Malelane is a small town in Mpumalanga, sitting on the N4 highway and acting as a key gateway to the southern part of Kruger National Park. The town is mainly agricultural, known for sugarcane, subtropical fruits, and winter vegetables, and its name comes from the Swazi language, meaning either “place of the palms” or “place to sleep.”

Accommodation in the area includes the Malelane Satellite Camp, which offers self-catering facilities and camping, while the town itself has essential amenities like fuel stations, shops, and restaurants.

Visitors to Malelane can enjoy game drives, bush walks, and birdwatching inside Kruger, where you can expect to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, baboons, monkeys, and bushbuck. The area also has snakes, spiders, scorpions, bats, and lots of insects, so caution is needed.

Malaria is present, especially in the rainy season, so taking precautions is important. Open fires are only allowed in designated areas, and guests need to stick to park rules, speed limits, and gate times to avoid fines. Check-in at the satellite camp is usually from 14:00 and check-out by 10:00, but times may vary depending on the lodge. Overall, Malelane is a practical base for exploring the southern Kruger region while providing access to essential services and wildlife experiences.

It’s roughly a 5 to 6-hour drive from Johannesburg, making it convenient for travellers driving up to the park.

The Malelane Gate is one of the busiest entrances to Kruger, giving access to several game viewing routes and rest camps.