For travellers seeking a more private and personal way to experience South Africa, Maloba Private Game Reserve offers a different perspective on the traditional safari.
Set across more than 20 000 hectares near Kimberley, on the edge of the Upper Kalahari, Maloba combines the freedom of a vast private reserve with the intimacy of a lodge accommodating just 10 guests across five individually designed suites.
The reserve is malaria-free, making Maloba particularly appealing for couples, families and multi-generational travellers looking to incorporate a luxury safari into a wider South African itinerary.
A safari shaped around the guest
Game drives remain at the heart of the experience with the reserve home to wildlife including white rhino, Cape buffalo, cheetah and roan antelope. But the Maloba experience extends far beyond the traditional game drive.
Guests can explore the landscape on foot, experience the reserve from above during a helicopter safari, take part in hands-on conservation activities or enjoy private bush dining. Wellness experiences, including yoga and massage, offer a slower contrast to time spent exploring the reserve.
With so few guests, itineraries can be shaped around individual preferences rather than a fixed programme.
Gastronomy in the wilderness
Food and wine are an integral part of the Maloba experience. At the reserve’s Farm & Gardens, fresh produce is grown for the kitchen, bringing Maloba’s farm-to-table philosophy to life. Refined dining and carefully selected South African wines are served in settings ranging from the lodge to intimate dinners in the bush.
This focus on gastronomy will reach another level in October when Maloba welcomes one of Europe’s most celebrated three Michelin-starred culinary teams for an exclusive gastronomic experience at the reserve.
A reserve with a bigger purpose
Behind the guest experience lies an ambitious conservation project. Several former farms have been brought together to restore more than 20 000 hectares as a connected wildlife landscape, including the removal of invasive species, restoration of water sources and continued rewilding.
Maloba is also entering a new chapter. On November 1, 2026, a new luxury gym and the Luxury Farm & Gardens Villa will open at the reserve. Designed for families and small groups, the private villa will feature its own chef, sauna, jacuzzi and private safari vehicle.
For travel advisers, Maloba offers a highly personalised, malaria-free alternative for clients looking beyond South Africa’s traditional safari circuit.
For more information, visit Maloba Private Game Reserve’s website.
