Marakele National Park Park

Address: Marakele National Park, Limpopo, South Africa

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/marakele/

Hours: Open year-round; gate hours vary by season - check SANParks

Admission: Entrance fees apply (see SANParks for current rates)

Marakele National Park is in Limpopo Province’s Waterberg region near the towns of Thabazimbi and Modimolle. The park is most commonly reached by car from Johannesburg and Pretoria-roughly a 3-4 hour drive north (around 200-300 km depending on route); follow the N1 north and then regional roads toward Thabazimbi/Marakele, watching for park signage.

The park has designated entrances and camp gates with parking; the nearest towns provide supplies and the final leg is on regional roads from Thabazimbi or Modimolle (follow local directions to the park’s official entrance points).

• Marakele is a SANParks reserve-book park accommodation and guided game drives through the SANParks website or visitor centre to increase your chances of seeing elephants and predators.
• Plan game-viewing for early morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active, and use park-led drives if you want reliable predator sightings rather than self-drive searching.
• Check with the park visitor centre about road conditions and vehicle suitability-many internal routes are gravel and steep, and the centre will advise which roads are appropriate for 2WD versus 4x4.