Welcome to Sabi Sands Safari Lodges

Sabi Sand Safari Lodges are amongst the most luxurious and prestigious safari lodges in the Kruger National Park of South Africa.

Spanning 65 000 hectares, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers the best Big Five bush safari lodges in South Africa.

Many of the best private safari lodges in Kruger National Park can be found within the Sabi Sands Safari Reserve.

Big Five game viewing possibilities within the Sabi Sand Safari Lodges are simply unparalleled, including the much sought-after leopard – making this the premier South African Safari Lodge destination.

Why Choose Us?

Here are 10 Reasons to Choose Us as your Safari Operator:

• Expert Local Advise – We are based right here in South Africa. We travel, visit, taste, experience first-hand to ensure we suggest the best available options for your requirements.
• In the unlikely event that your travel plans fall apart (delayed flights, medical emergencies, etc) we are here, in the same time zone, to assist you.
• We will ensure that your safari holiday is safe, seamless, and tailored specifically to your preferences and budget.
• Best Available rates – As safari holiday specialists, we leverage industry relationships to secure competitive pricing and added value.
• Peace of mind with 24/7 “on the ground assistance”.
• Stress-free logistics – as a local operator, we handle and understand complex itineraries and reservations.
• Zero Booking Fees, Best Price Guarantee.
• You will always deal direct with one of the owners of Sabi Sand Safari Lodges (Liezl / Danelle / Johan)
• Complete independence – we are free to recommend the best safari lodges and experiences to suit your travel requirements as we are not tied to large corporate agreements.
• We smile a LOT! You might think, Huh? Yes, we smile – Often. We are South Africans. We absolutely love what we do and making your South African Dreams come true, makes us genuinely happy and just as excited as you are.

Top Tip: When booking through us you are assured the best possible rates available at that present time.

When is the best time to visit Sabi Sands Game Reserve?

Sabi Sands Game Reserve is a year-round premium safari destination.

The best time to visit the safari lodges in Sabi Sands for optimal wildlife viewing is during the dry winter season from May to October (Sabi Sands Game Reserve lies in a summer rainfall regions).

1. Dry Season (May to October) – Best for Wildlife

Wildlife – Sparse vegetation and receding water sources make it much easier to spot animals of all sizes, especially the famous Big 5 and reserve’s famous, but elusive, leopards.

Weather – Between the months of May to October the days are mild and sunny (22 Celsius to 26 Celsius), but early mornings and evenings (after sunset) on game drives can get bitterly cold, sometimes near freezing. Most 4×4 vehicles will have blankets and poncho’s (for when it rains) to keep you warm and dry.

Peak Period – June through August is the busiest and most expensive time to visit Sabi Sands Game Reserve and requires bookings many months in advance. Some safari lodges and camps are known to be fully booked up to one year in advance.

Possible Value Windows – May, early June, Late September and October offer a great balance of incredible game viewing with lower crowds and better rates, although most lodges have the same rate structure throughout the year.

1. Green Season (November to April) – Best for Scenery and Value

Wildlife – The summer rains bring lush landscapes, newborn impalas (and other babies), and a massive influx of migratory birds. As this is the rainy season, animals might be a little more challenging to spot (but this ads to the fun).

Weather – Hot and humid with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms on most days. We would still advise wearing something warm on the game drives.

Cost – Generally, this is the least expensive time to visit, offering the best-value safari rates, although the period around Christmas and New Year could be costly.

What To Pack for Your Safari in The Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Going on a safari holiday in South Africa is the highlight for many a visitor to our beautiful country.

Below, is a list of a few safari holiday essentials.

What to wear on Safari in South Africa.

• Hat & Sunglasses – safari during the summer months can be hot, sticky and dusty.
• Comfortable Clothing – think layering as early morning safaris can be freezing at first and once the sun is out it can get hot. Similarly, the afternoon / evening game drives can be pleasant at first and can get very cold fast after the sun sets.
• Neutral shades to blend into your environment.
• Sturdy footwear & thick, moisture-wicking socks – especially if your safari lodge also offer walking safaris.
• Long Trousers – for the cold and the insects.
• Casual Daytime Wear – T-shirts, shorts and casual shoes.
• Swimwear – Most luxury safari lodges feature pools or private plunge pools.
• Rain Protection – A lightweight, packable rain jacket for game drives in the rainy season.

Top Tip: Mosquitoes are most attracted to dark and long-wavelength colours like red, orange, black and blue / dark green. Mosquitoes tend to ignore white, khaki (ideal for safari) and very light pastel colours.

What to pack for your safari in South Africa

• Camera (and extra batteries) to capture the highlights of your South African safari holiday.
• Sunblock – summers can be harsh in South Africa.
• Binoculars – although the lodge will have a pair or two in your 4×4 safari vehicle it might be a good idea to bring your own as to not to share.
• Prescription Medication – Although medical evacuation is possible, you are hours away from any doctors or hospitals, so make sure to stock up before going on safari. Be sure to pack extra in case of flights delays or any other unforeseen circumstances.
• Lightweight Day Bag / Carry Bag – for water, camera, jacket, etc.

Safari Etiquette

• Respect other guests on a 4×4 safari vehicle.
• When taking photos, please consider the fact that the constant “click, click, click” sound of your camera shutter can get quite irritating to most guests and animals, and other guests might want to take a video without that constant sound.
• Stay seated at all times and keep your hands, arms and head inside the vehicle – NEVER EVER stand up or lean out because it changes the vehicle’s shape and can startle animals.
• Remain Inside – never get out of any vehicle unless your guide says it is safe and designates a specific stop.
• Keep noise low – Speak in whispers and quiet tones. Loud noises, phone ringtones and / or sudden shouts will scare the animals away and stress them.
• No littering – keep all trash with you, inside the vehicle until you reach your camp or lodge.
• Might be obvious, but DO NOT feed or try to feed the animals.
• Above all – Respect nature and wildlife – you are in their territory.

What to Expect from a Typical Day on Safari?

A typical day on safari in Africa follows the rhythms of nature, balancing thrilling early wildlife adventures with slow, relaxing midday breaks.

So, what can you expect from your typical day on safari?

Early Morning (05h00 to 09h30)

The Wake-Up Call

A staff member might softly knock on your door / or phone around 05h00 to 05h30 (depending on the schedule of your safari lodge), bringing a hot coffee, tea, or a light bite to eat to your room or the main lodge.

The Morning Game Drive

You board your open 4×4 safari vehicle before sunrise.

Animals are very active in the cool morning air, and predators like lion and leopards are often finishing up a night of hunting.

Many animals will also gather around waterholes to drink before the heat of the day sets in.

Bush Breakfast

Guides stop midway through the drive at a scenic spot to set up a table with hot coffee, tea, biscuits and pastries.

This is normally the ideal time to enjoy the fresh morning air of the African bush and take in nature at its most beautiful.

Midday (10h00 to 15h00)

Brunch / Lunch

You return to camp between 09h30 to 10h30 to freshen up and enjoy a hearty brunch or lunch featuring fresh salads, warm dishes, cold drinks, tea / coffee and also a glass of wine if you will.

Siesta

Animal activity slows down during the hot hours around midday.

Guests use this time to rest, read, swim in the sparkling pool, enjoy a spa treatment or just relax with a cheeky drink before the bustling afternoon activities.

Late Afternoon / Evening (15h30 to 21h30)

Afternoon Tea

Around 15h00 / 15h30, a light spread of high tea, cakes and savoury snacks are served before heading back out on your afternoon / evening 4×4 safari.

This is the final chance on a comfort break and grabbing a bottle of mineral water before departing.

Afternoon Game Drive & Sundowners

Around 4pm, guests head out for their second 4×4 safari of the day.

For many, this is the highlight and best time of the day for a safari.

As the sun sets (and normally with a view), your guide stops for “sundowners” – a traditional evening cocktail (Or G&T / glass of wine), or soft drink paired with small snacks enjoyed out in the open bush.

Your guide will also identify areas (in the bush) for a controlled comfort break (where it is safe to do so).

Night Drives

In private reserves, the afternoon 4×4 safari may continue after dark using a red-filtered spotlight to look for nocturnal animals like porcupines, genets or hunting leopard.

Dinner & Campfire

After your 4×4 safari you return to camp to freshen up and enjoy a warm, multi-course dinner (outdoors weather permitting), ending the night sharing a drink and stories around a crackling campfire under the stars.

How to Book Safari Lodges in South Africa: A Step-by-Step Guide

At first glance it seems pretty straightforward booking a safari in South Africa.

But, there are some questions you need to ask yourself before just booking any lodge or camp.

Let’s take a step back and start from the beginning.

1. Choose your Destination

South Africa is blessed with superb safari destinations in each of the 9 provinces.

Most notably we have the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Within and around the Kruger National Park we have a couple of private game reserves.

Within each private game reserve, you will find anything from 5 to 50 individual private safari lodges or camps (owned and managed separately from its neighbour).

The most popular private game reserves in and around the Kruger National Park includes, but is not limited to, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Balule Nature Reserve, Kapama Private Game Reserve, Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Manyeleti Game Reserve, Mjejane Game Reserve, Mala Mala Reserve, Makalali Game Reserve and also the lodges within the Greater Kruger National Park.

• And, this is just the Kruger National Park and Surrounds.

Further afield, you have the malaria-free safari regions of Welgevonden Game Reserve, the Madikwe Game Reserve and the Pilanesberg Game Reserve (all within 2 to 3 hours of Johannesburg by car).

In the KZN Province you have magnificent safari lodges.

Close to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) you have the famous Addo Elephant National Park and the safari lodges of the Eastern Cape.

In the Western Cape Province you have Big 5, Malaria-Free safari lodges along the Garden Route and Karoo regions (only 4.5 hours from Cape Town by car).

The Northern Cape (en-route to Namibia) have luxurious safari lodges but is the province with the least lodges in South Africa.

Top Tip: South Africa offers a wide range of safari lodges – some are in malaria areas, and some are in malaria free regions. Please keep this in mind as you will need to take malaria medication if you intend to visit a safari lodge in a malaria area.

2. Choose your Style of Safari.

Your next decision would be the style of your accommodation.

Would you like to stay in a luxurious, five-star lodge, or would you prefer a more budget-friendly safari?

Part of this conversation would be if you would like to stay in a tented safari lodge, a normal brick-and-mortar lodge, a cottage or a rondavel (hut).

You have bush camps, mobile tented camps, chalets and more.

3. Look carefully at what is included and what is excluded

This is where we (at Sabi Sands Safari Lodges) come in.

Other online travel agents (like Booking.Com and others) often have cheaper rates online, but when you arrive at the safari lodge you realize that (as an example) beverages are excluded from the rates, or you only have one 4×4 game drive per day (instead of two) which is the norm.

Standard inclusions are accommodation, meals, house wines, 2 x game drives or activities per day, safari walks (not all lodges offer this), VAT and snacks on game drives.

Standard exclusions are comprehensive travel & medical insurance, Wines and other Beverages (if the lodge does not include this), laundry, transfers to and from the lodge, flights, visa fees.

Normally conservation levies / community levies are also excluded from the nightly rate and is worked out on a per person per night basis (which can, in some cases, become costly).

The conservation levies / community levies can be paid (depending on the lodge) either as part of the invoice OR upon check-out at the lodge.

Should you be driving to your safari lodge and enter via one of the gates there will be a once-off gate entry fee which is normally not a lot.

Should you be flying in with a charter flight, landing / departure taxes will be due.

You also have the option of a transfer company bringing you to the lodge.

In many cases, the lodge will transfer you to / from the nearest local airport or airfield at no additional cost (if close by).

4. Book Way in Advance

Many safari lodges and camps are extremely popular and often gets booked out months in advance (some even a year in advance).

Most safari lodges require a minimum 50% deposit on confirmation with the balance due roughly 60 days prior to the date of arrival.

Should you only book 60 days or less from the date of travel, the total amount would be due to secure your safari stay.

Contact us on info@sabisandsafarilodges.co.za to request a no-obligation quote.

Top Tip: By booking through us we will make sure that everything is included as it should be. Due to our buying power we are also able to offer better rates in most cases – even better than going direct to the lodge.

Family Friendly Safari Lodges in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Game Reserve does have a couple of family-friendly safari lodges.

However, some safari lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park do have minimum age restrictions for children.

Below you will find a couple of Top Tips when booking a family-friendly safari in Sabi Sands.

Private Safari Vehicle

If you are travelling with toddlers (under the age of 6 years), some safari lodges require guests to book a private safari vehicle (at an additional cost) so that the guide can return to the camp quickly if need be.

Malaria-Free Status

Sabi Sand Game Reserve is located in a low-risk malaria zone.

We do, however, suggest that you have a preventative consultation with your doctor and paediatrician before travelling to the Kruger National Park region.

Book As Early As Possible

Family-Friendly lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve are very limited and are booked many months in advance.

Please contact us on info@sabisandsafarilodges.co.za for a list of family-friendly safari lodges and camps.

Best Safari Lodges with Game Drives

There are no fences between Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Safari Lodges, so wildlife roams freely in a huge natural environment.

All safari lodges offer game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles – this activity is the highlight for most guests visiting South Africa on a safari holiday.

Sabi Sand Game Reserve is particularly well known for their amazing leopard sightings – the most elusive animal of the Big 5 – and is frequently spotted when going on a game drive in the reserve. List them

Best Safari Lodges for Wildlife Photography

As mentioned, Sabi Sands Safari Lodges are ideal for sightings of the elusive leopard.

As such, Sabi Sands offers the ultimate wildlife photography opportunities.

It is also possible to do wildlife photography safaris in the Greater Kruger National Park, with safari companies specializing in this.

Besides the Big 5 of South Africa, other species occur in great numbers, including over 300 bird species.

Sabi Sand Safari lodges possibly makes the best Big 5 South African Safari destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and bird watchers alike.

The Sabi and Sand Rivers traverse the game reserve and are named after these two rivers.

Within Sabi Sand Game Reserve you can book safari lodges in South Africa.

Top Tip: When booking via Sabi Sand Safari Lodges, you are assured the best possible rate. Yes, even if you wish to book directly with the lodge we can match or better your rate, so give us a try and book your safari lodges in South Africa and Kruger with us.

Luxury Safari Lodges in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Luxury Safari lodge accommodation in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve varies greatly in character and budget.

Tented Camps and Lodges offer a more traditional candles-and-canvas ambience.

Some safari lodges in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve are more suited for families and groups travelling together, while several are ideal honeymoon destinations where the minimum age is 12 years.

The Sabi Sands Safari Lodges ranks top in the country – and often – also among the most exclusive and expensive, but well worth it.

The reserve is made up of individual, often family-owned unfenced reserves, each with lodges and camps discreetly tucked away in prime locations near rivers or waterholes and enjoying exclusive traversing for no-crowds game viewing.

Many safari lodges have reciprocal arrangements with neighbouring reserves to allow for greater freedom to track the Big 5, and since the Sabi Sands Reserve is privately run, guests can expect added extras such as off-road driving, night drives and guided nature walks, all of which greatly enhance your game viewing experience. List Them

Is it Possible to Book a Budget Big 5 Safari in Sabi Sands Reserve?

Yes, budget-friendly safari lodges are available within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

The Green Season (off peak season) is especially popular for guests on a budget.

Although budget safari lodges are often booked out many months in advance, there are lodges available, so please email us on info@sabisandsafarilodges.co.za for options. List them

Can I Get Married on Safari?

Yes, absolutely!

Getting hitched on safari is probably one of the greatest, unforgettable and romantic experiences of your lifetime.

It is important to note that the smaller safari lodges or camps would insist that you book out the whole camp / lodge in order for a bush wedding to take place to ensure that other paying guests are not disturbed by proceedings.

Most chefs at safari lodge would be delighted to assist in baking a wedding cake and arrange a special menu (at an additional cost).

Top Tip: When it comes to catering or special requests, please be mindful that your chosen safari lodge is miles and miles from the closest town for provisions, etc. Still, getting married on a safari lodge could literally be one of the highlights of your married life.

Is it Possible to do a Conference at a Safari Lodge?

Yes, it is quite common and extremely popular, to host a small to medium sized conference at a safari lodge.

Many private game reserves and bush lodges specialise in intimate corporate meetings, executive retreats, planning sessions and team building.

What to Expect from the Safari Lodge.

Venues – Most safari lodges offer small, private boardrooms, air-conditioned meeting spaces or open-air bush setups.

Some safari lodges can custom set-up your space.

Please contact us on info@sabisandsafarilodges.co.za with your individual requirements for us to quote accordingly.

Equipment – Standard tech like Wi-Fi, projectors, screens, and flipcharts are usually provided on-site.

Should you require any additional facilities, please let us know as this could possibly be rented at an additional fee.

Activities – For most safari / bush conferences and meetings, delegates can easily mix business with pleasure by adding guided game drives, bush walks, or boma dinners.

Logistics – Many lodges and camps offer complete packages that combine overnight accommodation, meals, game drives and venue hire.

How To Get to Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Guests can get to the Sabi Sand Safari Lodges in several ways depending on individual travel needs and budget.

By Air

There are many flight possibilities available for travellers who seek a faster way of getting to the Sabi Sands Safari Lodges.

From Johannesburg and Cape Town, travellers can make use of scheduled flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) near Nelspruit (Mbombela).

The drive time from KMIA to the gates of Sabi Sands are roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

From Nelspruit (Mbombela), you can travel onwards to your preferred lodge by making use of a road transfer or by a small, chartered flight (if your lodge have / or is close by an airfield).

Landing at KMIA is ideal for lodges in the Western and Southwestern wide of the Kruger Park or Sabi Sands.

Airlink & Cemair also serve Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, which is conveniently located for travellers staying in the Northern section of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

From Hoedspruit, you can make use of a road transfer to your lodge of choice.

The drive time from Hoedspruit to the gates of Sabi Sands is approximately 45 to 90 minutes.

Skakuza Airport (within Kruger National Park) was recently reopened and is perfect for travellers staying in the Southern section of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Drive time from Skakuza Airport to the nearest Sabi Sands gates are roughly 20 to 45 minutes.

By Road

From Johannesburg, the driving time is approximately 450 km’s.

Most of the road between Johannesburg and Sabi Sands takes you along the N4, making this an easy and comfortable drive.

Including some stops for refreshments, the total driving time is about 6.5 hours at most.

Gate Access at Sabi Sands Reserve

As gate opening / closing times can change without prior notice, please make sure of the times before departing your destination for the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Shaw’s Gate – 05h00 to 22h00

Newington Gate – 05h00 to 22h00

Gowie Gate – 05h00 to 22h00

Please note that there are gate fees payable to enter the reserve.

Typically gate fees can be paid with Visa / MasterCard or Cash (ZAR)

E-mail: info(at)sabisandsafarilodges.co.za | Call: +27(0)82 625 0443

Address: Sabi Sands Safari Lodges | Sabi Sands Game Reserve | Greater Kruger National Park | Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Sabi Sand Safari Lodges is a proud member of the Beyond African Safari Lodges portfolio.