Kruger Retreat, safari in the garden, near river

Entire home in Marloth Park, South Africa

  1. 9 guests
  2. 4 bedrooms
  3. 7 beds
  4. 3 baths
Rated 4.82 out of 5 stars.51 reviews
Hosted by Arno
  1. Superhost
  2. 10 years hosting

Listing highlights

Dive right in

This is one of the few places in the area with a pool.

24-hour self check-in

Check yourself in with the doorman whenever you arrive.

Park and garden views

Soak up the views during your stay.
Some info has been automatically translated.
In Marloth, it’s all about location, wildlife visits, privacy, and independent power + water. At Rafikisresthouse, you get it all: classic bush style, close to the river and Kruger gate, no nosy neighbors, a large private garden, rock + splash pool, full daily cleaning, solar power, and borehole. Self-catering, with cooking on request. Our highlight: frequent, exceptional animal visits, drawn to the shaded garden and secluded space.

The space
At Rafikisresthouse, we welcome you in our home as friends.
The exceptional visits of many different animals who love our shaded garden and private space is what we love here.
We do not have a grey flat building style but respect the traditional bush style, yet with all the comfort.
If you love to go to Kruger, even for only a few hours, being so close to the correct exit of Marloth Park saves you 30 mins one way. That half an hour is valuable to us when we have to get up very early in the morning for a safari drive.
We offer the possibility to have meals prepared for you. Usually the guests do the shopping unless it is their first evening and no previous guests are leaving the day of your arrival.
Our house has 4 bedrooms and three bathrooms (all with AC; all rooms also have ceiling fans), a living room downstairs (with AC) and a video lounge upstairs (with fan), a dining space and a fully equipped kitchen.
All rooms have at least one window that is mosquito and baboon proof when left open. This is rare in Marloth Park but we consider fresh air essential in this climate.
However, in South Africa, people live outside : we have two large covered game viewing decks, a splash pool, a rock pool, a boma (=BBQ place) and best of all a very large garden with impressive large trees. This and the location is what makes our place unique. Our trump card is the combination of closeness to the river (2mins walk) and closeness to Kruger entrance gate (12 mins; from some houses it can be up to 25 mins' drive more).
Our garden also is a birds’ paradise.
For the real bush lovers, we have installed a safari tent on the upper viewing deck. At night, you can hear the bush sounds even better.
We also have developed a game for safari novices and more experienced safari goers.
We have a borehole, so if there is no water from municipality (drought, municipality pumps broken), we always have water.
Our solar panels allow a carefree stay.

Guest access
Animals roam freely within the park (and occasionally in and out from Kruger). Our garden has no fences. Safari in your garden and at your doorstep : zebra, kudu, gnoe, baboons and monkeys, and so much more. Potentially dangerous animals (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, …) can be seen at Crocodile River at 2 mins walk from the house.
One can hear the lion roar, the hippo snort and the elephants trumpet. The bush sounds are thrilling for nature lovers and it is a challenge to go and check if you hear for example a buffalo's alarm call. Maybe you are lucky and can watch a kill.

Other things to note
Daily full cleaning at 15 - 20 euro a day (current rate) .
Free limitless Wifi.
Security system. Everywhere AC.
Accommodation prices are way lower than what one pays for Kruger National Park accommodation where much less comfort is offered and where fences prevent animals from coming to the camp.
We have been going to Kruger for over 30 years and stayed in most camps. The choice of our house has been based on everything we know about the bush and animals. Now, seeing the difference, we only stay in Kruger if we want to go to the north, which is less crowded by tourists but also much less animals are to be seen there.
We can arrange guided safaris for you, pick up and drop off at the house.

Where you’ll sleep

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What this place offers

Garden view
Park view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace

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4.82 out of 5 stars from 51 reviews

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Marloth Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Next to our exceptional garden, our second trump card is that the closest entrance gate to Kruger National park is only 12 mins drive away while from some other houses in Marloth Park, it might take half an hour. In just a few hours, you might be lucky enough to see the Big Five!
Rafiki's Resthouse does not have any street noise (one can faintly hear the river though), but is close enough to the main road for quick shopping. No long dirt roads every time you leave the house.

Meet your host

Superhost
85 reviews
4.82 out of 5 average rating
10 years of hosting
My work: University Professor
Favorite song in high school: The Elephant Song by Kamahl
I am a university Professor who loves the bush. When being there my key words are : inspiration, creation, dedication, fulfilment as the quiet and relaxing environment of our house and garden relieve me of my joint pains and make me forget the little worries of daily life.

Arno is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 10:00 AM
9 guests maximum
Safety & property
Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
May encounter potentially dangerous animal