In 2000 Paul van Vlissingen (Dutch businessman, philanthropist and author) entered into a Contractual Park Agreement to effectively accelerate the acquisition of the ecologically valuable areas situated within the low lying areas to the North West of Marakele National Park.

In total 16 000 hectares of habitat were added to the reserve and are now known as the Marakele Park (Pty) Ltd. The ecologically valuable areas that were added follow the Matlabas River through the low lying areas with tree species such as Camel Thorn, Tambotie, various Combretum species, Vaalbos, Shepherds bush, Sickle bush and many others.

Over the past few years many species of game have been reintroduced these include elephant, buffalo, rhino (both black and white), hippo, wild dog, hyaena and cheetah. In addition numerous sightings of aardvark, porcupine and aardwolf have been recorded. The populations of Kudu, Oryx, Impala, Wildebeest and Zebra have also increased significantly.

Bird life at Marakele includes water birds such as African Jacanas, African Finfoots and fish eagles as well as the larger birds of prey such as vultures and eagles. The cliffs in the neighbouring Marakele National Park are home to the largest colony of Cape Vultures. Game viewing opportunities throughout the Marakele reserve some are of the best in South Africa.