Marakele National Park is a 670-km² national park that is part of the Waterberg Biosphere in the Waterberg region of Limpopo, South Africa.
The park is dominated by the Waterberg mountains with lush bushveld in the lower regions of the park. The Matlabas River runs through the park.
Marakele is home to the big five (buffalo did not exist in the park, but 20 disease-free buffalo (nine cows and eleven bulls) were re-introduced in 2013), 16 species of antelopes, and over 250 species of birds, including the largest colony of Cape griffon vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs).
Marakele is about 12 km outside the town of Thabazimbi, on the R516. From Gauteng, follow the N1 north to Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) and then the R516 towards Thabazimbi.
Valid to 31 October 2021:
The park is accessible to all passenger vehicles, with the camp and tent sites on good roads. Also, approximately 80 km of roads within the park are accessible to all vehicles, the balance requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Related: African National Parks
Related: African flora and fauna
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division