Marakele

9 km from Thabazimbi. North West Province

Access

Very easy access – various routes

Accommodation

This is a Sanparks reserve. There are two main camps – Tlopi and Bontle. Bontle has camping as well as luxury tents. We stay at Tlopi – a small luxury tented camp – self catering, Situated on a dam. Very comfortable and the view over the water is stunning

Booking

Sanparks website

Pensioners discounts are available at certain camps and during certain periods Note you can only use the call Centre to obtain these – not the online reservations

https://www.sanparks.org/docs/tourism_tariffs/senior-citizen-discount2022.pdf

Photo opportunities

Is a big 5 reserve – but the predator side where Tlopi is located is accessed through an automated gate. Cats are seen but are not that often. It is a relatively small park

Landscapes are beautiful. Some bird hides available. Birds – mainly small birds are plentiful

Beautiful sunsets and sunrises

Astrophotography from within Tlopi camp is possible at New moon. The night skies are beautiful

A trip to the communications tower presents beautiful opportunities to do landscapes – also beautiful panoramic shots as the vistas are vast

Highlights

Landscapes – all plus astrophotography. The vast vistas also lend themselves to doing panorama shots stitched together in post

A trip to the communications tower to see the Cape Vulture breeding colony where the vultures are frequently see flying at eye level. The drive up there is quite stressful as the road is very narrow – but the views are worth it. Often see Klipspringer very close up close to the top of the mountain