Overview
Laidback safari
Set on a riverbank amid 21,000 privately managed hectares of bushveld in Marakele National Park, under the ancient Waterberg massif’s cliffs, Marataba Founders Camp is an easy-going, relaxed camp where conservation comes first.
Explorers Camp is one of the original camps of Marataba with five double tents and one family tent. With a backdrop of the Waterberg Massif and an active waterhole right in front of camp, it is known for the elephants that stop by for fresh water, mere metres from your tent. With plenty of metal details, wooden furniture and natural fabrics, the interiors are functional yet informal, and encourage guests to kick off their shoes and embrace the lifestyle of Marataba.
The game drives, boat safaris and walks are excellent here, but it’s the encouragement to get actively involved in conservation efforts that really make it unique, be it tracking cheetah or learning how to identify rhinos by ear notches. And you’ll be allocated a private conservation guide and vehicle for maximum flexibility, with experiences chosen on a ‘mix and match’ basis for a fully tailor-made stay.
Facts
At a glance
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Six tents
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Swimming pool
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Water hole
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Private conservation guide and vehicle
Experiences
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![Land Marataba Game Drive 23]()
Game drives
Explore Marataba on day and night game drives. This wonderfully varied landscape supports an equally as varied cast of wildlife, and the area is home to the Big Five as well as a globally significant population of white and black rhino.
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![Marataba Founders Camp 18]()
Boat safaris
Both activities provide a general environmental understanding of the area and boat cruises in particular offer an excellent opportunity for birding.
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![Marataba Founders Camp 21]()
Hikes and walking safaris
Walk through Marataba's gorges, rivers and mountain ridges and enjoy swimming, picnics, explorations of cultural sites and a variety of conservation experiences. Walks are tailored to a variety of fitness levels and ages and can be short strolls on flat ground and family-friendly walks with an introduction to tracking, to longer conservation-focused experiences and multi-day hikes.
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![Marataba Founders Camp 3]()
Wildlife monitoring
Wildlife monitoring and management is a core function of Marataba’s conservation team and we encourage you to get involved where you can. Timing plays a big part in interventions, but relocations and other large-scale activities will be planned at times of confirmed bookings.
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![Marataba Founders Camp 10]()
Cheetah tracking
Join the monitoring team and telemetry track collared cheetah. Walk into the sighting, assess animal behaviour and report back to the conservation team.
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![Marataba Founders Camp 23]()
Community outreach
Visit Marataba's community-driven vegetable garden and meet Lucas Monyeki. From harvesting produce to enjoying a plant-based lunch, this is a fun interaction with the local community.
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![Marataba Founders Camp 7]()
Rhino and elephant identification
Learn how to identify rhinos through their ear notches and help compile individual identikits for elephants and determine growth rates. This experience can be done at any stage on a game drive and from just looking at these magnificent animals, you start to understand some of the work and monitoring that takes place.
Community & Culture
Marataba is committed to driving a financial model which supports the long-term conservation of the park while maximising sustainable socioeconomic opportunities for surrounding communities. The sustainability of Marataba's project into the future does not only depend on sustainable business units, but also on long-term buy-in and beneficiation of the local communities. The Marataba Conservation and Community Foundation focuses on the stimulation of local enterprise, promotion and enhancement of environmental awareness and supporting community education through life skills training.
Conservation
As a contractual National Park, Marataba is one of South Africa’s most innovative conservation models. From the vision of an iconic president to the unique public-private partnership that exists today, they protect the area’s diverse flora and fauna through modern and hands-on conservation practices. Marataba recognised very early on that a broad approach to combatting wildlife crime is essential and have developed a strategy of collaboration with neighbouring properties, NGOs and Government agencies to enhance security and prevent organised criminal networks from infiltrating local communities and degrading security efforts.
With the help of guests, Marataba has an ongoing monitoring programme collecting data about everything from rhinos and elephants to vegetation assessments.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
