Marakele National Park
South African national park with the world's largest Cape vulture colony.
Marakele National Park sits within the Waterberg Biosphere in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. It was first established as Kransberg National Park in 1992, when 150 square kilometres were purchased, and was renamed in 1995. By 2004, the park had grown to 670 square kilometres.
The park hosts the Big Five—though buffalo were absent until 20 disease-free animals (nine cows and eleven bulls) were reintroduced on 15 October 2013. It also supports sixteen antelope species and more than 250 bird species, including the world’s largest colony of Cape vultures, with roughly 800 breeding pairs. The Matlabas River flows through the park. Birds recorded here include the African harrier-hawk, African scops owl, Cape rock thrush, Cape vulture, fiery-necked nightjar, freckled nightjar, jackal buzzard, purple roller, red-eyed bulbul, southern boubou, snake eagle species, lesser spotted eagle, and Wahlberg’s eagle. Mammals found are black rhinoceros, brown hyena, chacma baboon, elephant, hyena, impala, kudu, African leopard, lion, sable, vervet monkey, waterbuck, and white rhinoceros.
Vegetation mixes fynbos and forest types: half the park is Waterberg Moist Bushveld, and 42% is Mixed Bushveld. The 8-hectare Apiesrivierpoort Forest lies east of Tlopi Dam, dominated by red ivory and African olive. Other plants there include Celtis africana, Maytenus undata, Schotia brachypetala, Chaetacme aristata, Mimusops zeyheri, Syzygium guineense, green-twigged jackal-coffee (Empogona lanceolata), Carex spicatopaniculata, Suregada africana, Acokanthera oppositifolia, Pappea capensis, Diospyros whyteana, and Calpurnia aurea. Notable species elsewhere in the park are the rare, region-endemic Waterberg agapanthus (Agapanthus coddii) and the endangered cycad Encephalartos eugene-maraisii.
The area once held several iron-age settlements, not yet open to the public, and was home to naturalist Eugène Marais before the park’s founding. The park is accessible to all passenger vehicles, with the camp and tent sites on good roads. About 80 kilometres of internal roads suit any vehicle; the rest require four-wheel drive. There is a 4x4 eco trail, plus morning and sunset game drives. A tarred mountain pass climbs to the top of the Waterberg massif. Bird hides, picnic sites, and viewing points are at Bollonoto, Bontle, and Tlopi dams. Morning and sunset bush walks are offered, and an annual birding
- Location
- Waterberg Biosphere, Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Founded
- 1992 (as Kransberg National Park)
- Area
- 670 square kilometres (by 2004)
- Notable for
- Largest colony of Cape vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs)
- Key species
- Big five (buffalo re-introduced in 2013), 16 antelope species, over 250 bird species
Quick Facts
- Location
- Limpopo, South Africa
- Nearest City
- Thabazimbi
- Area Km2
- 670
- Visitation Year
- 2019
- Governing Body
- South African National Parks
- Website
- https: · www.sanparks.org/parks/marakele
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The area now constituting Marakele was home to several iron-age settlements which are not yet open to public viewing. Prior to its foundation as a National Park, it was home to naturalist Eugène Marais. The park was founded as Kransberg National Park in 1992 with the purchase of 150 square kilometres, and was renamed to its current name in 1995. By 2004, the park had expanded to 670 square kilometres.
Reader's Guide
Marakele National Park is significant as part of the Waterberg Biosphere and for its conservation of biodiversity. It is home to the big five, with buffalo re-introduced in 2013, as well as sixteen species of antelopes and over 250 species of birds. The park contains the largest colony of Cape vultures in the world, with around 800 breeding pairs. Its vegetation includes Waterberg Moist Bushveld and Mixed Bushveld, and it hosts rare plants such as the Waterberg agapanthus and the endangered cycad Encephalartos eugene-maraisii. The park offers a tarred mountain pass, bird hides, picnic sites, and multiple viewing points. It is accessible to all passenger vehicles on good roads, with about 80 km of roads open to all vehicles and the rest requiring four-wheel drive. Activities include a 4x4 eco trail, game drives, bush walks, and an annual birding census.
Did You Know?
- The park was originally named Kransberg National Park when founded in 1992.
- Twenty disease-free buffalo (nine cows and eleven bulls) were re-introduced on 15 October 2013.
- The park co
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Marakele National Park and how big is it?
It sits in the Waterberg Biosphere of South Africa's Limpopo Province, covering 670 square kilometres of highveld terrain. That area grew from an initial 150-square-kilometre purchase in 1992 to its current size by 2004.
What is Marakele National Park most famous for?
The park hosts the world's largest breeding colony of Cape vultures, with roughly 800 pairs nesting on its sandstone cliffs. This makes it a globally significant site for raptor conservation and a major draw for birdwatchers.
What is the history behind the name Marakele National Park?
The park was originally established in 1992 under the name Kransberg National Park after a 150-square-kilometre land purchase. It was officially renamed Marakele in 1995, and the area has since expanded to 670 square kilometres.
Can you see the Big Five in Marakele National Park?
Yes, the park supports all five Big Five species, although African buffalo were missing for years until 20 disease-free animals (nine cows and eleven bulls) were reintroduced on 15 October 2013. Visitors can also spot sixteen antelope species and more than 250 bird species.
Why is Marakele National Park important for wildlife conservation?
Its roughly 800 breeding pairs of Cape vultures represent the single largest colony on Earth, making the park a vital stronghold for a critically threatened raptor. Combined with its Big Five populations and rich antelope diversity, it plays a key role in preserving Limpopo's highveld ecosystems.
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