Just back from a quick 8 day journey to Mala Mala (Rattrays) and Ulusaba (RockLodge and Safari Lodge. In a nutshell, a phenomenal trip. Observations:

*Doreal Grand at Emperors Palace is less than 2k from airport. 2 Other 3 Star hotels on totally secure campus. Best rates over internet (asiahotels.com) and service was outstanding as was the morning breakfast.
*SAA Airlink and Federal Air were dramaless. No worries about luggage.
*Rattrays was first cabin. Huge villas, limited number of guests and small number on jeep rides. Staff and guides were phenomenal.
*Ulusaba--you can't go wrong at Safari or Rock. At Safari the elephants were litterally meters from your balcony. Used same guide at both lodges. Food was great. Rock was a bit more "hip" but I plan on staying at both places next year.
*Wildlife--this may be a surprise. The quantity of wildlife is better at Mala Mala. But, and this may be this trip, the quality at Ulusaba was impressive. Lions mating, a lion kill, wild dogs with puppies, lion cubs etc etc etc. Big 5 no issues at either, Big 7 yes at Rattrays.
*The people at the Camps were first rate (both staff and guests). The residents of the village were accomodating and during our tour organized by Ulusaba, we were not hounded nor asked for a nickel. It was a wonderful if not humbling experience to have school children sing for you and adults show you the local ways of the village.
*Didn't run into the pre-safari drama I read about on the chat boards (color of clothes, worry about luggage etc)

In short, Im a believer. I also believe you need, if you can, to stretch your budget and do it right. You will not be disappointed at any of the camps at MALA MALA or Ulusaba. Can't wait to go back next year.

Hi monyline

That was a quick trip!

I have been to both camps although I am a huge fan of MalaMala, and it is the only camp I visit now, mainly because of their fantastic gameviewing. I mainly remember Ulusaba as it was the first female ranger we had and while I thought she was great, the tracker didn't, and was very annoying with his constant instructions, if I was her, I would have knocked him off the corner of the vehicle!

I would be interested to know the prides you saw at Ulusaba and if the wild dog had 11 adults and 14 puppies?

Kind regards

Kaye

Kaye--Unfortunately the pack was much smaller. About six puppies and 4 Adults and were at Mala Mala. The lion prides were amazing. From mating lions (a real visual) to a kill (gory but great photos) the lions stole the show for me in Ulusaba. The Leopards were also amazing. The cubs win the prize in Mala Mala. They hid in the weeds in Ulusaba.

Does this mean some of the 14 2-3 week old puppies at Mala Mala in late June have not survived and only six remain?

Or is this a new litter?

probably at the den.....i say this, as the OP only mentions 4 adults.

I have emailed Tom Bloy at Mala Mala for an update on the dogs.

The wild dogs, 11 adults and 14 pups were seen at Lion Sands about a week and a half ago. But I would imagine that now they are up and about, it will be dangerous times ahead for those beautiful pups!

Kind regards

Kaye

Kaye

Just got similar news from Tom at MM. When the dogs left MM, they were 11 adults and all 14 pups which is great news. He said they hammered the general game at MM while in residence. Even better news some more cubs for the Eyrefield Pride and I'm there in just over 4 weeks - fingers crossed for Lion cubs playing!

Enjoyed your report, monyline. I'm familiar with MM and I'll have to look into Ulusaba. It sounds like you had great sightings on your trip. And you're going again. Wonderful!

Good news about the dogs and good luck on spotting the cubs, Matt.

Since you and Kaye are reading this post, I have to ask this question. Did MalaMala ever sell timeshares? On my recent safari, one of the others told me that his friends own a timeshare at MalaMala and they have been given an open invitation to go there. I told him MM wasn't a time share but there are timeshares at other parks/places in South Africa and maybe they have a ts at a place with a similar name. He was very adamant that I was wrong and that his friends do have a timeshare at MM. Then I decided, what do I know. Maybe they did sell some timeshares. Do either of you (or anyone) know?

Matt - you saying more cubs, very young, new ones from the 6 of about 2 months ago? Those 6 are now appearing on MM diary. Me? I'll be there in three weeks

regards - tom

Very young - 4 weeks old.

Timeshares at MM - pretty sure that's a myth.

Eyrefield pride and cubs – 17 August

The Eyrefield pride was followed up on in the morning drive but despite extensive searching nothing was found. There was, however, indication of a baboon having been killed and eaten by lions but nothing could be found. In the evening three lionesses were found at their new den site to the north of the bridge. The big surprise of the sighting was that there are now nine cubs in the Eyrefield pride. The third female had previously been seen with two cubs, a further two have now been seen. These four new cubs are very young, estimated at only about four weeks old. This is great news for the pride if they can raise even half these cubs to maturity the Eyrefield pride will be back to full strength.

-Cyberdiary at MM

Hi Matt

You are so lucky to be going there and seeing those beautiful little cubs - I am hoping that those Eyrefield Males keep their distance as Londolozi mentioned them being there at the beginning of august, and them coming to MM would be a disaster for those precious cubs - and MM needs them as in the northern area, lion cubs have not done well in the last few years.

sundowner, time shares at MM - never heard of anything so ridiculous! As if!

Kind regards

Kaye

All--Ive got a few great shots of the cubs that I saw and will find a way to post them for viewing. Also some shots of the pup dogs.

kodak gallery is quick and free.
Can't wait to see your pics.

Thank you, Kaye. Nice to think of all those 14 pups still frisky.

Do the wild dogs just move the pups around naturally or do you think it is because they were being disturbed?

The lion cubs at MM are doing good so far. There are new photos on the cyberdiary including one little cub with a huge Rollercoaster male! &lt

Monyline, I zeroed in on the wildlife you saw and concluded you had an excellent trip.

Carla, I know the dogs do move the pups around because the dens become soiled and the smell can attract predators. It does not necessarily mean they have been disturbed.

The dogs are likely not using a den now. The pups will be able to keep up with the adults and they are far safer when mobile.

Monyline, can't wait to see your photos.

Thanks for the den info. I read on another thread that one camp won't take people to the den to see the pups so that is what prompted my question.