Rare Sighting at The Marataba Safari Company

Guests at the 5-star Marataba Safari Company, a luxury safari lodge perfectly positioned at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains, Limpopo, and part of Relais & Châteaux, were fortunate to encounter an incredibly rare sighting of a pangolin which was observed while guests enjoyed a leisurely sundowner during their game drive.

The pangolin is a small mammal that is rarely observed by humans. Although they are widely spread throughout South Africa, they are quite uncommon. Pangolins are solitary creatures and mainly nocturnal, with occasional daytime activity. Sightings are so rare that the Shangaan people believe that if you see one, you can retire. Pangolins are currently listed in the Red Data Book of Endangered Species as Vulnerable.

This sighting is not an everyday occurrence for guests or staff, and demonstrates the flourishing wildlife of this 23,000 hectare private concession as well as its surrounding areas, just a comfortable 3 hour drive from Johannesburg. Marataba is home to Africa’s Big 5 as well as a multitude of other incredible flora and fauna offering guests a once in a lifetime safari adventure.