vehicle, while the Miss Mara water safari follows the Matlabas River, offering opportunities to spot hippos, waterbirds and animals along the banks. Safaris operate year-round, with departure times changing seasonally and activities subject to weather conditions.

Wildlife & Birds

Marataba is home to the Big Five, including both white and black rhino, alongside giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope. Hippos inhabit the waterways, while more elusive species include brown hyena and pangolin, though sightings of these are uncommon. Birdlife is varied, with colourful bushveld species such as lilac-breasted rollers adding to the experience. Brown snake eagles and black-chested snake eagles are among the raptors to look out for, with waterbirds providing further interest along the river.

Dining

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at Marataba Mountain Lodge. Breakfast combines a continental selection brought to your table, including fruit, yoghurt and cold meats, with hot dishes ordered from a menu. Lunch is also chosen from a menu, while dinner alternates between a three-course meal with a starter, main and dessert, and a generous braai/barbeque evening with food cooked over an open flame. Meals are served in the main lodge’s dining spaces, with settings varying during your stay. Guests generally dine with their own travelling party or with fellow guests from their game drive.

A Day at the Lodge

Arrival day Your stay begins at Marataba Safari Lodge, with check-in from 14:00 and a welcome drink. Arrive in time to join the afternoon game drive, which finishes at Mountain Lodge. Once there, settle into your room or enjoy a drink before dinner. A full day An early start brings coffee in the main lodge before your morning activity, followed by breakfast on your return. There is time to relax and have lunch before high tea and the afternoon safari. Game drives include a sundowner stop, while Miss Mara offers drinks and snacks aboard the boat. Return to the lodge for dinner. Departure day Enjoy tea or coffee before a final morning activity, followed by breakfast and check-out by 11:00. Timings vary seasonally. Summer mornings start earlier and afternoon activities finish later, while winter brings later morning departures and earlier evening returns.

Rates

Rate	2026	2027
Per person sharing	From R20,095 per person per night	From R20,095 per person per night
Single occupancy	From R20,095 per night, with no single supplement outside peak periods	From R20,095 per night, with no single supplement outside peak periods
Children	Guests aged 16 and older pay the full adult rate. Children under 16 are not accommodated.	Guests aged 16 and older pay the full adult rate. Children under 16 are not accommodated.

Rates vary by season. The published starting rates cover stays until 19 December 2026 and 31 May 2027 respectively.

Location

Marataba Mountain Lodge is situated in the Waterberg region of Limpopo, South Africa, within the privately managed Marataba section of Marakele National Park. The lodge occupies a secluded hillside overlooking Waterfall Valley, with wide views across the bushveld and surrounding Waterberg mountains.

Child Policy

Marataba Mountain Lodge welcomes guests aged 16 and older. Children under 16 are not accommodated, and the full adult rate applies to all guests. Each Luxury Room sleeps a maximum of two people, with no dedicated family rooms.

Guests aged 16 and older can participate in game drives and water safaris, while guided bush walks have a minimum age of 16. The lodge does not offer babysitting, childcare or children’s programmes.

Travel Info

Marataba Mountain Lodge can be reached by road or air. From Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, allow approximately four-and-a-half hours by road to Marataba Safari Lodge, either by self-drive or an arranged transfer. A 4x4 is not required for this route, although potholes around some smaller towns call for care. Follow the lodge’s supplied directions through the security access points to Marataba Gate.

Guests leave their vehicles at Safari Lodge and continue to Mountain Lodge with their guide in a safari vehicle, a journey of approximately 40–45 minutes. Arrange your arrival time with the lodge beforehand so the team can coordinate collection.

Flights can be arranged to Thabazimbi Airstrip, followed by a pre-arranged transfer taking approximately 90 minutes to Mountain Lodge. Marataba lies in a malaria-free area.

Terms, Inclusions & Exclusions

Rate inclusions

Rates include accommodation, all meals, teas and coffees, minibar snacks and selected drinks. Two daily game drives with a field guide, guided bush walks and Miss Mara water safaris are included, along with refreshments on game drives and Wi-Fi in public areas.

Rate exclusions

Compulsory park fees, the Conservation Levy and the Impact Levy are charged separately. Additional charges apply to premium drinks, spa treatments, laundry, gratuities and flights or transfers not expressly included in your booking. Optional experiences such as the Thabametsi Treehouse sleepout, helicopter flights, private vehicle hire and rhino conservation activities also cost extra.

Booking terms

MORE’s published reservation terms require a 20% non-refundable deposit, with the balance payable 45 days before arrival. Cancellations within 45 days of arrival incur a 100% cancellation charge. For stays between 20 December and 3 January, a 50% non-refundable fee applies, with the balance due 120 days before arrival.

Confirm the conditions attached to your specific quotation before paying, including any charges for date changes or amendments.