Marataba Mountain Lodge

Highlights

• Five intimate rooms perched above Waterfall Valley in the Waterberg
• Malaria-free Marakele National Park, an easy three-hour drive from Johannesburg
• Solar-powered lodge with Scandinavian design and sweeping mountain views
• Big Five game viewing on open-vehicle drives with experienced guides
• Signature water safaris on the Matlabas River, unique to Marataba

You Should Know

• Mountain Lodge is best suited to couples and adults seeking quiet seclusion
• Children are better accommodated at the sister Safari Lodge and Marataba Residence
• The lodge is reached via a steep mountain road, so guests with limited mobility should enquire in advance

The Details

Location

Mountain Lodge sits high above Waterfall Valley inside Marakele National Park, in the malaria-free Waterberg region of South Africa's Limpopo Province. The setting is dramatic, with rugged sandstone cliffs, deep ravines and far-reaching views over a wilderness rarely seen by other visitors.

The lodge forms part of the MORE Collection's Marataba portfolio, which also includes the larger Safari Lodge on the plains below and the private-use Marataba Residence on the banks of the Matlabas River.

Rooms

Just five luxury rooms make up the lodge, each approximately 431 square feet, with a fireplace, private terrace, rain shower and king bed. The aesthetic is restrained and contemporary, drawing on Scandinavian design principles and pairing them with raw natural materials and uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountains.

Dining

Meals at Mountain Lodge are an unhurried affair, served in intimate settings that change with the rhythm of the day. Expect long breakfasts after the morning game drive, lighter lunches on the deck and dinners that draw on seasonal South African produce. The small team adapts menus to guest preferences, and kosher dining is available on request.

Activities

Twice-daily open-vehicle game drives explore the diverse habitats of Marakele National Park, home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and one of the largest breeding colonies of Cape vultures in the world. Marataba's signature water safari takes guests gently along the Matlabas River, offering a different perspective on the reserve and excellent birding. Treehouse stargazing, rhino conservation experiences and guided walks round out the offering.

Price Includes

• All meals and daily snacks
• Selected drinks
• Two daily game drives with refreshments
• Specified safari activities