Game ReserveFeatured DestinationBig Five
MalaMala Game Reserve
South Africa 133 km² (51 mi²) Est. 1927
About MalaMala Game Reserve
MalaMala Game Reserve is the largest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa, sharing a 19-kilometre unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park along the Sand River. Established in 1927, MalaMala has been a pioneer in the South African safari industry, offering exclusive traversing rights across 13,300 hectares of pristine bushveld. The reserve is renowned for its exceptional predator sightings, particularly leopard and lion, with one of the highest concentrations of big cats per square kilometre in Africa. With only three camps and strict vehicle limits, MalaMala delivers intimate Big Five encounters that have made it a favourite among serious safari-goers for nearly a century.
0
Safari Tours
4.0
Avg Rating
5/5
Big Five
99
Years Protected
Highlights
- Largest private Big Five reserve in South Africa
- Exceptional predator sightings, especially leopard and lion
- Nearly a century of safari heritage since 1927
- Very low vehicle density with strict limits
- Unfenced boundary with Kruger allows natural wildlife movement
Considerations
- Very expensive — premium pricing across all camps
- Limited to only three camps, books out quickly
- Malaria area requiring prophylaxis
- Remote location with limited self-drive access
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
common
🐆
Leopard
common
🐘
Elephant
common
🦬
Buffalo
common
🦏
Rhino
common
Notable Species
Lion
Common
Leopard
Common
Elephant
Common
Cape Buffalo
Common
White Rhino
Common
Cheetah
Occasional
Giraffe
Common
Hippo
Common
Wild Dog
Occasional
Hyena
Common
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
MalaMala is accessed via scheduled charter flights from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) or Skukuza Airport. Federal Air and Airlink operate flights to MalaMala's private airstrip. By road approximately 500 km (5-6 hours) from Johannesburg via the N4 and Hazyview.
Nearest Airport
MalaMala Airstrip
Nearest City
Hazyview
Drive Time
5.5 hours