Overview of MalaMala Main Camp

Shady trees and manicured lawns on the banks of the Sand River provide the setting for MalaMala Main Camp, world-famous for its exceptional game viewing and luxurious accommodation. Located at the heart of the MalaMala Private Game Reserve, it’s one of South Africa’s most exclusive and rewarding safari destinations and equally at ease delivering superlative safaris for families, honeymooners or wildlife enthusiasts.

Bordering the Kruger National Park, MalaMala was the first privately owned game reserve in South Africa to offer eco-tourism as an alternative to hunting – and it shows. Guests regularly see the Big 5 as well as cheetah, wild dog and an incredible variety of birds. And although game drives are undoubtedly the highlight at MalaMala, guests can also go on guided walks to discover the environment’s smaller details.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Exclusive setting in private reserve bordering the Sabi Sands & Kruger National Park
  • Sole-use reserve, no other lodge vehicles
  • Amazing Big 5 game viewing & birding
  • Virtually guaranteed leopard sightings
  • Family rooms & kids programmes
Bird watching

Bird watching

Game drives

Game drives

Guided walking safaris

Guided walking safaris

Guided walks

Guided walks

Night drives

Night drives

Photographic safaris

Photographic safaris

Specialist guides

Specialist guides

General Facilities

MalaMala is a classically comfortable camp with traditional safari-style décor including original bronzes, works of art and animal trophies mounted on the walls.

The spacious lounge leads onto an expansive wooden deck where you can spend a relaxing afternoon watching animals by the river. Other facilities include a bar, library with satellite television and internet connectivity, a well-stocked safari boutique and wine cellar.

The swimming pool is perfect for cooling off while taking in the beautiful scenery while a gym, steam room and massage service, complete a well-rounded range of facilities. Families with children of all ages are welcome at MalaMala and are catered for with family rooms and specially designed and professionally run Junior Ranger programmes for children under 12. A baby sitting service is also available.

Babysitting service

Babysitting service

Bar

Bar

Children's club

Children's club

Computer facilities

Computer facilities

Gym

Gym

Laundry service

Laundry service

Library

Library

Swimming pool

Swimming pool

Wi-Fi available

Wi-Fi available

Dining

Delicious breakfasts and lunches are served in the air-conditioned dining room while the lodge’s dinner service has been a tradition for over 60 years and is sure to be a highlight of your MalaMala experience.

Choose a fine wine from the camp’s well-stocked cellar to enjoy with venison specialties and bush haute cuisine served in the grand old African safari manner in the camp’s reed-enclosed boma. Afterwards, finish off the evening with your favourite nightcap from the bar and swap game drive stories with fellow guests around a blazing log fire.

Expert Opinion

We know because we go
Ramona Cilliers

Ramona Cilliers

Africa Safari Expert

A beautiful setting overlooking the Sabi River. This lodge is known for the high calibre of its guides and exceptional Big 5 game-viewing.

Why travel with Go2Africa?

Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa.
When you travel with us you’re assured of the Big 5 Guarantee.

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We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend.

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If you’re able to find a better quote for your itinerary let us know and we’ll match it.

Positive Impact

The money from your trip stays in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects long after you return home.

Full Service, 24/7 On Safari Support

We take care of every detail, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, until you return safely home.

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Our clients are fully covered by our supplier default insurance, and Our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association

Interested to know more? Click the link to find out all about Go2Africa’s Big 5 Guarantee

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Traveller Reviews

  • RN

    The Mala Mala Main Camp was great. I heard that there are more luxurious places but given that we are here for a safari, this was ideal. After a hot morning, the pool was a refreshing respite, and being able to view the wildlife from the pool was an amazing experience.

    Ryo Noda
  • MB

    Our time at Mala Mala was the high point. The rooms were wonderful, the staff very competent and our rangers most knowledgeable. We were amazed that the Land Rover was virtually invisible to the animals thus allowing us to get very close to them.

    Michael Brown
  • HE

    Tuningi, Mala Mala, and Mashatu were absolutely amazing in all aspects. Fantastic service and great game viewing. We did see everything, including wild dogs and black rhinos.

    Hakan Erdogmus
  • PW

    Mala Mala Main Camp – a great location and having a guide to ourselves (Lucky) gave us many more opportunities to see the animals and appreciate the environment. The two young Cheetahs we tracked and saw were just incredible and extremely photogenic.

    Peter Webb
  • MC

    Mala Mala in short words was great.

    Miguel Chaves
  • MC

    Mala Mala in short words was great.

    Miguel Chaves
  • MC

    Mala Mala in short words was great.

    Miguel Chaves
  • PS

    I had a great time in South Africa and particularly at Mala Mala. Everything ran like clockwork and I would unhesitatingly recommend Mala Mala to friends.

    Peter Shaw
  • PS

    I had a great time in South Africa and particularly at Mala Mala. Everything ran like clockwork and I would unhesitatingly recommend Mala Mala to friends.

    Peter Shaw
  • PS

    I had a great time in South Africa and particularly at Mala Mala. Everything ran like clockwork and I would unhesitatingly recommend Mala Mala to friends.

    Peter Shaw
  • MN

    Mala Mala was magical and we saw much more than before, also a cheetah with a fresh kill on our first day and wild dogs on our last day. Again we had a great ranger who also shared our interest in birdlife so we saw a great many birds as well, 82 different kinds over the four days.

    Marjorie Needham
  • MN

    Mala Mala was magical and we saw much more than before, also a cheetah with a fresh kill on our first day and wild dogs on our last day. Again we had a great ranger who also shared our interest in birdlife so we saw a great many birds as well, 82 different kinds over the four days.

    Marjorie Needham
  • MN

    Mala Mala was magical and we saw much more than before, also a cheetah with a fresh kill on our first day and wild dogs on our last day. Again we had a great ranger who also shared our interest in birdlife so we saw a great many birds as well, 82 different kinds over the four days.

    Marjorie Needham
  • AW

    Mala Mala lived up to its exceptional reputation for game viewing and hospitality and remarkably the owners were there while we were and very engaging. Our ranger was terrific and my daughter greatly enjoyed his company over our 4 days and in fact I suspect they will stay in touch. We were very glad it worked out to finish the trip with the Safari, as it was definitely the highlight

    Annette Wilkinson
  • AW

    Mala Mala lived up to its exceptional reputation for game viewing and hospitality and remarkably the owners were there while we were and very engaging. Our ranger was terrific and my daughter greatly enjoyed his company over our 4 days and in fact I suspect they will stay in touch. We were very glad it worked out to finish the trip with the Safari, as it was definitely the highlight

    Annette Wilkinson
  • AW

    Mala Mala lived up to its exceptional reputation for game viewing and hospitality and remarkably the owners were there while we were and very engaging. Our ranger was terrific and my daughter greatly enjoyed his company over our 4 days and in fact I suspect they will stay in touch. We were very glad it worked out to finish the trip with the Safari, as it was definitely the highlight

    Annette Wilkinson
  • BG

    Mala Mala was unbelievably wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone. Your instructions were great and everything was so easy

    Bob Gresh
  • BG

    Mala Mala was unbelievably wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone. Your instructions were great and everything was so easy

    Bob Gresh
  • RP

    I was really impressed with Mala Mala. Our ranger and tracker were just super, and we spent more “quality viewing time” with leopards than I could have ever imagined. They are beautiful, and so graceful.

    Ruth Parent
  • BG

    Mala Mala was unbelievably wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone. Your instructions were great and everything was so easy

    Bob Gresh
  • RP

    I was really impressed with Mala Mala. Our ranger and tracker were just super, and we spent more “quality viewing time” with leopards than I could have ever imagined. They are beautiful, and so graceful.

    Ruth Parent
  • RP

    I was really impressed with Mala Mala. Our ranger and tracker were just super, and we spent more “quality viewing time” with leopards than I could have ever imagined. They are beautiful, and so graceful.

    Ruth Parent
  • LS

    Was perfect! We saw hundreds of animals, and even 3 lions eating a zebra. The hotel was also fun. I wouldn’t say that it was luxurious, but then again we went to see the animals and the people, not the hotel. So we were not upset about that. The food was wonderful, the staff was so friendly and fun, and the hippos right outside of our room were fantastic. Everything went so smoothly, better than I could have hoped.

    Lori Shinar
  • LS

    Was perfect! We saw hundreds of animals, and even 3 lions eating a zebra. The hotel was also fun. I wouldn’t say that it was luxurious, but then again we went to see the animals and the people, not the hotel. So we were not upset about that. The food was wonderful, the staff was so friendly and fun, and the hippos right outside of our room were fantastic. Everything went so smoothly, better than I could have hoped.

    Lori Shinar
  • LH

    It was outstanding! From the moment we arrived at Main Camp until we regrettably departed six days later, we were treated graciously and kind attention was paid to our every need.

    Larry Hall
  • LS

    Was perfect! We saw hundreds of animals, and even 3 lions eating a zebra. The hotel was also fun. I wouldn’t say that it was luxurious, but then again we went to see the animals and the people, not the hotel. So we were not upset about that. The food was wonderful, the staff was so friendly and fun, and the hippos right outside of our room were fantastic. Everything went so smoothly, better than I could have hoped.

    Lori Shinar
  • LH

    It was outstanding! From the moment we arrived at Main Camp until we regrettably departed six days later, we were treated graciously and kind attention was paid to our every need.

    Larry Hall
  • LH

    It was outstanding! From the moment we arrived at Main Camp until we regrettably departed six days later, we were treated graciously and kind attention was paid to our every need.

    Larry Hall