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Located about 250 km (156 mi) north of Johannesberg in the heart of the Waterberg Mountain Range, the Marakele National Park has an area of around 67,000 ha. Contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass clad hills and deep valleys are characteristics of the Park. Less than 3% of the park is comprised of Sweet Bushveld, about 47% of the park is Mixed Bushveld and about 55% comprises of Waterberg Moist Bushveld. An agreement was reached in 2003 for the dropping of the fences between the Welgevonden Game Reserve and Marakele National Park, but has yet to be implemented.

Marakele National Park has an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. All large game species from elephants and both rhino species to the big cats are present here. Most antelope species can also be found, including Reedbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, Sable Antelope, Waterbuck, Eland, Tsessebe and Kude.

There is also an amazing variety of birds in the park. The biggest birding attraction is the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs). Other species to look out for are African Harrier Hawk, Jackal Buzzard and several eagle species including Verreaux's (Black) African Hawk.

Some of the park's roads are only accessible to 4x4 vehicles. You will be warned at reception at the entrance to the park about roads that are inaccessible. The Kwaggasvlakte plain immediately north of the reception block can be traversed in a normal sedan, as can the entrance roads to the safari tent camp and bush camp. The narrow track up to the towers is also accessible. Most other roads will present difficult terrain. In an effort to keep the park ecosystem as undisturbed as possible, most facilities (shops, restaurant, fuel, etc.) are located outside the park in the town of Thabazimbi, just to the south of the park.