Monika and Dave are such good hearted people! With their friendly and calm ways they make the stay in an already perfect house even more perfect! The rescue dogs they are raising, the bush Babies they are feeding, the tours they are giving through Marakele, the genuine and good service - everything was perfect! The location was perfect too, being less than 10 minutes away from the park. We were actually really sad to leave... Hopefully we'll come back one day :) 10/10 would recommend!

Se alojó en octubre de 2025

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Marula Cottage guest house. We enjoyed the peace and tranquillity. We enjoyed the scenic environnement, the immersion into nature, the weavers and the bush babies présence, our very tasty meals, the friendliness, the care, the kindness of Monica and Dave, their 5 dogs which are fully part of the family, the proximity of the national park. Thank you for everything.

Se alojó en octubre de 2025

Nothing. Great hosts and super place to stay.

Monika was an excellent cook, we enjoyed her dishes in the evening. Dave was an excellent guide who told us a lot about the animals in the park, as well he has great knowledge about trees and birds. In general: a great place to stay.

Se alojó en septiembre de 2025

Absolutely nothing, except to warn people that the drive from the main road is pretty bumpy and needs a car with high clearance.

Stunning location 20mins drive from Marakele National Park. Charming and friendly hosts Dave and Monika, plus array of dogs, looked after us immaculately. Very comfortable rooms. Delicious breakfast included, and Monika cooked us a wonderful pasta dish for the evening meal.

Se alojó en septiembre de 2025

EVERYTHING supper was worth it 👌

Se alojó en septiembre de 2025

Nice place in a beautiful setting

Se alojó en agosto de 2025

The warm welcoming and atmosphere.

Se alojó en julio de 2025

All was perfect.

We can confidently say this was one of the best and coziest places we’ve stayed as a couple. Despite the chilly July nights, our suite was perfectly warm and comfortable thanks to both the air conditioning and an additional portable heater. We stayed in the Executive Suite and loved the extra separate lounge area with a sofa — perfect for relaxing in the evenings. The view of the mountains from our room is something we’ll never forget — absolutely breathtaking. Breakfast was generous and delicious: we had a fluffy vegetable omelette, warm multigrain bread with butter, cheese, jams, as well as muesli and yogurt. One evening, we requested a vegetarian dinner, and prepared a lovely pasta dish loaded with vegetables, served with a fresh salad. Dining by the large fireplace made it all feel incredibly special. The lodge is beautifully designed with inviting common areas, lush plants, and a warm, homey atmosphere. It's run by a wonderful couple who clearly care deeply about both the property and their guests. They’re also true animal lovers — while there are a few dogs on-site, everything is peaceful and quiet during rest hours. As bird lovers, we were especially delighted by the many new bird calls we heard each day and the chance to spot some truly interesting species right around the property. We wholeheartedly recommend this place. It’s just a short drive from Marakele National Park and truly added something special to our South African adventure. Big thanks to Monica & Dave – we absolutely loved our stay! Cheers xx

Se alojó en julio de 2025

We had a wonderful stay at Marula Cottage Guest Lodge. The location is perfect for visiting Marakele National Park, peaceful and just a short drive away. The room was clean, comfortable, and well-prepared. What really stood out was the warm hospitality from Dave and Monika, who went out of their way to make us feel at home. They even prepared us a delicious dinner, which was a lovely and much appreciated after a long day. The garden and surroundings are quiet and relaxing, and breakfast the next morning was fresh and satisfying. A truly charming place with personal touches.

Se alojó en mayo de 2025

Beautiful, clean and comfortable accommodation. Stunning view. Friendly hosts and delicious breakfast.

Se alojó en mayo de 2025

leaving!!

this was truly a home away from home. The hosts were just great. cant wait to visit again.

Se alojó en mayo de 2025

Nothing - this is a welcoming place with a lovely gang of dogs to hang out with while you rest.

This was our first night's stay on a 3000km road trip through SA, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and it could not have been a more perfect introduction. Monika and Dave were excellent, accommodating and thoughtful - ensuring we had delicious homemade food and offered us lots of great advice on our forthcoming trip.

Se alojó en abril de 2025

Nothing. Everything was great.

Lovely rooms with views across the valley to the mountains beyond. Monika and Dave were such kind, friendly and helpful hosts, and our breakfasts and home cooked dinners courtesy of Monika were delicious! Watching the bush babies come down from their tree at sunset was a real treat!

Se alojó en abril de 2025

Love this place

Se alojó en marzo de 2025

N/a

food and scenery was amazing and the hosts were very welcoming.

Se alojó en marzo de 2025

All was perfect

Was all perfect! Monika and Dave were awesome and the rooms and the meals were amazing too. Looking forward to come back!

Se alojó en febrero de 2025

The view was amazing, friendly couple.

Se alojó en noviembre de 2024

N/a

Very accommodating hosts

Se alojó en enero de 2025

We liked everything about the property.

The setting is absolutely spectacular. Food was amazing, and the owners are really welcoming and kind. Room was spacious, with a stunning view of the garden.

Se alojó en enero de 2025

Everything was great! We will revisit Marula Lodge!

The property is well secluded from the road, yet only 10 minutes from town.

Se alojó en noviembre de 2024

On our roadtrip to Botswana we stayed at Marula Cottage Lodge for three nights in total (two on the way to Botswana and one on the way back to the Airport in Johannesburg). We highly recommend staying with Monika and Dave! The Lodge is located in a beautiful quiet area near Thabazimbi. The rooms are comfortable and equipped with everything one could need. We really enjoyed the breakfast and especially the freshly cooked dinners. From the lodge it’s only a short drive to Marakele National Park, which is also worth a visit. Overall we want to thank Monika and Dave for their amazing hospitality, helpful advice and great contribution to our vacation. We hope to be back soon!

Se alojó en septiembre de 2024

We really enjoyed our stay at the Marula Cottage Guest Lodge. The hosts are very friendly and welcoming and shared a lot of useful information. The rooms are beautifully furnished with a great view of the landscape. The beds are comfortable, large shower with warm water. The night and breakfast are excellent. The dogs are just so cuddly and very affectionate. It was a great stay and we really enjoyed it.

Se alojó en octubre de 2024

Nothing.

Quiet and secluded with excellent food and hosts.

Se alojó en octubre de 2024

There was not a single we did not like. We are dog lovers hence it was lovely having their family dogs around, they are an intrinsic part of their family, a few other guests may not feel the same way. I must say Dave did mention the dogs when we booked.

The hosts Dave & Monika were outstanding and went out of their way to pay attention to their guests. We liked that nothing was too much trouble

Se alojó en septiembre de 2024