Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, SANParks

Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, SANParks

Description

Marakele National Park

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.

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.

Concession Lodge

Marataba Safari Company:The lodge is situtated on a 23 000 hectare private concession in the heart of Limpopo's Marakele National Park.For more information on this lodge,

Vital Information

Overnight Visitors:

• No driving at night is allowed in the Park.
• No collection of firewood.
• You will be warned at reception about roads that are inaccessible in the Park. Should you drive on these roads and get stuck you will be charged for recovery expenses of a minimum of R50.
• Fines will be given if you drive off the roads.
• Your vehicle can be searched at exit points.
• Be aware of BABOONS and VERVET MONKEYS. Keep your tents closed when driving around and lock food in the tent’s cupboard. You may even turn the fridge slightly so that the door does not open easily. Don’t let anything lie around.
• Please do not feed the animals. Vervet Monkeys will soon become habituated to this and create serious problems in the future.
• You are not allowed to get out of your vehicle, except at places indicated to you on the map, by the receptionist.
• No pets are allowed in the Park.
• A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the Park’s boundaries.
• Firearms must be declared at reception.
• You have to vacate the tent at 09:00 on the day of departure.
• The key for the gates must be returned to reception on the day of departure. Alternatively you can leave the key at the points indicated to you by the receptionist.
• Please keep your entrance permit with you while driving in the Park.
• No fishing is allowed in the dam.

**If you have a problem with the interpretation of the rules, please enquire at reception.**

Day Visitors

Entrance from 07:30 to 16:00. No need to book in advance. Currently there is no limit on number of people per day. 4x4 routes as well as routes for sedan vehicles are open to day visitors.

• No visitors are allowed at the back of open vehicles.
• Your vehicle can be searched at exit points.
• No collecting of firewood.
• Day visitors have certain areas and roads where they can drive. You will be informed at reception about the roads that are inaccessible. Should you drive on roads that are inaccessible and get stuck, you will be charged for recovery expenses of a minimum of R50, 00.
• Fines can be given should you drive off the roads.
• People are not allowed to get out of their vehicles, except at places shown on the map by the receptionist.
• No pets are allowed in the park
• Firearms must be declared at reception
• A general speed limit of 30 km/h must be maintained within the park’s boundaries.
• Office hours are from 07:30 in the morning until 16:00 in the afternoon.
• The gates close at 18:00 in summertime and at 17:00 in winter. If you are still inside the Park after the gates have closed you can be given a fine.
• Tour operators must be licensed with FGASA and SATOUR to operate in National Parks. A proper game-drive vehicle will be required.
• Tour operators will pay a set entrance price – check details with park. Tour operators must be registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and be in possession of a valid Deat membership card as proof.

**Should you be uncertain as to the interpretation of a rule, please enquire at reception.**

Climate

Summers are hot but the area does not suffer from the stifling humidity so typical of the eastern Lowveld. The park is situated in the summer rainfall region and rainfall occurs in the form of heavy thunderstorms or soft rain. Winter is moderate with frost occurring in the low-lying regions only. Mornings and nights can be cold, but day temperatures are pleasant. Rainfall between 500 – 700 mm per annum.

Hints & Tips

• Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
• Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter - the region is subject to sudden changes in weather, particularly in the mountains.
• Remember charcoal or wood, as this is not available in the park.
• Visitors should also remember to take a torch along, as the camp has no illumination between units at night.
• The safari camp has not been fenced and therefore visitors to Marakele are warned to stay within the confines of the tent and deck area. Walking outside the confines of the camp will put you at risk of dangerous game and negatively affect the experience of other visitors.
• Pets are not permitted in a national park.
• Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery) - South African legislation stipulates that fuel stations will accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/credit/debit cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase.
• Firearms must be declared at the entrance gate.
• No open vehicles are allowed. Passengers on the back of an open vehicle are also not allowed.
• Medical, pharmaceutical, vehicle repair, fuel, post office and police at Thabazimbi.

Office Hours

07:30 to 17:00 - 1 May to 31 August
07:30 to 18:00 - 1 September to 30 April

Facilities

Facilities

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 will present difficult terrain.

In an effort to keep the park ecosystem as undisturbed as possible, most facilities are located outside the park in the adjacent town of Thabazimbi.

Other Facilities:

• Shop: In Thabazimbi.
• Restaurant: In Thabazimbi.
• 80km of our roads are accessible to normal sedan vehicles.
• Electricity: Only the tented camp and camping site is supplied with electricity.
• Fuel: Petrol and diesel available in Thabazimbi.
• Garage: In Thabazimbi.
• Medical services: Doctor and hospital in Thabazimbi.
• Telephone: There are no public telephones in the park, but these are available in Thabazimbi.
• Post Office: In Thabazimbi.
• Police: The nearest police stations are located 12 km from the office and camping site in Thabazimbi and approximately 18 km north of the Kareehoek turnoff at Hoopdal.

Attractions

Activities

• Bird watching and game viewing.
• Mountain pass up to an incredible view and proximity to the Cape vulture colony.
• Morning and Sunset drives available.
• Morning and Sunset Bush walks available.
• Two nights 4x4 eco trail available.
• Two nights Hiking Trail opening soon.

Come and enjoy the core of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve Wilderness experience with qualified and experienced Field Guides/Rangers in the park.

Rates

Directions