Marakele is home to the big five (buffalo did not exist in the park, but 20 disease-free buffalo (nine cows and eleven bulls) were re-introduced on 15 October 2013)[1] as well as sixteen species of antelopes and over 250 species of birds, including the largest colony of Cape vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs)[citation needed].

The forest is mainly composed of Red ivory and African olive; other plant species found within the forest are:[3] Other significant plant species found in the park: The area now constituting Marakele was home to several iron-age settlements which are not yet open to public viewing.

Marakele was founded as Kransberg National Park in 1994 with the purchase of 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi), and was shortly after renamed to its current name.

The park is accessible to all passenger vehicles, with the camp and tent sites on good roads.

The park contains bird hides, picnic sites and multiple viewing points at the Bollonoto, Bontle and Tlopi dams.