Mala Mala Game Reserve

Overview

Mala Mala Game Reserve is a private game reserve situated within the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It shares open borders with the famous Kruger National Park and is a prime destination for wildlife game viewing. It is sandwiched between Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve and maintains an unfenced territory. Visitors can view the Big Five and cheetahs that are common in the vicinity. Mala Mala Game Reserve is privately owned for the past 90 years by the Varty family and offers the visitors unique game drive experience.

Why Go:

  • Highly affordable packages
  • Day and night game drives
  • Less crowded than other reserves
  • Can go off-road for a close-up view
  • Largest riverfront property in the region
  • Superb wildlife viewing with abundance of Big Five

Wildlife

Wildlife viewing in Mala Mala Game Reserve is amazing and there are plenty of game drives during the day and night. You can encounter leopards, cheetahs, and the Big Five up close by driving off-road.

More About the Wildlife

Scenery

The general landscape is woodland savanna and the vegetation is dense with massive riverine bushes and forests. However, despite the hindrances, sighting animals in Mala Mala Game Reserve is easy and abundant.

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit Mala Mala Game Reserve is during the dry-winter season as temperatures remain comfortable and you can view a cluster of animals near water sources.

More About the Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

The dry winter season is from May to September, which is also the best time to visit Mala Mala Game Reserve. October to March is the wet-summer season and temperatures can increase to uncomfortable levels.

More About the Weather and Climate

Wildlife & Animals

Mala Mala Game Reserve has various species of animals, including the antelope, Big Five, leopards, and cheetahs. Visitors can spot almost all the animals in a single game drive and can witness the birthing season during summers.
Abundant Common Occasional Rare None
  • Elephant

    Elephant

    Common
  • Giraffe

    Giraffe

    Common
  • Hippo

    Hippo

    Common
  • Buffalo

    Buffalo

    Common
  • Zebra

    Zebra

    Common
  • Wildebeest

    Wildebeest

    Common
  • White Rhino

    White Rhino

    Occasional
  • Black Rhino

    Black Rhino

    Rare
  • Lion

    Lion

    Common
  • Leopard

    Leopard

    Common
  • Cheetah

    Cheetah

    Common
  • Hyena

    Hyena

    Common
  • Wild Dog

    Wild Dog

    Rare

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit Mala Mala Game Reserve is during the dry-winter season as temperatures remain comfortable and you can view a cluster of animals near water sources.
  • Best Time to GoMay to September
    (Dry season)
  • High SeasonOctober to March
    (It never gets very crowded)
  • May - September

    Dry season

  • October - March

    It never gets very crowded

  • April - September

    Wildlife viewing is at its best

  • April - May

    Mild weather and little rain

  • September - October

    Mild weather and little rain

  • June - August

    Cool mornings and nights

  • December - February

    Warm and Dry

May - September
- Dry Season – Winter
  • Quieter and less busy
October to April
- Wet Season – Summer
  • There is little risk of malaria

Weather & Climate

The weather during summer seasons can increase to uncomfortable levels. The rainy season can hinder activities and due to thick vegetation, game viewing can be difficult. During the winter-dry season, the vegetation shrinks, making it easier to spot animals.
Climate Chart
- 270-467m / 886-1,532ft
Averages based on 50 years of monthly climate data, taken from 1km² (0.39mi²) interpolated climate surfaces.
© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.
Dry Season
- May to September – Winter

The dry winter season is from May to September, which is also the best time to visit Mala Mala Game Reserve.

Wet Season
- October to April – Summer

October to April is the wet-summer season and temperatures can increase to uncomfortable levels.

Getting There

The reserve is fully accessible by air and road and there are a number of options to choose from. Mala Mala Private Game Reserve falls within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve which is adjacent to the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Getting to the Mala Mala Game Reserve by road

Self-Drive
The journey from Johannesburg takes about 6 hours. There are entrance fees (cash only) payable for admittance to Sabi Sands Game Reserve (per vehicle and per guest).
From Johannesburg / Pretoria

• Take the N12 / N4 towards Nelspruit From Nelspruit
• Take the R40 to Hazyview
• When you arrive in Hazyview, take the R536 towards the Paul Kruger Gate
• Continue for 37.5km (23.3 miles)
• At the Mala Mala Game Reserve sign turn left onto a gravel road and follow the road signs to the camp for 29km (18 miles)

Airlines & Ticket Prices

To book your International and local flights, it is best to discuss options with our agents. They will be able to secure best tariffs and match it with your safari dates.

Click on Enquire Now for a free consultation.

 

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