Marakele is home to the big five (buffalo did not exist in the park, but 20 disease-free buffalo (nine cows and eleven bulls) were re-introduced on 15 October 2013)[1] as well as sixteen species of antelopes and over 250 species of birds, including the largest colony of Cape griffon vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs). The Matlabas River runs through the park.[2]
The park contains a mix of vegetation types, with half the park covered by Waterberg Moist Bushveld and 42% covered by Mixed Bushveld.[2]
Historyedit
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. Marakele was founded as Kransberg National Park in 1994 with the purchase of 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi), and was shortly after renamed to its current name. By 1999, the park had expanded to 670 square kilometres (260 sq mi).
Activitiesedit
The park is accessible to all passenger vehicles, with the camp and tent sites on good roads. Also, approximately 80 km of roads within the park are accessible to all vehicles, with the remaining requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is a 4x4 eco trail, along with morning and sunset game drives.[2]
A tarred mountain pass leads up to the top of the Waterberg massif.
The park contains bird hides, picnic sites and multiple viewing points at the Bollonoto, Bontle and Tlopi dams.[2]
There are morning and sunset bush walks.
There is an annual birding census organised by the Marakele Honorary rangers.[2]
Accommodationedit
Two tented camps are laid out in Marakele, namely Tlopi and Bontle.
Bontle Camping Siteedit
Bontle has 36 camping spots, along with 10 tented units.
Tlopi Tented Campedit
Tlopi is situated on the banks of the Apiesrivierpoort Dam.[2]
Galleryedit
Tlopi Tented Camp
Sunset at Tlopi Dam
Safari Tent Tlopi Tented Camp on the Tlopi Dam
Tlopi Dam
View from the Lenong viewpoint
Referencesedit
^"Disease free buffalos re-introduced in Marakele National Park". www.sanparks.org. SANParks. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marakele National Park.
Marakele National Park
January 01, 1970
marakele, national, park, national, park, part, waterberg, biosphere, limpopo, province, south, africa, view, waterberg, massif, location, parklocationlimpopo, south, africanearest, citythabazimbicoordinates24, 817area670, established1994, years, 1994, governi. Marakele National Park is a National Park part of the Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo Province South Africa Marakele National ParkView of the Waterberg massif Marakele National ParkLocation of the parkLocationLimpopo South AfricaNearest cityThabazimbiCoordinates24 53 S 27 49 E 24 883 S 27 817 E 24 883 27 817Area670 km2 260 sq mi Established1994 30 years ago 1994 Governing bodySouth African National Parkssanparks org marakeleMarakele National Park South Africa Contents 1 Flora and fauna 1 1 Birds found within the park are 1 2 Mammals found within the park are 1 3 Vegetation 2 History 3 Activities 4 Accommodation 4 1 Bontle Camping Site 4 2 Tlopi Tented Camp 5 Gallery 6 References 7 External linksFlora and fauna editMarakele is home to the big five buffalo did not exist in the park but 20 disease free buffalo nine cows and eleven bulls were re introduced on 15 October 2013 1 as well as sixteen species of antelopes and over 250 species of birds including the largest colony of Cape griffon vultures in the world around 800 breeding pairs The Matlabas River runs through the park 2 Birds found within the park are edit 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 Spotted eagle Wahlberg s eagle Mammals found within the park are edit Black rhinoceros Brown hyena Chacma baboon Elephant Hyena Impala Kudu African leopard Lion Sable Vervet monkey Waterbuck White rhinoceros Vegetation edit The park contains a mix of vegetation types with half the park covered by Waterberg Moist Bushveld and 42 covered by Mixed Bushveld 2 History editThe 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 Eugene Marais Marakele was founded as Kransberg National Park in 1994 with the purchase of 150 square kilometres 58 sq mi and was shortly after renamed to its current name By 1999 the park had expanded to 670 square kilometres 260 sq mi Activities editThe park is accessible to all passenger vehicles with the camp and tent sites on good roads Also approximately 80 km of roads within the park are accessible to all vehicles with the remaining requiring a four wheel drive vehicle There is a 4x4 eco trail along with morning and sunset game drives 2 A tarred mountain pass leads up to the top of the Waterberg massif The park contains bird hides picnic sites and multiple viewing points at the Bollonoto Bontle and Tlopi dams 2 There are morning and sunset bush walks There is an annual birding census organised by the Marakele Honorary rangers 2 Accommodation editTwo tented camps are laid out in Marakele namely Tlopi and Bontle Bontle Camping Site edit Bontle has 36 camping spots along with 10 tented units Tlopi Tented Camp edit Tlopi is situated on the banks of the Apiesrivierpoort Dam 2 Gallery edit nbsp Tlopi Tented Camp nbsp nbsp Sunset at Tlopi Dam nbsp nbsp Safari Tent Tlopi Tented Camp on the Tlopi Dam nbsp Tlopi Dam nbsp nbsp View from the Lenong viewpoint nbsp References edit Disease free buffalos re introduced in Marakele National Park www sanparks org SANParks 16 October 2013 Retrieved 19 November 2020 a b c d e f Marakele National Park Brochure PDF External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marakele National Park Marakele National Park Marakele Contractual National Park Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marakele National Park amp oldid 1177625498, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
