Rattray's on MalaMala
Sabi Sand Game Reserve,
South Africa
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RATTRAY'S ON MALAMALA RATES: Rattray's on MalaMala Rates
RATTRAY'S
ON MALAMALA - SABI SAND GAME RESERVE
 At nearly 40,000 acres (16,000
hectares) MalaMala Game Reserve is by far the largest
piece of land within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve -
the oldest conservancy of private game reserves in
South Africa. Situated in the fabled Lowveld of Mpumalanga
Province, MalaMala Game Reserve became the first
of the tracts of privately owned game land to make
the transition from hunting to photographic safaris.
But it is not
just the sheer size of land that makes MalaMala
so impressive. The
20 miles (32 kilometres)
of open boundary, which MalaMala shares with the
Kruger National Park, provides unimpeded access to
animals from this world famous wildlife sanctuary.
This essentially places MalaMala as part of a soon-to-be
12 or more million acres of pristine wilderness conservation
area. Of constant appeal to the wildlife from the
Kruger National Park is the vast array of habitat
types within MalaMala - ranging from open savannahs
to dense riparian zones and granite koppies. Perhaps
the greatest attraction of all is the perennial Sand
River – of which, approximately 36 kilometers
soaks its’ way through MalaMala Game Reserve.
The diversity of these habitats is the key factor
behind the incredible complexity of fauna and flora
for which MalaMala has become so famous, and is proven
statistically by its game viewing – where it
has become the exception rather than the rule for
all members of the “Big 5” not to be
seen on a single day on the property.
The camps of
MalaMala are camps of Africa – designed
to support the experience of the bush. One will find
outstandingly comfortable rooms, the renowned personal
service and high quality camp cuisine. Each camp
is specifically located on the banks of the Sand
River with magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding
bush.
The new Rattray's
on MalaMala camp is built on the site of the old
Harry's Camp (Harry's Camp no longer exists). Rattray's
on MalaMala represents a classical “into
Africa” safari
experience in keeping with MalaMala’s history
of presenting an authentic view of wildlife in
Africa to the discerning traveler.
But ultimately
it is the environment and how it is experienced
that makes MalaMala what
it is today.
With the resources at its’ disposal, and the
experience of nearly 40 years of being a leader in
its’ field, MalaMala has indeed well and truly
established itself as one of the premier photographic
safari destinations in Southern Africa – and
arguably the world! |
History
In the early
1900's attempts were made to substitute MalaMala's
wildlife with cattle farming. A losing
battle with lions and a constant struggle with
wildlife, diseases and drought soon proved that it
was not a viable option.
When Wac Campbell bought MalaMala in 1929, he explained
that his intention was "the strict preservation
of game with the object of handing this on as a legacy
to my youngsters when I get old".
The
site of Wac's first MalaMala camp was in the area where
the Mlowathi stream flows into the Sand
River. It was soon found that the rains made the
river difficult to ford and in 1930 the camp was
moved to its present site, on the near side of the
river. The camp was used exclusively in winter as
a base from which to hunt, but even then guests were
treated like royalty and royalty, such as Princess
Alice and her husband the Earl of Athlone, were often
guests. When Urban Campbell took over the reins from his
father in 1950, things started to change and by 1960
the camera replaced the gun. In 1964, MalaMala was
purchased by the Rattray family who, by retaining
the best of the past and adding the comforts and
luxury of today, turned MalaMala Main Camp into the
top safari lodge of the world.
Accolades
MalaMala Game
Reserve recently received another award from Travel
and Leisure Magazine, the World's leading travel
consumer magazine. In the May 2005 edition, MalaMala
was voted the 2nd in the category “Worlds Best
Service” for Africa and the Middle East.
Awards received
in 2004 include: 3rd "Best Safari Camp" -
Conde Nast Traveler - October 2004; 7th "Best
Hotel In The World"
- Travel & Leisure Magazine, May 2004; and
one of the Top 700 places to stay - Conde Nast
Traveler - January 2004.
Accommodation  For
images of Rattray's Camp, click Rattray's
Images
The
Rattray’s camp experience is exclusive, with
each of the eight comfortable suites occupying
its own elevated site overlooking the Sand River.
Filtered plunge pools complete each of the secluded
verandahs and an outdoor dining area provides the
ideal vantage point from which to enjoy bush cuisine
in complete privacy. Each guest has the choice
of remaining connected to the outside world from
the sanctuary of their room via continuous internet
connectivity (512k wireless link via sattelite
connection) and satellite television.
Rattray's has
a maximum capacity of 16 guests, utilizing 8
luxury suites called "khayas". Eack
khaya has wooden floors with under-floor heating
in the winter months and wooden ceilings. All
khaya include separate his and hers luxury en-suite
bathrooms and King-sized beds.
The Khayas
also include:
• King-sized beds ONLY
• 24-hour temparature control
• Individual satellite television
• Laptop computer and 24-hour email / internet connectivity
• Private, secluded garden area
• Wooden deck overlooking the Sand River
• Private heated plunge pool
• Additional outdoor shower
• In-room dining on request (within your suite or on the deck area outside)
• Full range of guest amenities including bar, safe etc
Facilities
within the elegant main building incorporate a
viewing deck, an air-conditioned library providing
a refuge for the literary devotee, an attractive
bar showcasing the history of the area and an adjoining
wine cellar stocked with a wide range of South
Africa’s best wines.
Other facilities:
• Dining Room with adjoining covered deck for outdoor dining
• Open-air veranda overlooking the Sand River
• Swimming pool with chang room facilities
• Bush gymnasium
• Massage
room
• Traditional African boma
• Golf Carts for guests who do not want to walk back to rooms
• Laundry Service
• Private, secluded garden area
Dining
Breakfast
and lunch are served in the air-conditioned dining
room or on the adjoining deck, whilst the traditional
reed boma under a magnificent jackalberry tree is the
ultimate outdoor evening venue. Private dining
in your suite is available on request.
Children Policy
Age restrictions
do exist and are applied in the interests of personal
safety
as well as the comfort of other guests. We regret
to advise that no children under the age of 16 years
may be accommodated at Rattray's Camp.
Activities
The focus
of the Rattray’s safaris will continue to reflect
the ethos of the reserve over the past forty years – game
viewing. Sound conservation management has ensured
an environmental sanctuary for an impressive density
and diversity of wildlife. With a maximum
of 4 guests per safari vehicle, this wildlife wonderland
that is MalaMala unfolds. Sightings of the Big Five
and the interactions of the various species along
the food chain from ants to elephants provides visitors
with a glimpse of Africa as it has always been – untouched
by the modern human hand.
Only
guests accommodated in one of the three MalaMala
Game Reserve camps may traverse the immense tract
of privately owned game land within the Sabi Sand
Reserve. Game drives are conducted in open
4-wheel drive safari vehicles in the 40,000 acre
MalaMala portion of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
The rangers are in constant radio communication with
one another to keep each other informed about the
location of the game. Headsets are used for this
purpose so as not to disturb the sounds of the African
bush.
A special game
drive feature at Rattray's is a maximum of four
guests per safari vehicle.
The 4-wheel drive safari vehicles enable the rangers
to leave the road and provide guests with close up
game viewing and fantastic photographic opportunities.
Night drives, with the aid of powerful spotlights,
bring the bush to life at night.
After dark, spotlight
safaris provide the opportunity to view nocturnal
creatures and carnivores on the hunt and walking
safaris with an armed ranger can be arranged on
request. The success of our safaris can be measured
by the fact that more than 76% of MalaMala's guests
have had contact sightings of the Big Five. Wildlife
The Sabi Sand area is known
to have one of the greatest diversifications of
animal species on the African continent. Over
two hundred different species occur in abundance
whilst
the ever changing bird life provides even
the most experienced ornithologist with rare finds.
The Big Five: Lion, Leopard,
Elephant, Buffalo and Rhinoceros - the most sought
after and dangerous of the world's big game. In previous
centuries it was these five species which gripped
the imagination of hunters and sportsmen, drawing
them to Africa to experience the blood pounding thrill
of hunting and shooting "The Big Five".
It is in reserves like Mala Mala where this hunting
and shooting still takes place, only the hunting
is done by experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers,
and the shooting is done with cameras. But it does
not mean that the thrill and exhilaration of encountering
these animals in an open Land Rover is any less gripping.
Apart from the Big 5 - Cheetah and Wild dog may also
be seen. General game including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest,
a variety of antelope and nocturnal animals such
as Civet, Genet, Honey Badger and mongoose etc. occur
throughout the reserve.
Folk lore and
legend are rich with regards to the Big Five. Encompassing
beliefs such as the following: " The
Great One put the animals here for us to use wisely
and respect, even as we hunted them, but he knew
that without fear we might lose our respect for these
creatures. So he put the five here to help us remember.
The lion and leopard taught us fear of the night,
that only the daytime was ours. The buffalo, the
elephant and the rhino taught us to fear their strength,
that we might respect the strength of nature."
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of Limpopo Province
For
tourist information and activities in the
Limpopo Province, click More
Limpopo
For further information about Kruger National Park, click More
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