4 Days South African Big Five Safari in Mala Mala Game Reserve
Our 4 Days South African Big Five Safari in Mala Mala Game Reserve allows you to enjoy 3 nights at one of South Africa's largest private Big Five Game Reserves, Mala Mala. It is world-renowned for offering the finest and most consistent Big Five game viewing on this side of the equator. It shares a 19 km (12 miles) unfenced boundary with the world-renowned Kruger National Park and lies strategically sandwiched between the Kruger and the Sabi Sand Reserve. Note that at a certain time of the year, there is a stay 4/pay 3 offer.
Your South Africa Big Five Safari adventure unfolds in the heart of the Lowveld region of Mpumalanga, where expert rangers guide you through Mala Mala's diverse ecosystems. The reserve's name, 'Mala Mala' derives from the local Shangaan language, meaning "rapid waters," referring to the seasonal Sand River's tumultuous flow that attracts abundant wildlife to its banks.
This immersive South Africa Big Five Safari offers unrivalled wildlife viewing opportunities with exclusive traversing rights across vast territories and no time limits on sightings. From the comfort of your luxury accommodation at Mala Mala Main Camp or Sable Camp, you'll experience Africa's most iconic species – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – while enjoying exceptional service and breathtaking landscapes.
Tour highlights
Big Five game viewing in South Africa's largest private game reserve
Unrivalled leopard sightings in the "Place of the Leopard"
No shared traversing on 70% of the reserve's 33,000 acres
Unlimited time at wildlife sightings with no queuing
Expert rangers and trackers with unsurpassed local knowledge
Direct flights from Johannesburg to the heart of the reserve
Incredible photographic opportunities along the Sand River
Price Includes:
- Park fees and conservation levies
- All scheduled game drives and activities
- Round-trip transfers between Skukuza Airport and Mala Mala
- Bottled water during game drives
- Services of professional rangers and trackers
- All mentioned activities (excluding optional experiences)
- Wifi access at the lodge
Price Excludes:
- South African Visa (where applicable)
- International and internal flights
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional activities
- Laundry services
- Travel insurance
- Beverages beyond provided water
- Tips for staff and guides
Itinary in details
- Day1Flying into Mala Mala Game Reserve
Your South Africa Big Five Safari begins with a morning flight from Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport to Skukuza Airport, followed by a scenic one-hour transfer through the African bush to Mala Mala Game Reserve. This exclusive South Africa Big Five Safari destination, locally known as "Nkoveni" (Place of the Leopard), welcomes you with refreshments before you settle into your luxurious suite overlooking the Sand River. Your thrilling South Africa Big Five Safari experience commences with an afternoon game drive departing at 16:00, offering your first opportunity to encounter the reserve's famous leopards and other wildlife before returning to camp for a sumptuous dinner under the African stars.
- Day2Game Drive in Mala Mala Game Reserve
Wake before dawn on your South Africa Big Five Safari to the sounds of the wild and depart at 05:30 for your morning game drive across Mala Mala's vast 13,500-hectare wilderness. Your South Africa Big Five Safari adventure continues as you explore the diverse habitats along the 20km stretch of Sand River, where skilled rangers interpret tracks and signs to locate the reserve's renowned predators. After lunch and afternoon relaxation at the lodge, your South Africa Big Five Safari resumes with the evening game drive at 16:00, offering spectacular lighting for photography and increased chances of spotting nocturnal species like the elusive leopard in what many consider Africa's best leopard viewing destination.
- Day3Another Day of Game Drives in Mala Mala Game Reserve
Your South Africa Big Five Safari continues with early morning and late afternoon game drives exploring different sectors of the reserve, including the western areas bordering the Sabi Sand region. This immersive South Africa Big Five Safari Day focuses on tracking the renowned "Big Five" through Mala Mala's diverse ecosystems, from open savanna to dense riverine forests along the Mlowathi River, approximately 8km north of camp. The highlight of your South Africa Big Five Safari today might include witnessing the interaction between predator and prey at one of the reserve's many waterholes, with unlimited time to observe these fascinating encounters.
- Day4Time to Bid Farewell
The final day of your South Africa Big Five Safari starts with an early morning game drive departing at 05:30, offering last opportunities to complete your Big Five checklist in this wildlife paradise. Your transformative South Africa Big Five Safari experience concludes with a hearty breakfast at the lodge before your scheduled transfer to Skukuza Airport, approximately 50km away (one-hour drive). Reflecting on your incredible South Africa Big Five Safari adventure, you'll depart Mala Mala with spectacular wildlife memories and photographs from one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations.