Mashatu Game Reserve received a staggering rainfall of 124mm on the morning of 30 September, transforming the stark open plains into carpets of lush green. From the ranger's diary "..we found the Majale Pride of Lions at the Vlei. It looks completely different to what it did yesterday.....water all around, just beautiful! We saw baboons, eland, giraffe, jackal, steenbok, warthog, wildebeest and zebra. All of the animals looked different - cleaner, washed and with more saturated colours".

Mashatu is traditionally part of a very arid region. Dusty sunsets and wide horizons as far as they eye can see are part of the breathtaking grandeur of this remarkable destination. But when the rains fall, the dust transforms miraculously to thriving savannah. And the lucky few will experience the short seasonal explosion of yellow as the duiwel-thorn flowers bloom.

MalaMala Game Reserve has also enjoyed good showers during September and October, with a whole new world emerging from the parched soil's surface.

An excerpt from the MalaMala rangers' diary of 31 October 2007:
The young daughter of the Campbell Koppies female leopard was found in the morning on Nyathi Road near the Tlebe Rocks donga.  To the amazement of rangers and guests, the leopard had hoisted a massive African Rock Python into a tree. She was busy feeding on its remains. The mammoth reptile was estimated at about 15 feet long. It is not known how she managed to acquire this unusual prey, but the battle between the two must have been an amazing sight. The python was large enough to have easily killed the leopard, but to the cat's credit, she was obviously the victor this time around. 

Once again, we are humbled by the elements in these untouched wild environments.

Bringing the Best of Africa to you with Pride!

The MalaMala and Mashatu Team.

Tel: +27 11 442 2267
Email: reservations@malamala.com                                                                                                        November 2007