The Malala Experience

Our property is a 140 hectare (340 acre) private nature reserve which has a variety of vegetation types, including lowland forest, woodland, grasslands and wetlands.

You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through these diverse habitats on well-maintained and marked walking trails. You may come across some of our game, which includes Plains Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Nyala, Southern Reedbuck and Red and Grey Duiker. Other smaller wildlife that may cross your path are Large-spotted Genet, various mongooses, Vervet Monkeys and dung beetles. You may even spot the rare Suni Antelope or the unusual Four-toed Elephant-Shrew.

In addition, Malala Lodge is at the centre of the birding hotspot of KwaZulu-Natal with over 500 species of bird having been recorded in the Elephant Coast area. The Malala Lodge birdlist currently has over 270 recorded species. A checklist of the birds on the property is available here.

The main lodge

The main thatched lodge is centrally positioned within the camp and overlooks indigenous forest. Here guests can enjoy a relaxing drink in the cosy bush pub or take a dip in the palm-fringed swimming pool.

Meals are available, by prior arrangement, in the lodge dining room:

Dinner is a home-styled three-course set menu with cheese and biscuits and tea/coffee; and
Breakfast is a full English breakfast including cereals, fruit salad, yoghurt and tea/coffee.
Lunch is not available at the lodge, but lunch options are available in the towns of Hluhluwe and St Lucia.

Adjoining the dining room is a small reading lounge where a variety of magazines and books are available for your interest.

Accommodation

Malala Lodge can accommodate guests on a self-catering basis or, if you would prefer, indulge yourself in genuine home-cooked meals in the attractive thatched dining room.

Our accommodation, which nestles within the forest fringe, comprises:

Four private, thatched, open plan chalets all with en-suite shower facilities. The chalets are 1-bedroom units which can accommodate 2 adults, or 2 adults and a child. All the chalets come with fully equipped kitchenettes, ceiling fans and braai / barbeque facilities.
A semi-detached chalet equipped with en-suite shower facilities, separate lounge, kitchenette and ceiling fans and braai / barbeque facilities. The chalet accommodates two adults sharing.
Two family cottages each comprising two bedrooms (en-suite), lounge and kitchenette and equipped with ceiling fans and braai / barbeque facilities. These units accommodate family groups of up to 4.
A family cottage comprising two bedrooms, bathroom, lounge and kitchen and equipped with ceiling fans and braai / barbeque facilities. This large unit accommodates a family group of up to 5.

All of the accommodation units are supplied with tea/coffee facilities and all linen and towels are provided.

Malala is in essence a bush lodge, not a hotel or resort – we aim to provide an authentic African bush experience, rather different to that of a city hotel. We have no television at the lodge, and limited wi-fi. No room service here, and no phones in the room. You may get the odd unexpected small visitor in your room, and the geckoes and frogs are resident. We are about getting away from the noise and clutter of the city to something tranquil, unpretentious and charming.