DAY 1

• JOHANNESBURG

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• Call of the Wild
• Upon arrival to Johannesburg, you will be welcomed at the door of your aircraft by a local representative holding a sign with your name on it. Alongside your assistant, you will be directed through immigration, baggage collection and customs.
• A private transfer between the airport and your hotel is provided.

DAY 2

• JOHANNESBURG TO MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

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• Under African Skies
• A private transfer from Johannesburg to Marataba in Marakele National Park is provided. The approximate travel time is three hours.
• After settling into your room, join your ranger for a late afternoon snack before setting off on a thrilling game drive across the awe-inspiring plains of Marataba. This rugged land of grassy plains framed by imposing mountain crests is home to a bounty of wildlife, including the renowned Big 5, and the adventure begins the moment you step aboard your safari vehicle. As you make your way through the reserve, your skilled guide and tracker work together to ensure that no animal goes unnoticed. Look for elephants hiding in the bush and perhaps spot a pride of young lions waking up from their afternoon slumber. With such variety or resident species, the possibilities for thrilling game sightings are endless!  

DAY 3

• MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

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• Where the Wild Things Are
• Each day at Marataba is designed to immerse you in the breathtaking beauty of South Africa.
• Morning Game Drive - Rise with the sun for a quick snack and tea or coffee before you depart on an early morning game drive with your experienced ranger. Spot the ‘Big Five’ as well as various rare and sought-after game.
• Breakfast – After an excitement-filled morning of traversing the rugged expanse of the reserve, settle in for a delicious breakfast at your lodge.  
• Lunch – Following a few hours of well-deserved relaxation, enjoy a sumptuous lunch prepared just for you.  
• Afternoon Tea - Cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool, catch up on reading, indulge in an afternoon nap or simply watch the wildlife roam around the lodge. Over a late afternoon tea and pastries, your ranger will discuss what you hope to see during the afternoon game drive.
• Evening Game Drive – As the heat of the day begins to subside, embark on yet another game drive across the wilds of Marataba. Seek out predators on the prowl and herbivores grazing in the tall savannah grass. There is nothing quite as spectacular as a sunset over the bush.  
• Dinner – After returning back to your lodge, swap stories of the adventures you encountered that day, and revel in the beauty of a million stars dancing above.

DAY 4

• MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

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• The Mane Attraction
• Before first light, meet up with your guide and tracker and hop aboard a specialized safari vehicle for an adventurous game drive across the plains of Marataba. Mornings are particularly good for wildlife viewing as the day’s temperatures are yet to reach their peak and the bush is abuzz with activity. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready, as magnificent encounters may lurk around each corner. Your knowledgeable guide ensures that no animal goes unnoticed and shares interesting facts about the species of flora and fauna that you see during your experience. Following a few hours out in the wilderness, return to your lodge just in time for breakfast.    
• Marataba’s dramatic savannah plains framed by majestic ancient peaks provide a perfect setting for your African adventure. During your stay you may opt to take advantage of several activities provided by your lodge. Seasoned hikers will surely enjoy the network of specialized trails taking them to the far reaches of the reserve – from the edge of the plains to mountain crests. This is also a wonderful opportunity to slow down and notice the smaller stuff, often missed during game drives. You may also opt to take advantage of the Thabametsi Treehouse. This remote, luxury hideout lies between savannah, mountains and sky. Open to the wild, with animal calls all around, and globed by endless heavens, this is a far-out wilderness experience just for you.  
• Please note that additional fees may apply. Speak to your Destination Expert for more details.

DAY 5

• MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

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• Nurtured by Nature
• Bush walks at Marataba are an opportunity to step out of the safari vehicle and really get in touch with nature. This morning, join your experienced ranger and feel the thrill of tracking animals on foot. Take note of the vegetation around you and listen to your guide as they explain the fascinating medicinal properties and traditional uses of local plants. See the smaller bush creatures that may easily be missed from a safari vehicle; a dung beetle rolling up its dung ball, a tiny reed frog hopping through the shrub, a spider working on its web, or a termite mound being built. With a little bit of luck, you may even be able to spot the Big 5 animals and admire them in their natural habitat from a safe distance.    
• As the day’s temperatures lower, meet your ranger for an afternoon tea and pastries before venturing off into the bush. Now the bush comes to life again; predators wake from their mid-day nap and begin their patient ritual of searching for their next meal, while herbivores graze in the shrubbery foraging for nutritious plants. This afternoon, journey across the reserve in the comfort of your safari vehicle and seek out these beautiful creatures as they go about their daily routines. Throughout your experience soak in the breathtaking scenery of Marataba and enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets imaginable, watching the blanket of soft pink light gently envelop the majestic peaks of the Waterberg.
• Driven by your field guide, you will arrive as sunset gild the landscape and the coolness of approaching evening brings animals into the open. A gourmet, tapas-style picnic has been laid out for you at your table on the deck, from where you have front row seats to the wilderness theatre that plays out across the plains. With your comfortable, supersized King Bed and two hot showers, this is the ultimate glamping adventure in the heart of Africa. There are few such experiences left on earth that bring you so close to the source.

DAY 6

• MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

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• Hakuna Matata
• At the crack of dawn, join your ranger for a morning coffee and snack before venturing back out into the bush. From the comfort of your vehicle, take in Marataba’s unbeatable scenery; a land of green rolling hills and endless grassy plains guarded by the majestic Waterberg. As you travel across this untouched corner of South Africa, seek out the numerous animal and bird species that call it their home. Your experienced guide and tracker do their best to find the best wildlife sightings and share their wealth of knowledge about Marataba’s ecosystem. As the temperatures start to rise, it’s time to return to your lodge and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast.  
• The land and animals slipping by, water lapping the boat, a breeze through the grass, birds diving in and out of the scene, the chirp of beetles on repeat like a chorus – this is water safari at Marataba. Today, see the reserve surrounding your lodge from an entirely new perspective as you board the lovely ‘Miss Mara’ and set out for an enchanting water-based game viewing experience. This unhurried early-morning or late-afternoon boat excursion is a perfect way to get in tune with nature.  

DAY 7

• MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

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• Elusive Creatures
• Your African adventure continues as you rise early this morning to embark on yet another game drive across the picture-perfect plains of Marataba. Accompanied by your safari guide, climb aboard your safari vehicle and set off on a game-tracking adventure. Follow the network of trails crisscrossing the grassy savannah and perhaps get off road to pursue even more exciting wildlife sightings. There is nothing quite like coming across a herd of buffalo grazing in the shrubbery, or spotting an elephant enjoying a morning sand bath. As the game is constantly on the move, each game drive provides you with unique insights into the lives of the African beasts that roam this breathtaking land.  
• This afternoon, your African adventure kicks into high gear yet again as you journey deep into the untamed wilderness surrounding your lodge. Your guiding team know all the best viewing spots and are equipped with deep knowledge of this fascinating ecosystem, allowing them to easily track animals in their natural habitat. As you make your way through the reserve, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive inhabitants of the bush, but also note the smaller details that tell the stories of this unique natural environment. Seek out numerous termite mounds dotting the landscape, search for trees bearing scars of elephant activity and listen to the haunting bird calls all around. Following a few hours in the bush head back to your lodge, just in time for dinner.    

DAY 8

• MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK TO JOHANNESBURG
• Until Next Time…
• A private transfer from Marataba in Makarele National Park to Johannesburg is provided. The approximate travel time is three hours.

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The Residence

Marataba Safari Lodge

Marataba Mountain Lodge