Marloth Park: Why It Should Be On Your South African Itinerary

Marloth Park sits in the warm regions of Mpumalanga province, between the towns of Malelane and Komatipoort in South Africa. It’s not Kruger National Park, but the settlement borders the conservation area on the Crocodile River. Read on to find out why you shouldn’t leave it off your itinerary.

Getting There & Accommodation

If you hire a car for your trip into the African wilderness, then you can simply drive to the unique town that hosts over 350 different bird species and four of the “Big Five.” Only elephants are missing from the conservancy area, and you can spot them if you walk, drive, cycle, or visit a restaurant overlooking the Crocodile River.

There are some small safari lodges within Marloth Park, and arrangements for transfers from the Oliver Tambo airport can be arranged via companies like JSL Shuttles or Shuttle King. Accommodation is available for a large range of budgets. Some of the places offer all-inclusives, while others allow self-catering. Of course, bigger groups enjoy a better per-person cost as many delightful houses sleep up to eight people.

What To Expect & Why You Should Go There

For some tourists, the nature reserve might be equated to a zoo. However, that’s really a misnomer. The settlement is actually a town with game corridors between properties, so the animals can freely wander around. And they certainly do. The 3,000-hectare (30 km², 18 m²) area has a nice little shopping complex where you may buy approved animal feed pellets and bird seed for them.

Most of the units have a special place set aside where the antelopes and zebra come for their daily snack. While potentially dangerous animals like lions, buffalo, rhino, and leopard are around, they remain in a fenced-off section called Lionspruit. There, you may enter and drive around to see them. But the biggest attraction of the park lies in the freedom to walk or cycle along the many roads that are often lined with bushveld.

A Secure Vacation

Possibly, you heard that South Africa struggles with crime. That isn’t altogether a fabrication. However, the community in Marloth Park does have security companies patrolling. Most of the accommodations are signed up for emergency response and for regular patrols to check each property. So, you can sleep easy at night.

Most lodge and self-catering options supply cleaning services, and all of the staff are vetted. They book in through the main gates daily and usually leave before dark. Other accommodations are owned by people who live in the area, so they are often on call because you can use your phone there. Additionally, many of the accommodations provide complimentary wifi.

Can You Visit Kruger National Park?

Absolutely yes, day drives into Kruger National Park can be arranged. Or, if you hire a car, you can self-drive. The closest gate is at Crocodile Bridge, an area well-known for prides of lions, the elusive rhinos, and elephants. Take a picnic lunch and sit at a waterhole while you wait for nature to grace you with a visit.

We always love going to Marloth Park despite enjoying a lifetime of working and living in the African wilderness. It’s comfortable; most homes have air conditioning, a plunge pool, and some of the accommodation units also have small waterholes. So, you do not have to go far to find wildlife.

Numerous websites offer bookings, and we recommend Lekkerslaap or SafariNow for reliable and informative booking inquiries.

So, do not hesitate to expand your itinerary for your next visit to South Africa. And, come back here often for all your travel and tourist news and updates.