South Africa part 2 - safari in Mala Mala
Our safari stay was split into two night’s stay both in the world renowned Mala Mala private game reserve - night one was in the Sable Camp and the second at the gorgeous Rattrays.
We were shown to our rondels for the night’s stay and then asked to meet at the open restaurant area for coffee and cake before heading off on our first evening’s game drive. Having never been on a safari I was a little unsure what to expect but was looking forward to the experience.
We hadn't left the safari lodge for more than five minutes when we had seen impalas, zebras, rhinos and picked up the tracks of a leopard - this was going to be one fantastic evening. We followed the tracks of the leopard and had it walk straight down the side of the vehicle and sit and relax in the evening sun. Whilst the sun faded away we watched as the stars came out brightly shining and headed back for our evening meal which was again al fresco in a Boma with the other guests of the camp. We swapped game drive stories whilst being treated to local songs sung by the staff at the lodge all sat around a fire pit.
Up and off early the next morning to see the sunrise before setting off on our morning game drive. Again we weren't disappointed with the animals to see; more impala, elephants, giraffes, rhino and baboons this time to add to our list. Breakfast was all set out and waiting for us for our return and whilst most of the other guests headed back for a couple of hours sleep we packed up and headed to our next camp Rattrays for our second safari experience.
As Sable Camp, Rattrays and Main Camp MalaMala are all part of the same company we were able to keep our rangers with us for the second evening game drive, this really helped as we had got to know him and he us and he was aware of which animals we were more interested in finding. On the second evening we again were able to see impalas, kudu, elephants, giraffe and many more but the highlight of the evening has to be seeing a lion and a leopard walking down the dirt track towards each other and not quite knowing what would happen, even the game rangers didn't know how this situation was going to go! In the end it was the leopard who gave up the road and went into the bushes to leave the lion to carry on walking straight past our vehicle and into the night, an amazing experience.
Our evening meal at Rattrays was waiting again on our return so after a quick shower and change we were back out sat on the decking area with the Sabi River behind us, a stunning setting for the end of a wonderful two nights in MalaMala.
Up and off again on our last game drive in MalaMala and we were hoping to see more animals out in the open. We weren't disappointed this time either, seeing a parade of elephants (14 with babies included), a journey of giraffes (four in the group) and a herd of buffalo (over 50 in the area) then onto a baby hyena which was quite curious of our vehicle. The highlight of the trip was where we saw the baby leopard (10 months old) which was the cub of the leopard we had followed on the first night. An amazing experience.
So from 5* luxury we headed off for our last night not knowing what to expect and were taken to one of the National Kruger parks down in the Southern Kruger area for a night under canvas! Not what I would normally do but we had a great time sat around the campfire telling stories and eating out in the open - a truly magical way to end such a thoroughly enjoyable six nights in South Africa.