Lion Sands River Lodge

• Although a malaria zoned area, the risk of malaria in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is usually low, even in the summer months.
• The highest risk period is between November and April (summer rainy season).
• Most types of mosquito that are encountered will not carry the malaria parasite.
• Mosquitoes most often bite between dusk and dawn.
• The risk of malaria can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites by covering exposed skin with light clothing or insect repellents, ensuring netted screens are kept closed and burning anti-mosquito coils.
• Malaria prophylactic drugs can be taken that will further decrease the chances of contracting malaria.

Please note that the information provided above is taken from the official SANParks website. For professional advice on malaria please consult with your medical practitioner. 

• Highest population density of the Big 5 in South Africa and it is estimated that 1500 lions, 1000 leopards, 17000 elephant, 48000 buffalo and an excess of 2000 rhinos live in the Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park.
• Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena, warthog and many other cat and antelope species.
• Approximately 147 mammal species.
• Over 500 bird species.

The following information refers to the game drives offered in the Sabi Sands private game reserves.

• Sabi Sands game drives are ranked some of the best in the world.
• Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
• Game drive are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
• Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
• Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
• Night drives and guided bush walk are permitted

• A small collection of private game reserves are home to award-winning safari accommodation.
• Renowned for leopard sightings
• Exciting Big-5 game drives with some of the best game rangers and trackers on the continent.
• Night game drives, guided bush walks and off-road game drives.
• Sabie rivers and waterholes throughout the park.
• A diverse range of experiences and luxurious accommodation options for families, couples and groups.
• All year round safari destination.

• The best way to travel to the Sabi Sands safari lodges is to fly into Skukuza Airport, followed by a road transfer.
• Scheduled charter flights operate twice a day to the reserve private airstrips.
• Some lodges are in more remote locations and the private airstrips and better suited.
• Flight time from Johannesburg to Skukuza: 60 minutes
• Flight time from Cape Town to Skukuza: 2 hours 30 minutess
• Road transfer time to the reserves from the Skukuza Airport generally ranges between 30 and 120 minutes.
• The reserve is generally a 5- to 7- hour drive from Johannesburg along the N12 and N4 highways.

Sabi Sands is a 65 000-hectare private game reserve and lies in South Africa’s far north-eastern corner in the Mpumalanga province. The private reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park.

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