MalaMala Game Reserve
Situated in the northeastern reaches of South Africa in the province of Mpumalanga, MalaMala Game Reserve shares a boundary with the Kruger National Park.
MalaMala is one of the largest Big Five game reserves in Southern Africa. Stretching over 13 300 hectares, this spectacular reserve features bushveld, vast savannah, riverine woodlands, and straddles the Sand River.
MalaMala is one of the more established private reserves as well as one of the oldest private reserves in the greater Kruger Park region. Commonly spotted animals include lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.
MalaMala Sable Camp
Guests are encouraged to discuss their preferences with their ranger on arrival, and everything possible will be done to accommodate them within the confines of the camp routine, and with consideration to safari companions sharing the same ranger and vehicle.
For those not keen on an early-morning wake-up call, a later departure can be arranged from the camp to meet up with the early-morning drive.
Below is a typical outline of life in the bush and a typical day on Safari:
06h30 – Wake-up call by your ranger heralds the dawn.
07h00 – Meet your ranger and safari companions for early morning snacks and coffee. Your morning game drive follows.
10h00 – Return to camp for brunch. You are now able to relax around the pool, work out in the gym, browse through the safari boutique or perhaps take a siesta to make up for the early-morning wake-up call.
Feel free to explore the camp but please do not walk beyond the camp perimeters unless accompanied by a ranger.
15h00 – Meet on the expansive safari deck for hot and cold beverages and a light snack before departing on another unforgettable safari.
A cooler box with the veritable sundowners are carried on the Land Rover, and a consensus among your fellow safari-ites will determine whether a G & T is worth more than a leopard sighting!
An African sunset is a memorable and often emotional sight. As darkness approaches, your ranger will scan the bush with a powerful spotlight and will point out elusive nocturnal wildlife – a highlight of the day’s safari.
As darkness settles over the bush, look out for the Milky Way – a truly spectacular sight – or try to find the Southern Cross.
19h00 – Return to camp, allowing time for you to freshen up before meeting your friends and rangers for pre-dinner drinks in the cosy Safari Bar and a delicious dinner in the reed-enclosed boma under an ancient jackalberry tree.
While seated around a log fire under the starry African sky, enjoy the superb food and excellent wines – yet another highlight of the MalaMala experience.
Alternatively, when the weather is suitable, a candlelit dinner is served on the safari deck overlooking the Sand River.
Game Drives
Game drives are conducted twice a day (early morning, and late afternoon/ evening) in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles.
The rangers are in constant radio communication with one another to keep each other informed about the location of wildlife. (Headsets are used for this purpose so as not to interrupt the sounds of the African bush.)
The 4-wheel drive safari vehicles enable the rangers to leave the road and provide guests with close up game viewing and fantastic photographic opportunities. Night drives, with the aid of powerful spotlights, bring the bush to life at night.
Bush Walks
Two guides accompany you on bush walks – the lead guide on foot, and the back-up guide follows in the Land Rover in case of any potentially dangerous encounters with animals.
The Land Rover is also at your disposal should you wish to take a break, but do not want to stop the walk altogether.
The aim of the walk is not to encounter large and dangerous wildlife but instead to look at things you do not usually experience on game drives.
These include tracks, birds, vegetation, as well as the other smaller, yet interesting, animals. The walk will be conducted on a road through an area that is relatively free of dense vegetation.
What to wear on game drives
While on the open Land Rover there is no need to wear neutral bush-colored safari gear, but it is best to avoid very bright or iridescent colors.
During the summer months it is advisable that you wear lightweight clothing, as well as sunscreen and a hat.
Bring something warm to wear should it get cool during the evening drive.
Winter drives – especially early morning and evening – are cold, so it is essential to bring clothing suited for these conditions.
Midday in winter can be warm, so you may want to dress in layers so that you can shed clothes as the day warms up.
The Vehicle
The Land Rover in which you will travel is open – there is no roof, doors or windows.
There will be times that the ranger will take the vehicle off-road in order to follow animals and tracks to afford you the best possible view of the animal.
Please be aware that these are wild animals that you will be seeing and even though they may seem relaxed, it is important that they are treated with respect with regard to how close the vehicle is to them.
The ranger will allow the animal to dictate where he will move and park.
