MARLOTH PARK
The unique wildlife and holiday village Marloth Park is tucked away in a cove of the southern part of the Kruger Park, in the province of Mpumalanga .
From Johannesburg International Airport O.R. Tambo you can drive to Marloth Park in approximately 4.5 hours.
Marloth Park has two (small) shopping centers, the Marlothi Shopping Center and the Bush Center, where most food and other supplies can be purchased. For larger stores (including Super Spar and Shoprite) you can go either to Komatipoort (15 min) or Malelane (30 min).
Do not feel like cooking?
There are many restaurants in Marloth Park where you can taste genuine South African cuisine at an affordable price.
Marloth Park has its own game reserve: Lionspruit. Covering about 1500 hectares you can make a wonderful game drive here to look for the lions, rhinos, zebra 's, buffalo, kudu 's or giraffe 's. Lionspruit has some wonderful viewpoints / water places and at one of them you can have a picnic or braai. Watch out for the lions! In Lionspruit you can use your own transport, but be aware as some roads are more suitable for 4x4.
Marloth Park has over 14 kilometer of walking / cycling paths alongside the Crocodile river, where the 'Big Five' is regularly spotted. These trails are generally well accessible. Bicycles can be rented in Marloth Park. Hiking or cycling is not allowed between 18:00 and 06:00.
Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga province and is a little over an hour's drive (90 km) from Marloth Park. This city is fully equipped with many shoppinng centres and other interesting places and is especially known for its Botanical gardens.
What can you do in the area?
Activities and excursions
Below is a selection of the activities in and around Marloth Park. All items mentioned have been selected as doable within a one-day trip from Uchawi. If you want more information or book an excursion, ask us or tell us what you are looking for and we will gladly assist.
Every first Saturday morning of the month (if there is enough interest)
Departure: 6:00 o'clock AM on the corner of Volstruis and Crocodile
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours and please don’t be late!
No fees due, but a donation to the Honorary Rangers of Marloth Park is very welcome.
Bring: binoculars, bird book, sunscreen, hat, walking shoes and drinking water.
For more information: www.marlothparkhonoraryrangers.co.za. Or call Genie for more information on + 27 (0) 082 464 6618 .
Marloth Park has its own game reserve: Lionspruit . The park is around 1500 hectares in size and you can make a wonderful game drive here to spot lions, rhinos, zebras, buffalo, kudus or giraffes. Lionspruit has a number of beautiful viewpoints / watering places and a place where you can have a picnic or barbeque. Watch out for the lions!
In Lionspruit you can use your own transport, but beware, because some paths and are only suitable for 4x4.
Tickets for Lionspruit can only be purchased at the Municipality so go there first. The municipality is located on the Maroela street / Crocodile. Check for opening hours!
The most famous game park in South Africa is the Kruger National Park. From Uchawi it is a 15 minutes’ drive to Crocodile Bridge, the nearest entrance to the Kruger Park. Another option is Malelane gate, approx. a half an hour away.
For opening hours: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/get_there/gates.php
The Kruger Park is 350 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide at the widest point covering almost 2 million hectares. You can visit Kruger on your own or make a game drive with a professional ranger. If you want we will book the game drive for you; just let us know. If you plan to visit Kruger Park (and/or other SANParks!) several times, it may be advisable to purchase a WildCard which gives you and your family if applicable access to all SanParks parks for one year. More info: https://www.sanparks.org/wild_new
Of course, you can look for the Big Five in the Kruger Park, but maybe discovering the Little Five (Leopard tortoise, ant lion, rhino beetle, elephant shrew and the red-billed buffalo weaver) is also very special and equally enjoyable.
Every camp in the Kruger Park has an information board with the recent location of elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo (and other animals). In this way you can check at each camp whether there are animals nearby that you can spot.
You can download the Latest Sightings app. If you have internet while traveling in the park you can follow the location of certain animals live.
In this blog you can follow the life of a ranger family in the Kruger Park every week. A very nice read! http://ourlifeinkruger.co.za
Matsamo Cultural village tour
Maputo capital and the Indian Ocean are an hour's drive from Marloth Park. This is an ideal base for a day at the beach or culture.
Note: all non-South African people need a visa to travel to Mozambique.
Many travelers consider the Panorama route one of the highlights of their journey. The route takes you to spectacular views and remarkable natural phenomena, which is why this beautiful route has been named Panorama Route. The rugged mountain landscape comes to an abrupt and dramatic halt with a steep fall to the 'Lowfeld ', the low bush landscape, which is accompanied by breathtaking views over Africa’s grasslands. The Panorama route also gives access to the Blyde river Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. The view over the canyon at more than 1200 meters altitude, with the Blyde River making its way through the valley far below, is indescribable. Drive this fantastic route and judge for yourself!
The entire Panorama route can be done from Uchawi wa Afrika in one day. It is certainly worth spending a day on this during your stay.
Jessica is a hippopotamus (born in 2001) that lives in a home with the Joubert family. The family found her in a branch of the Blyde River, right behind their house (near Hoedspruit). Jessica was a day old at the time and had lost her mother due to a flood. Tonie Joubert, an experienced park ranger, decided to take Jessica into her home and raise her. Jessica can go home and stand wherever she wants, but if she is not eating or drinking, she prefers lying on the doorstep in front of the house.
Jessica loves coffee with milk and interaction with people. Jessica's story and her behavior have made her world famous. Visit Jessica and experience yourself what it's like to stroke and feed a 1300 kilo hippo!
jessicahippo.com
Chimp Eden is certainly worth a visit. Abused and neglected chimpanzees find shelter here after having being rescued from their previous environment.
The daycare can only be visited during a guided a tour. This for the peace and safety of the chimpanzees. The tour lasts 1 to 1.5 hours and is best booked in advance. A maximum of 15 visitors per tour is allowed.
There are three tours per day: at 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga and is approximately an hour's drive (90 km) from Marloth Park. This city is fully equipped and is especially known for its Botanical gardens. If you want to do some serious shopping, the I'langa mall is a must.
chimpeden.com
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Center (HESC) is part of the Kapama Private Game Reserve, which is located just outside Hoedspruit . The HESC is aimed at preserving rare, endangered and vulnerable mammals. This is achieved through training and education, tourism and breeding programs, but also through an active anti-poaching policy. The HESC is testimony to the fact that people can make a difference in the survival of our earth and its animals.
Various tours can be booked at the HESC, which will not only take you to the animals, but will also elaborate on the working methods and mission of the center. A visit to the so-called ‘vulture restaurant’ is a must.
The cheetah has a special place within the HESC as it specializes in taking care of and releasing (raised in captivity) cheetahs. In addition to the regular tour, it is possible to expand it with a Cheetah Focus Tour. Then you will have an eye-to-eye meeting with a real cheetah and learn all about this fascinating animal.
Moholoholo wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a shelter for injured and/or orphaned wild animals. Moholoholo is African for 'The Very Great One ', a beautiful and loving image that refers to the wounded and orphaned animal in the wilderness.
