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MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK
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  Marakele National Park, Limpopo: The Marakele
National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains has become a 'place of sanctuary'
for an vast variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the
dry western and moist eastern regions of South Africa.
The Marakele Park is characterised by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes,
grass-clad hills and deep valleys. 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 the largest colony of endangered Cape Vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in
the world, have settled here.
Marakele is home to most of the large mammals synonymous with the African bush, including
elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Lion and spotted hyena are
the only large predators found in the park. A small pride will soon be re-introduced
in the park. The wild dogs have been the first of these re-introductions. There is a pack
of wild dogs in a holding facility (boma) and will be released as soon as the
predator-proof fencing is completed. Resident antelope include, sable, kudu, eland,
impala, waterbuck, tsessebe and many smaller species. Chacma baboon and Vervet monkey are
two species to be watched carefully for mischief, particularly around the rest camps.
 One of the Park’s biggest birding
attractions is one of the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world (more than 800
breeding pairs). However the park is also appealing to birders as it falls within the
transition zone between the dry western regions and the moister eastern regions of the
country. Thus it is possible to see certain closely related species alongside one another.
These include (eastern species first) Southern and Crimson breasted Boubou, Arrow marked
and Pied Babbler, Tawny-flanked and Black-chested Prinia, Pintailed and Shafttailed
Whydah, Black-eyed and Redeyed Bulbul, Grey and Cape Penduline Tit and Whitebrowed and
Kalahari Robin.
The Marakele National park is an excellent place to look for raptors, with many species
using the uplift generated off the cliff faces of the Waterberg to sore on the thermals.
Apart from the vultures, visitors should look for Gymnogene, Jackal Buzzard and several
eagle species, including Black, African Hawk, Black-breasted Snake and Brown Snake Eagle.
In summer Wahlberg’s Eagle becomes prominent. On areas of high ground Cape Rock
Thrush, Mocking and Mountain Chat, Malachite and Greater Double-collared Sunbird and Swee
Waxbill should be searched for.
Other species to look out for in the lower lying bushveld and broadleaf woodland regions
include Purple Roller, Black Cuckooshrike, Brubru, Whitecrowned Shrike and White
Helmetshrike and the exquisite Blue, Violeteared and Blackcheeked Waxbills. Bee-eaters are
conspicuous, particularly Whitefronted and Little with Swallowtailed (winter) and Carmine
and European (summer) present as well. Visitors staying at the Tlopi tented camp should be
on the look out for Pied Kingfishers. |
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 Overnight at Thabazimbi
accommodation or find Vaalwater
accommodation.
Also see Waterberg
accommodation or hotels in Waterberg. |
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« Limpopo Safaris
| South
Africa Game Reserves | South African Safari » |
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With 20 National Parks
(including two of the world's most famous wildlife reserves, the Kruger Park &
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park) & numerous private game reserves, your trip to South
Africa would be incomplete without experiencing a South African wildlife safari .... |
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