Overview–southafrica

MalaMala Private Game Reserve

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.

Best Time to Visit

The best wildlife viewing in MalaMala is during the winter months of May to September. Winter is the Dry season and the bush thins out at this time as animals seek relief from the drought at waterholes and rivers. September is probably the best time of all since it is slightly warmer than the rest of the winter months.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife is easier to spot as vegetation thins, and animals gather around rivers
Sunshine is abundant with few clouds
It isn't humid, and daytime temperatures are pleasant
There is little risk of malaria
It is very dry
You need warm winter clothes for early morning and evening game drives

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

Scenery is nice and green
There are many newborn animals and wildlife is healthy
Birding is excellent, and the migratory birds are present
The Dry season is slightly better for wildlife viewing
It gets hot and humid
Antimalarial medication is recommended

Scenery

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.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Dec

Mar

April

Oct

Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: October to March (It never gets very crowded)

Size

From: 133km² / 51mi²

Wildlife & Animals

MalaMala offers superb viewing of all large safari animals, especially the Big Five. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are easily seen, and off-road driving in open vehicles assures that sightings are of the highest quality. MalaMala is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, which makes for a very authentic wildlife experience.

Wildlife Highlights

MalaMala’s main attraction is its habituated leopards. Being able to follow these normally elusive cats provides fantastic opportunities to see seldom-witnessed behavior. Lion, buffalo, and elephant are common along the Sand River. The white rhino is often spotted, but black rhino sightings are very rare. Wild dogs travel in and out of the reserve but tend to give good sightings when they are around.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The optimal time to view wildlife in MalaMala is the Dry season (June to September). The end of the Dry season (from August to September) is especially good since temperatures are warmer than in mid-winter and wildlife concentrates at predictable water sources.

General Wheather

Winter and summer in South Africa occur at opposite times to those seasons in Europe and North America. It is hot and humid in MalaMala Game Reserve during the wet summer months (October to April). Conditions in the dry and temperate winters (May to September) cool off during the evening, making warm clothing necessary for early morning and evening game drives.

Dry Season –May to September – Winter

The absence of rainfall during the winter months ensures that the humidity level is low. Animals are easier to spot because they come out to gather around water sources.

May – The month of May represents the end of summer. Typical temperatures consist of 12°C/54°F in the morning and 26°C/79°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Average morning temperatures of 9°C/48°F mean it is important to bring warm clothing along on game drives. Afternoons will remain temperate and sunny with highs around 25°C/77°F.
September – The dry conditions gradually subside with the coming of the first rains. Heat builds to afternoon averages of 28°C/82°F. Morning temperatures start to rise and average around 14°C/57°F.

Wet Season –October to April – Summer

With peak temperatures often rising to over 40°C/104°F, the hot and humid conditions of the summer can be difficult to deal with. Average daily temperatures are around 30°C/86°F with afternoon storms. A full day of rain would be unusual.

October & November – Rain becomes more common, particularly in the afternoon. Temperatures hover between 17°C/63°F in the morning and 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – Torrential downpours occur frequently during this time. The heat and wetness is at its yearly high and, coupled with the humidity, is difficult to deal with. Temperatures may rise upward of 40°C/104°F with a daily average of 31°C/88°F.
March & April – Temperatures gradually fall, and the rains lessen through April, which is characterized by fine, clear weather and little humidity. Nights average a steady and pleasant 18°C/64°F with midday temperatures of 29°C/84°F.

Prons

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 riverfrontage
No traversing rights with other properties making it very exclusive

Cons

No budget or self-drive options
Emphasis on checking off the Big Five animals

How To Get There

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), near Johannesburg, is the initial destination for most people arriving from abroad. From here, Federal Airlines flies twice daily to MalaMala Game Reserve.

Alternatively, you can take a connecting flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), located 120km/75mi southeast of MalaMala. From here, a transfer to the reserve takes about 2 hours*.

It is also possible to take a connecting flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park. MalaMala offers a 1-hour road transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.

Renting a car in Johannesburg is also an option. The distance from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is about 450km/280mi, and the drive takes around 5½ hours*.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.