Expert Reviews of MalaMala Game Reserve (6 Reviews)

My favorite wildlife destination in South Africa, legendary MalaMala pioneered the modern private reserve experience when it opened its gates to paying clients in the 1960s. For many years it was the ultimate safari destination for the rich and famous. Superficially, the formula here is similar to other upmarket lodges in the neighboring Sabi Sand Game Reserve. However, MalaMala offers a far more exclusive and rewarding wildlife-viewing experience. This is because it is much larger in area than any of the component reserves that comprise Sabi Sand. It extends over a total of 130km²/50mi², and no traversing rights are granted to other reserves. As a result, the vehicle density is very low compared to other most private reserves. Also, the 4x4s tend to be far less crammed (typically, around four people per vehicle as opposed to eight or more in most neighboring reserves). MalaMala is also distinguished by boasting more than 20km/12mi of frontage on both banks of the

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near-perennial (flowing year-round) Sand River. This wide forest-fringed watercourse forms a magnet for wildlife, especially in the Dry season (May–October). Overall, the wildlife here is truly superb. All the Big Five are typically recorded on more than 350 days of the year, with an incredible average of four separate leopard sightings per day. I love the relatively unpretentious lodges, and I have always been impressive by the high standard of guiding. MalaMala isn’t cheap, but those with a genuine passion for wildlife and a suitable budget are unlikely to regret the expenditure.

MalaMala is my favorite private reserve in South Africa. Nestled between Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, and boasting more than 20 kilometers of river frontage, the reserve offers truly phenomenal wildlife viewing. Several factors set MalaMala apart from the surrounding Sabi Sand reserves and make it my top choice.

At 133 square kilometers, MalaMala is relatively large, yet it maintains a strong sense of exclusivity. Unlike some nearby reserves, no other properties have traversing rights to most of its area, which means that game drive experiences are uninterrupted. Sightings can last as long as necessary without the need to make way for multiple vehicles. The guides are highly experienced, vehicles are never filled to capacity, and the focus is always on delivering a high-quality, immersive safari.

The reserve excels in Big Five sightings, from elephant herds and lion prides to buffalo and rhino, and you would be very unlucky not to see all five within a two-day

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stay. Leopard encounters are particularly remarkable here; MalaMala has earned a worldwide reputation for providing some of the best leopard-viewing opportunities in Africa. I have taken some of my most memorable photographs of this famously elusive cat in the reserve, thanks to the patience of the guides and the animals’ habituation to safari vehicles.

Beyond the Big Five, MalaMala offers rich diversity and hosts a wide variety of plains game. Birdlife is abundant, and the riverine areas add another dimension to the scenery, creating picturesque backdrops for both wildlife and photography.

For top-notch wildlife-watching in beautiful, pristine surroundings, I think MalaMala, immediately west of Kruger National Park, is very hard to beat. The MalaMala team make the classic luxury safari experience seem effortless, with minimal fuss and absolutely no gimmicks. Don’t expect cutting-edge décor – the lodges here are reassuringly conservative – but do get ready for some astonishing encounters with leopards and other charismatic animals.

At 133 square kilometres, MalaMala is far larger than any property in neighbouring Sabi Sands, but visitor numbers are more strictly limited – MalaMala’s own vehicles have exclusive access to most parts of the reserve. The Sand River, which slices through the western edge of the reserve, usually only flows during the wet summer months, but usually holds a few pools and some subterranean water throughout the year. The unspoilt expanses east of the river support a terrific variety of species. It’s a formula which draws well-off

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wildlife lovers from all over the world, including celebrities, photographers and film-makers. Together, they have made the place world famous, and in my opinion it really does live up to the hype.

There are three places to stay, all in superb riverside locations. MalaMala Camp is really a lodge rather than a camp, and might feel too much like a hotel for some, but is relatively affordable. Sable Camp (again, a lodge) is a mini variation on the same theme. Rattray’s Camp, named after the late Michael Rattray, who founded the reserve in the 1960s, has the feel of an elegant homestead.

I’m a professional wildlife photography guide, and when I get the option to take my guests to the superb MalaMala Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park, I know that absolutely everything is going to be fantastic. No one goes home disappointed – unless, of course, they are soulless husks who don’t appreciate spending quality time in the company of Africa’s most iconic species.

Firstly, leopard sightings are pretty much assured. They, like most animals in the reserve, are super chilled around safari vehicles and will go about their daily routines as if you weren’t right there watching them. You’ll get to see them sleeping, dozing, resting, and lying around as if they had nothing better to do. They are cats after all. But with patience and a little bit of luck, you’ll also see them hunting, shagging, fighting with hyenas, and hauling dead things up into trees.

Expect also to encounter plenty of elephants, lions, monkeys, buffalo, rhinos,

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and other African creatures of all shapes and sizes. On my last visit, I spent hours photographing an inquisitive clan of dwarf mongooses as they popped their heads in and out of a termite mound like whack-a-moles. MalaMala’s guides are superb, informative, attentive, and entertaining, whilst the game drives are managed in such a way that you’ll likely never see another vehicle; even at predator sightings. On top of that, the lodge itself is comfortable and unpretentious, the food is fantastic, and the level of service is excellent. This is, without doubt, one of the best-managed private safari offerings in all of Africa.

If you love leopards go to MalaMala. During a recent magazine assignment I was disappointed not to be able to spend more than 2 nights at MalaMala. I needn’t have worried though: we had 5 excellent leopard sightings in the course of 4 game drives…then saw another big male within 3km of the camp as we were driving out!

Boasting more frontage on the Sand River than any other property in the Sabi Sands area, these 133km² are widely considered to be the best leopard habitat on our planet. Since the rest of the Big Five are almost guaranteed in this area too (ace tracker-guide Michael Botes was able to show me them all on our first game drive), it’s not really surprising that MalaMala has been considered a benchmark in the safari industry since the 1960s. Emphasis at MalaMala is clearly on ticking off the Big Five, but this area also offers wonderful sightings of painted dogs and most of the iconic species you’d expect from the Greater Kruger. Travelling in summer brings

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the added allure of fantastic migrant bird species.

The layout of the camp can feel a little ‘tame’ with the mowed lawn out front (to protect guests from creeping cats), but once you get into the bush there’s no doubt that MalaMala surpasses all expectations.