Experience timeless classic safari at MalaMala Rattray's Camp with Premier Africa

DISCOVER

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp

Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, South Africa

A Private Haven on the Sand River

Tucked within the heart of the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, MalaMala Rattray’s Camp offers an intimate and exclusive safari experience steeped in tradition. Perched on the banks of the Sand River, the camp offers a front-row seat to some of Africa’s most legendary wildlife viewing.

With just eight luxury suites and private butler service, Rattray’s is the epitome of quiet sophistication. Guests are treated to personalized game drives, elegant accommodations, and a sense of seclusion that enhances the grandeur of the natural surroundings. It’s a destination for those seeking privacy, pedigree, and profound connection with the bush.

Colonial Grace with a Timeless Soul

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp evokes the spirit of classic safaris with a nod to British colonial elegance. Thatched roofs, dark wood accents, and antique furnishings offer an atmosphere of refined nostalgia. Each suite is named after a notable personality from MalaMala’s storied history, and the camp features a curated collection of vintage memorabilia and historic photographs.

Blending heritage with contemporary comfort, Rattray’s was created to reflect the traditions of old-world safaris while ensuring an experience that meets the expectations of today’s luxury traveler.

A closer look at MalaMala Rattray's Camp

Lodge facilities

Each of Rattray’s eight suites offers complete privacy, featuring a private heated plunge pool, expansive deck, indoor and outdoor showers, freestanding bathtub, and elegant lounge area. Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and in-room dining ensure ultimate comfort, while panoramic views connect guests to the untamed bush.

The main lodge includes a library, safari boutique, gym, spa, and a spacious dining area serving fine cuisine. Meals can be enjoyed in the formal dining room, beneath the stars, or on the terrace overlooking the river. With a private vehicle, guide, and tracker for each booking, guests enjoy unmatched flexibility and intimacy on every safari excursion.

Room Types

ROOMS

8 ROOMS

ROOMS TYPES

Suites (8)

Location

Country

South Africa

Location

Sabi Sand Nature Reserve

Property Facilities

24-hour Security
Bar
Eco Friendly
Internet Access
Laundry Service
Library

Mobile Connectivity
Pool
Restaurant
Secure Parking
Spa
Vegetarian

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning
Balcony / Deck
Bath
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Detached Private Bathroom
Dressing Gowns
Electrical Outlets
Fan
Fridge
Heated Towel Rails
Heater
Internet Access (Complimentary)
Laundry Service

Lounge Area
Mini Bar
Outside Shower
Plunge Pool
Private Pool / Jacuzzi
Pure Cotton Linen
Safe
Shower
Tea / Coffee
Television
Underfloor Heating
Verandah

Available Services

Airport Shuttle
Credit Card Facilities
Disability Services

Private Vehicle
Room Service

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp blends colonial charm, refined privacy, and superior wildlife viewing into a graceful, all-inclusive safari experience in the Sabi Sand.

Experiences at this Lodge

A stay at Rattray’s Camp is a graceful immersion into Africa’s wild soul. Mornings begin with bespoke game drives led by dedicated guides through terrain rich in Big Five sightings. Between excursions, guests relax in their private suites, cool off in plunge pools, or indulge in a massage with the soundtrack of the bush all around. Evenings invite storytelling around the fire, multi-course meals, and the timeless ritual of sipping wine as the sun slips below the horizon. Combining exclusivity, heritage, and exceptional wildlife, MalaMala Rattray’s Camp delivers a safari experience that is both elegant and elemental.

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Morning Game Drives

Explore vast, exclusive wildlife territories at sunrise led by a dedicated ranger and tracker

Start your day with a personalized safari experience led by a dedicated ranger and tracker. Explore vast, exclusive territories at sunrise when wildlife is most active. Spot the Big Five and photograph iconic scenes in golden light—all with the intimacy and flexibility of a private drive.

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Afternoon Game Drives

Follow predators on the move on afternoon drives that transition into nocturnal adventures with your own vehicle and guide

Enjoy tailor-made afternoon drives that transition into nocturnal adventures. With your own vehicle and guide, follow predators on the move, witness dramatic encounters, and pause for sundowners at sunset. As darkness descends, spotlight reveals the bush’s mysterious nightlife in total exclusivity.

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Guided Bush Walks

Step into the wild on foot for an immersive sensory safari led by an expert tracker

Step into the wild on foot for an immersive sensory safari. Discover tracks, insects, plants, and animal behavior with expert interpretation. The slow pace and rich detail offer a new appreciation of the bush, connecting you deeply with this ancient land.

Birdwatching

With your own binoculars and guide, delve into the avian diversity of MalaMala

With your own binoculars and guide, delve into the avian diversity of MalaMala. From colorful kingfishers to powerful eagles, every game drive and riverside pause offers rich birding opportunities for enthusiasts and casual observers alike.

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Photographic Safaris

An unrivalled opportunity to capture Africa’s most iconic wildlife up close

MalaMala offers photographers an unrivalled opportunity to capture Africa’s most iconic wildlife up close. With exclusive access to vast, game-rich terrain and expert rangers positioning vehicles for optimal light and composition, every frame tells a story. From prowling leopards to golden sunsets, each photographic safari transforms fleeting moments into unforgettable art.

Sundowners in the Bush

Unwind with sundowners in the wilderness after your adrenaline-filled afternoon game drive

After an adrenaline-filled afternoon tracking lions and leopards, unwind with sundowners in the wilderness. Your open-air bar is the vast African bush – alive with calls of the wild and the fading roar of the day. The adventure doesn’t end with the setting sun; it only deepens as night awakens the wild anew.

Riverfront Wildlife Viewing

Relax on your private veranda and watch the wildlife theater unfold along the Sand River

Relax on your private veranda and watch the wildlife theater unfold along the Sand River. Elephants, hippos, and predators come to drink or hunt—providing effortless, up-close sightings without leaving your room.

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Boma Dining Experience

Dine under the stars as the night comes alive with the crackle of fire and rhythmic bush sounds

Dine under an endless canopy of stars as the night comes alive with the crackle of fire and rhythmic bush sounds. Traditional African flavors, gourmet flair, and fine wines converge in an unforgettable outdoor feast.

Expert journey planning

Our journey specialists can combine this lodge with the most sought-after hotels, resorts, and establishments across East Africa and beyond, including guided experiences, expert route planning, flights, transfers and travel assistance.

Personalized itineraries

Expert guidance

Exclusive access

Design an itinerary featuring this lodge

Every extraordinary journey begins with a first step

Everything you need to know about MalaMala Rattray’s Camp

What makes MalaMala Rattray’s Camp unique within the Sabi Sands?

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp is celebrated for its refined exclusivity—offering only a handful of suites along the Sand River and one of the largest, most wildlife-rich traversing areas in South Africa. The experience blends old-world safari romance with sophisticated luxury and exceptional big cat viewing.

What type of accommodations does Rattray’s Camp offer?

Each suite is a secluded, elegant space featuring private verandas, heated plunge pools, outdoor showers, and generous interiors designed for privacy and comfort. Suites look directly over the Sand River, creating a constant connection to wildlife.

How intimate is the safari experience at the camp?

Game drives typically host just a few guests, ensuring personalised guiding and uninterrupted viewing. This low vehicle density means sightings—especially of leopard and lion—feel exclusive and unhurried.

What wildlife can guests expect to see?

The MalaMala Reserve is renowned for its density of predators. Guests regularly encounter the Big Five, exceptional leopard activity, large elephant herds, endangered wild dogs, and an extraordinary diversity of plains game and birdlife.

When is the best time to visit MalaMala Rattray’s Camp?

Winter (May–September) offers crisp mornings, thinner vegetation, and high visibility for game viewing. Summer (October–April) brings lush landscapes, newborn animals, dramatic skies, and excellent predator activity. The camp is a superb year-round safari destination.