Conservation safari of a lifetime!

A return to the meaning of safari, with purposeful conservation and authentic bush experiences at the core of your stay

The Marataba Contractual National Park represents the most exciting innovation in conservation in South Africa. This privately-managed 21,000-hectare (52,000-acre) concession of the Marakele National Park offers visitors the chance to actively participate in hands-on conservation.

Traditional game drives and walking safaris are of course available, in addition to wild walking, hiking and sleep-outs under the stars.

But it is the hands-on conservation that elevates the safari experience in this park. Guests can participate in camera trap setup and analysis, wildlife interventions, predator and elephant management, ecological research and park protection. Dynamic and fun, yet responsible and sustainable, all experiences offer active participation in essential conservation projects.

As an active participant in this sublime safari experience you will gain an insider’s view of conservation at its most raw and real. In addition, we include a night of wild camping, where you learn the nuances of sharing the bush with wildlife. Enjoy game viewing in your own way, in your own time, with your own guide. Physical and genetic identification is key to protecting and conserving wild rhinos. Therefore, the highlight of your stay includes rhino notching and DNA collection.

This adrenalin-filled conservation safari guarantees an unforgettable safari experience.

Highlights

Feel

your heart beating with excitement

Hear

the thrum of the helicopter

Taste

the grit in your teeth

Smell

the ancient earth

Watch

the miracles of science

Experiences

Day One

Arrival at Marataba Conservation Camps

Drive or fly into Marataba National Park.

Check into Founders or Explorers Camp before leaving for an afternoon activity. There is no fixed agenda and you will participate in whatever conservation is happening at the time.

Alternatively, enjoy a game drive or boat cruise to enjoy the wildlife in this Big Five reserve.

Return to camp for dinner

Day Two

Conservation and safari

You have a full day of activity today.

Your private guide will present the available options to you, which include both traditional safari and conservation activities.

Day Three

Wild walking and wild camping

After breakfast, head out of camp on a day of wild walking.

Your route will comprise approximately 10km / 6miles of bush and canyon walking with the possibility of encountering big game along the way.

Your wild walk ends at a wild camp where your guides prepare dinner and regale you with adventurous tales before turning in for a night under the stars.

Day Four

Wild Walking

After a light breakfast, depart for a morning of wild walking which ends back at Founders or Explorers Camp.

Enjoy a well-earned lunch overlooking the river or waterhole before continuing your afternoon activities.

Among others, these could include telemetry tracking, fence maintenance or camera trap research.

However, you may prefer to relax on a game drive or a river cruise. Your choice.

This evening before dinner you will meet resident veterinarian, Dr Andre Uys who will brief you on the rhino conservation activities for the next day.

Andre will discuss the darting, notching and DNA collection and assign each participant a role in the process.

Enjoy a lively dinner with Andre and the camp team tonight as you learn first-hand of the highs and lows of active conservation.

Day Five

Rhino Conservations

After an early breakfast, head out to meet up with the team as they identify a rhino to be notched. Andre will dart the rhino from a helicopter.

Once the rhino is stabilised and secured, you will be allowed to approach and the team jumps very quickly into action. Blood and tail hair are taken for DNA analysis, the ears are notched and the horn is micro-chipped.

You will have been assigned a task to assist with during this process.

The tranquiliser is reversed and you will observe the rhino until it leaves the area.

The rest of your day is determined by the activities on the reserve. Lunch is served wherever you are at the time and the afternoon is spent on other tasks or on safari activities. The magic is in the surprise!

Day Six

End of itinerary

Enjoy a final morning activity before departing for the rest of your African adventure

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary!

We include 2 days of wild walking and a night of wild camping, followed by rhino notching, DNA collection, monitoring and micro-chipping of the horn. Other conservation activities include game capture, predator tracking, land rehabilitation, to name a few.

Rhino Conservation Week - monitoring the vital signs

TRIP FEE
Trip fees vary considerably, based on the number of guests travelling.

Founders Camp is booked on an exclusive use basis only

Explorers Camp is booked on a semi-exclusive use basis, with only 2 bookings at a time in camp

Please contact us for up-to-date pricing
TYPICALLY INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP FEE
Accommodation, transfers to/from the lodge airstrip

All meals, soft drinks, South African premium & sparkling wines, local & premium brand spirits, beers, & game drive refreshments

Shared conservation safari activities: Day & night game drives | Boating | Wild walking & hiking safaris | Rhino conservation | Camera trap set up & analysis | Wildlife interventions | Predator management | Elephant management | Ecology experiences | Area integrity & protection | Community outreach | Mindfulness
TYPICALLY NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP FEE
Transport to Marataba Contractual National Park

Champagne, telephone calls, laundry, gratuities, and items of a
personal nature.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Rhino notching and DNA collection is billed as an additional activity
CAMPS
FOUNDERS CAMP is an elegant, exclusive camp that is ideal for families and small groups

EXPLORERS CAMP can be booked on a semi-private basis or travel as a couple and get dirty with new friends.
LOCATION AND ACCESS
BY AIR: There are daily flights from Lanseria International Airport (HLA) to Marakele National Park (1 hour). There is an airstrip directly adjacent the park which is a 10- minute drive from Founders and Explorers Camps.

Transfers to the camps are complimentary, in open safari vehicles.

BY ROAD: From Lanseria International Airport (HLA), the drive takes around 3 hours and from O.R Tambo International (JNB), it takes 3 hours 30 minutes on good roads. Private road transfers can be arranged.

The elegant Founders Camp, left, overlooks the river and the centrepiece at the comfortable Explorers Camp, centre, is a very active waterhole. Both camps have swimming pools, beautifully-appointed decks, hammocks and comfortable areas to relax. The food is fresh and delicious and dietary requests are happily catered for.