Tengile MalaMala Collection has launched as an owner-led safari brand uniting six lodges along a protected stretch of the Sand River in South Africa’s Sabi Sand and MalaMala Game Reserve.
The six lodges are:
- Khensani River Lodge (opening in December 2026): Featuring nine stand-alone units, each with a private plunge pool and viewing deck, and a main house including dining spaces, a spa, library and swimming pool.
- Tengile River Lodge: A design-forward lodge with nine suites (including one family suite) with private decks and plunge pools overlooking the Sand River.
- Rattray’s Lodge: A heritage-led lodge with eight suites (each with a private garden and plunge pool).
- Kirkman’s Kamp: A historic 1920s hideaway with 12 semi-detached cottages (some interconnected for family stays).
- MalaMala Camp: The flagship of the MalaMala Game Reserve with 10 luxury suites, eight bedrooms and one single suite offering a range of accommodation types.
- Sable Camp: The sister camp to MalaMala with seven suites including the two-bedroom Lion’s Den with shared pools and viewing decks.
The collection is owned by the N’wandlamhari Communal Property Association together with the Saad family led by father-daughter duo Stephen and Savannah Saad. “Tengile MalaMala Collection is one of South Africa’s few community-partnered ecotourism enterprises. Community equity, land restitution and benefit sharing are central to the collection’s foundation, ensuring the prosperity of the neighbouring Shangaan communities is woven directly into the success and stewardship of the land,” said a media release announcing the launch.
The collection will continue to invest in anti-poaching operations, habitat management and ecological research in the reserves. The MalaMala Foundation and Mintirho Community Development Trust will support education, skills development, enterprise growth and critical infrastructure within neighbouring communities.
