Sabi Sands Game Reserve spans 65,000 hectares in South Africa’s northeastern corner, sharing an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. As an exclusive private reserve, Sabi Sands offers intimate safari experiences and some of South Africa’s most luxurious lodges. Access is restricted to guests staying at private lodges, ensuring uncrowded game drives and a truly exclusive experience.
With diverse landscapes, Sabi Sands is a year-round safari destination featuring rivers and waterholes that attract abundant wildlife. Famous for exceptional leopard sightings, it boasts one of the highest densities of Big Five animals. Expert rangers and Shangaan trackers ensure close-up wildlife encounters in this world-class safari destination.
Renowned for its award-winning lodges, Sabi Sands offers world-class service, fine dining, and top-tier facilities. Its private concessions cater to different preferences, with some lodges providing an intimate, adults-only retreat, while others welcome families and groups with a more social, child-friendly atmosphere.
Whether staying at a riverside retreat along the Sabie and Sand Rivers or a secluded bush hideaway, guests can expect personalised service, breathtaking scenery, and thrilling Big Five encounters in South Africa’s premier private game reserve.
What to expect and a luxury lodge in the Sabi Sands
- Off-road game drives, night drives, and guided bush walks are led by some of Africa’s most skilled rangers and trackers.
- Experience up-close encounters with the Big Five, including some of the world’s best and most frequent leopard sightings.
- Award-winning lodges, ranked among the best in Africa, provide exceptional attention to detail and exclusivity.
- Lodge facilities include swimming pools, spas, and fine dining restaurants.
- Exclusive accommodation options range from elegant suites to family units and private villas.
- Sands and Sabie Riverfront lodges offer breathtaking views and prime wildlife sightings.
- Adults-only lodges ensure privacy and a tranquil safari experience.
- Family-friendly lodges provide kids’ activities, clubs, family game drives, and babysitting services.
- Enjoy open-air dining with traditional African cuisine under the stars.
- Warm African hospitality and personalised service cater to your every need.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Earth Lodge is an award-winning safari lodge located in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve within the renowned Sabi Sands. A masterpiece of organic design, Earth Lodge represents the future of luxury safari experiences. The lodge’s architecture, characterised by curved lines, natural textures, and masterful use of light, creates an ambiance that is both soothing and invigorating.
Guests are accommodated in 13 ultra-luxurious standalone suites, each featuring a private patio and swimming pool. Positioned away from the main lodge, each suite offers seclusion, allowing guests to unwind in an environment of exclusivity and tranquility.
Earth Lodge’s facilities enhance the luxury experience, including the Day Bar set in ankle-deep water, the Amani Spa, a gym, Earth Boutique, a viewing deck, and a traditional African Boma for fireside dining under the stars.
Highlights
- Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
- Adult only camp
- 13 ultra-luxurious standalone suites
- Award winning safari lodge
- Private patios and swimming pools
MalaMala Rattray’s Camp
MalaMala Rattray’s Camp is the flagship lodge and the most prestigious offering at MalaMala Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands. Situated on the banks of the Sand River, this camp blends classic elegance with secluded luxury.
Rattray’s Camp, known for its romantic seclusion and timeless charm, features eight freestanding suites that offer both privacy and breathtaking river views. Each suite includes a wooden deck with a private plunge pool, an outdoor shower, and an indigenous garden that attracts local birdlife.
The main camp offers a range of exceptional facilities, including an infinity pool with stunning river views, a historic bar, a library, relaxation lounges, a safari boutique, and a fitness centre. Dining at Rattray’s Camp is a versatile experience, with meals served in the stylish dining room, on the deck overlooking the river, or in the traditional reed Boma.
Highlights
- MalaMala Private Game Reserve
- Positioned along the Sands River
- Aged restricted from 16 years old
- MalaMala’s Flagship lodge
- Eight freestanding suites with river views
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is an ultra-luxurious retreat nestled in the southern region of the Sabi Sands, within the prestigious Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. This signature lodge is strategically situated along the banks of the perennial Sabie River, offering an idyllic setting for a luxury African safari.
The lodge’s architecture is designed to complement the riverscape, emphasising simplicity and natural beauty. The main lodge area features an expansive viewing deck, as well as indoor and outdoor lounge areas. Guests also have the opportunity to engage with artists through the Artist Residency program. Additional lodge amenities include a bar, a spa with a variety of treatments, a fitness centre with bush views, a steam room, a sauna, and an ice bath.
The lodge features eight spacious one-bedroom suites and one two-bedroom luxury villa, each equipped with a private plunge pool, covered deck and breathtaking views of the Sabie River.
Highlights
- Lion Sands Private Game Reserve
- Lion Sands signature lodge
- Unique treehouse location
- Eight spacious suites, one 2-bedroom villa
- Large viewing deck
Londolozi Tree Camp
With nearly a century of expertise, Londolozi embodies the pinnacle of high-end safari experiences, securing its place as one of the Sabi Sands’s most sought-after safari locations. Situated along the scenic Sand River, Tree Camp offers a tranquil and intimate setting in the heart of the reserve.
Elegantly integrated into the Leadwood tree canopy, Tree Camp combines sophisticated luxury with a sense of simplicity. The central area of the camp features a beautifully designed lounge, dining area, and bar, all of which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. At night, the camp is bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
The camp features six luxurious thatched suites, each exquisitely furnished with full bathrooms and outdoor alfresco showers. Each suite also boasts a private viewing deck and an exclusive-use plunge pool, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.
Highlights
- Londolozi Private Game Reserve
- Six luxurious thatched suites
- Private decks and swimming pools
- Exceptional reserve views
- Integrated into the Leadwood tree canopy
Dulini Leadwood Lodge
Dulini Leadwood is a small, intimate safari lodge located in the Dulini Private Game Reserve, within the boundaries of the Sabi Sands. Situated at the confluence of the Sand and Mabrak rivers and nestled in a mature riverine forest, this lodge offers guests a stylish and exclusive five-star safari experience.
The lodge’s decor combines modern elegance with natural elements, featuring stone walls, screeded floors, and an expansive viewing deck furnished with stylish pieces. Dining at Dulini Leadwood is a culinary delight, offering a journey from breakfasts on the Treehouse Deck beneath a towering Jackalberry tree to refined dinners in the lodge’s elegant dining area.
The lodge’s four spacious suites with private pools are designed to maximize comfort and views, each featuring separate lounge, bedroom, and bathroom areas framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Sand River.
Highlights
- Dulini Private Game Reserve
- Four luxury suites
- Huge wraparound terraces and heated pools
- Surrounded by Ebony and Leadwood trees
- Sand & Mabrak river location
Singita Boulders Lodge
Singita Boulders Lodge is a luxury safari lodge located within the Singita Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands, recognised globally as one of South Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations. The lodge is situated along the rocky, boulder-strewn banks of the Sand River, providing guests with stunning natural scenery and abundant wildlife.
The lodge’s communal spaces feature a main swimming pool set amidst natural rock formations and trees, a wellness and fitness centre, the Singita Boutique & Gallery, a traditional African Boma, and a Premier Wine Boutique.
Accommodation options include seven River Suites and three Bush Suites, each with a game-viewing decks and private plunge pool. Two Family Suites cater to families with children over the age of 10. All suites feature glass-fronted designs that provide uninterrupted views of the surrounding wilderness.
Highlights
- Singita Private Game Reserve
- Renowned Singita Collection
- Private decks with heated plunge pools
- 7 River suite and 3 Bush suites
- Sand River location
Chitwa Chitwa Lodge
Chitwa Chitwa is a prestigious luxury safari lodge situated in the northern sector of the Sabi Sands, within the Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Reserve. The lodge, set around a large lake, offers superb game viewing opportunities directly from its lounge and deck areas. Amenities include a spa, a fully equipped gym, a library, main lounge and sunset deck, shaded by ancient Knobthorn trees.
Chitwa Chitwa offers six uniquely decorated suites, each providing a private, serene haven ideal for couples and honeymooners. Every suite includes a private deck and plunge pool overlooking a waterhole frequented by wildlife. For families or groups, the Charlsy Suite features interconnected en-suite rooms with a shared living space.
For those seeking an exclusive-use experience, Chitwa House, a luxurious villa, comes with a dedicated butler and private ranger.
Highlights
- Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Reserve
- Six uniquely decorated suites
- Chitwa house – exclusive use villa
- Sunset deck, shaded by ancient Knobthorn trees
- Built overlooking lake frequent by wildlife
Cheetah Plains
Cheetah Plains offers an exclusive-use, luxury safari experience in the northern region of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, within its own Cheetah Plains Game Reserve. Renowned for its ultra-luxurious villa accommodations and exceptional game viewing, Cheetah Plains provides an ideal destination for those seeking a luxurious yet intimate safari adventure.
The lodge features three private villas – Karula, Mapogo, and Mvula. Each villa accommodates up to eight guests, perfect for families, friends, or small groups desiring a secluded retreat. These villas boast expansive shared living spaces, including formal lounges, entertainment areas, dining rooms, pool decks, and outdoor Boma’s for fireside dining.
A dedicated hospitality team, consisting of a host, personal butler, private chef, spa therapist, and expert field guide and tracker, caters to guests’ needs, ensuring a highly personalized and flexible safari experience.
Highlights
- Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve
- 3 exclusive-use villa experience
- Dedicated hospitality team
- Exceptional outdoor dinning experiences
- Private diamond safari with gemologist
Tengile River Lodge
Tengile River Lodge is an ultra-luxurious safari lodge located in the prestigious &Beyond Private Game Reserve within the Sabi Sands. Perched on the banks of the Sand River, its prime location offers breathtaking views of the river and surrounding landscapes.
Tengile River Lodge offers a mix of open, interactive, and private spaces. One of its key features is the expansive viewing deck, which provides an ideal spot for observing wildlife and enjoying views of the Sand River. Culinary offerings at the lodge include an interactive kitchen where guests can engage with the chef and participate in cooking lessons.
The lodge boasts nine expansive suites, each offering stunning panoramic views of the river. Each suite features a private plunge pool on the deck, along with sunken outdoor lounges that allow guests to relax and take in the magnificent surroundings in complete privacy. For families, two of the suites are interconnected by a covered walkway, forming a family suite that provides both space and togetherness.
Highlights
- &Beyond Private Game Reserve
- Sand River location
- Nine expansive luxury suites
- Private decks with plunge pools
- Stunning views from the suites and common areas
Silvan Safari Lodge
Silvan Safari Lodge is located in the northern part of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, within the Silvan Private Game Reserve. The lodge provides a luxurious and serene experience that consistently exceeds expectations, from its sophisticated architecture and decor to exceptional service and innovative safari experiences.
Nestled within a captivating Leadwood forest, Silvan Safari Lodge seamlessly integrates modern elegance with its natural surroundings. The lodge’s facilities include a lap pool, spa, bar, wine cellar, and intimate dining areas, all designed to enhance the luxurious experience. Dining at Silvan is a highlight, featuring fresh local flavours and personalised wine pairings.
The lodge features six luxurious suites, including one designed specifically for families. Each suite is uniquely themed and named, featuring large decks with private plunge pools. These suites are thoughtfully positioned to provide panoramic views of the lush landscape and the Manyeleti River.
Highlights
- Silvan Private Game Reserve
- Manyeleti River River location
- Six diverse luxury suites
- Large private decks with plunge pools
- Exceptional decor and art
Useful Information
If you are planning a family safari in the Sabi Sands, we recommend reading these articles to find out when to go and where else to stay.
- The Best Family Lodges in the Sabi Sands
- Best time to go on Safari to the Sabi Sands
- View all Sabi Sands lodges
- View all Sabi Sands holiday packages
For personal planning assistance and advice contact out team.
