MalaMala Rattrays Camp

MalaMala Rattrays Camp offers a glimpse of an era long past, when distant travellers to Africa married the magic of the wild with an elegance and refinement that have been immortalized in Karen Blixen's epic tale, 'Out of Africa'.

The epitome of regal colonial safari-style, Rattray's on MalaMala bears the style of crystal and leather, with beautiful furnishings that are a treat to the connoisseur of the finer things in life, captured over generations on a land that remains as old as time.

Game drives are taken on the 13,500 hectares of private MalaMala land in open game viewing vehicles seating up to 4 guests only.

The main lodge facilities include a beautifully appointed library containing rare African books and magnificent works of art, an elegant African themed dining room, a historic bar featuring photographs of the 'early days', a large wooden safari deck where meal are served, and a large infinity pool with magnificent views across the river.

Each of the 8 suites or khaya (the Zulu for 'home') functions as an inclusive home. The suites all have en-suite 'his and hers' bathrooms, a hidden satellite television, wireless internet connectivity, a DVD player, air-conditioning and a mini-bar.

Each suite also boasts a private verandah with river views, as well as a plunge pool and garden. An outdoor shower offers a back to nature experience.

Rates Include

All meals and snacks; local brand drinks (excluding premium brand beverages); twice-daily shared game drives in open 4WD safari vehicles; nature walks; the Community Levy; and transfers to/from the MalaMala Airstrip are included. PLEASE NOTE: All other drinks are NOT included. IN ADDITION: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change).

Children Policy

Children aged 16 years and older are welcome. Adult rates apply.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to partake in nature/bush walks. A respectable grasp of the English language should be understood by any guest partaking in a nature walk at MalaMala.

Walks are conducted in the latter morning part of the day and the duration depends on the weather and the people doing the walk and interests of those people. Most walks are between an hour or two and are not challenging. These are conducted out in the reserve and are on the road, in open areas, so that any animals that are approaching can be seen. There is a ranger who leads the walk and then a ranger driving a vehicle behind in case of danger. All rangers are qualified to conduct the walks. The walks are for the smaller things such as plants, trees, insects, birds etc, things that tend to be missed a little while driving on game drive.

Guest safety is of the utmost importance and the responsibility lies with the ranger leading the nature walk and it is at his/her discretion of who can partake in a the nature walk or the type of nature walk that will be conducted.

Directions For Drivers

PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CAMP ON +27 (0) 13 735 3000 WHEN YOU ARE IN/NEAR HAZYVIEW TO ADVISE THEM OF YOUR PROGRESS.

From Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction): Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.

Once on the R536, continue along this road for approximately 34.5 km and on the left-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube, Exeter and Savanna. Go past these, and approximately 3 km further on, on the left-hand side of the road, you will see signposts for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn left here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate. 

From the Kruger Mpumalanga/Nelspruit International Airport: Turn right out of the airport onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River (Witrivier). Continue for approximately 12 km, until you reach the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn right here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Keep on the N4 until you reach Nelspruit, where you will turn left onto the R40 to White River. In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself, turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right. Cross over the next set of traffic lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview (the R538, via the Numbi Gate, is a busy road and not recommended). After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria via Scenic Route: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, follow the signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie, take the R536 to Hazyview. Just before Hazyview you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the R40 towards Hazyview. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Dullstoom via Scenic Route: Take the R540 north towards Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, follow the signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie, take the R536 to Hazyview. Just before Hazyview you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the R40 towards Hazyview. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Hoedspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport towards the R40. At the T-junction, turn left onto the R40 towards White River and Hazyview. Proceed on the R40 for approximately 88 km until you reach a set of traffic lights in Hazyview with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn left here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.  Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From the Paul Kruger Gate: Go through the gate, and follow the R536 to Hazyview. Continue along this road for approximately 4.5 km and on the right-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn right here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate.

ONCE AT THE SHAW’S GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit. Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge through the reserve.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

General Information For Guests

All of the rooms have a private verandah with views of the river, an en-suite bathroom with a bath and shower, outdoor shower, private plunge pool, underfloor heating, lounge area, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi,  hair dryer, heater, overhead fan, minibar, direct dial telephone, in-room safe, satellite/cable television, and tea/coffee making facilities.

The camp has a beautifully appointed library, air conditioned dining room, bar area, large wooden safari deck where meals and teas are served, reed boma, an infinity pool with views of the river, safari boutique, fitness area and a massage room.

Activities that are available at Rattrays include morning and afternoon/evening game drives (4-6 guests per safari vehicle only) and bush walks.

The fitness area has a stationary bicycle, treadmill, multi gym machine, sit up benches, free weights, mats and a steam room.

There is mobile/cell phone connectivity in camp.

All water in the camp is filtered to the highest standards and is guaranteed perfectly safe for drinking.

Please note that the use of laptops and mobile/cell phones is restricted to individual bedrooms out of respect for other guests.

Mala Mala retains the exclusive use of the 33,000 acres/16,000 hectares that make up this property. The lodge does not traverse over other reserves, nor do they have traversing rights over Mala Mala's property.

A massage service is available on request (additional cost).

Master Card, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted.

A laundry service is included (only for guests staying 2 or more nights).

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the camp is an 8 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to partake in nature/bush walks. A respectable grasp of the English language should be understood by any guest partaking in a nature walk at MalaMala.

Walks are conducted in the latter morning part of the day and the duration depends on the weather and the people doing the walk and interests of those people. Most walks are between an hour or two and are not challenging. These are conducted out in the reserve and are on the road, in open areas, so that any animals that are approaching can be seen. There is a ranger who leads the walk and then a ranger driving a vehicle behind in case of danger. All rangers are qualified to conduct the walks. The walks are for the smaller things such as plants, trees, insects, birds etc, things that tend to be missed a little while driving on game drive.

Guest safety is of the utmost importance and the responsibility lies with the ranger leading the nature walk and it is at his/her discretion of who can partake in a the nature walk or the type of nature walk that will be conducted.

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