Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa

You arrive at Mala Mala by air from Johannesburg and land on nothing more than an airstrip in the middle of the bush. At the end of the runway, the 4X4’s are waiting for you to drive the few minutes to the camp.

The main camp is divided in two and consists of Mala Mala and also Sable camp, both of which overlook the river, and are run as separate units. Accommodation at the main camp is divided between Standard Rooms and Suites, and there is a very nice lounge and bar where you can congregate before dinner. There is a small gym next to the swimming pool and underneath the decked area, which is used for breakfast and lunch. Dinners are taken in the Boma. In the evening, after dinner, you are escorted back to your room in case you come across any unexpected visitors.

Sable Camp, which is an all-suite arrangement, has its own lounge and bar as well as a swimming pool and its own Boma so guests are completely left alone. They can mingle with the main camp but not vice versa, and they also have a private departure point for the game drives. Both camps operate an early breakfast and then the first drive of the day, and you are usually back in time for a quick rest before lunch and the second drive of the day normally departs between 15.00/15.30hrs, arriving back around19.00hrs. This gives you time to freshen up before dinner. The guides and trackers are first rate and do there utmost to make sure you see as much game as possible. On the morning drives, you stop for tea and coffee, and naturally, in the evening, Sundowners come to the fore. The food and service is first class and everyone goes out of the way to make your stay as comfortable, interesting and memorable as possible.

The third camp in the complex is Rattray’s, which is the height of luxury and about 15 minutes drive from the main camp. There are only eight individual villas, all with plunge pools and decking, internet access, television and four poster beds. The main building has a lounge, bar, Boma and swimming pool. It really is very comfortable and certainly a wonderful place to stay if you want total privacy. Game drives depart from here and offer the same excellent experiences as those mentioned above.

The drive from Mala Mala to Mount Anderson Ranch took about two hours. The house is set in its own reserve and on the banks of a small river which has been stepped on four levels and allows for some excellent fly fishing, and is nicely stocked with trout so if you are lucky, you can catch one for dinner. The house is very comfortable and extremely peaceful, and takes half an hour to reach it from the main road.

The property can sleep up to eight people. The master bedroom is in the main house and the other two bedrooms are in an adjoining cottage. It has a staff of two who will look after your every need and do all the cooking and cleaning. The house has a television lounge by the billiard room, a wounderful lounge with open bar and log fire for the winter months, which leads on to a very nice conservatory. The dining room is adjacent and has French windows that open on to the patio where you can also have a barbecue. The house is very nice and would make for a great weekend break. The ranger in charge, Trent, and his wife, will arrange for any excursions you might wish to make or will leave you in peace if that is what you prefer.

The next stage in Andy's trip was a visit to BOTSWANA ...