Marloth Park

Marloth Park

Marloth Park from the Kruger
Marloth Park

 Marloth Park shown within Mpumalanga

Coordinates: 25°20′52″S 31°45′28″E / 25.34778°S 31.75778°E / -25.34778; 31.75778Coordinates: 25°20′52″S 31°45′28″E / 25.34778°S 31.75778°E / -25.34778; 31.75778
Country South Africa
Province Mpumalanga
District Ehlanzeni
Municipality Nkomazi
Established 1977
Area[1]
 • Total 17.50 km2 (6.76 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 1,000
 • Density 57/km2 (150/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 30.8%
 • Coloured 0.5%
 • Indian/Asian 0.8%
 • White 67.4%
 • Other 0.5%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Afrikaans 48.1%
 • Swazi 22.8%
 • English 21.3%
 • Tsonga 2.9%
 • Other 4.9%

Marloth Park is a holiday town situated in northeastern South Africa in the Mpumalanga province (formerly Eastern Transvaal).

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Kudu in Marloth Park
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Aloe Marlothii

Geography

On the bank of the Crocodile River between Malelane and Komatipoort on the N4 national highway, Marloth Park is a wildlife sanctuary and holiday town. It boasts four of the “Big Five” with the exception of elephant. Buffalo, rhino and lion are confined to Marloth's game reserve "Lionspruit"; the rest of the game such as kudu, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, nyala, impala, warthog, ostrich and others aren't restricted by fences and roam freely between the units that are built on 3000 ha.[2]

On the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park, Crocodile Bridge gate is 14km and Malelane gate 35km from Marloth Park.

History

The name Marloth Park derives from a German botanist, Rudolf Marloth. The Aloe marlothii was named after him. This plant is found abundantly in the lowveld.[3] Marloth Park was founded in 1977.

Administration

Marloth Park is managed by the Nkomazi municipality.

Tourism

Marloth Park is a stopover point for tourists travelling to the Kruger National Park, to Mozambique or to Swaziland. Many lodges and private houses are found inside the Park.

Marloth Park is a unique project. It opened in 1972 as a holiday township. A large part of the park remained natural. There are no fences. The gardens remain in their original state. Marloth Park is separated by a fence and by the Crocodile River from Kruger Park. Within the park, there are giraffes, wildebeest, kudu, zebra, impala, bushbuck, warthog, baboon, vervet monkeys and other small game and a rich bird life. Meanwhile, the infrastructure of the natural park is very well developed.

Inside Marloth Park (3000 hectares), the freedom of movement is remarkable. Tourists can ride a bicycle or go for a walk on their own through the African bush. Movement is not confined to the hotels. While walking along the Crocodile River, visitors can watch spectacular wildlife scenes in the adjacent Kruger National Park. Local restaurants and shops are easily accessible.

Climate

Marloth Park features a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Marloth Park". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ umjindi.org- wild frontier
  3. ↑ Bredenkamp, G.J. & Van Vuuren, D.R.J. 1987. Note on the occurrence and distribution of Aloe marlothii Berger on the Pietersberg Plateau. South African Journal of Science 83: 498- 550

External links

Media related to Marloth Park at Wikimedia Commons

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