— NORTHERN SABI SANDS —
OVERVIEW
Covering 13 300 hectares (33 000 acres), MalaMala Game Reserve shares an unfenced boundary with the world renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and the Sabie Game Reserve. The unfenced borders allows for the free movement of animals between the areas, and their 20 kilometre (13 mile) Sand River frontage attracts animals of every variety throughout the year.
MalaMala is well known as the pioneer of the photographic safari, and is one of Africa’s best places to photograph the Big 5 and other iconic species such as Cheetahs, African Wild Dogs, Giraffes and much more. It’s no wonder so many photographers and wildlife film-makers flock to MalaMala. There’s no peak wildlife season at MalaMala, as every season brings about an abundance of animals.
HIGHLIGHTS
🐾 One of Africa’s best places to photograph Leopards and Lions.
🐾 No shared traversing on 70% of the property.
🐾 20 km (13 mi) of prime river (Sand River) frontage.
🐾 Not restricted to the usual limit of 3 hour game drives.
🐾 Off-roading for certain species to get closer to the action.
NORTHERN SABI SANDS OVERVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS
🐾 The Sabi Sands has a high density of predators, especially Leopards.
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🐾 Off-roading for certain species to get closer to the action
Elephant Plains Game Lodge opened its doors back in 1998, and for over half a century the property it lies on has been in the family that still runs it today. Based in the northern Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, guests can enjoy the exceptional game viewing of this world renowned reserve, as well as the luxuries of a privately owned lodge.
With unfenced boundaries with the Kruger National Park, animals can move freely between Elephant Plain’s traversing land and the national park.
CAMP OPTIONS
MalaMala has 3 camps; MalaMala Camp, Sable Camp, and Rattray’s Camp. Click here to learn more about each of the 3 camps and what they have to offer.
UPCOMING SCHEDULED DEPARTURES
There are no upcoming scheduled safaris to MalaMala.
To book a private safari to MalaMala, click on the button below.
Includes:
🐾 Accommodation
🐾 Meals
🐾 Drinks (excluding premium brands)
🐾 Game drives
🐾 Photographic guide & tutoring
🐾 Conservation fees
Excludes:
🐾 Travel costs
🐾 Visas
🐾 Entrance fees
🐾 Gratuities
🐾 Items of personal nature
In collaboration with Legend Safaris
ITINERARY
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Arrive at MalaMala at around midday, at which time you will be checked-in and will be given an orientation of the lodge.
High tea is served before you depart on your first afternoon game drive.
Once you return from the game drive, you will have time to freshen up before heading over to the bar for a drink or straight for dinner.
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Early morning wake up call followed by some morning tea or coffee and a bite to eat before departing on the morning safari.
Brunch is served once you arrive from the morning safari.
Photographic tutoring or Lightroom session between the morning safari and afternoon safari. Alternatively, use this as your downtime to relax in the room or at the pool, use the gym or spa facilities.
High tea is served followed by the afternoon safari.
Once you return from the game drive, you will have time to freshen up before heading over to the bar for a drink or straight for dinner.
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Early morning wake up call followed by some morning tea or coffee and a bite to eat before departing on the morning safari.
Brunch is served once you arrive from the morning safari.
Checkout at roughly 11am.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Absolutely not! You may join as a non-photographer, but don’t be surprised if you leave with the intention of becoming one.
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The photographic tutoring is designed to accommodate all levels of photographers, no matter what experience you have. One-on-one sessions for photo editing or general tutoring can be organised during downtime (time between the morning and afternoon safari).
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My recommendations:
A wide angle to capture the stunning scenes along the Sand River and the general landscapes.
A 70-200mm, which is probably the most versatile lens out there. If I had to choose just one lens for MalaMala, this would be it.
For those epic portraits of the big cats, a 300mm or a 400mm.
If you are into birding, a longer focal length such as a 500mm or larger is recommended. Alternatively, using a teleconverter on shorter focal length lenses can also be used for birding when needed.
Lenses with a large aperture such as f/2.8 or f/4.0 is recommended, especially as you will be photographing animals such as lions and leopards at night time. Large aperture lenses are also faster and allows you to shoot with a shallower depth of field. Too confusing? Contact me and I’ll explain further.
A lens which covers a lot of bases and is much more affordable is a 150-600mm (or similar). Third party manufactures such as Sigma and Tamron produce brand specific versions.
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By air:
MalaMala has their own private airstrip which has daily flights coming in with Federal Air from Johannesburg. Alternatively, Skukuza Airport can also be used with Airlink’s daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Other options include Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Eastgate Airport, albeit you having to hire a vehicle and drive to MalaMala or organise a transfer company to shuttle you to MalaMala.
By road:
MalaMala is about a 6 hour drive from Johannesburg, a 2 hour drive from Mbombela (Nelspruit), and a 2 hour 15 minute drive from Hoedspruit. Access to MalaMala is via the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve’s Shaws Gate.
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MalaMala and its surrounds is regarded as a Moderate Risk Malaria Area, and it is advisable for travellers to take antimalarial drugs from September to May.
Please consult with your local travel doctor for more information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
Absolutely not! You may join as a non-photographer, but don’t be surprised if you leave with the intention of becoming one.
-
The photographic tutoring is designed to accommodate all levels of photographers, no matter what experience you have. One-on-one sessions during….
-
My recommendations: a wide angle such as a …. A 70-200mm. And for those epic portraits of the big cats, a 300mm or a 400mm.
If you are into birding, a longer focal length such as a 500mm or larger is recommended.
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By air: fly into Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit) and hire a vehicle or organise a transfer company to drive you through to the lodge. The duration of the drive from the airport will be roughly 2 hours. Alternatively, fly onto Arathusa Airstrip with Federal Air, which then has a much shorter drive of approximately 20 minutes to the lodge from the airstrip which is situated within the reserve.
By road: the closest town, Hoedspruit, is about a 2 hour drive, and Johannesburg is about a 7 hour drive. Excess to the reserve is through Sabi Sand’s Gowrie Gate.
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Elephant Plains and its surrounds is regarded as a Moderate Risk Malaria Area, and it is advisable for travellers to take antimalarial drugs from September to May.
Please consult with your local travel doctor for more information.
COMBINE NORTHERN SABI SANDS WITH
MalaMala
🐾 Price starting from ZAR 24 000
🐾 4 nights/5 days
🐾 6 people max per departure
Sabie GR
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Central Sabi Sands
🐾 Price starting from ZAR 24 000
🐾 4 nights/5 days
🐾 6 people max per departure
Western Sabi Sands
🐾 Price starting from ZAR 24 000
🐾 4 nights/5 days
🐾 6 people max per departure
Timbavati
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Southern Sabi Sands
🐾 Price starting from ZAR 24 000
🐾 4 nights/5 days
🐾 6 people max per departure