Sabi Sands Photo Safari

  • From $13,285 pps

  • 6 Days

  • South Africa

  • On Request

The Sabi Sands in South Africa needs little introduction. Renowned as one of Africa’s premier photographic safari destinations, it offers an exceptional wildlife experience. We’ve partnered with an outstanding safari lodge and one of our expert photographic hosts to create the ultimate Sabi Sands Photo Safari. Designed for couples or small groups of 4–6 guests, this safari ensures a private vehicle for an exclusive and immersive exploration of the reserve.

Mala Mala is one of the most established and certainly the largest private game reserves within the Sabi Sands Reserve itself. The game viewing and photo opportunities are superb, and the addition of an expert Pangolin Photo Hosts with plenty of Sabi Sands guiding experience will ensure the best Sabi Sands Photo Safari adventure.

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Day 1

Getting to Mala Mala in the Sabi Sands has recently become even easier with the scheduled flights with Federal Airlines out of OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg straight into the Mala Mala Airstrip. The departure times from OR Tambo are aligned with overnight arrivals from Europe and North America.

There are three camps to choose from on Mala Mala, which vary in price and size: Mala Main Camp, Rattray’s Camp, and Sable Camp. This safari itinerary can be hosted at any of these. All of the camps traverse the same reserve, which is by far the largest in the Sabi Sands Reserve at around 33,000 acres with a 19km (12mile) unfenced border with The Kruger National Park. The Sands River meanders through the reserve, which is a fantastic water source, and the camps are positioned along the river.

When you arrive at the camp, you will be met by your Pangolin Photo Hosts, who will be joining you for this Sabi Sands photo safari. When we know your preferred dates of travel, we will match you up with a Pangolin Photo Host who is available.

On the first afternoon, there will be enough time to enjoy your first game drive on this amazing reserve. To put things in perspective, even if all three camps were full, there would be no more than around a dozen game viewers out and about. This means there are enough “sets of eyes” to help report sightings, but Mala Mala has a policy of no more than three cars at any one sighting, with no limits to the time you can spend with your subject. Perfect!

Each day at Mala Mala will include a morning and afternoon game drive with your guide and Pangolin Photo Host. As you will be in a private vehicle (with camera rests), it means you have more flexibility in deciding what you want to go in search of to photograph. The guides all have earpieces that connect them to the other vehicles and their respective sightings across the reserve.

The game viewers at Mala Mala Main Camp and Sable Camp all have 6 guest seats, with Rattray’s offering a 4 person per vehicle policy. When we book a photo safari at Main Camp or Sable Camp, we block off any extra seats to ensure exclusivity on the vehicle.

The animals on Mala Mala are incredibly relaxed (especially the leopards), and with the ability to off-road at a sighting, your guide and photo host have everything they need to enable you to get those iconic Sabi Sands images. The area is renowned for having the Big 5 as well as plenty of other megafauna like giraffes, hyenas (and pangolins on occasion), as well as some fantastic bird photography opportunities.

Night drives are on offer should you wish to go in search of nocturnal creatures and follow the big cats as they venture out into the darkness in search of prey.

In between game drives, there will be time to do some editing with your Pangolin Photo Host, who will give you feedback on the images you have already taken as well as give you tips on where to improve on your next game drive. Alternatively, there are plenty of places to relax at the camp, so you are also welcome to find a spot under a tree with a good book and just enjoy being in nature.

Mala Mala is a particularly good destination for couples and groups, where some and maybe not all of the travellers are avid wildlife photographers. The day-to-day itinerary will be yours to design with the assistance of your photo host, and your game drives can be as short or as long as you like each morning or afternoon. Mala Mala itself is a fantastic place to unwind and relax too. There is a massage service at the camp as well as a small gym.

As expected, the food at Mala Mala is fantastic, and this safari is offered on an all-inclusive basis, with all the meals and drinks (excluding premium brands) available for you to enjoy during your stay.

On the final day of your safari, it will be time to bid farewell to Mala Mala and your photo host, but your photo safari adventure does not have to end there!

If you would like to extend your safari, you could head to Cape Town for some time, enjoying one of Africa’s most picturesque and vibrant cities for some time among the mountains, vineyards, and top-notch restaurants.

Alternatively, you can catch a flight from Nelspruit (2–3 hours by road from Mala Mala), and before you know it, you could be taking in the amazing Victoria Falls, followed by a photo safari with us in The Chobe.

The regional airlines in Southern Africa offer a wealth of possibilities, so please chat with one of our expert safari planners who can lay out the options for you.

2026 Prices 

This Mala Mala Photo Safari is very customisable, allowing you to adjust the length of stay and seamlessly add other destinations before or after, creating a longer photographic itinerary in the region. The rate also becomes more favourable for small groups of 4–6 guests.

As a guideline, for two guests spending six days at Mala Mala with a Pangolin Photo Host and a private vehicle, the approximate 2026 rate is $13,285 per person sharing.

For a more precise quote based on your needs please complete the form below and one of our safari planners will do that for you.

  • 5 nights at Mala Mala Camp

  • Private Game Viewer for the duration of the photo safari

  • Twice daily game activities

  • Photographic guidance from The Pangolin Photo Host

  • All meals and drinks (excluding premium brands)

  • Daily photo review sessions (own laptop needed)

  • All meals and drinks

  • Conservation fees and tourism levies

  • Laundry, gratuities and items of a personal nature

  • Visa fees if required

  • International and regional flights

  • Single supplement for solo travellers

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