Sunrise at the Earth Lodge Sabi Sabi Game Reserve. Game drives start bright and early with coffee and danishes at 5:00 a.m. Departures at 5:30 a.m.

The tree seen silhouetted is The Marula Tree and has a history as a source of nutrition dating back to 10,000 years B.C. and it is certainly one of Africa's botanical treasures.
The multiple uses of the tree, it's bark, leaves, fruit, nut and kernels are legendary. My favorite is when the fruit ripens and drops to the ground and lightly ferments ... the elephants, giraffes, warthogs, and other animals get wasted and the party gets started safari style !
http://youtu.be/D5E5TjkDvU0

The fruits are a good food source and high in vitamin C.
The skin can be boiled to make a drink or burnt to be used as a substitute for coffee.
The wood is soft for carving
The inner bark can be used to make rope and for making dye
They produce small tasty nuts which are rich in protein.
The Oil is used as a skin cosmetic.
Their green leaves are eaten to relieve heartburn.
The bark contains antihistamines

The fruit can also be cooked to produce jam, juices and alcoholic beverages like "Amarula" a delicious South African Cream Liqueur that substrates just fine for coffee creamer any time of the day as far as I'm concerned. It also is used to brew a very tasty, potent South African moonshine known locally as "Mampoer" after a local Chief who favored it. It is said to make grown men weep.

the Venda people of Southern Africa maintain that bark infusions can be used to determine the gender of an unborn child. If a woman wants a son the male tree is used, and for a daughter, the female tree. If the child of the opposite gender is born, the child is said to be very special as it was able to defy the spirits.

Oh, and did I mention it sacred.

#treetrove #goldenhour

Search Motels in Mala Mala Game Reserve

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

Treat yourself

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend

In two weeks

In one month

In two months

Motels in Mala Mala Game Reserve

"Is the best mis-sized hostel ive stayed in Alkebulan so far! Will stay again when in Kruger. For price paid it was worth it. App wont let me add photos"

￥10,143 total

includes taxes & fees

Jun 27 - Jun 28

"Rooms were very noisy from surrounding guests."

￥10,617 total

includes taxes & fees

Jun 28 - Jun 29

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Find out more about Mala Mala Game Reserve

Mala Mala Game Reserve Motels information

Number of reviews	32
Accommodation	2 Motels
Lowest Price	￥8,820
Highest Price	￥9,232

Recent reviews of Mala Mala Game Reserve hotels

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

5/5 Excellent

"Everything was flawless. Best hotel stay ever. "

A verified traveler stayed at Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

Posted 1 month ago

5/5 Excellent

"This was our 5th visit to Elephant Plains. It's the most affordable option in the Sabi Sands and an excellent place to stay. Since our 2022 visit, they have updated the rondovels. They're super comfortable with everything you need. Staff were great. They seem to have simplified the food options (an improvement) and the quality is great. You go to the Sabi Sands for the exceptional leopard sightings and amazing safaris. This place does not dissapoint - in one drive we had 2 leopard cub sightings, a female on a kill, close elephant encounters and lions. It's worth every cent! For self-drivers (at May 2025), the roads to Gowrie Gate are horrendous and haven't improved much in 10 years. Map out your journey before hand. We used both Google Maps and the maps provided by EP. Gowrie Gate entry was R510 (cash or card) and the conservation fee added to your bill at EP was R620 so factor that in too. Elephant Plains is a must do!"

A verified traveler stayed at Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Posted 2 months ago

Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps - Mantobeni

5/5 Excellent

"This is an exceptional property in the Manyeleti Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park. It is a magical place where Impala's roam the property and the elephants come to drink water from the pool. The "tents" are very nice with toilet facilities and showers and comfortable beds. The food was good, but the staff are the best! They do everything they can to meet your needs and wants. Everyday there are two game drives into the reserve where you can get very close to amazing game animals. The guides on these drives are very good at their jobs. Ours was named Brilliant and he truly was brilliant. He can find animals, birds and snakes at distance and at night in places I can barely see. He is amazing! We want to thank the staff for making our stay very special-Dan, Mavis, Trevor, Previous, Noa and other...and especially Brilliant!"

A verified traveler stayed at Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps - Mantobeni

Posted 2 months ago

5/5 Excellent

"Property was excellent - rooms were fantastic top-notch! Had private pool overseeing bush. Staff were very courteous and welcoming. We felt like home away from home. Our ranger Michael and tracker Adwais were superb and very knowledgeable - showed us big 5 and mag 7 in just 4 game drives - kids just loved it!! Highly recommend Leopard hills!"

A verified traveler stayed at Leopard Hills

Posted 2 months ago

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

More Accommodation Types in

All Accommodation Types

Expedia's Latest Trends

Hotels

hotel GINZA7 TOKYOANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa by IHGHotel Dans Le Coeur Osaka UmedaCheap Hotels in OsakaPurpose Resort Echigo Yuzawa「KURA」Hostels HiroshimaRyokan SangaAmami Onsen Nanten-enHotel Royal Classic OsakaHatago KintoenHotels in AkihabaraThe Light Inn Tokyo ToneriUmino hotel HajimeHotel New Otani Tokyo The Main

Flights

Flights from Fukuoka (FUK) to Komatsu (KMQ)Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to New Orleans (MSY)Flights from Narita (NRT) to Savannah (SAV)Flights from Osaka (KIX) to Tianjin (TSN)Flights from Shenzhen (SZX) to Narita (NRT)Flights from Narita (NRT) to Laoag (LAO)Flights from Kathmandu (KTM) to Fukuoka (FUK)Flights from Omitama (IBR) to Incheon (ICN)Flights to Mallorca IslandFlights from Narita (NRT) to Cape Town (CPT)

Cars

Convertible Car Rentals in Osaka

Activities

Things to do in Inuyama

Packages

Hakone Vacations

General

Visit TangerangVisit Nagano PrefectureVisit Marinduque

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect from a motel trip to Mala Mala Game Reserve?

Because you'll save on your room, you can enjoy more of the attractions in Mala Mala Game Reserve. Top sights to visit include Kruger National Park.

What is a motel?

When you stay at a motel, you'll often find an outdoor pool and a free parking spot. With a stay at a motel, you'll usually access your room from an outside corridor overlooking the parking lot. In the U.S., motels became more commonplace at the end of the 1940s when cars became more popular along with road trip vacations, peaking in the mid-1960s with more than 60,000 properties.

What are the best motels in Mala Mala Game Reserve?

Here are some of our customers' top motels in the larger area. Sleepover Kruger Gate is located 16 mi (25.8 km) from the heart of Mala Mala Game Reserve. Enjoy access to the free parking and terrace, as well as room amenities like a private yard. Sleepover Orpen Gate: Your room amenities include a minibar. Central Mala Mala Game Reserve is 21.4 mi (34.5 km) away.

What things can I to do in Mala Mala Game Reserve?

Some outdoorsy places nearby include Kruger National Park, Londolozi Game Reserve, and Paul Kruger Gate. While you're checking out the area, consider visiting Skukuza Golf Course, Djuma Game Reserve, and AM Spa Kruger.

What's the seasonal weather like in Mala Mala Game Reserve?

Weather can make or break a roadtrip, so we've gathered some data about year-round temperatures in Mala Mala Game Reserve to help you plan yours. The hottest months are usually February and December with an average temp of 77°F, while the coldest months are July and June with an average of 67°F. Average annual precipitation for Mala Mala Game Reserve is 24 inches.

What are my options for getting around Mala Mala Game Reserve when staying in a motel?

We've gathered some information about local transportation options in Mala Mala Game Reserve to help you navigate your stay: Fly into Mala Mala (AAM), which is located 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from the city center. Otherwise, look for flights into Skukuza (SZK), which is 12.2 mi (19.7 km) away. If you'd like to explore around the area, you may want to rent a car for your trip.

Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you’re signed in

Search Motels in Mala Mala Game Reserve

Check prices for these dates

Motels in Mala Mala Game Reserve

Sleepover Kruger Gate

Sleepover Orpen Gate

Find out more about Mala Mala Game Reserve

Mala Mala Game Reserve Motels information

Recent reviews of Mala Mala Game Reserve hotels

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

Rhino Walking Safaris

Sabie River Bush Lodge

Kruger Gate Hotel

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps - Mantobeni

Elephant Point

Leopard Hills

aha Skukuza Safari Lodge

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

More Accommodation Types in

All Accommodation Types

Expedia's Latest Trends

Frequently asked questions