About
A family-run reserve in the Limpopo Valley
Marula Game was established in 1997 by the Burger family in the heart of the Limpopo Valley — twenty kilometres south of the Botswana border. Where Matlabas river cuts through parts of 24 700 acres of mixed bushveld. What began as a working farm has become, over nearly three decades, a highly respected hunting and eco-tourism destination: the Marula Game Lodges, malaria-free year-round.
You arrive as a guest — you leave as family
Chris Burger — owner, outfitter, PHASA Executive Committee member and founding member of the Matlabas Custodians — personally hosts every safari and oversees the entire hunting operation. In line with South African law, the day-to-day hunting in the field is led by our dedicated professional hunters; Chris is at your side from arrival to farewell. Guests don't deal with reservations departments or anonymous systems. They deal with Chris. That intimacy, sustained across three generations and twenty-seven years, is why hunters return for the fourth, fifth and sixth time — and why they bring their children.
Scale, with intimacy
24,700 acres of free-roaming Bushveld and the Marula Game Lodges — and the owner still knows your name by day one. Two of our lodges, Gifbospan and Elfrida, have never been connected to the power grid; it isn't a marketing claim, it's how they were built. The reserve runs on 100% borehole water. The remaining lodges are actively transitioning to full off-grid renewable power.
Stewardship over diary
Our conservation model rests on two pillars: sustainable utilization — where strictly quota-managed hunting and eco-tourism fund the land, the herds and the people who protect them — and rewilding, the ongoing work of returning indigenous species to ground they once roamed and letting the Bushveld recover on its own terms. An annual scientific helicopter game count sets a sustainable quota — the herd's needs come before any guest's. As a founding member of the Matlabas Custodians, Chris is personally involved in community security, conservation and development across the valley. Our trackers, skinners, guides and lodge staff are drawn from surrounding communities. We are bound by PHASA's fair-chase code, and we hold ourselves to it.
The Marula family
Three generations of Burgers, and the team who make Marula run. You'll meet most of them during your stay.
Johan Burger
Founder
First generation. Bought the first farm in 1997 and put a spade in the ground.
Hester Burger
Matriarch
The warmth at the centre of the lodge — and the kitchen.
Chris Burger
Owner & Outfitter
Second generation. PHASA Exco. Personally hosts every safari.
Maryke Burger
Foundation & Glue
Chris's wife. Holds the whole operation — and the family — together.
Olivia & Izak Burger
Third Generation
The next custodians of the Matlabas.
Rikus Fourie
Manager
Maryke's brother. Runs the day-to-day across all seven farms.
Sinini Ntshangase
Herdsman
Knows every animal on the reserve by sight.
Simon
Driver
Gets you — and your trophies — where you need to be.
More portraits coming soon.
1997
Established
24,700 acres
Marula Game Lodges
Malaria-free
Year-round
From the visitors' book
Every guest who stays at Marula signs the book. These are a few of the entries — handwritten, unedited, spanning more than two decades on the reserve.
"
Nice people, nice property, nice service. Had a fun time.
RM
Wisconsin, USA · 2001
"
Wonderful hospitality and good hunting. Thanks!
TH
Wisconsin, USA · 2001
"
Thanks for the best hunt trip ever in S. Africa. I'll never forget you guys.
AD
California, USA · 2003
"
Great time in S. Africa. Absolutely great hosts! Hester, Johan & Chris are so hospitable! Great cooks too — thanks for all!
DSC
Arizona, USA · 2012
"
Another great time. Unbeatable accommodations!
MO
Arizona, USA · 2015
"
Trip of a lifetime! Everything was perfect — will be back again.
TC
Minnesota, USA · 2017
"
My 3rd trip here. Good honest people, awesome experience — and I never shot an animal!
TC
Alberta, Canada · 2017
"
From the moment we were picked up from the airport to the very last day, we were treated like royalty. The friendships forged will last a lifetime. The memories are a gift we will cherish forever.
RLF
Minnesota, USA · 2018
"
Uniquely spectacular! Wow! This was truly a trip of a lifetime. We felt welcomed, cared for and definitely pampered. The rustic elegance of this setting is beyond compare. The hunting was beyond our expectations. Our treasure of this trip will be shared.
BVB
Minnesota, USA · 2018
"
Overwhelmed with daily love and accepted with open arms. Not one day without a smile and reliving old memories. I wish the best and good times ahead for the Marula Game family. This place is like a paradise that you never want to leave.
NB
Arizona, USA · 2021
"
WOW — I have a new family. Every day a warm smile. I learnt so much about South Africa. I can't wait until I get back home to tell everyone the stories. I think I gained 10 lbs — the food just like mom's home-made. Can't wait to save up to come back. Thank you Marula family — I love you!
SB
Arizona, USA · 2021
"
Thank you so much for taking time out of your extremely busy lives to host us on this hunt. We really appreciate all the work you did to build the new lodge in just the two months prior to our arrival. This has become my home away from home a number of times in the past, and if you'll have me, I hope to come even more times in the future!
MZ
Arizona, USA · 2021
The collection · 2001 – 2021
Pages from the actual visitors' book at the lodge.
Recognition & affiliations
Chris currently serves on the PHASA Executive Committee(Professional Hunters Association of South Africa) and was named WRSA Game Farmer of the Year and Game Breeder of the Year by Wildlife Ranching South Africa — independent industry recognition of the standards we hold ourselves to.
PHASA Exco Member
Professional Hunters Association of South Africa
WRSA Game Farmer & Breeder of the Year
Wildlife Ranching South Africa
In the press
Selected articles about Chris and Marula Game. Send us links to additional coverage and we'll add it here.
- PHASA Executive Committee — member profile
phasa.co.za
- WRSA Game Farmer & Game Breeder of the Year — award coverage
wrsa.co.za
- Hier is 2025 se top wildboer — Landbou
landbou.com
- Chris Burger bou bekroonde buffelgenetika in Limpopo — Landbouweekliks
landbou.com
- Landbou Radio — 20 Januarie 2026 interview
agriorbit.com
- Wildboer van die Jaar 2025 — Volhoubare benutting die sleutel tot sukses
jaglekker.co.za
- YouTube — feature on Marula Game
youtube.com
- Fallsburg Telegram — article on Marula Game
facebook.com