Mala Mala Game Reserve

Nature preserve · Ehlanzeni

Mala Mala Game Reserve

Nature preserve · Ehlanzeni

Ehlanzeni, 1260, South Africa

Highlights

Mala Mala Game Reserve, a lush 33,000-acre paradise, offers luxe accommodations and expert guides for unforgettable safari adventures with Africa's big five.

Ehlanzeni, 1260, South Africa Get directions

malamala.com

@malamalagamereserve

@travelleisure

How the Safari Industry Is Getting More Accessible

"South Africa’s MalaMala Game Reserve has one game-drive Land Rover specially outfitted for those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The reserve’s flagship MalaMala Camp goes even further, with one of South Africa’s few purpose-built, wheelchair-friendly suites, No. 27." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/safari-tour-operators-with-trips-for-travelers-with-disabilities-7963869

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@cntraveler

MalaMala Game Reserve

"Opened in 1962, the reserve has three camps on the banks of the Sand River, with rondavel-style abodes and airy buildings that have white-paneled ceilings. Guests can view the Big Five, serval cats, side-striped jackals, and different species of mongoose. Meals are served on decks overlooking the river or in a reed-enclosed boma and include coq au vin and venison steak."

https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/south-africa/kruger-national-park/malamala-game-reserve-south-africa

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@afar

"If you have your sights set on seeing the Big Five, then MalaMala Game Reserve is the place to be—it’s said that 98 percent of guests spot these illustrious animals over a two-night stay. One of the largest private game reserves in South Africa, MalaMala shares fenceless, uninhabited borders with both Kruger National Park and Londolozi Game Reserve. Its location, along with its team of highly skilled rangers (including members of local tribes), has helped the reserve gain a reputation as one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing, especially if you’re hoping to spot leopards. Additionally, MalaMala only allows shared traversing on 30 percent of its land and a maximum of three vehicles at any sighting, ensuring that guests enjoy an exclusive experience. There are three camps on the property—MalaMala Camp and Sable Camp are to the north of the private airstrip, while the luxurious Rattray’s Camp is to the south. MalaMala Camp is unfenced, so it’s not uncommon to see a nyala or elephant wander past your air-conditioned room. It’s also the best option for families with young children, as it offers babysitting services for an additional fee. Sable Camp features six private suites and a common pool area overlooking the floodplain, while Rattray’s includes eight luxurious villas, complete with private plunge pools and verandas over the river."

South Africa’s Best Safari Parks and Camps

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John Rampton

Google

A Five-Star Safari Experience We’ll Never Forget Our time at Mala Mala was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, everything about this experience was pure excellence—refined, immersive, and unforgettable. The rooms were absolutely stunning—luxurious, spacious, and thoughtfully designed with every comfort you could imagine. It felt like a world-class resort tucked right into the heart of the wild. Every detail was considered, making us feel pampered while still deeply connected to the surrounding nature. The food was next-level. Every meal was delicious, beautifully prepared, and plentiful—almost too much! From breakfast spreads to gourmet dinners under the stars, it was all world-class. But what truly made Mala Mala magical were the guides, ours was Nik. Their deep knowledge, respect for the animals, and calm confidence in the bush was awe-inspiring. They knew exactly where to go, how to track, and when to wait. We saw everything we had hoped for—and more. Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and all with babies—you name it. They made every drive an adventure and every encounter feel deeply personal. We went out 3 days, 2x a day (morning and evening). This wasn’t just a vacation—it was a transformational experience, and one we’ll carry with us forever. If you’re looking for the ultimate safari—luxury, authenticity, and a front-row seat to nature’s greatest show—Mala Mala is the place. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unforgettable, inspiring, and absolutely worth every second.

Isabella Tan

Google

Experienced everything we wanted and more at Mala Mala - saw all the Big 5 and their babies, even the rhino which our exceptional guide Bens took the special time to find! The quality of the terrain and game here is absolutely unmatched (we saw big cats or new species every drive) and even the drive itself offers you an insane view. Some of the highlights were getting up close to a pride of ~15 lions feasting on a buffalo, seeing 3 baby cheetahs and 4 lion cubs sleeping. Every day and game drive there are exceptional meals and drinks, we particularly loved the morning Amarula x coffee combo, and had a great time between drives at the games room / massage offering / sitting by the pool to watch the elephants or making great use of the fitness centre. The Boma was also an awesome feast whereby the staff showed off their dancing and singing talent! The lamb was a highlight of the whole trip. We will really miss the poppyseed muffins too 🫶 Thank so much Bens and the Mala family! Can’t wait to come back

lauren stauffer

Google

What an incredible experience from the time we pulled up until the moment we left. Mike was our guide and he was wonderful. He went out of his way to make sure we all got to see the animals we were really interested in seeing. We saw everything! He made us feel completely safe during our excursions. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us. The food was delicious and the ambiance in the evening was just breathtaking. Our room had an incredible view of the bush and a very comfortable bed. The mini bar stayed stocked with all you need. We enjoyed time by the pool. While laying there we saw giraffe, elephants, hippos and kudu. I highly recommend visiting Mala Mala.

K F

Google

My friend and I spent 5 nights in the Mala Mala Game reserve. Our room was very spacious, luxurious, you get all the amenities you need. International travellers will be pleased to know there are multi plugs just by the bedside for most kind of electronics. But what really set Mala Mala apart and made our trip so unforgettable are the people. I’ll start with our ranger Reggie, he’s super knowledgeable and we learned so much from him. He was passionate about getting us good sightings. With his superb eyesight and hearing, We saw 4/5 of the big 5 by our 3 drive and mostly from a very close distance but also making sure we keep a respectful and comfortable distance from the animals. The ride was a comfortable open top 6 seater assuring we get the best view and attention from the ranger. The bar and restaurant staff like Goodness, Collen, Absalom etc made us feel so welcome and at home. We had such a wonderful time in Mala Mala and we are already planning our next trip and have Reggie take us!

I B

Google

We recently visited South Africa and it was truly unforgettable. From the time we arrived, we felt the magic of the reserve and knew that we were in for something very special. My husband and I traveled with our 10 and soon to be 13 year old. I’m still in awe of the memories they helped us create. The greet staff, hosts, waiters/waitresses, …absolutely everyone that we encountered was beyond gracious. They made you feel like you were their only guest. They accommodated every whim from special lunch requests to cleaning and pressing our laundry! The accommodations were beautiful. It was nice to have our own villa with gorgeous decor and thoughtful details (water, snacks, personal items). The food was different every day and challenged our boring taste buds to new cultural sensations. We’re beyond grateful for our guide, Victoria. From the moment we met her, it was clear that we were in expert hands. Her deep knowledge of the terrain and wildlife was astonishing. She knew every nook and cranny of the landscape, leading us to the best spots to witness breathtaking beauty of the South African wildlife. What set her apart was also her warm, kindhearted nature. She took the time to connect with our children, even going as far as setting up a mountain top birthday celebration for our oldest mid-safari! It truly brought tears of joy to our eyes. Her sense of humor kept all of us laughing and at ease as well. She was no doubt part of the reason we had the trip of a lifetime. Thank you all! We will never forget you! ❤️

Svetlana R

Google

Mala Mala main camp was really great and very special, all the staff did amazing job starting from management & safari ranger and ending with waiters & cleaners. Excellent service, rooms, great tasty food. Exceptional safaris: very skilled ranger on tracking and driving, he listened to the radio and we always came everywhere at the right moment. We’ve seen animals very very close + quite relaxed policy about safaris: if you see anything special, you don’t have to return by exact time. Only Mala Mala vehicles are allowed in the property and it’s huge. So you really have this unique feeling seeing wildlife closer. Can’t wait to come back!!!

Christopher Lewis

Google

We finished our twelfth trip to MalaMala Game Reserve on September 2, 2024. One activity we love is tracking leopards, lions and Cape hunting dogs with our Ranger. Each leopard that has territory in MalaMala is named, and is recognized by its spot pattern. We have favorites that we like to see on each visit. On returning home it is nice to read the monthly game report and see what has happened to each leopard. The statistics in the game report are impressive. For instance in July, 2024, there were 102 sightings of Lion, 168 of Leopard, 216 of Elephant, 79 of Buffalo, 3 of Cheetah and 4 of Cape hunting dog. Food offerings can be personalized which is a game changer for me as I have a fructose intolerance. Service too, is very personalized. The rooms at Main Camp and Rattray’s have been modernized in the past few years. If you want to see the big five and maybe the big seven, this is the place to go.

Nikos K.

Google

Amazing experience! The rangers, the staff and the lodge is a true 5 star! We managed to see all the big 5 and much more in 2 days only.