Before you book a house in Marloth Park

The photos show the pool and the stoep. The geyser, the inverter and the road in are harder to see from a photo, so these are the questions we'd ask.

Backup power

Power cuts happen in the Lowveld, and most hosts have planned for them. Many houses have solar panels with an inverter and batteries, and hosts often put it in the name of the house.

Ask what runs on the backup power. The basics are the lights, the fridge and the Wi-Fi router. In summer, ask about the aircon and the geyser as well.

Aircon in the bedrooms

Summers here are hot, and a cool bedroom helps you sleep after a long day in the park. Some houses have aircon in every room and some only in the lounge. If you're coming between November and March, ask which rooms have it, and look for a house with aircon in every bedroom.

Mosquito screens

Marloth is in a malaria area, and the mosquitoes come out at dusk. Ask whether the windows and doors have screens or the beds have nets. From sunset, cover your arms and legs. Our malaria page has the rest.

Hot water

After a dusty day in Kruger, everyone wants a shower at once. If there are more than four of you, ask how big the geyser is, whether it's solar or electric and whether it runs on the backup power.

The road to the house

Olifant Road and the Tenbosch road in from the N4 are tar. Many side streets are gravel. Most are fine in an ordinary car, and some get bumpy after summer rain.

Ask the host which gate to use and whether the road to the house is tar or gravel. If you're in a sedan, ask whether it gets there easily. Inside Marloth the speed limit is 50 km/h on tar and 30 km/h on gravel, and the animals have right of way. Getting here has the route from the N4.

Wi-Fi and phone signal

Most houses have Wi-Fi, and the speed varies from house to house. If you need to work, ask what connection the house has and how fast it is. Bring mobile data as a backup.

River view, pool and braai

Sitting on the stoep looking across the Crocodile River into Kruger is hard to beat, and you pay for it. A six-sleeper with a river view can ask R4,500 a night. That's more than double the middle price of R1,988 for a house that size. If the view matters to you, ask whether you see it from the house or from a short walk away.

Ask whether the pool will be full when you arrive. Some hosts keep small plunge pools empty between guests so mosquitoes can't breed in them. For the braai, ask whether wood or charcoal is supplied. Put the fire out properly when you're done, and never set off fireworks.

Pets

Pets aren't allowed in Marloth Park, because the animals in the gardens are wild. Leave yours at home.

Check-in and arriving late

Check-in is usually from 14:00, and many hosts take arrivals until 22:00 or later. Some houses have a key safe. At others you collect the keys from the host or a security company. At the Marloth gate you'll be asked for your stand number.

Ask how you'll get in and until what time, and who to call if you're running late. Try to arrive in daylight. The animals are on the roads at dusk, and a house is much easier to find before dark.

Distance to Crocodile Bridge gate

Marloth is spread out, so the drive to Crocodile Bridge gate depends on where the house is. From most houses it's 15-20 km, about 20-30 min. If you want to be at the gate when it opens, ask the host how long the drive takes from their house.

The price for the whole stay

Compare the total for your dates. Some hosts add a cleaning or admin fee, usually around R260-R1,200, and some ask for a refundable breakage deposit. Cancellation terms differ from host to host, and some hosts set a minimum stay over the holidays. Ask for the full price and read the cancellation terms before you pay.

A message you can send the host

Copy this, change what you need and send it before you book:

Hi, we're thinking of booking your house from (date) to (date) for (number) people. Before we do, could you tell us:

1. Is there backup power (solar or inverter), and what runs on it?
2. Which rooms have aircon?
3. Are there mosquito screens or nets?
4. How big is the geyser, and is it on the backup power?
5. Is the road from the gate to the house tar or gravel, and is it fine for a sedan?
6. What Wi-Fi do you have?
7. How does check-in work, and until what time can we arrive?
8. What's the total price including any cleaning fee or deposit?

Thanks very much.

Once you've booked, read the Marloth Park rules that every guest follows. For prices and specials, see where to stay in Marloth Park.