Marataba Safari Lodge

From the moment we arrived it became obvious that this was going to be a very successful and enjoyable visit. The warm welcome was followed by a guided tour of our tent.- a large spacious and well-appointed one at that. We particularly liked the small in-room bar, twin sinks and dressing area. The baboons seem to take a particular delight in using our tent as a trampoline in the early evening.||Restricted to 2 or four guests in the vehicle at a time, we enjoyed some quite into it and private sightings, particularly with the big cats. Pride of goes to the cheetah mother and her five cubs who played for hours on end (or so it seemed) for our Entertainment. We also found her one day in Hunt mode and she performed the perfect ’kill’ taking out an Adult Impala female. It all happened so fast it was unbelievable. .||The sleep-out was a great success. Super sundowners delightful dinner great wine and warm as toast in a comfy bed under a start sky. Not even the Lion's roars managed to keep us awake. highly commend this experience to anyone who stays at Maritaba. Excellent not to be missed.||Our Guide was a complete delight - she was patient, knowledgeable, highly experienced and absolutely charming. Thank you very much indeed - we particularly liked the video that you sent us of our take off from Marikale at the end.||In Camp was not quite the same level but we would still commend all who worked to so hard to make our stay so enjoyable? Thank you?.||A most enjoyable visit.

We had the most magical 4-day family stay at Marataba – an experience we will never forget.|| We were warmly welcomed by a kind team who made us feel truly cared for. The lodge is stunning, beautifully integrated into nature, with exceptional comfort and breathtaking views. Every meal was very good and served in unique, picturesque settings.| The safaris were unforgetable! Our guide Robin was outstanding and full of fascinating cultural insights. We had the chance to witness incredible wildlife in a peaceful environment. ||Our whole family – from grandparents to kids – was amazed by the beauty and the tranquility of the bush.||A special thanx to:||Robin, our exceptional guide||Dorcus, who made our youngest feel at home in the kids' club||Douglas & Chilli, our attentive butlers||Frances, who escorted us to our tents each evening||Keden, for a wonderful water safari||And of course, thanks to the entire Marataba team who helped make this stay so special.||We recommend Marataba to anyone looking for a luxurious, authentic safari experience in South Africa. We hope to return one day!||Maingard family! Love from Mauritius.

Having visited several safari lodges over the years, I can confidently say that Marataba stands out as an extraordinary destination that exceeds expectations in every way. Tim, our guide, went above and beyond, making our six-night stay not only special but deeply memorable. His passion for the bush and ability to share interesting insights turned every drive into an adventure. Our the night drive for stargazing standing out as an absolute highlight—an experience we’ll treasure forever. Vusi also went out of his way to make my 30th birthday celebration unforgettable, working with my husband to surprise me with an exquisite champagne breakfast in the TreeHouse. Our butlers, Jennifer and Linda, made every return to the lodge feel warm and welcoming, anticipating our needs with care and kindness. The dedication of the entire team to creating meaningful, magical, one-of-a-kind moments was felt in every detail, and we will always cherish the magic they brought to our safari experience.

Our 5 day stay at Marataba Safari lodge was an wonderful experience. Our field guide was exceptional and shared his in-depth knowledge of the animals and the environment with us. He went out of his way to track the big 5 for us. The Chef, Butlers and general staff were welcoming and friendly which ensured we had a memorable stay. We cannot fault anything.

From the moment we arrived at Marataba, we knew we’d made the right choice. Everything—the staff, the grounds, the safaris, and the food—was outstanding. As a family of five (3 young teenagers), the family suite was perfect for us, spacious and comfortable, with special touches (my wife even enjoyed a spa treatment on our porch one afternoon!). The true highlight was our guide, Marnus. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable, but his passion and warmth made every game drive unforgettable. Thanks to him, we left with memories we’ll treasure for a lifetime.

What a gem. We took our toddler with us. We had the most wonderful time. The Lodge is very accommodating of children. Children are allowed on game drives provided parents can manage them. My toddler loved the experience. We will remember our time there for a life time

We love safaris and have been to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and other places in South Africa. Unlike other reserves and lodges where we have stayed in South Africa (especially Kruger), Marabata's isolation from other neighboring lodges and reserves allows guests to enjoy a much more exclusive and true experience of being in contact with nature. There are no cities, roads, power lines and dozens of cars from other lodges passing you all the time. At Marabata, it feels like the entire reserve as far as the eye can see is practically yours. The Lodge has just a few rooms in a huge area connected to Marakele National Park where the mountainous topography of the plateaus meets the irrigated plains just below to create a stunning landscape! We found the facilities, service, food and drinks to be excellent. The reserve is full of animals and we saw the Big 5 countless times, as well as many other species over the course of our 4 nights. Our guide, James, was very helpful, kind and competent at all times, especially considering that we were traveling with our three young children aged 7, 9 and 12. Unlike most other safaris, there is a great deal of concern for the safety of guests during the game drives and all guides carry a rifle that is kept in the car at all times, which although many consider unnecessary, made us feel much more at ease, especially with children on board. We booked the tree house for our last night and the entire staff went out of their way to ensure that we had a perfect experience in every way. We have been traveling the world for decades and sleeping in the tree house was possibly one of the most special, surprising and grand experiences we have had in our lives. I highly recommend it.

We couldn’t have asked for a more incredible safari getaway! From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable, exceeding every expectation. This was truly one of the most unique safari experiences we’ve ever had, from witnessing wildlife aboard the Miss Mara cruise, to stopping mid-safari for an up-close encounter with giraffes, to indulging in endless, delicious food. The landscape at Marataba Safari Lodge was absolutely breathtaking and unlike anywhere else we’ve been. Our night in the treehouse was unforgettable, with a crystal-clear view of the stars stretching across the sky. The team planned and executed a very special occasion for us flawlessly which made the trip even more meaningful. We absolutely can’t wait to go back!