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The Ultimate Game Viewing Destination

The Mala Mala experience is the African experience in its' purest form. An experience reflective of this unique and captivating country, renowned for the richness and diversity of its inhabitants, its landscapes, and its natural resources. An experience which blurs the boundaries of time and the process of evolution, representing the perfection of nature's equilibrium as it has always been. A humbling experience which presents a wildlife wonderland to the passive observer, one of few in which man has played a limited role. Allow us to share with you the true African experience as it always was, and as it continues to be, the experience of MalaMala Game Reserve.

Rattray's on Mala Mala

The Rattray's camp experience is exclusive, with each of the eight comfortable suites (all with king sized beds) occupying its own elevated site overlooking the Sand River. Filtered plunge pools complete each of the secluded verandahs and an outdoor dining area provides the ideal vantage point from which to enjoy bush cuisine in complete privacy. Each guest has the choice of remaining connected to the outside world from the sanctuary of their room via continuous internet connectivity and satellite television.  Facilities within the main elegant building incorporate a viewing deck, an air-conditioned library providing a refuge for the literary devotee, an attractive bar showcasing the history of the area and an adjoining wine cellar stocked with a wide range of South Africa's best wines. Breakfast and lunch are served in the air-conditioned dining room or on the adjoining deck whilst the traditional reed boma under a magnificent jackalberry tree is the ultimate outdoor evening venue. The focus of the Rattray's safaris continues to reflect the ethos of the reserve over the past forty years - game viewing. Sound conservation management has ensured an environmental sanctuary for an impressive density and diversity of wildlife. Striving for a maximum of 4 guests per safari vehicle this wildlife wonderland that is MalaMala unfolds. Sightings of the Big Five and the interactions of the various species along the food chain from ants to elephants provides visitors with a glimpse of Africa as it has always been - untouched by the modern human hand.

Mala Mala Main Camp

The MalaMala camp atmosphere has been designed to support and enhance the authentic African experience, retaining an old-world when MalaMala served as a camp for early hunters.  Valued guests are welcomed by the warm hospitality of the camp staff, so typical of Africa's people. Accommodation is in thatched units, each unique in design. The interiors are furnished with the rich simplicity of African wall hangings and artistic finishes, all locally produced. Two bathrooms en-suite add the touch of luxury and the panoramic views of the surrounding bush ensure that the safari experience is not limited to game drives. A private shaded deck provides the platform on which to observe, absorb and process the sights, smells and sounds of nature's perfection one-on-one. 24 hour temperature control provides relief during the warm summer and chilly winter months. A total of 18 rooms, including luxury suites, a disabled suite and family rooms, provide accommodation for 36 guests. The lounge, dining room and intimate bar have a distinct "safari feel" with soft plush couches and chairs, the walls bedecked with animal skins and African artifacts. A large deck shaded by enormous jackal-berry trees looks out over the Sand River where animals arrive to drink and bathe. This splendid view provides a backdrop for breakfast and lunch, both served on the deck under the shade of large canvas umbrellas. A cellar housing some of South Africa's finest wines, a well-appointed safari boutique, a swimming pool and "bush" gymnasium provide ample opportunity for guests to further relax and unwind. And finally, the traditional African boma where dinner is enjoyed under the stars, with the accompaniment of the myriad night sounds of the African bush. The culinary team prepare sumptuous dishes appealing in their simplicity and richness in taste. The Shangaan people are renowned for their musical prowess, and the staff enthrall diners with their spontaneous performances during dinner. Their captivating harmony and rhythm are in tune with the African night, part of a kinship with the natural world that is quite wonderful to witness. There is no better way to round off a day at Mala Mala than with dinner under the inky black sky, around a blazing fire.

The Sable Camp

Situated at the southern end of the MalaMala Camp in a prime elevated position overlooking the Sand River and surrounding bush, The Sable Camp is an ideal retreat for the more reclusive traveler who prefers privacy and exclusivity. The Sable Camp accommodates 14 guests in 5 luxury suites and the Lions Den - a 2 bedroomed, spacious, luxury suite with magnificent views, accommodating 4 guests.  The full air-conditioned, beautifully appointed Sable Camp has a truly colonial feel enhanced with modern comforts. A library with satellite television and internet connectivity give on the option to stay in touch with the world whilst the intimate safari bar, swimming pool and large wooden deck surrounding the camp provide the platform from which to admire the unimpeded views that make the Sable Camp experience so rich and interactive. A dedicated team of staff are on hand to make sure that every need of our discerning guests is taken care of, whilst our highly qualified rangers ad trackers continue to present close contact viewing in the diverse wilderness that us MalaMala Game Reserve. The Sable Camp does not accommodate children.

Mala Mala Contact Details

Contact: Telephone: Fax: EMail: Website: MalaMala Reservations + (27) 11 442 2267 + (27) 11 442 2318 malamalares@malamala.com www.malamala.com

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History of Arena Polo
Arena polo has its origins in the USA during the last century when the officers of a US Army cavalry regiment needed a means to practice field polo during the harsh winter months. At their barracks, they had a large indoor riding school and they developed the game of arena polo to train themselves and their horses for field polo. Before long, the game became popular in its own right until today there are more arena polo clubs in America than there are field polo clubs and the number of players is much higher than field polo. In UK the game is increasing in popularity and there are now more than 20 clubs and 800 players throughout the land.
Background to Arena Polo
Arena Polo is played with three players per team on a regulation size field 90 metres by 40 metres, enclosed by walls of 1.5 or more metres in height. The normal game consists of four chukkas/periods of seven and one-half minutes each. Riders change horses at the end of each chukka/period. Arena Polo does not require the large number of horses to play that Outdoor/Grass Polo demands. Many players use two horses, alternating horses each chukka/period. The Arena Polo ball is similar to a mini soccer ball, larger than the small hard plastic ball used outdoors. While the larger size gives the new player confidence in learning to hit the ball, proper technique is necessary because the arena game is played on a dirt surface with the ball bouncing on the uneven surface and off the arena wall.  Arena Polo can be played either indoors or outdoors, days or nights under lights and weather permitting, all year around. Many clubs only play Arena Polo due to the high cost of maintaining grass fields and the smaller field size required. Arena Polo Clubs usually have a school/student program with horses for rent to student players learning the proper way to play the game, the rules of play and proper riding techniques. Arena Polo is extremely exciting, with many changes in direction, fast action and a great spectator sport. Arena Polo can be an excellent introduction to polo and many of the players start in the Arena. With a qualified instructor, a new player can quickly learn proper hitting techniques and improve riding skills. With the constant change of direction of play in the arena, the player learns to recognize and properly enter the line and right of way, change from offense to defense and the need for team play. By playing in a confined arena, players feel more secure and with the ball rebounding off the arena walls, a player has more opportunities to hit the ball. Horses, while moving with quick bursts of speed, are more under control. Players are taught proper team play, how to hit a pass to teammates, and to learn to anticipate opponent's plays and strategies.
Arena Polo in South Africa
The very first polo arena to be constructed in SA was erected by Ginger Baker on his property in Natal but was later moved to Selby Williamson's polo establishment in East Griqualand. The first dedicated arena polo club, Oaklands Arena Polo Club, was formed in February 2005 in the Eastern Free State. In November 2005, SAPA endorsed arena polo as a game in its own right under their auspices and appointed Jamie Bruce, the Chairman of the Oaklands club, as the first Chairman of the fledgling South African Arena Polo Association. It is hoped that other clubs will soon open their doors to arena polo and that this exciting sport will make the game of polo more accessible to a wider audience. Jamie very sadly passed away in February 2010 – for any enquiries regarding Arena Polo please contact the South African Polo Association.

]]> http://www.sapolo.org.za/history-of-arena-polo/feed/ 0 http://www.sapolo.org.za/2010-junior-coaching-clinics-will-take-place-as-follows/ http://www.sapolo.org.za/2010-junior-coaching-clinics-will-take-place-as-follows/#comments Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:22:45 +0000 admin http://www.sapolo.org.za/?p=119

Continue reading »]]> The South African Polo Association’s development program for adults and children, is run by the Poloafrica school on the Uitgedacht Farm in the Free State. This initiative is now in its fourth year and SAPA monitors the program providing substantial financial support for the children’s academic costs as well as polo coaching.  The program has three objectives. The first is to uplift children from underprivileged backgrounds by using the inducement of polo and ponies as a way of encouraging them to do well at school. Children are given practical and financial support for school attendance and an opportunity to learn about horsemanship and to play polo. The aim is not particularly to create future professional polo players (although this may happen and indeed is happening) it is instead to foster a sense of self discipline and purpose which will serve these girls and boys well in the years to come. There are currently 13 children in the program, seven girls and six boys, of ages ranging from 7 to 19. All the children know that, in order to stay in the program, they must do well at school and demonstrate discipline and enthusiasm for the ponies and the sport. In the last six months four children have been dismissed from the program because of poor performance. Four Poloafrica scholars played in the curtain raiser to the BMW International at Inanda last year under the aegis of their coaches. Thapelo, who has just completed Matric this year, is the most senior scholar in the programme both in terms of academic grade and polo ability. Thapelo won “Most Improved Player” in the last Uitgedacht tournament, judged by Clive Peddle, Executive Director of SAPA. The second thrust of the development program is to uplift adult underprivileged individuals of talent. Certain of these already play a role in polo in South Africa and this program aims to help these people to achieve more in their lives than they have ever been able to do so before. To play in a serious manner, certainly, but also to become true “polo professionals” not only by developing a wide range of horse management skills, but also through schooling the ponies and coaching other players in the sport. The latter capability requires confidence and authority, which represents a considerable social challenge given the nature of the sport. Times are, however, changing. Three of the adult players in the development program (Tshidiso Meshake, Naledi Nkopane and Zompie Tsotetsi) were sponsored by SAPA to participate in the “coach the coaches’ clinic” run by David Morley who is one of the top Hurlingham Polo Association coaches in the UK. This took place in the Free State in February last year, and their polo has improved accordingly as has their ability to teach it to others. All three passed the course and achieved a SAPA endorsed coaching qualification, with Tshidiso achieving the advanced grade. The third objective is to change both the perception and reality of the sport in this country, in order to allow it to flourish and grow. The sport needs to become more accessible to non-white players and it is important for South Africans to see black players compete and win, in order to challenge the unspoken assumption that the sport is only a sport for white people. This is why Poloafrica, with the support of Harold Awuah Darko, a leading Ghanaian polo player and member of the Uitgedacht Polo Club, put together a team of three South African black players and Harold himself, who won the Africa Cup at Inanda in 2008. This team was captained by Tshidiso and it was the first time a black team has ever reached a final in a tournament in South Africa, much less won. In 2009 the team sadly did not keep the trophy – however they achieved a measure of success through two wins out of three games , losing to the team which eventually won the tournament. The team will play again at Africa Cup this year and will be hoping to achieve a top result. In addition to the Poloafrica initiative, an ongoing development program has been in place for the past six years in Plettenberg Bay, where children and adults from under privileged back grounds are subjected to coaching and polo chukkas under the guidance and coaching of Buster MacKenzie and Doug Lund. These two have both achieved the highest honour of representing SA on the international scene and are perfectly equipped to give the students the very best grounding in basic riding skills and polo. Presently, there are six young black players ranging in handicap from -1 to 1 goal. A product from this program is Tinker Makhane who represented South Africa against Chile in 2009 and against Italy in 2010. The Kurland International hosted Australia in 2009 fielding a young South African side featuring Sbu Duma, one of SAPA’s first development players to emerge through the ranks. Sbu played out of his boots and was deservedly judged most valuable player. His five goal haul during the match also won him the trophy for the highest goal scorer. Competition amongst the development players is healthy in Plett and their fast track improvement is mainly due to the specialized coaching they receive whilst competing alongside high goal players from abroad. The South African Polo Association will monitor their progress closely with the hope that their success will inspire more to join this worthwhile initiative. Bursaries are available from SA Polo Association for Development Players. Please apply, in writing, to SA Polo Association, PO Box 52, Creighton, 3263, South Africa stating age, club and school. Also please state whether ponies need to be supplied. Bursaries are available from SA Polo Association for Development Players. Please apply, in writing, to SA Polo Association, 3 Hazel Road, Morningside, Durban, 4001 stating age, club and school. Also please state whether ponies need to be supplied.