Marakele National Park - South Africa

Marakele National Park - North West - 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.
Marakele National Park is currently divided into two parts (namely the +/- 2500 ha ‘Kwaggasvlakte’ section and the Greater Marakele National Park), by a public gravel road (the Hoopdal Road). Most parts of the park are only accessible by 4x4.


Camps
Tlopi Tented Camp
Tlopi is the name that the locals call the river, which feeds the dam on which the camp is situated. The name Tlopi is derived from the word Motlopi, which is the Tswana, name for the tree, Boscia albitrunca or “witgat”. Its common english name is Shepherd’s tree and it is is quite common on the banks of the Tlopi river.This tented camp was formally located some 15 km to the northeast on the banks of the Matlabas River. It was moved partly for contractual reasons, but also to concentrate the park's accommodation on the park periphery.
Bontle Camping Site
Bontle is also a Tswana word that means beautiful. This camping site is located adjacent the park's new reception and administration offices. These are located at the former entrance gate to the picnic area at Kwaggasvlakte.
These names are the outcome of a consultative process locally and park management feel that the names are very applicable.


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.



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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Safari

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Safari.

The Kgalagadi National Park is Africa’s first transfrontier national park, the result of merging the Kalahari Gemsbok Parks in Botswana and South Africa and incorporating Mabuasehube on the eastern Botswana side of the park. The Kgalagadi comprises an area of over 3.6 million hectares or approximately 2.5 million square kilometres.
Kgalagadi means ‘land of thirst’ and the huge, desert landscape is part of the Kalahari Desert – the largest continuous area of sand in the world. Red sand dunes, dry riverbeds and sparse vegetation characterise the Kgalagadi
The annual rainfall is 200mm, mainly between January and April. The summer day temperatures may exceed 40 degrees Celsius yet the night time winter temperatures plunge well below freezing. Visitors should expect extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during winter nights. The last four months of the year are hot, dry and dusty. Then dark clouds start to build up and the wildebeest begin to calve in anticipation of the heaviest rainfall between January and April. In the Mabuesehube after heavy rains herds of eland, hundreds strong can be seen. Following a tremendous thunderstorm and even hail occasionally the dry rivers begin to flow for a brief period.

The birdlife is typical of the dry Kalahari woodlands and as with any dry habitat, birding opportunities vary according to rainfall. 260 bird species have been recorded in the Kgalagadi and the birds of prey are particularly interesting. There are a wide selection of waterbirds due to the sudden transformation of the park after a thunderstorm. More than 50% of the birds are vagrants or irregular visitors. After good summer rains, temporary avian inhabitants may include large flocks of storks and sometimes even a few flamingos, ducks, flufftails, sandpipers or a crake or two.
It is renowned for predator watching and home to black-maned Kalahari lions, leopards, cheetah, brown and spotted hyaena, wild dog, black backed jackal, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, eland, springbok, red hartebeest, duiker and steenbok. It is estimated that there are 450 lions in the park and to survive in such harsh conditions the large carnivores have to adopt wide-ranging tactics. This includes a variety of smaller than usual prey in their diet and a huge range over thousands of square kilometres as prides often split into smaller hunting groups.

Visitors should be totally self-sufficient in fuel, water and food, although water can sometimes be obtained from the Game Scout Camp.
The roads are dirt and are quite sandy in parts but a 4WD will only be necessary during the wet winter months. Due to the remoteness of the area it is advisable to travel in a convoy of at least 2 vehicles.

4WD / Selfdrive - Ornithology - Mobile safaris - Game Drives

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Kalahari Adventure Safari

Kalahari Adventure Safari

Explore the vast desolated expanses of the Southern Kalahari in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and the Southern districts of Botswana. This barren region with it’s semi-dessert vegetation is protected in one of the worlds biggest Nature Conservation areas; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park measuring more that 3,6 million hectares. Do as the Bushman did, and travel the expanse of this park ranging from sand dunes to the majestic Augrabies Waterfall.

Day-1: Johannesburg

Arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa. After arrival you will be transfered to your overnight destination just outside Johannesburg. You will meet your guide - he will go over the tour itinerary and do vehicle familiarization.
Day-2: Botsalano Game Reserve

After an early breakfast we are on our way to Ramatlabama area, passing through the North West province and Mmabatho. Here we will stay for the rest of the day, enjoying the sights and sounds of the wild and just relaxing before heading on further into Botswana.

Day-3&4: Mabuasehube, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve
As we leave today, we take the long desert road across the sands of Botswana. The roads are quite challenging in place as it is mostly sand and gravel, making the journey a very exciting experience. After a long days drive we will pass though the gates of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, reaching our destination, Mabuasehube, a vast stretch of clay nestled in between a multitude of red sand dunes. Wildlife is generally abundant in this area. The day will be finished with a cold drink taking in the spectacular play of colour and light against a wall of red dust as the sun sets.

Day-5: Mabuasehube, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve
We wake up with another amazing transformation of the area with sunrise when the red sand dunes yet again become a canvas for the sun’s rays. Following breakfast the first half of the Mabuasehube wilderness trail beckons. We set off to experience the Kalahari and all its diverse elements the way it was surely seen thousands of years ago. Challenged by heavy Kalahari thunderstorms, extremely high temperatures at day time and freezing cold at night, this trail is still one of the most exhilarating expeditions to take. With its rich history and untouched beauty this patch of earth has a certain tranquillity that feels almost sacred. Staying on the Mabuasehube Trail, we carry on over another stretch of Kalahari to Mosomane camp, where we will rest before we start our next trail. On this section we will move deeper into more arid, desert like areas, covering the tracks of the San people.
Day-6&7: Nosob, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve

Driving up and down dunes through an ocean of sand spotted with islets of grass until we enter the picturesque Nossob valley. With enough luck we may spot a couple of Brown Hyenas, Cheetah’s, Leopards or even some of the famous Kalahari, black-maned Lions. After another long days driving we will end the day listening to the sounds of the Kalahari and yet another awesome sunset.

Day-8: Twee Riviern, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Reserve

Today we start travelling further south toward South Africa. We will spend our last day in the Transfrontier Reserve at Twee Riviern Campsite.

Day-9: Augrabies National Park

We will wake up early for our departure to the Orange River to view the majestic Augrabies Waterfall.. The days drive will be very long, thus we will only reach the falls by the evening or late afternoon. We will go to bed this evening with the thunderous roar of the Augrabies falls to put us to sleep.

Day-10: Augrabies National Park
After a good nights rest and a quick breakfast we will head of on foot to view the Augrabies Falls, and then on for a short hike through the majestic canyon. If luck is on our side we should see numerous baboons and monkeys, a range of bird species, ‘steenbokkies’ and ‘klipspringers’. The evening will be spent around the camp fire recalling our journey through the wild Kalahari.

Day-11: Kuruman, Northern Cape
We will start heading home and on to Kuruman our stopover for the night. In Kuruman we will spend our last evening of camp fire and stories together at the ‘Eye’, the source of the Kuruman River where 20 million litres of crystal clear water gushes out of the dolomite daily.

Day-12: Johannesburg

Our before last Expedition day together. We will take the road to Johannesburg where we be received by a welcoming Country Estate with luxury rooms and bathroom (something will miss after the trip), but not before passing more fields and visions of beauty.
Day-13: Transfer to Airport
Today we will say our last goodbyes at breakfast before you will be transferred to the Airport for your departure.

Experience the vast expances of the Kalahari on this African Safari with Lathita Expeditions.

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Real Jeep Safari

Experience a real Jeep Safari with Lathita Expeditions.

Vehicle: Jeep XJ Cherokee 4.0l Automatic.

Vehicle Price: ZAR1000.00 per day.

Accommodation: We will choose accommodation to match your style.

Route: Lathita Expeditions will create a unique route to exotic destinations in Southern Africa. Some of the amazing places you can visit includes; The Garden Route, The Eastern Cape Game Route, The Karoo, Namaqauland, Mpumalanga, Cape Town, Addo Elephant National Park, Kruger National Park, and The Kalahari just to name a view.

We will let you decide what you want to see, book your accommodation, get your Jeep ready and send you of on a Safari Experience of a lifetime.

Contact Lathita Expeditions for more information on your Jeep Safari.

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