Afrikaans

Marloth Park – A True Bushveld Paradise

Marloth Park is not your average game reserve where you live in a fenced camp and drive around during the day. In Marloth Park, the animals roam freely among the properties, streets and yes, people, at the house or if you are out for a walk, jogging or cycling. Fences between properties are outlawed, which enables us to experience this great place to its fullest.

Marloth Park also shares a 19km common boundary with its world-famous neighbour, the Kruger National Park! Marloth Park is a true paradise where you can experience peace and tranquillity and fully unwind and re-charge your batteries. The lack of lights at night means clear skies filled with millions of stars. There is no feeling quite like watching the flames in your fire with the background soundtrack of the African bush.

This is a place where you take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but your footprints.

You are welcome to feed the animals the approved feeds like fruit, vegetables, lucerne, game pellets and wild bird seed, all sold in the stores in the park. Please do not feed the animals bread, mielies, Mieli cobs or any other seeds.

Where is Marloth Park?

Marloth Park is located between Malelane and Komati Poort and nestled against the Crocodile River, which divides it from a part of the Southern boundary of the Kruger National Park. It has easy access into the Kruger National Park, either through the closer Crocodile Bride gate to the park or the slightly further Malelane gate into the park, both along excellent roads.

Climate and weather

Marloth Park is a low rainfall area with an average rainfall of 600mm per year, so it is a very sunny place. The relative humidity is up to around 70% in the summer months and 50% in the winter. The average summer temperatures in the mornings varies between 17 and 22 degrees Celsius and in the day between 30 to 36 degrees. In winter the average minimum temperatures can drop as low as 8 to 13 degrees Celsius with maximums between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Ideal time to visit?

While the high temperatures in summer might chase you into airconditioned buildings, the park is extremely beautifully dressed in green and a multitude of other colours from the various flowers blooming in this season.

In autumn, the bush metamorphosise to beautiful grey and brown and the soil is covered by the falling leaves. The veld and shrubs changes from green to golden brown and the temperatures are perfect now, as the humidity has all but gone. Leaves crackle as opposed to the whispering in summer times. While the rest of the country is shivering, Marloth Parkers are in T-shirts and shorts.

Winter brings glorious days and cool nights, with track suits and even jackets making their appearance. A thick blanket also comes in handy on the bed. The compensation is that the sky is the bluest blue and the air is crisp, dry and clean. All the leaves have fallen now, and the leafless trees look all but dead. The orange and red of thousands of Marlothi Aloes are everywhere and the bush is open, making the animals more visible.

Once the first spring rains arrive in glorious thunderstorms, the next metamorphosis happens at a stunning speed! In mere days, the green returns, an annual miracle that takes your breath away. Animal babies are everywhere, birds are overjoyed and burst into frantic song. The night song of the bush picks up a few octaves as part of the spring show.

NB:

1. As tame as the animals might seem, they are wild animals and therefore their behaviour is very unpredictable. Herbivores, warthogs, baboons and even monkeys can inflict serious injuries.

2. If baboons or monkeys ever get inside a property, they cause extreme damage and can be dangerous if you happen upon them unexpectedly. The only way to ensure that they stay outside, is to close all doors and windows, and to watch all openings where you are. They are very intelligent and will sneak inside behind your back, without you even knowing.