Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is a private game reserve on the southwestern corner of the Kruger National Park. Encompassing 65 000 hectares of protected wildlife territory it is the most prestigious game reserve in South Africa. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is further broken down into a collection of private reserves, each offering an inclusive safari experience in some of South Africa’s best safari lodges.
There are no fences between the private reserves in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, or the Kruger National Park. The Sands and Sabie Rivers are two prominent landmarks in the Sabi Sands, attracting a vast array of wildlife from the Kruger National Park, and this is why the Sabi Sands is considered the best place in South Africa for a safari. The reserve is renowned for incredible leopard sightings, as well as its high density of Big-5. Game drives in the Sabi Sands take place in open 4×4 safari vehicles and are permitted to go off-road, providing excellent opportunities for close up sightings.
Malaria:
- 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.
Wildlife:
- 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.
Game Drives:
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 drives 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
Highlights:
- 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.
Getting There:
- 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.
Location:
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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Packages:
Our selection of world class safari packages have been designed by our on-trend team of travel experts and include flights, transfers, accommodation and full board safari experiences. View all packages here: safari packages
Londolozi Game Reserve
- 14 000 hectares in size.
- Located in the middle of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with MalaMala, Silvan and Singita private game reserves.
- Situated on the banks of the Sand River.
- Adult only and family accommodation options are available in five luxury camps.
- First game reserve in the world to be awarded a Relais & Châteaux status.
- High concentration of Big 5 with large herds of elephant and buffalo. White rhino and lion concentrations are among the highest recorded on the African continent.
- Renowned leopard sightings referred to the ‘leopards of Londolozi’.
MalaMala Game Reserve
- 13 200 hectares in size.
- Located on the eastern side of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders directly with the Kruger national park as well as Londolozi, Nottens, &Beyond, Umkumbe and Cheetah Plains game reserves.
- Adult only and family accommodation is available in three luxury camps.
- High concentration of Big Five as well as cheetah, wild dog and a wide variety of other wildlife. Expect excellent leopard sightings and large lion prides.
- 20 kms (13 miles) of Sand River frontage, the foundation of MalaMala’s unrivalled game viewing. Wildlife moves to/from the Kruger National Park to the river. This is where MalaMala’s prime game viewing takes place.
- There is no shared traversing on 70% of the MalaMala reserve.
Sabi Sabi Game Reserve
- 5 400 hectares in size
- Located in the south of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National park and Lion Sands game reserve.
- Adult only and family accommodation options are available in four luxury lodges, each with its own character and style.
- Central plain between the Sabie and Sand rivers, creating different biomes and habitats such as savannahs, rocky outcrops and riparian forests, thus attracting a wide variety of wildlife.
- High concentration of big five, large elephant and buffalo herds as well as other wildlife such as giraffe, hyena, giraffe, jackal and the African wild dog.
- A variety of birdlife is particularly attracted by the rivers.
Ulusaba Game Reserve
- 13 500 hectares in size.
- Located in the western edge of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Ulusaba, Savanna, Inyati and Dulini game reserves.
- Three luxury lodges offer age restricted accommodation as well as family friendly options.
- Owned by Sir Richard Branson and part of the Virgin Limited Addition.
- Mabrak River is a prominent landmark attracting a variety of wildlife.
- Renowned for some of the best leopard sightings in the country. The reserve has a high concentration of Big 5 and other wildlife.
Lion Sands Game Reserve
- 12 400 hectares in size (5 000 belongs to the Kruger and does not allow traverse).
- Located in the southern region of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with Sabi Sabi and &Beyond private game reserves.
- Adult only and family accommodation options are available in four luxury lodges and two private villas.
- Three luxury treehouses offer sleepout experiences in the reserve.
- 10.5km (6.5miles) of exclusive river frontage on the perennial Sabie River attracting a diversity of wildlife.
- High concentration of big five and particularly renowned for leopards, African wild dogs, and incredible lion pride activity.
Singita Game Reserve
- 18 200 hectares in size.
- Located in the western side of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Londolozi, Simbambili and Elephant plains game reserves
- The reserve houses three exclusive lodges, known for its ultra luxurious offerings and are ranked some of the best in the country
- The Mobeni and Xmobonyana Rivers located in the reserve are two tributaries that feed into the Sand River. The river systems have a subsequent effect on wildlife and its riverine landscapes.
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Renowned for exceptional leopard activity, high density of big five and varied wildlife.
Leopard Hills Game Reserve
- 10 000 hectares in size
- Located on the western edge of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Savanna, Ulusaba, Inyati and Dulini game reserves.
- Access to the perennial Sand River to the north and the Savannah plains to the south.
- The reserve houses one exclusive lodge, known for its luxury accommodation and sweeping views over the pristine wilderness.
- High density of big five and is particularly known for Leopard sightings. The reserve has a high concentration of other African wildlife and an diverse array birdlife.
Savanna Game Reserve
- 10 000 hectares in size.
- Located on the western side of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with Singita, Ulusaba, Leopard Hills, Dulini and Idube game reserves.
- Adult only and family accommodation is available in one exclusive lodge.
- The reserve boasts diverse landscapes, from open Savannah grasslands to thick riverine bushveld, attracting a diverse selection of wildlife.
- High concentration of Big Five with frequent sightings of big cats; including lion, leopard and cheetah.
- Other wildlife include large antelope herds, hyena, giraffe, jackal and the endangered African wild dog.
Dulini Game Reserve
- 10 500 hectares in size.
- Located on the western side of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with Singita, Leopard Hills, Inyati and Idube game reserves.
- Adult only and family (Children over 8 years) accommodation options are available in three luxury lodges.
- 16 kilometres of river frontage along both the northern and southern banks of the Sand River. The river banks are renowned for the indigenous forests.
- High concentration of Big Five with frequent sightings of big cats; including lion, leopard and cheetah. Large antelope herds support populations of other predators, including hyena, jackal and the endangered African wild dog.
Cheetah Plains Game Reserve
- 8 200 hectares in size.
- Located north-east corner of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the the Kruger National Park as well as MalaMala and Nkorho game reserves.
- A personalised and exclusive safari experience with only three private villas in the reserve.
- Zero-emission game drives take place in solar charged electric safari vehicles.
- Large dams offer excellent water sources which attract an array of wildlife all year round.
- The reserve has a high density of big five and includes lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and a wide variety of antelope species.
Silvan Game Reserve
- 10 500 hectares in size.
- Located in the northern region of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with Londolozi, Elephant Plains and Arathusa private game reserves.
- Adult only and family accommodation options are available in one exclusive safari lodge.
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One of the newest safari lodges in the Sabi Sands.
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Prominent features include the seasonal Manyeleti River attracting wildlife, nourishing the trees and bringing life to the area.
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High concentration of Big-five with large herds of elephant and buffalo. Renowned for frequent leopard and big cat sightings.
Simbambili Game Reserve
- 10 500 hectares in size.
- Located on the northern edge of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with Elephant Plains and Arathusa game reserves.
- Scattered waterholes in the reserve attract wildlife.
- One adult only safari lodge is located in the reserve and positioned around a waterhole.
- High density of big five along with a wide variety of other mammals. Big cats, particularly lion and leopard sightings are frequent.
- Prominent features include the seasonal Manyeleti River, several waterholes and a high density of Knobthorn and Jackalberry trees.
Chitwa Chitwa Game Reserve
- 5 500 hectares in size.
- Located on the north eastern side of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with Djuma, Nkorho, Cheetah Plains game reserves.
- Scattered waterholes in the reserve attract wildlife.
- One ultra-luxurious family-friendly safari lodge is located in the reserve and positioned around a large dam.
- High density of big five along with a wide variety of other mammals. Big cats, particularly lion and leopard sightings are frequent.
&Beyond Game Reserve
- 10 500 hectares in size.
- Located in the South of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National park as well as MalaMala and Lion Sands game reserves.
- Situated on the banks of the Sand River with exclusive access to the riverbed.
- Adult only and family accommodation options are available in two luxury lodges.
- Part of the renowned &Beyond collection.
- Known for incredible leopard sightings.
- High density of Big 5, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, jackal, African wild dog and large antelope herds.
Inyati Game Reserve
- 10 000 hectares
- Located in the north western edge of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with Leopard Hills and Dulini game reserves.
- One safari lodge is located in the reserve offering adult and family accommodation options.
- Prominent features include the Sand River and open savannah plains. The perennial Sands River attracts a variety of wildlife throughout the year.
- High density of big five along with a wide variety of other animals including cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wild dogs, and a vast variety of antelope.
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Leopard and lion sightings are frequent.
Idube Game Reserve
- 10 000 hectares in size.
- Located in the western edge of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Savanna, Singita and Dulini game reserves.
- One safari lodge is located in the reserve offering multiple accommodation options.
- Prominent features include the Sand River and open savannah plains. The perennial Sands River attracts a variety of wildlife throughout the year.
- High density of big five along with a wide variety of other animals including giraffe, impalas, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and jackals.
- Renowned for leopard sightings.
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