National park · South Africa
Marakele National Park
Enter Marakele for a day: take the Sunrise Drive (R240 adult) before 10:00, or the Sunset Drive (R240 adult) after 16:00; for wildlife, join a guided walk (R325 adult) in the cooler months May–September; avoid the hot summer heat and stay in Tlopi Rest Camp or Bontle campsite.Enter Marakele for a day: take the Sunrise Drive (R240 adult) before 10:00 AM, or the Sunset Drive (R240 adult) after 4:00 PM; for wildlife, join a guided walk (R325 adult) in the cooler months May–September; avoid the hot summer heat and stay in Tlopi Rest Camp or Bontle campsite.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
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Area
670 km² (259 sq mi)259 sq mi (670 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–Aug
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
- Limpopo ↗Kruger's northern half and the lowveld near Phalaborwa are malaria-risk areas; check prophylaxis with a travel clinic before you go.
- Limpopo ↗Drive on the left. An international driving permit plus your home licence is the safe combination; some rental firms ask for several years' driving experience.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 670 km² (259 sq mi)259 sq mi (670 km²)
- Marakele National Park covers roughly 670 km² (about 260 sq mi); exact boundaries differ between sources.
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Marakele protects the Waterberg mountains and bushveld, offering big‑five wildlife, extensive birdlife and scenic drives, with guided walks for close wildlife viewing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2004Part of the Waterberg Biosphere.
Size and age
670 km² (259 sq mi)259 sq mi (670 km²) · national park since 1990
Marakele National Park covers roughly 670 km² (about 260 sq mi); exact boundaries differ between sources.
Why go
- See the big five and over 250 bird species, including the world’s largest Cape griffon vulture colony.
- Explore the Waterberg mountains and lush bushveld on scenic drives.
- Spot 16 antelope species in varied habitats.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- FebHot and humid.
- MarWarm, drying.
- AprMild, dry, good wildlife viewing.
- MayCool, dry, ideal for walks.
- JunCool, dry, low crowds.
- JulCool, dry, excellent for wildlife.
- AugCool, dry, good visibility.
- SepWarming, still dry.
- OctRain starts, heat returns.
- NovIncreasing rain, hotter.
- DecHot, thunderstorms common.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cape griffon vultures (largest colony)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 250 bird speciesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| 16 antelope speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Gauteng
Take N1 north to Bela-Bela, then R516 east to Thabazimbi; park gate 12 km (7.5 mi) north on R516.Take N1 north to Bela-Bela, then R516 east to Thabazimbi; park gate 7.5 mi (12 km) north on R516.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Thabazimbi
Drive 12 km (7.5 mi) north on R516 to the park gate.Drive 7.5 mi (12 km) north on R516 to the park gate.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Gate & Visitor Centre | Entry point, information desk, and vehicle access to roads. | Open with ticket. |
| Sunrise & Sunset Drives | Scenic routes along the Waterberg ridge. | Open to all vehicles. |
| Guided Walk Area | Designated trails for ranger‑led walks. | Guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and key facilities.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Drive (adult) | ZAR 240 (≈ US$14) | person | — |
| Sunrise Drive (child) | ZAR 120 (≈ US$7) | person | — |
| Sunset Drive (adult) | ZAR 240 (≈ US$14) | person | — |
| Sunset Drive (child) | ZAR 120 (≈ US$7) | person | — |
| Guided Walk (adult) | ZAR 325 (≈ US$19) | person | Check for child price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R 240≈ US$14
- R 120≈ US$7
- R 240≈ US$14
- R 120≈ US$7
- R 325≈ US$19
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SANParks – Marakele National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Vehicle access
- Stay on marked roads; off‑road driving requires a 4WD.
- Feeding wildlife
- Not allowed; may cause dangerous encounters.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated braai areas only.
Where to stay
In the park
Tlopi Rest Camp
Cottages R260‑3265 per night; safari tents R1540‑1900.
In the park
Bontle campsite
Camping sites R325‑380 per night; safari tents R1380‑1640.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Wild animal encounters at night high
Road accidents on unpaved sections low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate and drives are accessible to standard passenger vehicles.
- Guided walks may involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑run camps to support conservation.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep waste in provided bins.
- Choose guided walks led by park rangers.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Marakele National Park?
Entry is covered by the Sunrise or Sunset Drive tickets (R240 adult, R120 child). Guided walks cost R325 per adult.
What are the best hikes in Marakele National Park?
The park’s main walking experience is the guided walk (3 h) that showcases big‑five wildlife; self‑guided drives are also popular.
When is the best time to visit Marakele National Park?
April to September offers mild, dry weather and excellent wildlife viewing.
Can I camp in Marakele?
Yes, at Bontle campsite (R325‑380 per night) with basic facilities.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
A standard vehicle can use the main roads; a 4WD is required for some rough sections and off‑road tracks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Marakele National Park
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