MalaMala to Madikwe
From safari legend to a wilderness less travelled.
At A Glance
Collection | Discovery Safari Collection |
Journey Type | Two-destination Safari |
Destination | MalaMala Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands & Madikwe Game Reserve |
Recommended Stay | 6 Nights (3 nights at each destination) |
Choose From | 2 MalaMala Lodges & 3 Madikwe Lodges |
Nearest Airport | MalaMala Airstrip / Madikwe Eastern Airstrip |
Wildlife Highlights | MalaMala: Big Five, leopards, African wild dogs, cheetahs and abundant general game. Madikwe: Lion, elephant, buffalo, black and white rhino, cheetah, African wild dog, hyena & abundant plains game |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
Two Sides Of Safari
Experience the intimate, wildlife-rich wilderness of MalaMala before discovering the expansive bushveld of Madikwe.
Different Landscapes, Different Rhythms
The riverine landscapes of MalaMala gradually give way to Madikwe’s open plains and wide horizons.
Predators And Wild Dogs
From MalaMala’s renowned big-cat encounters to Madikwe’s exceptional wild dog sightings, the wildlife story keeps evolving.
From Intensity To Space
MalaMala can deliver exhilarating, close encounters, while Madikwe offers a wonderful sense of openness and freedom.
Two Distinct Safari Atmospheres
The contrast isn't just in the landscape, each destination has its own character, pace and way of experiencing the bush.
A Journey With Real Variety
For travellers who don't want to choose between two different safari experiences, this combination gives you both.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
Choose from our handpicked lodges in MalaMala and Madikwe, each offering its own character, setting and style. We can tailor the combination, length of stay and lodge choice around exactly how you want your safari to feel.
MalaMala Main Camp
Overlooking the Sand River in one of the Sabi Sands' most iconic wildlife areas, MalaMala Main Camp offers a classic safari experience built around exceptional game viewing. Its generous suites, wide viewing decks and traditional safari character create an easy sense of connection with the wilderness, while the reserve's renowned leopard and Big Five sightings keep the focus firmly on the game. It is a lodge where the rhythm of the safari remains at the centre of the stay.
Best Suited For
Serious wildlife enthusiasts
First-time safari travellers
Photographers wanting exceptional game viewing
Couples and honeymooners
Guests seeking a classic luxury safari
Travellers who prioritise wildlife over contemporary lodge design
Lodge Atmosphere
Classic • Spacious • Wildlife-Focused • Timeless
MalaMala Rattray's Camp
Set along a particularly beautiful stretch of the Sand River, Rattray's Camp offers a more private and residential expression of the MalaMala experience. The spacious suites are designed around the river and surrounding bush, with generous living areas and a slower, more secluded atmosphere. With MalaMala's exceptional traversing rights and wildlife at the centre of every day, it combines old-world safari character with an unusually intimate sense of space.
Best Suited For
Couples and honeymooners
Travellers seeking privacy and space
Luxury safari travellers
Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers
Guests who prefer a residential style of safari accommodation
Travellers celebrating a special occasion
Lodge Atmosphere
Residential • Refined • Private • Classic
Jamala Madikwe
A small boutique lodge on the eastern edge of Madikwe, Jamala Madikwe brings an intimate and highly personal character to the safari experience. Its five private villas combine colonial-inspired comfort with African design, each opening towards the bush with a private pool and expansive deck. The lodge's waterhole becomes part of everyday life, with the famous Sofa Safari allowing guests to watch wildlife arrive from the comfort of the lodge.
Best Suited For
Couples and honeymooners
Travellers who appreciate boutique luxury
Food and wine enthusiasts
Guests seeking an intimate safari experience
Travellers who enjoy watching wildlife from camp as well as on game drives
Guests celebrating a special occasion
Lodge Atmosphere
Boutique • Intimate • Refined • Relaxed
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge
Scattered across a rocky hillside beneath ancient Tamboti trees, Madikwe Hills feels naturally woven into the landscape. Its glass-fronted suites are spacious and private, each with a plunge pool and views across the reserve, while the elevated position creates a strong sense of space. The lodge is particularly well suited to travellers who want generous accommodation and classic Big Five safari experiences, with the option of a private villa for families and small groups.
Best Suited For
Couples and honeymooners
Families and multi-generational groups
Travellers wanting spacious private suites
Guests who enjoy elevated bush views
First-time safari travellers
Small groups wanting the option of private accommodation
Lodge Atmosphere
Spacious • Private • Scenic • Refined
Molori Safari Lodge
Hidden in the remote western reaches of Madikwe, Molori is an intimate safari retreat where contemporary architecture meets the surrounding bushveld. Large glass walls and open spaces bring the landscape into the lodge, while the small number of suites creates a deeply personal atmosphere. Days can move between Big Five game drives, bush walks and time spent simply watching the wilderness unfold around the lodge.
Best Suited For
Luxury travellers seeking privacy
Couples and honeymooners
Families and multi-generational groups
Design-conscious travellers
Guests wanting a quieter side of Madikwe
Travellers looking for highly personalised safari experiences
Lodge Atmosphere
Sophisticated • Secluded • Contemporary • Bespoke
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 6 Nights | 7 Days
We recommend three nights at MalaMala followed by three nights in Madikwe, bringing together two very different expressions of South African safari. Begin with the intimate wildlife encounters of the Sabi Sands before moving into Madikwe's expansive bushveld, where the landscape opens and the safari rhythm changes.
Day 1: Arrival at MalaMala
Arrive at MalaMala Airstrip, where you'll be met and transferred to your chosen lodge.
After checking in and settling into your suite, enjoy lunch before taking some time to relax and familiarise yourself with your surroundings.
Set out on your first afternoon game drive as the bush begins to come alive, stopping for sundowners as the light fades before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-3: Discovering MalaMala
Rise before sunrise and head into MalaMala with your guide for a morning game drive, stopping in the bush for coffee and light refreshments.
Return to the lodge for breakfast before enjoying a leisurely morning at your lodge.
After lunch, head out again for an afternoon game drive, following the wildlife into the golden hours before pausing for sundowners.
Return to the lodge for dinner and an evening beneath the African sky.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 4: From MalaMala to Madikwe
Enjoy one final morning game drive before returning for breakfast and check-out.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight towards Madikwe.
Arrive at your chosen Madikwe lodge and settle into your new surroundings.
Enjoy lunch before your first afternoon game drive, followed by sundowners and dinner.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 5-6: Discovering Madikwe
Head out before sunrise for a morning game drive through Madikwe, stopping for coffee and refreshments in the bush.
Return for breakfast and enjoy a relaxed morning at the lodge.
After lunch, venture out again for an afternoon game drive before stopping for sundowners.
Return to the lodge for dinner and your evening in the wilderness.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 7: Departure
Enjoy one final morning game drive before breakfast and check-out.
Your transfer will take you to the appropriate airport for your onward journey.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, air transfer back to Johannesburg.
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The All Out Safaris Perspective
We love this combination because it proves that safari doesn't have to look or feel the same from one destination to the next. MalaMala brings its legendary wildlife and riverfront setting, while Madikwe opens into a completely different wilderness where you feel even closer to the wild. Together, they create a wonderfully balanced safari with two distinct personalities.
Questions about this safari
Why combine MalaMala and Madikwe?
The two destinations offer wonderfully different safari experiences. MalaMala is intimate and wildlife-rich, while Madikwe opens into a more expansive bushveld landscape, giving you variety without sacrificing exceptional safari.
How many nights should I spend at each destination?
We recommend at least three nights at MalaMala and three nights at Madikwe. This provides enough time to experience both destinations properly, while longer stays can be added if you'd like a slower journey.
Which destination should I visit first?
We recommend MalaMala first, followed by Madikwe. Its concentrated wildlife experience makes an exciting opening chapter, while Madikwe's spacious landscapes provide a natural change of pace for the second half.
How do I travel from MalaMala to Madikwe?
The recommended option is an air transfer, allowing you to move efficiently between the two destinations while experiencing the dramatic change in landscape from the Greater Kruger to Madikwe. We'll build the logistics into the journey so the transition is seamless.
What wildlife will I see?
MalaMala is particularly renowned for leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino, while Madikwe offers excellent opportunities for elephant, lion, wild dog, cheetah, black and white rhino and diverse plains game.
Is this a good first safari?
Yes. The combination gives first-time safari travellers a wonderful introduction to two different landscapes and safari styles, without trying to cover too many destinations.
Can I choose which lodges I stay at?
Yes. You can choose from all the MalaMala and Madikwe lodges we offer, and we'll help you find the combination that best suits your travel style and priorities.
Can I stay longer than six nights?
Absolutely. Six nights is our recommended starting point, but either stay can be extended depending on how much time you have and how deeply you'd like to experience each destination.
Similar Safaris
If the thought of experiencing two very different sides of South African safari excites you, we'd love to help you start planning your journey.
Once we've received your contact request, Josh will set up a consultation call or video meeting to get to know you better.