A pair of dusty hiking boots on red sand, with a heap of sand, a pebble, a thorn, a bottle cap and a sock shaken out in front of them.

Brenton invites you to

Shake Out the Boots

The Marakele Bush Weekend. Rule of the bush: shake them out first.

Rule of the bush: shake your boots out before you put them on.

  1. The sand · When Fri 7 – Sun 9 May 2027 Two nights. The boots will be dustier by Sunday.
  2. A pebble · Where Bontle camp, Marakele Sites 12 and 14, under the mountain. Elephants and rhino about, so the camp fence is the edge of the walk after dark.
  3. A thorn · Arrive From 15:00 SAST on Friday The gate closes at 18:00 in May. Out by 10:00 on Sunday.
  4. A bottle cap · Bring Tent, sleeping bag & something for the cooler Your own drinks and meat for the braai, and a headlamp. Empties go home with you.
  5. Your lost sock · Wear Your boots, layers & a beanie May mornings sit round 5°C. By lunch it’s shorts weather. Pack spare socks.
  6. A gecko · The weekend Marakele Bush Weekend Hosted by Brenton. The gecko wasn’t invited, but he’s welcome.

Laced up. Let’s go.

Open the invitation

You’re invited

Marakele Bush Weekend

Two nights under the Waterberg: a drive up the mountain to the vultures, a long lazy Saturday, a braai every night and cold, clear mornings. Hosted by Brenton.

Dates
Fri 7 – Sun 9 May 2027Two nights under canvas
Arrive
From 15:00 SAST on FridayThe gate closes at 18:00 in May. Out by 10:00 on Sunday.
Campsite
Bontle Rest Camp, sites 12 & 14Marakele National Park, Limpopo
Getting there
About three hours from JoburgVia Brits and the R511 to Thabazimbi, then the R510 to the gate. Tar all the way.
Cost
±R300 pp per nightThe site, split on the weekend, plus the park’s fee at the gate (free with a Wild Card).
Wear
Your boots, layers & a beanieMay mornings sit round 5°C. By lunch it’s shorts weather. Pack spare socks.

We’ve got

  • Firewood & the braai
  • Coffee & rusks both mornings
  • The gazebo and a big table
  • A spare pair of laces

You bring

  • Tent, sleeping bag & mat
  • Camp chair, plate, mug & cutlery
  • A cooler box with your drinks & ice
  • Meat for two braais
  • Hiking boots & spare socks
  • A warm jacket & a beanie
  • Headlamp
  • Wild Card, or cash for the gate

The plan, loosely

  1. Fri 15:00Arrive, pitch, cold drinks
  2. Fri 18:00Fire lit, braai on
  3. Sat 06:30Coffee, then shake out the boots
  4. Sat 07:30Up the mountain to Lenong for the vultures
  5. Sat 13:00Long lunch, longer nap
  6. Sat 17:30Sundowners, then the big braai
  7. Sun 07:00Coffee, rusks, a slow pack-up
  8. Sun 10:00Out of the site, leave no trace
View location

Kindly reply by 16 April 2027

Are you in?

So we know how many sites to book. Let us know either way.