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 WildlifeScenery
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 VisitWeather & 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 ClimateWildlife & 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.-
Elephant
Common -
Giraffe
Common -
Hippo
Common -
Buffalo
Common -
Zebra
Common -
Wildebeest
Common -
White Rhino
Occasional -
Black Rhino
Rare -
Lion
Common -
Leopard
Common -
Cheetah
Common -
Hyena
Common -
Wild Dog
Rare
Wildlife highlights
Wildlife viewing in Mala Mala Game Reserve is amazing and there are plenty of game drives day and night. You can encounter leopards, cheetahs, and the Big Five up close by driving off-road.Best time for wildlife viewing
Best time for viewing wildlife in Mala Mala Game Reserve is during dry-winter seasons.Best Time to Visit
- Best Time to GoMay to September
(Dry season) - High SeasonOctober to March
(It never gets very crowded)
-
May - September
Dry season
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October - March
It never gets very crowded
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April - September
Wildlife viewing is at its best
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April - May
Mild weather and little rain
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September - October
Mild weather and little rain
-
June - August
Cool mornings and nights
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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© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.
Dry Season
- May to September – WinterThe 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 – SummerOctober 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.
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