MalaMala Game Reserve is the Safari Industry’s blueprint to the luxury photographic safari. In existence since 1927, this massive thriving tract of land produces the most exciting wildlife experience this side of the equator. MalaMala Game Reserve is the largest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa. Comprising 13 300 ha (33 000 acres), MalaMala shares a 19 km (12 mile) unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park and lies strategically sandwiched between the National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve.
Family safaris
MalaMala Camp is ideal for family safaris. The camp welcomes children of all ages and youngsters aged 4 to 12 years are encouraged to participate in their holistic Junior Ranger programme. This is not only jam packed with fun activities but educational too. The hope is that children will leave MalaMala inspired, with a lifelong passion for conservation and the bush. Children are always under strict supervision of a responsible ranger, whether within the confines of the camp or out in the bush,. Activities depend on the time of the year, their interests and how long the children are staying.
Activities at MalaMala
On arrival, the ranger looking after the family will assess the enthusiasm and level of independence of the children. In collaboration with the parents, activities will be designed to fill their few days in the bush. Each junior ranger gets his/her own MalaMala backpack with an interactive animal check-list, bird and mammal colouring books, a compass, thermometer, lip balm and bottle of water. Here is a run down of the activities available:
Animal Tracking
Ideal for the curious and adventurous junior ranger. Rangers will teach their charges to follow and identify various animals out in the wild by sheer virtue of their spoor markings.
Survivor Challenge
Junior rangers are taught basic survival skills,such as where to find water, what plants are good to eat and medicinal and practical uses of plants (e.g. the toothbrush and loo paper trees!). This experience is great fun – it’s hands on and educational whilst arming juniors with interesting skills to take home to envious friends.
“Read” the Bush
Juniors are taught the warning signs of dangerous animals and first aid skills for emergency situations in the bush.
Game Walk
A short walk is conducted around the bustling Main Camp area. This is ideal for kids to learn more about the different rocks, trees, birds and nests in the wild. Children will also be taught how to track animals and identify the different spoor and droppings in the bush. Children will be escorted by an armed ranger.
Junior Chefs in the Wild
A bush breakfast enables children to learn how to make fire and to participate in outdoor meal preparation.
Radio Communication
Children are able to learn the skills and etiquette of radio communication as practiced on drives and out in the bush by the MalaMala rangers. This activity is enjoyed outside of game drive times.
Kiddies Cuisine
Special meals and “ration packs” are prepared for children both in the bush and in camp.
Movies and More
In camp there are a range of entertaining children’s movies, wildlife movies (all filmed on MalaMala) and board games.
For more information visit http://www.malamala.com/childrens-programme/
Family accommodation at MalaMala
MalaMala Camp is ideal for families. Special family rooms can accommodate up to 2 children and are much more spacious than the other luxury rooms. Each has a separate lounge that can be converted to a second bedroom.
Some rooms interconnect via a central lounge area for larger families. Children under 12 years, sharing with full paying adults, pay a reduced child rate.
Children aged four and under are not permitted to dine in the boma in the evenings and special dining arrangements will be made for them. Baby-sitting services are provided on request, at a nominal charge. Children aged four and under are unable to join the game drives unless their parents/party have reserved sole-use of the game drive vehicle at the additional cost.
Sable Camp will accommodate children under the age of 12 if the whole camp is taken exclusively.