Marataba, a place of wildness, a place of beauty and a place of incredible biodiversity that is dominated by spectacular views of the Waterberg mountains with its deep valleys and gorges. Dissecting rivers across the reserve provide a constant life-source that attracts an abundance of wildlife and a bird species list that is a wonderful mix from the arid west and the bushveld east. Lions and leopards are plentiful and cheetahs have recently also been reintroduced while the numerous breeding herds of African elephants bring a deep sense of wilderness to this extremely special landscape.

1 of 20: The mountain massif of the Waterberg rises up between 600 and 2000 meters above sea level and forms a distinctive backdrop across the entire Marataba Private Game Reserve

2 of 20: Storm clouds gather in height and intensity during late afternoon over the Marataba Private Game Reserve

3 of 20: Marataba is host to a wide variety of habitats that includes open grasslands, riparian thicket and bushveld savanna.

4 of 20: Tranquil waters reflect clouds that begin to gather during late afternoon

5 of 20: The skeleton of an ancient and knarled acacia tree stands waterlogged in the river that is such a life-line through Marataba

6 of 20: Marataba is a place where the soul is refreshed and dreams can be lived to their fullest

7 of 20: Blue Thorn trees stand out prominently against a dark storm filled sky

8 of 20: Dawn casts its glow over the mountainous ridges and through the silhouetted shapes of acacia trees.

9 of 20: An Impala ram, laden with Red-Billed Oxpeckers, drinks its fill from a small watering hole

10 of 20: A young and playful Vervet Monkey pauses to scratch an itch

11 of 20: A young White Rhino calf peers out through a thicket

12 of 20: This Hippo cow spent well over an hour playing with its calf, pushing and gently shoving as the calf leapt forward again and again to splash water over its mother

13 of 20: A Giraffe leans forward to rub its head against the back of another giraffe

14 of 20: A large male lion peers out from deep within a thicket where it spent the heat of the day resting up

15 of 20: Two dominant male lions set off along a bush track at sunset in search of a meal and to mark their territories

16 of 20: A Swainsons Spurfowl feeds on the open lawn in front of the Marataba lodge

17 of 20: Woodlands Kingfisher’s add splashes of colour to the vibrant green summer bushveld

18 of 20: A trio of Glossy ibises flies in search of a roosting site as the last rays of light shine across the sky

19 of 20: Dung beetles gather in large numbers at a pile of fresh elephant dung

20 of 20: Day moths congregate to drink from moist rhino dung as dung beetles scurry about gathering the dung into balls