Marula Camp is unique in Thorny Bush in that it has a dug out hide next to an open waterhole, open to the vastness of the greater Kruger National Park. So, daily visitors include entire roaming Elephant herds, the enormous matriarch followed by younger females and their adorable calves, splashing around in the water communicating to each other in deep resonating booms.
There’s an innate intelligence at play here. The herd responds instinctively and silently, mostly from a movement made by the matriarch whilst the younger more boisterous calves loudly trumpet call, squeaking out for attention. You could hear the Elephants arriving at the water hole from the main lodge, the loud splashing and slurping – so, we’d quietly make our way into the dark underground hide, took our seats and watched dumb-struck through the narrow gap of the hide and saw these magnificent beasts up close and personal. It was an awe-inspiring experience we’ll never forget. The Elephant herd would come most days for a drink and a mud bath, whilst the Giraffes every other day – wandering gracefully through the bush and nervously standing away from the waterhole, waiting for the bravest one to venture closer, splaying their legs and bending down to drink. They’re extremely skittish creatures, unnerved by the slightest sound – a loud ‘Go Away’ Bird for instance or even a gust of wind, let alone a whisper from the hide, so needless to say, we kept extremely quiet.
Marula Camp has just four round thatched huts with a central building with kitchen, dining and sitting room area. It’s self-catering unlike the other lodges in Thorny Bush where the high daily rate includes all food and drink. The self-catering aspect is challenging. We’re a group of eight, so imagine bringing in all food and booze for 5 days from hours away. Needless to say, we were jam-packed like sardines into our mini bus for the 2-hour drive from Hoedspruit, the nearest shopping centre, but in the end, we managed to consume most of what we bought, with everything leftover remaining in the lodge for the staff.
Marula Camp is an exceptional way to experience Thorny Bush and, being a private lodge, you’re able to hire out the entire place and curate your own intimate and exclusive experience. The electrified camp gates (and surrounding invisible fences) mean you’re in the heart of the Thorny Bush Game Reserve, close up and personal to the animals day and night.
https://marulaprivatecamp.co.za
