8 luxury suites – 16 Guests
Rattray’s Camp MalaMala is the epitome of classic style and good taste. The lodge is tucked away in a forest of green, on the banks of the world-renowned Sand River and wedged between the world-famous Sabi Sands game reserve and Kruger National Park. Mala Mala Private Game Reserve is one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa and is world-renowned for offering the finest and most consistent Big Five game viewing this side of the equator.
Rattray’s Camp MalaMala beautifully combines the magic of the African bush with elegance and refinement, combining sophistication and exclusivity with unrivaled game viewing. Experience the wild heart of Africa at MalaMala Rattray’s Camp.
Activities
Rattray’s Camp is located within MalaMala Private Game Reserve. MalaMala is one of the largest private game reserves within Southern Africa and is world-renowned for offering the finest and most consistent Big Five game viewing on the continent.
Game Drives
The guides at Ratray’s MalaMala have an intuitive knowledge of animal behavior and skilled positioning of the vehicle. This means incredible wildlife sightings and unreal photographic opportunities. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros are the most sought-after and dangerous of the world’s big game. Each is found in abundance at Ratray’s Camp MalaMala.
At Rattray’s Camp MalaMala, wildlife safaris are the number one priority. A maximum of only four guests per safari vehicle is the norm and a flexible operation ensures guests adventures into the bush are both intimate and unforgettable.
Morning Game Drives: The morning game drive leaves between 5:30am and 6am. Your guide will select a location to enjoy the bush, whilst enjoying a morning refreshment.
Afternoon Game Drives: As darkness approaches, your ranger will scan the bush with a powerful spotlight and will point out elusive nocturnal wildlife – a highlight of the day’s safari. As darkness settles over the bush, look out for the Milky Way and try to find the Southern Cross.
Bush Walks
Two guides accompany guests on bush walks. The lead guide on foot, and the backup guide in the Land Rover in case of any potentially dangerous encounters with animals. The Land Rover is also at your disposal should guests wish to take a break, but do not want to stop the walk altogether.
The aim of bushwalking is not to encounter large and dangerous wildlife. Instead, they are valuable to discover often overlooked elements on game drives. These include tracks, birds, vegetation, as well as other smaller, and interesting, animals. The walk will be conducted on a road through an area that is relatively free of dense vegetation.
Reasons we love Rattray’s Camp MalaMala:
- The strictest protocols are followed when viewing animals to ensure they are relaxed and behave naturally.
- Rangers use headsets so that there are no radio interruptions to disrupt the game drives.
- Only 3 vehicles per sighting.
Accommodation at Rattray’s Camp MalaMala
MalaMala Rattray’s Camp is the epitome of classic style and good taste. Each luxurious, freestanding and spacious suite offers an atmosphere of lush seclusion and boasts spectacular views of the Sand River. View wildlife of all shapes and sizes whilst taking a dip in your private plunge pool, cooling off in the outdoor shower or enjoying a massage on the deck.
The facilities at Rattray’s MalaMala are simply magnificent. Each suite boasts a “His” & “Hers” bathroom featuring a ball & claw-foot bath and double shower. The private verandah offers outdoor dining opportunities for intimate in-suite evenings. An indoor dining area can also be arranged in the event of inclement weather.
Dining
Meals at Rattray’s MalaMala are first-class. Mealtimes are enjoyed in a variety of locations depending on the weather. These include the “boma,” the deck, the dining room or the privacy and comfort of your own suite.
Getting to Rattray’s Camp MalaMala
MalaMala Game Reserve is a 6-hour drive from Johannesburg. Access to MalaMala is via the Sabi Sand Wildtuin utilizing Shaw’s Gate. Guests will be required to pay the per person and per vehicle entrance fees in cash or credit card (Mastercard & Visa only).
BY AIR:
Airlink operates daily direct air services between both Cape Town and Johannesburg and Skukuza Airport in the Kruger National Park.
Federal Air operates a twice-daily shuttle service between Johannesburg and MalaMala Game Reserve private airstrip. The MalaMala airstrip is a 10-minute drive from the camps.
Itinerary
A typical summer day at Rattray’s Camp MalaMala:
(Kindly note, times may vary slightly and winter timings are different)
| 05h30 | Wake-up call by your ranger at dawn. |
| 06h00 | Meet your ranger and safari companions on the safari deck as the sun rises over the bushveld. Hot and cold beverages and a light snack are available. The early-morning game drive follows. |
| 09h30 | Return to camp for a hearty brunch in the air-conditioned dining room or on the expansive safari deck. For the more energetic, join the bush walk after brunch. |
| 15h00 | Meet on the safari deck for hot and cold beverages and a light snack before departing on another unforgettable safari. |
| 20h00 | Return to camp, allowing time for you to freshen up before meeting your friends and rangers for pre-dinner drinks in the cozy Safari Bar. |
| 20h30 | Dinner is served in the reed-enclosed boma under an ancient jackalberry tree. Alternatively, when the weather is suitable, a candlelit dinner is served on the safari deck overlooking the Sand River. While seated around a log fire under the starry African sky, enjoy the superb food and excellent wines – yet another highlight of the MalaMala experience. |
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Rates at Rattray’s Camp MalaMala
Luxury Tent
R21500.00.00 PPS
No under 16 years of age
Fully inclusive of:
- Air-conditioned, en-suite accommodation
- All meals and snacks
- Drinks (excluding premium brands)
- Game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles conducted by an experienced ranger
- Nature walks
- Transfers to/from the MalaMala Game Reserve airstrip
- Limited laundry service
Rates exclude:
- Telecommunication costs
- Skukuza Airport transfers
- Transfers to/from any other camps (excluding MalaMala Game Reserve camps)
- Sabi Sand Wildtuin entrance fee if traveling by road
- R 185.00 per person per day Community Levy
Extra Info
The camp is not fenced off and we request that guests be extremely vigilant at all times. Security guards accompany guests at all times while walking around the camp at night.
Passports:
Everyone traveling to South Africa must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of travel.
No inoculations are required for entry. However, you may want to check with your local immunization and inoculation clinic for their recommendations on health precautions for travel to South Africa.
Rattray’s MalaMala is in a malaria area and precautions should be taken
