We could not wait to explore, and set out on foot to discover the many animal-worn paths that crisscross the reserve. Our journey took a number of days, but left a permanent impression on our souls. We found the perfect place perched on the side of the mountain, with views all the way into Waterfall Valley. Utterly remote, in a wilderness world of its own. This was simply too good to keep to ourselves. And so the Marataba Walking Trails Lodge was born….The lodge is cleverly situated on the hillside at the bottom of Waterfall Valley. It is surrounded by mountain streams, the source of the Matlabas River (which flows into the mighty Limpopo River, and eventually into the Indian Ocean).The area surrounding the lodge has sweet savannah grasslands in the valley below, and broadleaved sour veld habitat on the hills above, while some of the gorges are filled with riverine forest habitats.All units have spectacular views down into Waterfall Valley, which is particularly magical at sunset!