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MalaMala Game Reserve - Sabi Sands - South Africa

MalaMala Game Reserve is the Safari Industry’s blueprint to the luxury photographic safari. This enormous tract of land offers unparalleled wildlife viewing.  MalaMala is the only game reserve in this region where the benefits of tourism directly support adjacent communities.

MalaMala promises an unforgettable wildlife viewing experience, nothing will prepare you for the incredible sightings of leopard, lion, cheetah and many more species that you will not see except in the heart of the Sabi Sands game reserve's largest concession. Mala Mala delivers on its promises, it's no surprise that it's known as the best safari experience  in the world

“Not even Tanzania’s famed Serengeti Game Reserve or the awesome Ngorongoro Crater fills your camera viewfinder faster with Africa’s legendary Big Five – at MalaMala, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant appear magically,” says acclaimed wildlife photojournalist Geoff Dalglish in his Sunday Times review. “Nor could Hollywood script the wide-screen wildlife encounters any more dramatically or frequently than nature does routinely in the private game reserve that is arguably South Africa’s most famous internationally.”

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Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews

“Good to be back!”  
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A wonderful visit that was nothing short of perfect. Amazing game sightings, the best I've had (and it is always

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London, United Kingdom   
“Good to be back!”  
Meohmy68 via tripadvisor    London, United Kingdom   
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A wonderful visit that was nothing short of perfect. Amazing game sightings, the best I've had (and it is always good), our Ranger and Tracker were great fun and very knowledgable, the staff were on the ball and the atmosphere and mood relaxed and attentive. My 6th visit, and great that Ulusaba is back to its best, thank you!

“Incredible experience at Sabi Sabi”  
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We just came back from our first ever safari trip. We went not knowing what to expect. After our first

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New York City, New York   
“Incredible experience at Sabi Sabi”  
Zack T    New York City, New York   
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We just came back from our first ever safari trip. We went not knowing what to expect. After our first game drive, we got to know why Sabi Sands Lodges are the best when it comes to big five game viewing. We managed to view all of the big five on one day.

The accommodation was perfect and the staff were exceptionally friendly. We are hooked, we will certainly visit Sabi Sabi again, very soon.

“Leopards, lions, many elephants and much more!”  
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I cannot express how great my experience was at Idube, I have a lifetime of memories from the 4 nights

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Melbourne, Australia   
“Leopards, lions, many elephants and much more!”  
Brett S via tripadvisor    Melbourne, Australia   
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I cannot express how great my experience was at Idube, I have a lifetime of memories from the 4 nights we stayed there. Highly recommended.

“Perfect place for safari”  
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This was a perfect place for a safari. We stayed in one of the two suites, and this was perfect.

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Lillehammer, Norway   
“Perfect place for safari”  
EvMe via tripadvisor    Lillehammer, Norway   
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This was a perfect place for a safari. We stayed in one of the two suites, and this was perfect. The game drives were so exiting. Of 8 game drives we saw leopards at 7 of them.
The staff were so friendly and helpful. The food was nice. The skills of the tracker and ranger was fantastic. It was so nice to follow how they read the tracks in the sand and bushes. We saw the big 5 and a lot more. If would go back? YES

“Fantastic Bush Experience”  
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Our family just spend 3 days in the Cottage.
The safaris were outstanding led by our intelligent and passionate guide


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Johannesburg, South Africa   
“Fantastic Bush Experience”  
Czerno via tripadvisor    Johannesburg, South Africa   
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Our family just spend 3 days in the Cottage.
The safaris were outstanding led by our intelligent and passionate guide Michael. We saw so much and learnt so much in the "Land That Time Forgot". Leopard with Waterbuck kill, wild dogs, Lion and Elephant swimming and wrestling in a dam and so much more!!
The camp manager Gary was so welcoming and friendly. His enthusiasm for the bush is infectious. Thanks for a wonderful time in a special place.
Also thanks for arranging a truly unique bat sighting!!!!
Stayed May 2017, travelled with family

“A continuation of the dream”  
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After spending 2 nights at the Dulini River Lodge we spent 2 nights at the Dulini Lodge. Even though both

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Maennedorf, Switzerland   
“A continuation of the dream”  
bscyb via tripadvisor    Maennedorf, Switzerland   
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After spending 2 nights at the Dulini River Lodge we spent 2 nights at the Dulini Lodge. Even though both Lodges are in the same Reserve and very close they offer a different athmosphere. The Dulini Lodge gives you a stronger "Africa feeling" in terms of decoration and setup in my view.

The bungalows are very spacious and well equipped.The welcome is kind and warm and the staff is amazing. They provided me with a special birthday dinner which made the stay even more memorable.

The game drives with the Ranger Fred and our tracker May where an experience. We saw a lot and as haveing been on Safari before we received so much more indepth information since we did not have to worry about seeing all the big 5 (which we saw anyway).

Will try to be back whenever possible

“You will not be disappointed...its amazing”  
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It's hard to put into words what a wonderful place this is , even before you arrive the staff are


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London, United Kingdom   
“You will not be disappointed...its amazing”  
stuBamville via tripadvisor    London, United Kingdom   
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It's hard to put into words what a wonderful place this is , even before you arrive the staff are extremely helpful with information and when you arrive they make you feel part of the lodge community not just a guest (truly welcoming).

The staff are genuinely interested in your adventure and happiness joining in stories and experiences of each game drive .Be prepared for the early starts 5.30 am game drive however believe me this is the best time of the day to see the animals and is a magical time to see the bush. The lodge and rooms are to a very high standard with all rooms having great views and the best bit being no fences !!!! YOU REALLY ARE IN THE BUSH 🙂 .
This is without doubt a luxury Safari

Awesome experience  
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This was a great experience overall. The resort was nice and homely. Our ranger Kelsey and tracker Bennett were very

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Omaha, Nebraska   
Awesome experience  
latif8109    Omaha, Nebraska   
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This was a great experience overall. The resort was nice and homely. Our ranger Kelsey and tracker Bennett were very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions that we had. The game drives were exciting and the search for the leopard was one of the highlights of the trip. The rooms were spacious, and the food was almost unending. The only downside, and understandably so, was the inability to move from one room to another, after dark. While our sons were older and able to stay on their own, families with slightly younger children may have to stay in one chalet. Strongly recommend it!!

“Breathtaking scenery, service and amazing experience.”  
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I don't usually write reviews however, I travelled to Lion Sands with my girlfriend in March 2017, it was her

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London, UK   
“Breathtaking scenery, service and amazing experience.”  
Raymondo84 via tripadvisor    London, UK   
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I don't usually write reviews however, I travelled to Lion Sands with my girlfriend in March 2017, it was her birthday and I was planning to propose. From the moment the booking was made until the last minute we left the location the service was impecable.

“Couldn't have been better!”  
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My daughter and I spent 3 nights at Notten's in April 2017 and we loved everything about it! We loved

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Hobart, Australia   
“Couldn't have been better!”  
Mrs V via tripadvisor    Hobart, Australia   
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My daughter and I spent 3 nights at Notten's in April 2017 and we loved everything about it! We loved the fact that we were teamed up with the same driver/tracker/four other guests in the same car over the course of all the days - we had such fun together and really got involved in trying to spot the animals. And we were rewarded with multiple leopard sightings and the other big 5, as well as all the other beautiful animals - zebra, giraffes, kudu, impala etc - and many birds. The rooms - including outdoor shower, dining area, food, pool, gift shop, massage, the lovely candle light (and lack of electric lighting) and special sundowner by the river were all fabulous. We felt so relaxed and welcomed. The staff were professional and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. They went the extra mile to engage with my 9 year old daughter. This place suited us perfectly. It was top class without being pretentious. Worth every penny - and actually better value than some other lodges. Recommended without hesitation. We hope to return one day. Thank you to all - Dale, Suzie, Gift, Desmond, Tulani, Riddent, Joe and everyone else (sorry if names are miss-spelt).

Stayed April 2017, travelled with family

“Absolutely the best experience.”  
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Highly recommended. Amazing in many ways. Great safari experience. Unsurpassed food. Kind staff. Two safaris a day for three days.

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New Jersey, USA   
“Absolutely the best experience.”  
podrozniczka60 via tripadvisor    New Jersey, USA   
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Highly recommended. Amazing in many ways. Great safari experience. Unsurpassed food. Kind staff. Two safaris a day for three days. One extra walking safari midday. Excellent game viewing. Night time star gazing by the fire. Trip to the village. Great amenities. Boma, Observation points. Nice little library. The staff will walk you to your cabin at night. Our first time here was 2006 but this is the place to come for the best safari lodge experience.
This is the place to come back to.

“Look no further”  
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If you are planning a trip to S.A. And want to spend time in the bush, then Sabi Sands is


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Windermere, United Kingdom   
“Look no further”  
angiep389 via tripadvisor    Windermere, United Kingdom   
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If you are planning a trip to S.A. And want to spend time in the bush, then Sabi Sands is a must. We have been travelling to to South Africa every year for the past 12 years and stayed at many game reserves including the Krugar many times. This year we saved up hard and achieved our dream, to stay in Sabi Sands. All that I can say it's Well Worth every penny, the reserve is just something else! It's the best and it's a must, forget the rest push the the boat out and and stay at in Sabi Sands.. We chose Elephant Plains due to our budget. It was wonderful food fantastic, staff brilliant, service first class.
We saw the big five for the the first time in 12 years....
So if you are looking for a safari holiday then look no further this place is the best.
Memories we will never forget.

“A memory for a lifetime”  
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I can´t stop thinking about my visit at Arathusa. Just want to go back. It was so amazing in every

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Stockholm - Sweeden   
“A memory for a lifetime”  
Twirly72 via tripadvisor    Stockholm - Sweeden   
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I can´t stop thinking about my visit at Arathusa. Just want to go back. It was so amazing in every way. The lodgin itself was so nice and luxury, the food excellent and you really had everything you could possible need.

"OY!" Watch That Charging Rhino!  
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Fabulous three days at Idube Game Reserve. Lovely people. amazing food. So many highlights. But one stood out. When we

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Boston, Massachusetts   
"OY!" Watch That Charging Rhino!  
Charles520    Boston, Massachusetts   
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Fabulous three days at Idube Game Reserve. Lovely people. amazing food. So many highlights. But one stood out. When we surprised a rhino and it charged our Land Cruiser, leave it to our guide, Brogan, to take care of business. With a sharp, "OY!", the rhino stopped it charge, turn around and trotted back to its mate. Note that the wifi was only available in the office when we went, but it's due for an upgrade any date. Pro-tip: No cell coverage, but the office has a cell tower booster. Turn off your wifi, and your phone will pick up the cell booster if you have a local phone or international plan

“Felt like home, but better”  
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We absolutely loved this resort. The staff is so warm and welcoming, the rooms and public areas are beautifully and

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United Kingdom   
“Felt like home, but better”  
Stacy C via tripadvisor    United Kingdom   
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We absolutely loved this resort. The staff is so warm and welcoming, the rooms and public areas are beautifully and comfortably decorated, the food was delicious (I'm a San Francisco foodie pescetarian and absolutely loved the food/presentation), and the game drives were unforgettable. Don't miss the bush walk--we walked through a field of butterflies, saw all kinds of animal tracks, and enjoyed a different view of the landscape we'd been driving through all week. I would also highly recommend visiting the Thornybush Community Project gardens with Gavin, where some of the beautiful food served in Sabi Sand resorts is grown by local women as part of a community collective. We also visited a school, which had an incredible impact on us. I loved Simbambili--a little piece of my heart is still there

Loved Nkorho!  
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Loved our time at Nkorho. Our guide, Matt, and tracker, David, were extremely professional and knowledgeable. The safari rides were

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Atlanta, Georgia   
Loved Nkorho!  
bgrove    Atlanta, Georgia   
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Loved our time at Nkorho. Our guide, Matt, and tracker, David, were extremely professional and knowledgeable. The safari rides were incredible and we certainly saw everything we came to see. The entire staff works hard to ensure a great experience for their guests. Our suite was great, very clean and comfortable . The swing was cozy on the front deck! Enjoyed our meals and evenings in the bar. Thanks to all for a great time!

MalaMala is the best  
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We had a great overall experience at Mala Mala. We saw abundant animals and several exciting interactions between them. Our

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San Diego, California   
MalaMala is the best  
Shannon S    San Diego, California   
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We had a great overall experience at Mala Mala. We saw abundant animals and several exciting interactions between them. Our guide was knowledgeable and nice (the others in our group had a guide who had had incredible intuition for finding animals and we benefited from it). The rooms are nice, beautiful and comfortable. The food was good/okay... We were there for three nights and it seemed like there were a lot of repeats between the meals. The staff were all friendly and the customer service was great!

“Absolutely fantastic”  
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Everything wonderful, just come back from part of Titan Tour. We saw the big five and so much more. Couldn't

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Hampshire,UK   
“Absolutely fantastic”  
DillonHampshire_UK via tripadvisor    Hampshire,UK   
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Everything wonderful, just come back from part of Titan Tour. We saw the big five and so much more. Couldn't fault it and would love to go back. You have to be there to believe how good it is, and how close you get to what is after all wild animals. I could have almost touched one of the lions we saw!!


WHY BOOK MALAMALA

 MalaMala Game Reserve is the first commercial private game reserve in South Africa and is the model on which all other private game reserves now operate.
A map of the reserve demonstrates the significance of MalaMala’s location in relationship to the Kruger National Park. The unfenced eastern boundary with the Kruger National Park allows wildlife to move freely onto MalaMala and many of the territorial animals such as leopard, lion and rhino will have a territory overlapping a portion of both reserves.
MalaMala’s river frontage running north to south is the lifeblood of the reserve, especially in the dry winter months. It is also an important boundary between the areas of human habitation on the western bank of the river and the pristine wilderness area of MalaMala on the eastern side between the river and the Kruger National Park.
When animals move it is often due to water. Wildlife moves from the 4 million acres east of the Sand River, through MalaMala to the river and back again resulting in two way traffic across the reserve where we conduct our safaris.
The land of the Eastern side of the game reserve has no access roads, electricity pylons, telephone poles and cables etc. There is no human habitation between the Sand River and the Kruger National park boundary so for approximately 16 hours a day, this area is left to the wildlife.
MalaMala is the oldest and largest private game reserve in the area. Due to the superior environmental policies of MalaMala over a long period of time, the land has remained fairly undisturbed resulting in prolific abundance of tertiary grasses. This attracts the herbivores which in turn attracts the predators.
When grass and ground is disturbed the resultant grass species to first grow up are known as pioneering species. Due to these grasses having to grow in tough areas they tend to be bitter to taste and not very palatable. If left undisturbed several grass species will grow in that area until the tertiary species finally grow through. Animals enjoy this sweet grass the best and will therefore stay in an area which has the most tertiary species of grasses.
There is no time limit on sightings which is an ideal scenario for photographers – no ‘queue to view’ as this enormous tract of land has a low density of vehicles traversing the area.

MalaMala Game Reserve - Video

MalaMala Game Reserve - Luxury Lodges

Summer itinerary (September to May)

05h30:  Wake up call by your ranger heralds the dawn.

06h00: Meet your ranger and safari companions on the safari deck as the sun rises over the bushveld. Hot and cold beverages and a light snack are available. The early morning game drive follows.

09h30: Return to camp where a hearty breakfast awaits you in the air- conditioned dining room or on the expansive safari deck. For the more energetic, join the bush walk after breakfast. Alternatively relax around the pool, browse through the safari boutique, work out in the small gym or perhaps take a siesta to make up for that early morning wake-up call. Feel free to explore the camp but please do not walk beyond the camp perimeters unless accompanied by a ranger.

13h30: A buffet lunch is served though some prefer to sleep through after their later breakfast.

16h00: Meet on the expansive safari deck for hot and cold beverages and a light snack before departing on another unforgettable safari.A cooler box with the veritable sundowners are carried on the landrover and a consensus amongst your fellow safari-ites will determine whether the G & T is worth more than the leopard sighting!As darkness approaches, your ranger will scan the bush with a powerful spotlight and will point out the elusive nocturnal wildlife - a highlight of the day's safari. As darkness settles over the bush, look out for the Milky Way and try to find the Southern Cross.

20h00: Return to camp allowing time for you to freshen up before meeting your friends and rangers for pre-dinner drinks in the cosy Safari Bar.

21h00: Dinner is served in the reed enclosed "boma" under an ancient Jackalberry tree. Alternatively, when the weather is suitable, a candlelit dinner is served on the safari deck overlooking the Sand River. While seated around a log fire under the starry African sky, enjoy the superb food and excellent wines - yet another highlight of the MalaMala experience.

 

Winter itinerary (June to August)

06h30: Wake up call by your ranger heralds the dawn.

07h00: Meet your ranger and safari companions for an early breakfast. The morning game drive follows.

11h00: Return to camp. You are now able to relax around the pool, work out in the gym, browse through the safari boutique or perhaps take a siesta to make up for the early morning wake-up call.Feel free to explore the camp but please do not walk beyond the camp perimeters unless accompanied by a ranger. For the more energetic, join the bush walk before lunch.

13h00: A buffet lunch is served though some may prefer to sleep through.

15h00: Meet on the expansive safari deck for hot and cold beverages and a light snack  before departing on another unforgettable safari.A cooler box with the veritable sundowners are carried on the landrover and a consensus amongst your fellow safari-ites will determine whether the G & T is worth more than the leopard sighting! An African sunset is a memorable and often emotional sight.As darkness approaches, your ranger will scan the bush with a powerful spotlight and will point out the elusive nocturnal wildlife - a highlight of the day’s safari. As darkness settles over the bush, look out for the Milky Way - a truly spectacular sight – or try to find the Southern Cross.

19h00: Return to camp allowing time for you to freshen up before meeting your friends and rangers for pre-dinner drinks in the cosy Safari Bar and a delicious dinner in the reed enclosed "boma" under an ancient Jackalberry tree. While seated around a log fire under the starry African sky, enjoy the superb food and excellent wines - yet another highlight of the MalaMala experience. Alternatively, when the weather is suitable, a candlelit dinner is served on the safari deck overlooking the Sand River.

MalaMala Game Reserve - Wildlife Gallery

malamala-leopard
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 103
MalaMala Lion 1
MalaMala Cheetah 4
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Mala Mala Elephants
Mala Mala game reserve Buffalo herd
Mala Mala Bird life
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MalaMala Game Reserve Images 103
MalaMala Lion 1
MalaMala Cheetah 4
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MalaMala Game Reserve Images 46 2
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MalaMala Game Reserve Images 54
Mala Mala Elephants
Mala Mala game reserve Buffalo herd
Mala Mala Bird life
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malamala-leopard
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 103
MalaMala Lion 1
MalaMala Cheetah 4
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 52 1
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 46 2
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 49 1
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 51 1
MalaMala Game Reserve Images 54
Mala Mala Elephants
Mala Mala game reserve Buffalo herd
Mala Mala Bird life
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ENQUIRY FORM - MALAMALA GAME RESERVE