Best hotels in Waterberg

Marataba Lodge offers a super-luxurious safari experience within an exclusive private concession in the Marakele National Park. This vast wilderness area spans a staggering 75,000 hectares of spectacular terrain at the far western range of the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo Province—an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg. A private airstrip offers a fly-in option. Renowned for superb game viewing, this malaria-free Big 5 reserve covers some of South Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, with soaring mountain ranges, wide stretches of savanna, dense indigenous forests and permanent waterways.

Ant's Nest Lodge is situated on a private game reserve in the malaria-free Waterberg region. The owners renovated an old ranch house to create Ant’s Nest using local stone and thatch that blend into the surroundings. It is an excellent bush getaway for couples, honeymooners and families alike. The lodge can be booked on an exclusive basis. Ant’s Nest not only enjoys lovely views of the valley but is also surrounded by open plains where rhino and other game graze frequently at close range. The team at Ant’s Nest is exceptionally hospitable and will make your stay memorable.

In the wild and sprawling Marataba Contractual National Park, a private sector of the Marakele National Park, conservation is king. Spread out under a leafy canopy of fever trees, it’s a small, exclusive-use camp with only four bright and beautiful suites and a main area overlooking the tranquil waters of the Matlabas. This is a family nature retreat where you set your own safari agenda, spend leisurely afternoons observing wildlife along the riverbank, and enjoy sundowners and memorable alfresco dinners.

Set in the Waterfall (Waterval) Valley, dramatically ringed by the flat-topped Waterberg escarpment, Marataba Mountain Lodge is a luxurious, Scandinavian-sleek safari destination that sets the bar. There are just five elegant, modern suites, serviced by a small team of extremely capable staff and guides. With sweet savanna grasslands, sour veld, and riverine forests, the varied habitats sustain wildlife that ranges from all of the Big Five, to cheetah, bat-eared fox, hyena and giraffe, and the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures: around 800 breeding pairs. It's wild, it's super-stylish, and it's well worth a visit.

Jembisa Bush Home was originally built as a family home, and is a wonderful sole-use option for families or a group of friends looking for a fun-filled bush experience with the freedom to plan your stay exactly to your own requirements. The lodge is situated within the private Palala River Reserve, named after the river which flows through it, in the beautiful malaria-free Waterberg region of Limpopo Province. This area is also renowned for the significant number of Bushmen rock paintings and ancient archaeological sites, adding a further fascinating dimension to a great all-round safari experience.

Thabametsi Treehouse is the newest addition to MORE Treehouse Experiences. Separate from the lodge and located at the foot of a mountain, Thabametsi affords complete privacy with simply spectacular views. Its 6m-long Martini Step deck is the perfect place to enjoy an infinite view over the Marakele’s verdant expanse – perhaps with a chilled sundowner. Thabametsi Treehouse is one very impressive creation – solar powered and built on two levels, with a bedroom, full shower room facilities, and dining and lounge areas.