Leopards, leopards, leopards! Yes, we are where lots of leopards are found!
Pangolins! While not regular or predictable, MalaMala is perfect pangolin territory and they are seen more often here than just about anywhere else.
You'll be at MalaMala Camp on the Sand River on MalaMala Private Game Reserve, unfenced and part of the Greater Kruger National Park. It’s where we can go off-road in our private vehicle to get up close, and it’s got the highest concentration of leopards in Africa for almost guaranteed fantastic photographic opportunities.
The best part? MalaMala is a fully PRIVATE reserve of 33,000 acres. Only MalaMala game vehicles are allowed to drive on over 70% of the reserve--where we are. We'll have morning and evening game drives without curfews or competition from other lodge's vehicles at sightings, so we can be there for perfect lighting conditions and animal activity. Our private vehicle can start early, stay out late, and spend quality time watching wildlife episodes unfold naturally for the best sighting opportunities in Africa, without dozens of other lodges' vehicles vying for space and time.
Our intimate optional small-group Photography Workshop Safaris are designed for everyone from newbies to seasoned photographers. Learn how to use all of your camera settings, then how to edit your photos in Lightroom, using Karen's Wildlife Workflow editing system.
You'll be luxuriously immersed in the wild home of the Big 5 along the Sand River: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.
We’ll see if we can find hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, kudu, cheetah, mongoose, wild dogs, dozens of bird species.
You’ll have time to slow down and connect to the rhythm of nature deep in your soul.
General Itinerary For Each Day:
- Day One begins with your arrival in time for a delicious lunch and our afternoon game drive. Karen will help set up your camera and coach you so you can take your best shot from the beginning.
- We’ll go out on game drives during the best morning and afternoon light, leaving midday available for rest, rejuvenation and your optional Photography Workshop.
- On your last day, we’ll go on the morning game drive and have breakfast, with departure between 10:30-11:00
- The map of the reserve demonstrates the significance of MalaMala’s size and location in relation to the Kruger National Park. The unfenced boundaries with the Kruger National Park allows wildlife to move freely onto MalaMala and many of the territorial animals such as leopard, lion and rhino will have territories overlapping on both reserves.
- MalaMala’s river frontage, running north to south, is the lifeblood of the reserve and acts as a natural drawcard for animals, especially in the dry winter months. The wildlife moves from the Kruger National Park, across MalaMala, to the river and back again, resulting in two-way traffic across the reserve where we conduct our safaris
- The land to the east of the river has no human habitation, no access roads, no electricity pylons and no telephone poles and this area is left exclusively to the wildlife for upwards of 16 hours a day.
- There is no shared traversing on 70% of the MalaMala property allowing guests to enjoy exclusive, uninterrupted game drives. There is no time limit on sightings and no “queue-to-view” on this enormous tract of land.
- Due to the superior environmental policies of MalaMala over a long period of time, the land has remained in pristine condition resulting in a prolific abundance of tertiary grasses. This attracts the herbivores which in turn attracts the predators.
Expanded Itinerary Details
Do you want to see and photograph a leopard? Join award-winning and published wildlife photography guide Karen Blackwood for a photo safari in the top leopard spot in Africa: the exclusive MalaMala Private Game Reserve, 33,000 acres with an open border with Kruger National Park. Our luxurious home base is set on the banks of the Sand River and unfenced, so we’ll see wildlife moving through all day long.
At MalaMala, we can start early and stay out late. We can spend quality time watching the wildlife we encounter. Being a private reserve, we don’t have time limits or take turns with dozens of other lodges’ vehicles.
We’ll have only 6 people per vehicle, so everyone gets the best seat. Whether you use a cell phone, DSLR or mirrorless, Karen will personally coach you. Our private vehicle has a dedicated ranger, experienced in wildlife photography, to ensure the best position for dramatic, one-of-a-kind photographs.
Every morning starts with a light breakfast. Then, we’ll set out on a 3-hour game drive to see what happened in the wild while we were sleeping. Lions and leopards are usually still active, so we’ll see if they’ve hunted overnight. Elephants are just starting their day, and perhaps we’ll see a hippo out of the water—they travel long distances at night. We’ll stop after sunrise for coffee and another snack…ok, we always PLAN to, but we usually have such amazing sightings that we don’t get our coffee until after the game drive!
When we return to the Lodge, we’ll have a delicious filling brunch. Afterwards, you can join Karen for extra help with your camera skills, or just relax until lunch. How about a luxurious afternoon bath? A trip to the spa for a decadent massage? Or you can grab a drink and sit on the deck to watch wildlife meandering along the river.
We will head back out for our evening game drive in the late afternoon, when the big cats start getting active after the heat of the day. If we’re lucky, we’ll watch lions or leopards hunt! Elephants will be at the waterhole, giraffe should be browsing the tops of the trees, and maybe some wild dogs or cheetah will pass by. We usually stop for a sundown cocktail…ok, again, we always PLAN to, but there’s usually something exciting happening so we’ll often have that cocktail on the vehicle.
After we return to the Lodge, we’ll socialize over pre-dinner cocktails and talk about our day before moving to our mouth-watering candlelit 3-course dinner on white linen tables set up around the fire. Then it’s bedtime. Let yourself be lulled to sleep by the night sounds of the bush…
Recommendations for Photographers
Beginner to Pro to cell phone shooters. Karen will show you how to maximize your skills. We make non-photographers feel welcome and included, too, so take advantage of the best position for viewing wildlife by going on a photo safari.
What Do I Wear?
Karen’s safaris are relaxed and casual. She’ll check the weather about a week ahead of your Photo Safari and email you so you can edit your packing list.
Speaking of Packing Lists, have you downloaded her Packing List, and her Travel Tips? Those documents really come in handy as checklists to keep you on track as you get ready for your Safari! You don’t want to forget anything, and Karen’s Packing List covers everything you need.
Fitness Level
Big 5 safaris are low key and suitable for almost all fitness levels. You’ll be walking on flat paths within the Lodge premises. Bungalows have a couple of steps. We might be able to go on a short, slow-paced bush walk on uneven ground, roadways and paths. You will need to be able to get in and out of the game drive vehicle (one front seat is available); assistance is available. Wheelchairs and walkers are accommodated here.
MalaMala is one of the only Lodges in South Africa to offer a suite for persons with physical challenges. This wheelchair-accessable suite means everyone can get out into the wild, regardless of physical abilities.
Electrical Adapters
South Africa uses Type M, N, and C outlets. Learn more here.
Karen always brings her own power strip with USB ports so she only needs one adapter. Be sure your power strip has enough plugs for your laptop and battery chargers, and USB ports for your cell phone and other small devices.
Extra Costs & Gratuity Guidelines
The Staff at our Lodge works hard to ensure you have an exceptional experience. Therefore, we recommend that gratuities are equal for each staff member. Karen recommends that you consider gratuities of about $10/day each for our Ranger, Tracker, and Housekeeping staff ($30/day total). Spa gratuities are typically 10% of services. Gratuities are always based on your personal appreciation and this suggestion is just a guideline.
You may charge gratuities on your credit card at the end of the trip.
Prices:
Double Occupancy: $8,500 per person
Single Occupancy: $10,050
Payments:
- Deposit: 30% at booking
- 2nd Payment: 35% 180 days prior to departure -10 Feb 2026
- 3rd Payment: 35% 90 days prior to departure – 11 May 2026
Included:
- Double-occupancy accommodations (Single Occupancy available at a small premium)
- All meals while at the Lodge
- Morning and evening game drives
- Sundowner cocktail from specified list of beverages
- Personal photography and Lightroom instruction with Karen
- Coffee/espresso, tea, water
Excluded:
- Airfare and transportation to/from the lodge (see our Ground Transportation Package)
Visas - Beverages other than coffee, tea, and water
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses such as laundry, spa, bar, souvenirs
- Anything not specifically mentioned as “included”
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