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MalaMala Game Reserve is the Safari Industry's blueprint to the luxury photographic safari. In existence since 1927, this massive thriving tract of land produces the most exciting wildlife experience this side of the equator. MalaMala Game Reserve is the largest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa. Comprising 13 300 ha (33 000 acres), MalaMala shares a 19 km (12 mile) unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park, and lies strategically sandwiched between the National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve. For over four decades, Michael Rattray has remained focused on his objective to preserve and protect the land over which he is custodian. Allowing nature to move to its innate rhythm, guests experience today what the forefathers of the African Safari would have experienced at the turn of the century. This philosophy has paid off, as experienced by a veritable collection of photojournalists and film-makers who have made MalaMala their destination of choice to capture footage of wildlife viewing that would rival any Hollywood production for thrilling and breathtaking animal encounters. MalaMala's Camps (MalaMala Main Camp, Sable Camp and Rattray's on MalaMala) are the embodiment of an authentic safari experience pioneered at a time when the safari was simple - unassuming camps, vast sweeping plains, the African sky and the bush in all its splendour. Wellness was the feeling after a long day in the wild. Cigars were shared without pomp and ceremony. Guests to MalaMala will still spend hours beneath an inky sky in the traditional boma exchanging stories from the wild - a sumptuous meal, good company and relaxed faces warmed by the crackling fire, accompanied by the nocturnal symphony of sound.
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The safari experiences (early morning and evening each day) were each amazing -- we saw everything! Gabriel was our guide, and he is funny, kind, very knowledgeable, and adaptable to guests' preferences (although we just went along with whatever he suggested, and he never set us wrong). Late morning until optional 4pm tea is time to relax on your own, take a swim, check out the small but interesting gift shop, or use the exercise room. Meals were delicious, with a good variety. The staff is pleasant and very helpful. The lodging is quite private, "spa-like", and very comfortable and relaxing. We loved this trip! The reserve is vast, peaceful, pleasantly and naturally rustic, with a maze of dirt roads and offroad paths navigated expertly by Gabe our guide - we saw all manner of animal and other creature, birds, and vegetation, with Gabe explaining it all (really enjoyed pleasant stops for morning coffee and evening sunset cocktails served from the hood of our cruiser, to enjoy the view and chat with our small group of 6, and discuss what we had seen).
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:limited laundry service included
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our second visit to Mala Mala, if possible better than the first!!! Eleven leopards in 4 days, cannot be equalled anywhere in Africa. It was magical from start to finish, Big Five on 3 of the 4 days. We also saw a Honey Badger which is an extremely rare sighting in daylight. Our guide Nick was extra special, he has an intrinsic "feel" for the bush. He always managed to get us in a position where we were close to the sighting and were able to sit for long periods of time just soaking up the animals. We sat with 6 wild dog pups and watched them playing for at least thirty minutes. The sightings are self managed by the rangers and you are never surrounded by vehicles in fact most of the time you are on your own. I must not forget the lodge staff, they are all so friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Francine deserves a special mention, she was our allocated server and what a treasure. Many excellent reviews are given by people who perhaps have not had much Safari experience and they are therefore always very good. My husband and I have been on over 100 safaris all across Africa and this review is based on the total experience. Many South African will look at the rates and declare it is unaffordable. My advice - save up as no bucket list is complete without visiting Mala Mala. O
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Ask for a river facing room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Before embarking on the trip, I thought this was just going to be one of those “once in a lifetime” but after the first drive, the safari bug bit me and I knew I was hooked.
Our ranger Reggie tried to set the right expectations by warning us this is not a zoo and we certainly cannot predict what we will see (or not) but by the 3rd drive, we have already seen all of the big fives! If you wonder if it will be boring just to go out and see the “same” animals multiple times, it is an absolute no. We saw roaring lions scent marking, leopards on trees with a dead impala, vultures circling a carcass, a lioness running after waterbucks etc. Reggie, our ranger’s vast knowledge of the animals and surroundings greatly enhanced our experience.
Mala Mala prides itself as a luxurious camp and it truly lives up to it. The room itself looks even better the ones on their website but the service you get is mind blowing. Staff are not just friendly but they are the warmest people that makes you feel right at home. Everyday after the evening drive, we will head straight to the bar for a drink and a quick chat with the barman (cheers to Collen) before we head for dinner. Dinner is a 3-course dinner, nothing less than what you would expect in a fine-dining restaurant.
In short; Would I return to Mala Mala camp? Absolutely yes, and already in the planning for next trip!
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Date of stay: November 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Power points catering to most international plugs all around the room. Compliment laundry (12...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The place I recommend most in the world, the very friendly staff, the very comfortable rooms, everything worked perfectly, the very professional and entertaining guides, the wildlife is enjoyed intensely, the spectacular food, all very concerned to have a pleasant stay. Having the river, animal life is lived more than anywhere else. Without a doubt a place that would return, there are no words to describe it. An unforgettable experience.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our first visit to South Africa, and our first safari. I simply do not have enough praise to give Mala Mala camp. From the moment we arrived, to the moment we left the service was impeccable, faultless. The food was exquisite, alongside their choice of wines and drinks available from the bar. The food was plentiful, and often, you will never go hungry! Our Ranger Lucky was superb, never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would see the big 5 plus so many others species. Lucky is passionate about the animals, and their conservation,and he gives them the utmost respect. He inspired us to do more to protect them. Each trip was just so informative and knowledgeable. Our suite was wonderful, the quality of everything there is nothing less than 5 star. We even had a security guard to walk us back to our room each night, as the animals roam freely on the property, so thank you Simon, you made our walks each night very special. To summarise Mala Mala really does make dreams come true, it’s perfect. Thank you for making my husband’s birthday so special. We will be back, how could we ever go anywhere else now?
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The camp has a very casual feeling so there is no need to dress up, bring your binoculars!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Over many years I have been on many Safari type holidays. Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa. Mala Mala tops them all. It’s location facing the Sabi Sand river and investment into best accommodation add up to a very comfortable stay with greatest chance to see all fauna and flora available. Staff, management and Rangers are very competent and friendly.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Get used to early morning wake ups, and practice siestas in the middle of the day.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I, along with two grown grandkids, had originally booked lodging 2 suites) for four nights in the Main Camp. However, upon arrival we learned we had been upgraded to their Rattray’s Camp, touted as ‘the most beautiful Safari accommodation in the country’. Wow! In our opinion, maybe it is the most beautiful in the entire continent. We were given two guest houses ( they only have eight I believe) which were incredibly luxurious. Each cottage had two huge bathrooms off an enormous and tastefully decorated living/sleeping area. Also our own private pool and deck plus free laundry. The food was delicious and plentiful. They serve a light breakfast before the 6a.m. game ride, then a big brunch at 11:00, high tea at 3:00 and dinner at 7:30. Three nights we had dinner at their outdoor boma(sp?) an enclosed area with a central bonfire. One night, as the only guests for the evening, we ate in their cozy lounge/bar in front of a roaring fireplace. Malamala has extensive game lands and the animals are so used to the vehicles they barely glance up as you approach. We saw every animal we wanted to see, and very close up. Our guide was was very flexible with our schedules and very knowledgeable about the area. We were also provided with much appreciated blankets and hot water bottles during the game rides as we were there during their winter (although it warmed up nicely during the day. The manager (Corine?) was a real asset: most attentive to our every whim and often joined us at high tea. Highly recommend but note no children under sixteen can stay there.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have visited many safari camps in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and Botswana and Mala Mala Sable Camp in South Africa is up there with the best of them. The position of the camp in really far in to the wilderness from the road and really benefits from this location. The situation beside the river makes the area quite green and it is truly beautiful. Sable camp lodges are absolutely stunning (try to get one facing the river) and the staff are so friendly and happy in their jobs. They are in traditional style which I love. The food is amazing too and served at individual tables as opposed to some camps where everyone eats at the same table. We had Steff as our ranger guide and she was a force of nature, fearless, venturing right into thickets to enable us the best views of game of which there was many. She was also very knowledgeable, friendly, and she had such a life force which we loved and admired her greatly for. As for the animals,we saw numerous leopards,elephants, lions, buffalo, mongooses, lots of birds and raptors and best of all, Steff heard that wild dogs may be in the reserve (I had always wanted to see them) and she took the risk of looking for them as they were right on the edge. She really searched and she found a huge pack. It was an amazing sight. I was totally overcome. If you choose Mala Mala, trust me, you won’t be disappointed. It is an amazing place to visit.
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Date of stay: September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When you look up the definition of Safari Lodge, a picture of Mala Mala should come up. Old school beautiful lodge with huge rooms filled with creature comforts and stunning views of animals even right from your room! The game drives were fantastic and we saw more animals than we ever dreamed of. Our guide, Brandon, was fabulous, taught us much and always had interesting stories to share! Eating in the Boma was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us that we will never forget.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had planned to visit march 2020 but covid ruined it. The lodge kindly allowed us to reschedule this trip during the various lockdowns. We finally managed to get to South Africa and it was worth the wait. Mala mala camp is located across the sand River. Our villa overlooked the river. It was nicely appointed with everything you would expect except a TV (non of the villas have them). It would have been nice to have between game drives. Our Ranger Robyn was excellent and she went that extra mile in that we would alway be the first leaving in the am and the last back. The mornings start early with tea/coffee and a light bite around 5:30am and a proper breakfast when you get back around 9:30-10. Breakfast is excellent especially after an early start. Afternoon Tea is served just before you go out at 15:30 which has a nice selection. Upon returns at 7:00 dinner is normally served. We found the menus somewhat limited hence the 4 stars. Given the type of lodge, we expected more as there is only the single restaurant. We had visited the four seasons serengeti lodge which had a much bigger and diverse menu. But the point of coming is for the wildlife and on that it didn't disappoint. We got to see so much and just when you think you have seen it all, then more. We saw the big 5, saw a live hunt involving wild dogs. Countless leopards and lions. The only thing we didn't see were cheetahs. Given the grass wad overgrown we still saw most things so much so that we have decided to return in August. If they could fix the restaurants and get some televisions in the rooms, it would get all the stars from me. Their biggest assets are the people that work there. A huge thank you to Chantel for arranging, Robin, Sam,...
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Take a hat and something warm to wear for first thing in the am
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very casual. Shorts, long pants, jeans, t-shirts are all perfectly acceptable. There is no strict dress code however we do recommend closed shoes for the evenings as sometimes dinner is served in the outdoor boma.
I don’t recall, but getting up so early for the morning drive followed by an amazing full breakfast and some needed downtime, didn’t leave much time before the afternoon drive to spend much time at the pool. There is a wonderful message available to help spend some time at too.
London, United Kingdom65 contributions139 helpful votes
We were there in March and were told that you tipp around $20-25 a day. And half that for general staff. You do that upon check out and can add that to your final bill
There are more places to choose from in the Mala Mala Private Game Reserve area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
mala mala main camp hotel mala mala private game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkSabi Sand Game ReserveMala Mala Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
19
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