The Best of Mashatu and MalaMala Game Reserves with Penny Robartes
The Leopard’s Domain
Welcome to a wildlife photo safari itinerary that should become your next journey: Mashatu Game Reserve and MalaMala Game Reserve.
This is an itinerary that will get Leopard lovers, Big 5 lovers, predator lovers, and just your general wildlife & wildlife photography lovers enthralled! Two destinations that are so visually stark in contrast that combined together makes for one superb photo tour experience! Mashatu Game Reserve is in Botswana and MalaMala Game Reserve is found in South Africa – two countries though they are not too far from each other. Why these two destinations, you ask?
Mashatu Game Reserve
In the remote eastern corner of Botswana, where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers carve their ancient paths through the wilderness, lies one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries. Mashatu Game Reserve, spanning over 42,000 hectares of pristine, privately owned wilderness, has quietly established itself as one of the continent’s premier destinations for big cat encounters, particularly for those seeking the ultimate leopard photography experience.
While photographing wildlife in general was the aim for my guest, Leopard soon took the lead of top sought-after for animal to photograph! This however did not detract from the other wildlife as we spent memorable time laughing, watching, photographing and capturing breeding herds of Elephant gleefully playing in mud and in the river’s waters, full-bellied Cheetah mother and her sub-adult cubs in the last golden hours of the day, Spotted Hyena coming to drink in the darkness of the night…
But…the Leopard!
The reserve’s diverse topography reads like a Leopard’s wish list. Expansive grasslands give way to dense riverine forests, while rocky outcrops and weathered sandstone formations provide the perfect hunting grounds and resting spots for these spotted cats. The confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers creates a network of seasonal watercourses that support lush vegetation corridors – natural highways that attract an abundance of wildlife, from African Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Eland, Impala, Baboons, Porcupine, Honey Badger, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena and more.
These riverine habitats are nothing short of magical. Ancient Mashatu trees; thick, dark-wooded ever green trees that look to me like a mix of a Mahogany and Sycamore Fig tree are one of Mashatu’s key features. Wildlife such as Impala, Monkey, Baboon, Elephant, Kudu and more thrive off the flowers and fruit this magnificent tree provides. It also hides spotted cats that use its intricate trunk ands branches to rest in, or pounce on unsuspecting prey.
What has long set Mashatu on the radar of avid and professional wildlife photographers is its reputation for consistently excellent Leopard sightings. The reserve’s diverse habitat structure, abundant prey base, and year-round water sources create ideal conditions for Leopard populations to thrive. Multiple Leopard maintain territories within the reserve’s riverine zones, and their habituation to vehicles means extended viewing opportunities are common. Between the Leopard and Lion density and their movements, the Cheetah have become quite the golden ticket to find amongst these big cats.
When we arrived at Mashatu, it was the greenest and lushest I have ever seen before during the dry season. Mashatu, and many areas in Botswana, had massive floods and rains earlier in the year, and it was utterly incredible to see how much water still remained! One afternoon we had a female Leopard and her cub cross over some of the water in the Shashe River, Elephants weren’t having to dig into the Shashe River’s coarse sand to find fresh water, as there were areas where streams still ran. This did make our hide sessions a bit difficult, with me calling it off within an hour of being at the usually very productive Matebole Hide as Elephants were streaming past the waterhole as they made their way to the River’s water. The overnight hide proved more active with Hyena coming through throughout the night, with skittish jackal coming in for a quick sip here and there, and Elephant bulls giving us more time with them as they quietly drank.
Game drives were incredibly productive and also allowed my guest to see more of an area I have been determined to take her to for years now.
MalaMala Game Reserve
For those who know me, know of me, follow my work and social media accounts, my love for MalaMala Game Reserve is very clear. There are places in Africa that capture your soul from the first moment you set foot on their ancient soil. MalaMala Game Reserve is one such place. For guests looking for an intimate wildlife experience, no time-limits on most signings, limited vehicles at specific wildlife sightings, incredible viewing of the famous Big 5, and with that, extraordinary Leopard encounters and photographic opportunities of them…well, now you know where to go, and I am ready and waiting to take you.
Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Greater Kruger ecosystem, MalaMala spans 16000 hectares of pristine wilderness that has been welcoming discerning safari enthusiasts for over six decades. It is the biggest property in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, and dare I say, the most visually striking.
MalaMala’s beauty lies not just in its wildlife, but in the stunning diversity of its landscapes. The reserve unfolds like a masterpiece with multiple habitats supporting an incredible array of some of Africa’s most-loved species.
The meandering section of the Sand River forms the reserve’s lifeline, its waters carving through the landscape in graceful curves that have shaped this wilderness for millennia. Along its banks, ancient trees create cathedral-like galleries where light filters through so softly that the illuminating scenes of such beauty take your breath away. These woodland thickets are truly one of my favourite areas on the reserve. Always be on the lookout for Leopards in these magnificent trees, Elephant walking through, and of course, Verreaux Eagle Owls watching all that transpires!These riverine woodlands provide the perfect backdrop for wildlife photography, their natural lighting creating images that seem almost ethereal.
Venture away from the river, and MalaMala reveals other facets of its character. Expansive savannas stretch toward distant horizons, punctuated by iconic Marula and Leadwood trees that have stood sentinel for centuries. Here, the Big 5 roam freely across landscapes that epitomise the African wilderness experience.
Another most striking feature are the ancient sandstone boulder formations. These geological wonders, sculpted by millions of years of wind and weather, create dramatic backdrops for wildlife encounters and offer elevated vantage points from which Leopard use as den sites and to survey their territories.
If MalaMala has earned any single reputation above all others, it’s as one of the world’s premier Leopard destinations. These magnificent cats have found their perfect home within the reserve’s diverse habitats, and their presence here is both consistent and captivating.
What makes MalaMala’s Leopard so special isn’t just their numbers, but their remarkable habituation to vehicles and humans. Generations of these cats have grown up with respectful game viewing, creating opportunities for intimate encounters that are near heard to beat. Here, you don’t just glimpse a Leopard disappearing into the bush – you watch them hunt, interact, raise cubs, and display the full spectrum of behaviours that make them Africa’s most enigmatic predators.
While Leopard and Lion may be MalaMala’s calling card, the reserve delivers exceptional encounters with all members of Africa’s Big 5. The integration with the greater Kruger ecosystem means wildlife movement is natural and unrestricted, supporting healthy populations of Elephant, Buffalo, and Rhino alongside the celebrated Leopard and Lion.
In a world where truly wild places are becoming increasingly rare, Mashatu and MalaMala Game Reserves stand as a testament to what’s possible when conservation, luxury, and respect for nature converge. They are singularly and combined, a wildlife photographers paradise.
I don’t just lead tours; I cultivate transformative experiences. My groups are small and personalised, ensuring each guest receives hands-on guidance to elevate their craft. From the snowscapes of Antarctica, to the jungles in India, I help photographers and enthusiasts tell compelling visual stories that matter.
Whether you are an aspiring photographer looking to join a tour, a publication seeking striking visuals, a brand interested in collaboration, or travel agents/tour operators seeking a value-add to their client’s safari, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s explore how we can work together to capture the Earth’s wild beauty, one frame at a time.
For information on my scheduled photo tour departures, please email [email protected]
For information on my private photo tour departures, please email [email protected]
