Marakele National Park
Unclaimed Business
|1|2 Reviews (last 12 months)|This business does not respond to reviews
Marakele National Park
Unclaimed Business
|1
2 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
Performance(last 12 months):
NPS Score
-100Unlikely
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Review Distribution
1|2 Reviews
Oct '25 - Sep '26
Recent reviews (2)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
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Caroline M
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
30 Aug 2026, 10:15
Disapoinents Marakele National Park
Dear Marakele National Park Management, I am writing to express our deep disappointment with our experience at Marakele National Park. We specifically chose Marakele because we wanted to give our grandchildren a memorable African wildlife experience before they leave the country. Unfortunately, several issues have made our stay extremely disappointing, particularly given the amount we paid. Firstly, the check-in and check-out times for the tented chalet are very restrictive. We were only allowed to access the chalet after 15:00 and were required to leave by 10:00 the following morning. At other comparable establishments, guests are generally given more reasonable access and departure times. Secondly, we experienced repeated electricity problems while trying to cook, with the electricity tripping repeatedly. In addition, there was no bulb in the lamp in our room, which is a basic maintenance issue that should have been checked before our arrival. However, the most serious disappointment occurred this morning when we wanted to enter the gated area to see the wildlife. The intercom at the gate was not working. When we contacted reception, we were simply told to open the gate manually and then close it manually. This is particularly concerning because the instructions clearly state that visitors must not leave their vehicles in this area. We explained our concerns to the receptionist, but rather than treating the situation seriously, she kept laughing. We were told that the gate had apparently not been working for some time and that everyone simply has to open and close it manually. This is completely unacceptable. If the gate has been malfunctioning for some time, it should either be repaired immediately or an appropriate and safe system should be put in place for visitors. Guests should not be expected to leave their vehicles to operate a gate in an area where they are explicitly instructed not to do so because of the presence of wild animals. We paid a significant amount of money for this experience, and unfortunately our grandchildren are leaving the country without having had the wildlife experience we had specifically planned for them. We would therefore like management to investigate these issues, particularly the condition and operation of the gate, the lack of basic maintenance in the chalet, and the way our concerns were handled by reception. We would also appreciate an appropriate response and consideration of compensation, given the significant impact these problems have had on our stay. We hope that management will take this complaint seriously and ensure that future visitors do not experience the same problems.
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Caroline M
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
30 Aug 2026, 10:15
Disapoinents Marakele National Park
Dear Marakele National Park Management, I am writing to express our deep disappointment with our experience at Marakele National Park. We specifically chose Marakele because we wanted to give our grandchildren a memorable African wildlife experience before they leave the country. Unfortunately, several issues have made our stay extremely disappointing, particularly given the amount we paid. Firstly, the check-in and check-out times for the tented chalet are very restrictive. We were only allowed to access the chalet after 15:00 and were required to leave by 10:00 the following morning. At other comparable establishments, guests are generally given more reasonable access and departure times. Secondly, we experienced repeated electricity problems while trying to cook, with the electricity tripping repeatedly. In addition, there was no bulb in the lamp in our room, which is a basic maintenance issue that should have been checked before our arrival. However, the most serious disappointment occurred this morning when we wanted to enter the gated area to see the wildlife. The intercom at the gate was not working. When we contacted reception, we were simply told to open the gate manually and then close it manually. This is particularly concerning because the instructions clearly state that visitors must not leave their vehicles in this area. We explained our concerns to the receptionist, but rather than treating the situation seriously, she kept laughing. We were told that the gate had apparently not been working for some time and that everyone simply has to open and close it manually. This is completely unacceptable. If the gate has been malfunctioning for some time, it should either be repaired immediately or an appropriate and safe system should be put in place for visitors. Guests should not be expected to leave their vehicles to operate a gate in an area where they are explicitly instructed not to do so because of the presence of wild animals. We paid a significant amount of money for this experience, and unfortunately our grandchildren are leaving the country without having had the wildlife experience we had specifically planned for them. We would therefore like management to investigate these issues, particularly the condition and operation of the gate, the lack of basic maintenance in the chalet, and the way our concerns were handled by reception. We would also appreciate an appropriate response and consideration of compensation, given the significant impact these problems have had on our stay. We hope that management will take this complaint seriously and ensure that future visitors do not experience the same problems.
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Demi Ann Motto-ros
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2025
3 May 2026, 07:58
Terrible Conditions At Marakele Animal Sanctuary
Marakele Animal Sanctuary..Yesterday for a belated birthday adventure I asked my husband and his grandfather is we could go to the Marakele Animal Sanctuary in thabazimbi, as they had been 4 years prior and it was amazing.. HOWEVER.. as of Saturday the 2nd of May 2026 I would like to report on the condition of all the animals.. the lions, ******s of all breeds, lepords, wild dogs, hyena, jackals and a tiger yes a tiger have EXTREMELY SMALL CAGES.. now this is the whole reason I wanted to see these animals yes I've seen them in the wild and in their natural habitat and it's beautiful, But something about Marakele that just makes one feel sick to their stomach. No simulation for the ****** and the LONE Cocatoo Parrot, and the big cats as well as the dogs are left in a small cage with over grown grass and barely a water bowl enough to provide for the day. Do you know they charge R1400 to experience a lion feeding.. This facility has lack of funding clearly and its taking a massive toll not on the owners or care tackers no but on the animals who have been locked up for the purpose of entertainment. I feel sick to my stomach for ever wanting to go BUT I am so happy I did because now, now people will be aware of what is going on at Marakele Animal Sanctuary.. in South Africa we have a large number of organizations like these that also profit from CANNED LION HUNTING ( please research if unaware ) and unfortunately I have a sad gut feeling that this place could one day in the near or far future turn into one of these organizations that kill off our beautiful animals all for the joy of "Hunting" a lion who is trapped in a cage and cannot go anywhere. So please make a difference be a better human being and help report Animal neglect and yes Animal Abuse because the state of each animal there is dyer a female lepord we saw yesterday looked so ill it was sad to see I cried once leaving and I will never ever suggest such a place if you truly want to experience wildlife go to the Bush! I will never make this mistake again but had I not nobody would be aware of the situation As for the Onwers or Caretakers of Marakele Animal Sanctuary you should be ashamed of yourself your parents clearly did not do a decent job in raising responsible and respectful humans please do the right thing by those animals and have them transferred into a larger amd more sustainable environment there are plenty of PROPER ORGANIZATIONS out there that will take these animals and provide a better life for them.. Marakele Animal Sanctuary should be shut down animals given to responsible organizations....
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Demi Ann Motto-ros
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2025
3 May 2026, 07:58
Terrible Conditions At Marakele Animal Sanctuary
Marakele Animal Sanctuary..Yesterday for a belated birthday adventure I asked my husband and his grandfather is we could go to the Marakele Animal Sanctuary in thabazimbi, as they had been 4 years prior and it was amazing.. HOWEVER.. as of Saturday the 2nd of May 2026 I would like to report on the condition of all the animals.. the lions, ******s of all breeds, lepords, wild dogs, hyena, jackals and a tiger yes a tiger have EXTREMELY SMALL CAGES.. now this is the whole reason I wanted to see these animals yes I've seen them in the wild and in their natural habitat and it's beautiful, But something about Marakele that just makes one feel sick to their stomach. No simulation for the ****** and the LONE Cocatoo Parrot, and the big cats as well as the dogs are left in a small cage with over grown grass and barely a water bowl enough to provide for the day. Do you know they charge R1400 to experience a lion feeding.. This facility has lack of funding clearly and its taking a massive toll not on the owners or care tackers no but on the animals who have been locked up for the purpose of entertainment. I feel sick to my stomach for ever wanting to go BUT I am so happy I did because now, now people will be aware of what is going on at Marakele Animal Sanctuary.. in South Africa we have a large number of organizations like these that also profit from CANNED LION HUNTING ( please research if unaware ) and unfortunately I have a sad gut feeling that this place could one day in the near or far future turn into one of these organizations that kill off our beautiful animals all for the joy of "Hunting" a lion who is trapped in a cage and cannot go anywhere. So please make a difference be a better human being and help report Animal neglect and yes Animal Abuse because the state of each animal there is dyer a female lepord we saw yesterday looked so ill it was sad to see I cried once leaving and I will never ever suggest such a place if you truly want to experience wildlife go to the Bush! I will never make this mistake again but had I not nobody would be aware of the situation As for the Onwers or Caretakers of Marakele Animal Sanctuary you should be ashamed of yourself your parents clearly did not do a decent job in raising responsible and respectful humans please do the right thing by those animals and have them transferred into a larger amd more sustainable environment there are plenty of PROPER ORGANIZATIONS out there that will take these animals and provide a better life for them.. Marakele Animal Sanctuary should be shut down animals given to responsible organizations....
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