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Marakele National Park
Limpopo South Africa
The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains,
as its Tswana name suggests, has become a 'place of sanctuary' for
an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional
zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South
Africa. Contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills
and deep valleys characterize the park. Rare finds of yellowwood
and cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns, are some
of the plant species found here. All the large game species from
elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety
of birds including what’s probably the largest colony of endangered
Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have
settled here.
Areas of Special Interest
A narrow tar road takes visitors up to the top of the Waterberg
massif. Views and scenery are spectacular. One is also in the proximity
of the vulture colony and these large birds will soar past at close
quarters.
5 Things to Seek
· Cape Vulture – the park hosts one
of the world’s largest breeding colonies of this endangered
species. While birds may be seen in the air catching thermals anywhere
in the park, the drive up to the Sentech Towers is nearest to the
colony and close encounters with these enormous birds will leave
visitors breathless.
· African Elephant – while some elephant
had been previously reintroduced into the park, it was the release
of the Tuli elephants in 1999 that captured the public’s and
media’s imagination.
· Rhino – Marakele has a high density
of both rhino species and most visitors should see these animals,
particularly the more gregarious and diurnal white rhinoceros.
· Kudu – as browsers these antelope
are in their element at Marakele. Look out for the bulls with their
magnificent spiral horns.
· The not-so-often-seen-elsewhere antelope species
such as reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, eland and tsessebe can be found
here.
Marakele National Park accommodation
Camps
Tlopi Tented Camp
Each tent has two beds (two stretchers are available which are more
suitable for children), private bathroom (shower, wash basin and
toilet), and a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator/freezer,
two-plate stove and electricity. Each tent has a veranda with table
and deck chairs and barbecue facilities. One tent has wheelchair
access. The camp is unfenced and is approximately 17 km from the
Reception Office.
Bontle Camping Site
There are 38 campsites with power arranged into 3 clusters with
one communal ablution block per cluster
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