Marataba Mountain Lodge

Enquire Now

Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R18 270 (save: 64%)

Within 60 days of travel

1 Jun - 19 Dec '26

R 6495

Includes:

Luxury accommodation
All meals
Selected drinks
Teas/coffees
2 game drives daily

Transfers between Marataba Safari Lodge and Marataba Mountain Lodge where required

NOTE: Rates apply only to SA residents
Walking trails with FGASA qualified ranger are optional extra and replace the morning game drive at extra cost

Our Verdict

INCLUDES DRINKS! Set overlooking a stunning view of a truly spectacular valley, the gorgeous contemporary styling makes this one of the most attractive lodges in South Africa!

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.5

Overall

8.5

Luxury & Style

9.0

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

8.0

Romance

Our Ratings

8.5

Overall

8.5

Luxury & Style

9.0

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

8.0

Romance

What's Hot

Quite simply one of the most beautiful and attractive lodges in the country with its clean, contemporary style balanced perfectly by the use of warm natural elements like gorgeous wood and stone walls
Drink in the spectacular 180-degree views of Waterfall Valley which are an ever-present, whether you’re relaxing in your luxurious suite or lounging about in the lodge’s public areas
Guests consistently rave about the superb personal service (6 staff members to just 10 guests!) at Marataba Mountain Lodge. Meals are also a highlight with delicious cuisine on offer
In the heat of summer, take a dip in the crystal clear waters of one of the natural rock pools you can encounter as you explore the spectacular gorges on foot!
The lodge is totally solar-powered so you can enjoy all this luxury and indulgence with a clear eco-conscience too
Walking trails (extra cost) give you the opportunity to really experience the bush close-up and personal – and the highly qualified trail guides and stunningly scenic countryside through which you walk make for an utterly unforgettable and rewarding experience!

What's Not

The suites are very attractive but quite tight in terms of size
The guided walks that the lodge previously offered as the standard morning game activity is now an extra-cost option - then again going with game drives as standard will make the lodge more appealing to a far wider range of potential guests
To get to the main safari drive area takes a 40-odd minute drive out of the valley in which Mountain lodge is located (which is obviously repeated/reversed after your game drive)

Marataba Mountain Lodge light absolutely pours into the suites, with expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding windows giving an unhindered view of the amazing Waterfall Valley beyond!

Lodge Profile

INCLUDES DRINKS! Set overlooking a stunning view of a truly spectacular valley, the gorgeous contemporary styling makes this one of the most attractive lodges in South Africa!

Quick Overview

Location

Marakele

Drive Time

3.5 hours drive from Johannesburg

Malaria

Setting

Overlooking a valley

Rooms

5 Eco-suites

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes

Spa

Wellness room

Camp Fenced

Tracker

Off Road

Child Policy

No children under 16

DRINK IN THE VIEWS!

There are just a handful of game lodges in South Africa where the view can be described as being truly spectacular and the gorgeous new Marataba Mountain Lodge is certainly one of them! Previously specializing in walking safaris (when it was known as Marataba Trails) the lodge has now been repositioned as a conventional safari lodge product (ie 2 game drives offered daily) a change which promises to bring its undoubted charms to a much larger potential market.

Marataba Mountain Lodge stands out by offering both the most luxurious and gorgeous accommodation as well as offering up some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country! The lodge is set on a hillside with truly stunning 180-degree views into Waterfall Valley, an isolated and scenically superb section of the Marakele National Park.

SUPERBLY STYLISH ROOMS

Whilst the first thing that’s likely to catch your eye are the gorgeous views, we can’t help also getting excited about the actual lodge itself which is also one of the most attractive in the country! The rooms and public areas alike have clean modern and contemporary lines, a bit of a Scandi-meets-safari type design feel. Of course, the danger inherent in being so minimalist is that it can all end up a bit cold and sterile, yet Marataba Mountain Lodge has cleverly avoided this through the extensive use of natural elements like gorgeous wood and natural stone walls which has softened and warmed the entire feel.

Perhaps most strikingly of all, everything is set up to maximise the truly amazing views over the valley below. Wood and light are the key elements of the 5 luxury suites at Marataba Trails: beautiful open-grain wooden finishes and flooring is perfectly complemented by shades of charcoal and white and light absolutely pours into the suites, with wide glass windows and floor-to-ceiling doors giving an unhindered view of the amazing Waterfall Valley beyond. The rooms themselves are quite tight space-wise, so the large glass area does help them from feeling too cramped. And whilst the gorgeous rooms are officially called “Eco-Suites” on account of the fact that the lodge is totally driven by solar-power, don’t for one moment think that means that they scrimp on any of the necessary comforts – on the contrary, with features like air-conditioning, a wood-burning fireplace, en-suite rain shower, Nespresso machine and even USB charging port, guests are assured of a luxuriously comfortable as well as scenic stay!

FLOOR TO CEILING VIEWS

The lodge’s main public area is similarly stylish, with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors opening up the open-plan lounge and dining area to the stunning views beyond. Just below the lounge area lies one of our favourite features of the lodge – a gorgeous firepit seating area perfect for chatting with your fellow guests under the stars about the adventures of the day! Then around the corner (just far enough for privacy, but still close enough for some friendly drinks service!) is the lodge’s infinity swimming pool – the ideal spot to while away the heat of the summer hours between game drives with an ice-cold drink in your hand whilst simultaneously drinking in the sumptuous views!

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

As mentioned previously, this lodge was originally launched as specializing in walking trails – the good news is that you are now offered in effect the best of both worlds: for guests wanting to enjoy the conventional 2 game drives a day safari recipe, Marataba Mountain Lodge now offers this; however, if you’re still keen on enjoying a walking safari through some of the most spectacular scenery in any of the South African reserves, this is now offered as an extra cost alternative to the morning game drive (by the way, these walking trails are also now offered from Marataba Safari Lodge too) With rivers flowing through gorges and grassy plains framed by imposing mountains, these walking trails are an experience to be savoured with the walks taking place in the morning when temperatures are cooler and energy levels higher - after heading back for breakfast and the chance to chill around the lodge (the sparkling swimming pool will no doubt prove particularly enticing in the warmer summer months!), you then head out in the afternoon on a game drive or perhaps even a boat trip on the lake!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Marakele Park Fees are payable
Guest Conservation contribution is also charged
Rates are subject to change without prior notice
Subject to availability

Child Policy

Children of 16 and older welcome. (Strictly no under 16 policy)

Useful Links

Lodge Website

Visit the official lodge site.

Trip Advisor

Read guest reviews for this lodge.

You might also like:

from R 5150 pp/night sharing

The Outpost

South Africa, Greater Kruger, Kruger Concessions

CLOSED CURRENTLY DUE TO FLOOD DAMAGE. Soak up the 180 degree views from the spectacular cliff top location overlooking the Luvuvhu River below – the stunning open-fronted design of the rooms are unashamedly contemporary and stylish and make the most of the superb views!

from R 4053 pp/night sharing

Biyela Lodge

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Hluhluwe-Umfolosi

Stunningly stylish contemporary lodge consisting of 12 luxurious and ultra-mod suites (10 with private plunge pools!) scattered on a hillside enjoying superb views over an oxbow bend in the White Umfolozi river below!

from R 6495 pp/night sharing

Marataba Safari Lodge

South Africa, Near Gauteng, Marakele

INCLUDES DRINKS! Situated beneath the towering Waterberg Mountains in a malaria-free reserve boasting the Big Five and spectacular landscapes, we really love the superbly styled and luxurious tented suites here, their stunningly contemporary designs an intriguing mix of canvas and stone!