MalaMala is an independent private game reserve that shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park to the east and Sabi Sand Game Reserve on all other sides. Having pioneered the upmarket private game reserve experience in the 1960s, it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa, with easy, quality sightings of the Big Five and leopard, in particular.
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Best Time To Go
- May to September (Dry season)
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High Season
- October to March (It never gets very crowded)
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Size
- 133km² / 51mi²
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Altitude
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270-467m /886-1,532ft
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Pros & Cons
- Superb wildlife viewing with excellent sightings of the Big Five
- Off-road driving allows close animal encounters
- Day and night drives and walking safaris offered
- Highly trained guides
- Vehicles carry a maximum of six guests and usually no more than four
- Much larger than any property on Sabi Sands with greater river frontage
- No traversing rights with other properties making it very exclusive
- No budget or self-drive options
- Emphasis on checking off the Big Five animals
Wildlife
MalaMala offers some of the best wildlife viewing on the continent. The Big Five is usually checked off in two days, and leopard are easily spotted on most drives. All sightings are exclusive to MalaMala visitors because the reserve doesn’t give traversing rights to other properties, as is common practice in the neighboring Sabi Sand.
More about MalaMala’s wildlifeScenery
MalaMala is sandwiched between Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve with open borders on both sides. The vegetation consists of woodland savannah, dense riverine forest, acacia bushveld, open grassland and rocky outcrops. The Sand River flows north to south through the reserve for 20km/13mi and attracts abundant wildlife in the Dry season.
Weather & Climate
The Wet season in MalaMala runs from October to April, during summer, when stormy afternoons are not uncommon. The heat can be harsh during the daytime. Winter, from May to September, on the other hand, tends to be dry and mild. Temperatures can drop quite dramatically at night, however, and early mornings will feel quite cool.
More about the weather and climateBest Time To Visit
The Dry season (May to September) months are recommended for getting the best out of a wildlife-viewing experience in MalaMala. Animals can be found milling around the few remaining water sources, and the views open up as the bush recedes. During the Wet season (October to April), the vegetation is green and lush and birding is at its prime, but afternoon storm activity can spoil the best-laid plans.
More about the best time to visit