Mala Mala Game Reserve, Main Camp

Incredible stay at the camp ! Everything was great particularly our Safaris with our guide Mike. He was so professional, relentlessly trying to find animals, even at night with a lamp, and driving off road to reach or follow an animal. He was also commenting everything of interest, explaining animal behaviors or plants. We saw loads of animals sitting very close to our car, passing by or hidden in trees (including leopards). All the guides are connected by radio during the safaris; therefore we can benefit from what the others find. The room was very nice, overlooking the river; so from the terrace we could see the animals attracted by the river. The food was very tasty and available at several times during the day: a coffee and cake at 5:30 am before the first safari, a brunch at 9:30 am, a lunch (if needed) between 12 and 14:00, a tea at 3:30 pm before the second safari and finally a dinner at 7:30 pm. All the staff members were very friendly and helpful. In summary, it has been a fantastic experience ! Would go back without hesitation.

This was hands down the best trip we have ever taken The camp is super, the staff excellent. From the moment we arrived nothing was too much trouble especially our dietary requirements, the food was amazing. Everything is organised to perfection. The timings of the game drives, the breakfast waiting for you when you arrive back, tea served before you go out on your second drive of the day and a fantastic dinner when you arrive back. The game drives were better than we ever expected. We saw everything we wanted to see and our guide Deon was amazing. He was so committed to ensuring we had the best experience possible from watching the sun rise at 5am to sundowners out in the wild at sunset. Thank you Deon! The location of the camp overlooks a river and one of the highlights was sitting by the pool watching a herd of elephants coming down to the river to get water on a hot day. Thank you for an incredible experience and hopefully one day we might be able to return!

Upon arrival we were met by Lorraine. She was extremely welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. The suite was amazing. Very comfortable. At Mala Mala, the guides will go off-road to find the animals. We saw African Wild Dogs chasing a herd of impala, lions, lots of pretty birds, hyenas waking up from an afternoon nap. The rhinos at Mala Mala have had their horns removed as there continues to be a poaching problem. Remove the horn/remove the temptation/save the animal's life. We saw The Big 5 in less than an hour. Our guide, Mike, had mad tracking skills and was able to find a mother lion and still nursing cubs. For dinner one night I had an ostrich steak - just like a filet mignon. So yummy! I'm not posting any pics - I want you to experience it for yourself and make your own memories.

My third visit to Malamala (prior in 1988 and 2007!) and it was wonderful as before. Only 2 nights and 4 game drives but saw so much. Benson my ranger was fabulous - very experienced and so informative about the ecology and able to find so many animals. He is from a local village. Highlights were racing with the wild dogs as they went on a hunt. Seeing their den with 8 pups playing. Following leopards and seeing one with cubs. Seeing lion cubs mobbing their mom for milk. Elephant calf a few hours old. And many other great sightings. The camp is a little more upscale than before..great food, luxurious rooms, outstanding staff. And I really appreciated the one suite for solo travelers in terms of cost as I was on my own this time following a conference in Johannesburg. Not sure how the camp knew to put me in a jeep with a lovely Mexican couple so I could practice my Spanish and help translate some of the information. The property is so large you hardly see any other jeeps on the drives and almost always are no more than 2 vehicles viewing an animal. And the rangers don’t rush…you get a quiet and extended view if you want. The flight back to joburg was cancelled from the airstrip but we were rebooked through the cute airport at Skusuza with a quick land transfer and got to joburg in plenty of time. Hope I don’t wait another 18 years to visit again (not sure I would manage it in my late 80s!).

We had a wonderful experience for our first ever safari. Our guides for our family of 10 were Stefen and Benz. They were phenomenal. We were able to do the evening drive on the day we arrived and saw so many animals, we didn't think there were anything left to see! Little did we know....we saw many babies, Ellies, lion cubs, cheetah cubs just to name a few. We were so impressed with being able to video a male lion "roaring" to his brother, a hyena eating a fresh kill, and in general being able to be so close to the animals, that a telephoto lens wasn't even needed. Rooms were beautiful, food was delicious, (and they were very gracious to be able to offer a no garlic option due to my allergy). The staff and hostess were on top of their game in all aspects. Our two granddaughters, (ages 4 and 6) were over the moon with the experience, and they fast became the hit in Mala Mala camp. It's a beautiful camp with gracious people who welcomed our family as one of their own. Thank you for such a wonderful experience, and the many warm memories that will last a lifetime!