Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is the oldest privately-owned reserve in South Africa. The same families who originally came together to take down their internal fences in order to provide a bigger range for the wild animals, for the most part still own and operate the reserve today. Some are now in the third and fourth generation. The vision that their forefathers had of a sustainable reserve with sustainable eco-tourism is still being driven and maintained by their descendants.

Conservation efforts started in the 1920's and culminated with the establishment of the private Sabie Reserve in 1934. A formal association was established in 1948 and the reserve was renamed the Sabie Sand Wildtuin. Today, the Sabi Sand forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park and as such also shares a portion of the largest conservation area in Southern Africa, namely the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This vast tract of wilderness has only ever been a wilderness area, and is thus being preserved and maintained with as little interference by human hands as possible.

Sabi Sand is relatively flat with changes in elevation ranging from 329m to 504m. A few hills are scattered from the western section and the Ulusaba reserve to the central section where Leopard Hills Lodge is built upon one of these elevations. Two major rivers are notable, the first being the Sabie River, which forms the southern boundary of the reserve, and the Sand River, which runs through the area from northwest to southeast. Most of the lodges found in this wildlife refuge are built on the banks of the Sand River.

Varying degrees of wooded savanna typify the vegetation in the area, with most trees, apart from a few species that line the water courses, being deciduous, an advantage during the winter months when this enhances the ability to spot animals at a greater distance from game drive vehicles.

The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is situated in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa and borders the fabled Kruger National Park. The area is a summer rainfall region and a malaria zone. The spring season is from September to November and, during these times, temperatures range from 20°C - 31°C. (68°F - 87°F). Summer is from December to February and temperatures range between 22°C - 35°C (71°F - 95°F). Autumn is from March to May, with average temperatures of between 19°C - 28°C (66°F - 82°F ) Winter stretches from June to August and temperatures drop to an average of 12°C - 25°C (53°F - 77°F).

During spring and summer, the bush is dense and lush due to the rain. A lot of young game may be observed, as this is also the birthing season. Some visitors find it difficult to spot game under these conditions, but the rangers and guides of Sabi Sand have a lot of experience in scoping out game in any circumstances. In the winter time, the bush dries out and the animals converge around dams and rivers which, of course, makes for excellent viewing opportunities from the many vantage points and hides in the reserve.

The rhino poaching problem has become one of South Africa’s most serious conservation issues. Sabi Sand, as a custodian of a part of the rhino’s habitat in the Greater Kruger National Park, plays an important role in the protection of one of Africa’s iconic large mammal species.

The anti-poaching team in the Sabi Sand is headed up by Ntomeni Ranger services, an experienced anti-poaching organization that has advised various African national parks on the security of their rhino populations. Since assuming the reins of anti-rhino poaching efforts in December of 2013, the incidents of rhino poaching have declined somewhat. During 2014, rhino losses declined by 74% and again by 85% during 2015.

Various individual lodges located in the Sabi Sand contribute to this cause with community outreach and education projects that ensure generations to follow understand the importance of conserving our natural heritage and that these conservation efforts have real economic benefits to surrounding communities.

Southern Sabi Sand (Shaw’s Gate)

Kirkmans

The most southern reserve in Kruger used to be part of Mala Mala, until it was sold to a third party some years ago. This beautiful tract of land is home to only one camp, namely andBeyond Kirkman’s Camp. It is the beautifully restored homestead of Harry Kirkman, one of the original game rangers in the area.

Lion Sands

Owned by the More family since 1933, the Lion Sands Reserve today boasts four luxurious lodges (two in Sabi Sand, two across the river in a private Kruger concession). It is the only one of the private game reserves that has lodges built on the banks of the Sabie River - the largest of the two primary rivers that flow through the area.

Londolozi

One of the original pioneers of the Sabi Sand, Londolozi Private Game Reserve is home to a number of world-renowned lodges which have been offering fine safari experiences for many decades. The reserve is owned by the Varty Family and, after Mala Mala, is the largest tract of privately owned Big Five land in the greater Kruger Park.

Mala Mala

The pioneer of eco-tourism in South Africa, Mala Mala still occupies the largest tract of privately owned Big Five land in the Greater Kruger National Park. Mr Michael Rattray, a legend in conservation circles, built up the reserve over his long lifetime. It was sold in 2013 to a local tribe after a land restitution claim.

Sabi Sabi

The Sabi Sabi Reserve has been synonymous with luxury safaris in South Africa for over thirty years. From its flagship Earth Lodge to its more moderately priced Selati and Bush lodges, many guests have enjoyed unforgettable safaris at Sabi Sabi over a period that exceeds three decades.

Notten's

Notten's Bush Camp shares traversing rights with Sabi Sabi. This family-owned camp is one of the few family-friendly camps within the Sabi Sand, as children over 6 years old are welcome. A unique feature of the camp is that, while still sumptuously luxurious, it is entirely electricity-free, which makes it wondrously quiet and tranquil.

Central & North West (Newington Gate)

Dulini

Originally a corporate getaway, the Dulini Private Game Reserve is set on some of the finest game viewing land in the western part of the Sabi Sand. The reserve is home to one of the smallest and most romantic of all the Sabi Sand’s lodges. It offers an authentic and personal luxury safari experience. In 2016, it extended to include Leadwood and Exeter.

Inyati

Inyati Private Game Reserve is the most northwesterly of all the properties in the Sabi Sand. The area borders the Sand River and offers fine game viewing. The only lodge built on the property offers some of the best value for money of all the lodges in this prestigious wilderness area.

Leopard Hills

One of the reserves that makes up the central Sabi Sand, Leopard Hills shares traversing rights with the northwestern section of Sabi Sand. The reserve features one award winning lodge perched on a granite outcrop. It offers visitors splendid views of the seemingly endless wooded savanna that surrounds the lodge.

Idube

Idube Private Reserve is located adjacent to Leopard Hills. The lodge built here offers some of the best value for money in Sabi Sand. It is, in the author's opinion, the finest of all the four star lodges in the area and should definitely be considered by those seeking an authentic safari at a reasonable price.

Singita

The largest of the private reserves in the central Sabi Sand, Singita is internationally renowned as an exceptional safari destination that offers the most luxurious accommodation and the best in service that money can buy. The reserve is home to three of the five Singita Lodges in the greater Kruger National Park.

Savanna

Savanna Private Game Reserve is one of the reserves that form the western boundary of the Sabi Sand, Ulusaba being the other. The lodge is a fine five star property that offers good service and a luxurious stay. It must be mentioned that it is probably better to choose a reserve that is not on the western boundary of Sabi Sand.

Ulusaba

The property of legendary British entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, Ulusaba forms the largest part of Sabi Sand’s western boundary. Two fine five star lodges provide accommodation to those visiting this family-friendly reserve, which plays a very active role in supporting local communities.

Northeastern Sabi Sand(Gowrie Gate)

Arathusa

Arathusa reserve shares borders with Simbambili, Chitwa Chitwa and Elephant Plains in the northeastern corner of the Sabi Sand. The reserve features only one lodge with the same name built on the banks of a permanent waterhole called Lake Arathusa.

Chitwa Chitwa

The Chitwa Chitwa reserve has the distinction of being home to the largest body of water in the Sabi Sand. The area attracts great animal concentrations in the dry season when water sources become scarce. The reserve is home to the most luxurious lodge in the northeastern Sabi Sand.

Cheetah Plains

When visiting Cheetah Plains, you are assured of great wildlife encounters in pristine bushveld on the border of the Kruger National Park. The property is home to a thatched-style lodge that offers some of the best value for money in Sabi Sand.

Djuma

Djuma reserve has hosted international clients on quality safaris for a period that now exceeds twenty years. It is the most northerly of the Sabi Sand's properties. Djuma is bordered to the east by the Kruger Park and to the north by the Manyeleti Reserve.

Elephant Plains

The land that Elephant Plains reserve occupies lies in the central part of the northeastern Sabi Sand. The lodge constructed here only opened its doors to the public in 1998, making it one of the newest lodges to be found in Sabi Sand.

Nkorho

Nkorho reserve lies on the border of the Kruger National Park to the east, Chitwa Chitwa to the west, Cheetah Plains to the south and Djuma to the north. It occupies prime game viewing land and is home to one of the most affordable lodges in the Sabi Sand.

Simbambili

Simbambili rounds out the private reserves that make up Sabi Sand. It is home to a luxurious lodge that offers accommodation in nine stylish rooms, each with its own private plunge pool. The spa experiences on offer here are particularly noteworthy.

Activities in Sabi Sand

• Game Drives

  The primary activity at all of the lodges in the Sabi Sand is open 4x4 game drives in search of the many different mammal species that grace this wild corner of Africa. Two game drives are conducted daily, one in the early morning and another during the late afternoon, extending into the first hour of darkness. These game drives are accompanied by a local ranger assisted by a tracker. These professionals are there to ensure guest safety and to provide an interpretive nature experience through their knowledge of the fauna and flora of the Sabi Sand.

• Bush Walks

  Following the morning game drive and breakfast, most lodges in the Sabi Sand offer guests a two to three hour bush walk accompanied by an armed ranger. These walks offer a different perspective on the bush, as rangers are able to point out things like animal tracks, the droppings of various creatures as well as other small nocturnal animals which are not normally encountered on game drives. Avid nature lovers are encouraged to participate in these daily walks in order to gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem and the inter-dependence of all life in the area.

• Bush Dinners

  On occasion, clients are surprised when their evening game drive ends in a lantern lit part of the bush that seems almost magical, only to be invited to a drink and to realize that tables have been laid out and chefs are busy preparing the evening meal under the star-studded African Sky. The experience brings new meaning to the words 'exclusive dining' and is sure to be remembered long after the fact.

• Spa Treatments

  Almost all of the lodges in the Sabi Sand offer spa treatments. Guests have a choice between having these treatments in the spa itself or on the deck of their private room. The spa treatments on offer range from manicures and pedicures to various types of massages and facials.  Treatments are provided by well-trained professionals.

• Stargazing

  Stargazing in the company of a guide trained to highlight the galaxies and star systems of the southern skies is an activity available at some of the lodges in the Sabi Sand. If you are a keen amateur astronomer or simply interested in the night skies above the southern hemisphere, African Sky could propose a lodge with the necessary equipment and expertise to add stargazing as an activity to your safari in the Sabi Sand.

Activities near Sabi Sand

• Hot air balloon flights

  Hot air balloon flights are offered from a launch site not far from the town of Hazyview. If you are staying at a lodge that has access to Newington or Shaw's gate, it is possible to enjoy hot air ballooning over the lowveld savanna. The flight departs shortly after dawn and has a duration of about one and a half hours, following which guests are served a champagne breakfast. Please bear in mind that this activity is reliant on good weather and that you will have to leave your lodge just after four in the morning in order to reach the launch site just before dawn.

• Golf

  Two nine hole golf courses are available not far from the Sabi Sand. These are the Kruger Park Lodge and Skukuza golf courses. If, however, you wish to play a round of golf on one of South Africa's finest courses, this can be done at the Leopard Creek Golf Course near Malelaan - often referred to as 'the Augusta of Africa'. It has to be pointed out that, depending on the specific lodge at which you are staying at, it will be a journey of about two and a half hours to Leopard Creek, and again when returning.

• Helicopter flights 

  Helicopter flights are available from Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. These flights explore the escarpment of the Drakensberg and the Blyde River Canyon, one of South Africa's most scenically impressive areas. The flight then continues over the Berlin and Lisbon waterfalls before landing at secluded  spot with fantastic views to the east. Guests are treated to a picnic before embarking on the return flight that lands at the helicopter pad at Lion Sands.

• Cultural Village tours

  The Shangana Cultural Village at Hazyview is accessible from most of the Sabi Sand lodges. Here trained guides immerse guests in the cultures and traditions of this proud South African nation. The experience includes lunch and offers the opportunity to purchase hand-crafted curios created by community-based projects.