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Maranata, meaning "gift from the Gods," is just that, a rare gift to anyone seeking an authentic experience of the real Africa - Africa viewed not from behind glass on an asphalt road, but while hiking through the veld or bouncing around the back of a classic four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser, ducking thorn branches and peering through the bush for a sight of any of the game species living on the farm.

Too often visitors to "wildest Africa" associate a "successful" trip with seeing as many as possible of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). The reality is that these visitors find themselves confined to a vehicle with a bunch of strangers listening to their guide over a loudspeaker. One does not get to explore wild Africa on one's own for obvious Jurassic reasons.

Serious thorns provide serious defense Maranata offers a far more direct experience of the African bushveld. Whether you are clinging to the Cruiser's dashboard as it claws its way up steep, dirt roads during a game drive or you are sitting quietly at dusk by a watering hole waiting to see which of our animals will come by for a drink, your encounter with the wilderness is up close and personal.

The animals are only one aspect of the farm's interest. The views are breathtaking, and there is something here for nature lovers of all stripes. We have hundreds of species of birds, snakes and reptiles, spiders and insects, trees, and other plant life. Maranata is not one of those flat farms with some buck and a few thorn trees; it is a whole ecosystem unto itself, with mini mountains, lush south-facing slopes and valleys, small plateaus, and grassland. Dams and a natural spring attract a whole other dimension of the African wild. Birds and the noisiest of amphibians gather at sunset around various dams and watering holes on the reserve.

Maranata is an independent, self-sustaining, environmentally friendly game preserve and working farm nestled in the mountains of the Mpumalanga valley. Situated approximately 60 km from Middleburg and approximately 170 km from Pretoria (about 2 hours from the Johannesburg International Airport), our pristine 500 hectares border the Loskop Nature Reserve. Game species include Kudu, impala, blesbuck, reedbuck, blue wildebeast, duiker, klipspringer, warthog, red hartebees, and baboon, as well as approximately 100 bird species, including game birds, all of which are historically indigenous to the region. We hope to include zebra and giraffe by summer 2007.

The fact that the farm doesn't sport lions or elephant doesn't mean that it is any less a part of the bush. One may not spot leopard, as they are known as the "ghosts of the veld" even at the most popular tourists reserves; however. you may well come across fresh spoor in the dust. To spot an adult bull Kudu antelope or surprise a herd of wildebeest in the thick bush is an experience few could forget.

In the area, you'll find other places of interest. Join us for an evening boat trip to view game on the banks of the nearby Loskop Dam. Or while the hotter hours of the day away at the Loskop Nature Reserve or the Reptile Museum.

You may be interested to learn that 5 percent of all proceeds go to the Maranata Environmental School, which we plan to launch by January 2008. The school will bring disadvantaged children from townships all over South Africa to the farm to learn about the bush and how to protect and preserve their environment. We hope ultimately to bring children from all over the world to Maranata to engage with and learn about this piece of the real Africa.

Full moon over a campfire There is something here for everyone. Come and enjoy the South African bushveld atmosphere around a camp fire with us. We look forward to having you as our guest. We will make your experience unforgettable. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Experience the real Africa!