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 the Matlabas River cuts through 24,700 acres of pristine mopane and mixed bushveld. What began as a working farm has become, over nearly three decades, one of the Limpopo Valley's most respected hunting and eco-tourism destinations: 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 power.
Stewardship over diary
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.
Portraits coming soon.
1997
Established
24,700 acres
Marula Game Lodges
Malaria-free
Year-round
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.