Explore the southern region of the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve, offering outstanding game viewing in the rugged African bushveld. Take 4x4 game drives in this private concession that shares an open border with the world-famous Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to migrate through this vast landscape. Spot the Big 5 including the elusive leopard, which thrives in Sabi Sands along with an abundance of other animals and birds.
Enjoy the comforts of the five, best value lodges that African Budget Safaris has sourced in this exclusive, crowd-free private game reserve, enabling you to find the ideal accommodation. These Sabi Sands lodges offer excellent facilities including en-suite accommodation, both private and communal wildlife viewing decks, a spa, a well-stocked bar and wine cellar, and a sparkling pool amongst other amenities. All the ingredients for an unforgettable South African safari adventure.
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This morning you are collected from the OR Tambo Bus Terminal Building around 06h45 and transferred to Hazyview in the Mpumalanga Province. From Hazyview we continue to the nearby Sabi Sands Game Reserve, arriving just in time for a quick snack before we set off on our first game drive in the private wildlife concession area adjacent to Kruger National Park. Sabi Sands hosts an array of wildlife species, including the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant, along with numerous bird species.
After our first game-viewing adventure, we return to camp for dinner and leisure time around the glowing campfire with our fellow travelers.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a 65,000-hectare private reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, offers a more exclusive, less crowded safari experience than the main Kruger National Park wilderness area. Sabi's management policy is focused on the conservation of wildlife, its main objective is to monitor the habitat and wildlife densities. The promotion and conservation of fauna, and flora and the preservation of the area as a sanctuary for every type of indigenous wildlife is an important focus. The hunting of wildlife in Sabi is forbidden.
The Sabi Sands Reserve shares a 50 km unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park allowing wildlife to migrate freely in this vast landscape in search of the best grazing and waterholes. Predators are never far behind and Sabi Sands is particularly renowned for large cats, especially superb leopard sightings. Not only are the chances of spotting leopards in Sabi Sands almost guaranteed, but safari vehicles also frequently get as close as three to four meters from these amazing predators making for excellent photographic opportunities.
Generally, the accommodation in Sabi is upmarket for the discerning traveler. Our Sabi Sands Lodge Safari is unique in that it offers the budget traveler an affordable tour package with lodge accommodation within the Sabi Sands Reserve and given the number of lodges in African Budget Safari's portfolio we almost always manage to find the right accommodation for our clients in this much sought after private reserve.
The next three days here provide a similar program but you may be sure that there will be different experiences each day and never a dull moment. The extremely large numbers of wildlife in Sabi Sands mean regular sightings and as the wildlife has become habituated to the safari vehicles, the ranger is able to get quite close to the action. We set out early each morning after coffee, as the wildlife is making its way to the waterholes. The animals are most active during the cooler part of the day out in search of water and breakfast, before going in search of shade as the sun reaches its zenith. We too return to camp after 2 to 3 hours of spotting, for a welcome, hearty breakfast and then we may relax by the inviting pool, read a book, take a dip, relish some pampering at the spa or just catch up on a nap. For those ready for more action, there is an option of taking a bush/nature walk with an armed ranger for those who are keen to learn more about the flora and fauna of the bushveld. The knowledgeable rangers will point out the signs of animal activity, the medicinal properties of the flora, the tiny creatures who are an important part of this ecosystem and be prepared to protect guests should you come across an unwelcoming, larger inhabitant of the bushveld. The walk lasts about 45 minutes and is not strenuous. Lunch is served in the early afternoon and later in the afternoon, we set out on a sunset wildlife viewing drive.
Due to its large scale, its geographical location and the open border with Kruger Park, this reserve incorporates several biomes, hosting an unusually high diversity of animals, plants and other creatures. Some 147 mammal species, 507 bird species and 114 reptile species have been recorded in the area. Large mammals include hippopotamus, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, African wild dog and numerous antelope species. Not forgetting the big cats, particularly the leopard which is not so elusive here. We pause to toast the sunset with a sundowner and as darkness approaches we head back to camp, keeping an eye out for the nocturnal creatures as they begin to stir. It's quite exciting to see eyes glowing in the darkness as the spotlight on our vehicle roams through the bush.
Back at camp, we gather for pre-dinner drinks with our fellow guests in the bar and then head to the candle-lit boma for dinner, around the campfire and under a canopy of African skies. Later we regale our companions with our day's adventures before making our weary way to bed, lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa.
There is time for a final wildlife viewing drive and an opportunity to update our spotting list on our last day in the bush. On our return to camp in time for the expected arrival of the shuttle at 10:00 we are given a packed breakfast to eat on our journey back to the city. It is advisable to pack and leave your luggage at reception before going out on the game drive, to ensure there are no delays to our departure from Sabi Sands. We arrive back in Johannesburg between 17:00 and 18:00.
This award-winning, family-run lodge is one of the first lodges to be opened in the southern section of the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve and is renowned for its hospitality and impeccable service. Each private suite is elegantly styled, spacious, and cooled by ceiling fans. The suites are lit by candlelight and lanterns, rather than electricity, capturing a magical atmosphere. Enjoy candlelit baths, massages, and mesmerizing nights around blazing fires. This intimate camp has only nine suites, each with en-suite facilities and a private viewing deck. The open-plan lounge and dining area, which has a well-stocked bar and wine cellar, leads to a viewing deck that overlooks the vast plains and a waterhole. Other facilities include a 20-metre lap pool, a spa with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms a plunge pool, and a traditional boma, where guests gather in the evening for dinner around the campfire under Africa's starry skies.
With splendid panoramic views, this private game lodge is the perfect place for peace and relaxation while watching animals meander past.
Situated in southern Sabi Sands, within an indigenous garden, Lodge B has recently been refurbished and each of the chalets has been individually and stylishly decorated with en-suite facilities, which include indoor and outdoor showers. Each chalet has a private deck for quiet time wildlife viewing. The camp has a shimmering pool, set amongst a beautiful, tree-filled area and a well-equipped, air-conditioned gym. The open boma is a very popular spot with guests dining around the campfire in the evenings. And for retail therapy, there is a shop filled with interesting curios and other mundane, but necessary items such as shampoo and toothpaste.
There are a number of viewing platforms around the camp where guests can watch wildlife during the day. There is also a dam directly opposite the lodge with a sunken hide for guests who prefer to get really close to animals. This intimate, authentically African camp with its welcoming staff is an ideal spot for an unforgettable safari adventure.
Please note that we offer convenient pre and post-tour lodge accommodation for before and after your Sabi Sand Lodge Safari, which can be added to your tour booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. For more information on rates please follow the link.
This 5-day Southern Sabi Sands Lodge Safari is also available in shorter versions:
We also offer similar, yet cheaper lodge safaris to Northern Sabi Sands:
For more information please contact African Budget Safaris
This tour does take children.
Lodge A: Children from 6 years and older are welcome at the Lodge
Lodge B: Children from 8 years and older are welcom at the Lodge
The minimum age on all bush walks is 16 years old.
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