The Tswana name of Marakele means ‘place of sanctuary’, and you couldn’t find a better one than this secluded reserve in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, 250 km north of Johannesburg. A narrow tar road takes visitors up to the top of the Waterberg massif. Views and scenery are spectacular. The Marakele National Park lies in the tranquil zone between the arid western and the wetter eastern parts of South Africa and therefore serves as home to an abundance of mammals and bird species common to both regions.

Lions, elephants and rhino are some of the largest mammals inhabiting the Marakele National Park which boasts the largest population of breeding pairs of Cape Vultures in the world – 800 individuals. The Marakele National Park has beautiful landscapes of mountains, hills and valleys. and is home to towering yellowwoods and cedar trees. You’ll also find giant cycads and tree ferns. A rustic six–tent safari camp on the banks of the Matlabas River accommodates 24 people. The tents have private bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and braai facilities. Access to the park is via Thabazimbi and most of the park's roads are only accessible to 4x4 vehicles.

The Kwaggasvlakte plains immediately north of the reception/office complex and camping site can be traversed in a normal sedan, as can the entrance roads to the safari tent camp and bush camp. The narrow track up to the towers is also accessible to sedan vehicles. Most other roads in the Marakele National Park will present difficult terrain.