Sabi Sands Nature Reserve
650 km2 (250 sq mi)
1948
May to September
World-class wildlife and luxury
Nestled against the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is renowned for encounters with the Big 7. With luxurious lodges like Leopard Hills, Chitwa Chitwa and Simbambili, and tailored Sabi Sands safari packages, it is the ultimate private safari escape. World-class guides deliver unforgettable wildlife experiences, making it the jewel of the South African safari crown.
Sabi Sands: Where Luxury Meets Untamed Africa
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve has long been South Africa’s most revered private safari destination, given its extraordinary wildlife encounters and world-leading lodges.
Sharing an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve offers the same incredible biodiversity, but with fewer vehicles, exclusive sightings and a near-unparalleled level of luxury that sets it apart.
A wildlife-rich landscape
Thanks to years of careful habitat management, this 65,000-hectare reserve boasts near-pristine bushveld, with open savannahs, dense riverine thickets, winding rivers and rocky outcrops.
This varied habitat makes the Sabi Sands a game viewer’s paradise, with the legendary Big Five roaming freely.
The reserve is particularly famous for its leopards, with sightings of these elusive cats all but guaranteed.
Along with fantastic sightings of elephants, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and over 350 bird species, it is paradise for wildlife photographers.
Luxury lodges in South Africa’s wilderness
For pure indulgence, Sabi Sands accommodation is second to none. Typically, spacious suites have private viewing decks complete with plunge pools.
Camps invariably overlook rivers or waterholes, ensuring a constant flow of passing wildlife, and first-class meals are served in intimate bomas under a canopy of stars.
Guests can choose from premier lodges like MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi, favoured by celebrity guests.
The reserve’s camps blend chic, yet eco-sensitive designs, with sophisticated service levels, fine dining and a phenomenal level of professionalism amongst the staff.
Each lodge offers a unique atmosphere, but share impeccable service and attention to detail.
Superior safari experiences
From a game viewing perspective, the magic of a Sabi Sand safari lies in its exclusivity. Morning and evening game drives are led by seasoned guides and trackers who know that land and its inhabitants intimately.
This ensures that you don’t just see the wildlife, you get to understand it as part of a whole.
For photography enthusiasts, Sabi Sands photo safaris are a must, offering unrivalled opportunities to capture Africa’s apex predators in perfect light.
Bush walks, birdwatching and cultural experiences add depth to your visit, while tailored Sabi Sands safari packages let you blend luxury with adventure.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to the ultimate safari, where wilderness meets indulgence, the Sabi Sands delivers like no other.
It is a place where elephants stroll past your bedroom window, where sundowners are served under flat-toppe
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve has long been South Africa’s most revered private safari destination, given its extraordinary wildlife encounters and world-leading lodges.
Sharing an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve offers the same incredible biodiversity, but with fewer vehicles, exclusive sightings and a near-unparalleled level of luxury that sets it apart.
 A wildlife-rich landscape
Thanks to years of careful habitat management, this 65,000-hectare reserve boasts near-pristine bushveld, with open savannahs, dense riverine thickets, winding rivers and rocky outcrops.
This varied habitat makes the Sabi Sands a game viewer’s paradise, with the legendary Big Five roaming freely.
The reserve is particularly famous for its leopards, with sightings of these elusive cats all but guaranteed.
Along with fantastic sightings of elephants, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and over 350 bird species, it is paradise for wildlife photographers.
Loads of luxury lodges
For pure indulgence, Sabi Sands accommodation is second to none. Typically, spacious suites have private viewing decks complete with plunge pools.
Camps invariably overlook rivers or waterholes, ensuring a constant flow of passing wildlife, and first-class meals are served in intimate bomas under a canopy of stars.
Guests can choose from premier lodges like MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi, favoured by celebrity guests.
The reserve’s camps blend chic, yet eco-sensitive designs, with sophisticated service levels, fine dining and a phenomenal level of professionalism amongst the staff.
Each lodge offers a unique atmosphere, but share impeccable service and attention to detail.
Superior safari experiences
From a game viewing perspective, the magic of a Sabi Sand safari lies in its exclusivity. Morning and evening game drives are led by seasoned guides and trackers who know that land and its inhabitants intimately.
This ensures that you don’t just see the wildlife, you get to understand it as part of a whole.
For photography enthusiasts, Sabi Sands photo safaris are a must, offering unrivalled opportunities to capture Africa’s apex predators in perfect light.
Bush walks, birdwatching and cultural experiences add depth to your visit, while tailored Sabi Sands safari packages let you blend luxury with adventure.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to the ultimate safari, where wilderness meets indulgence, the Sabi Sands delivers like no other.
It is a place where elephants stroll past your bedroom window, where sundowners are served under flat-topped acacias, and every day feels like a cinematic wildlife moment.
Whether you’re on honeymoon, travelling with family, or a seasoned safari veteran, the reserve promises breathtaking natural encounters matched with the finest hospitality South Africa has to offer.
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is more than a safari – it is a dreamlike immersion into Africa’s wild heart, cocooned in luxury.
Leopard Central
With up to 14 leopards per hundred square kilometres, the reserve boasts the highest density of these regal predators on Earth.
Low impact tourism
The reserve’s low-impact tourism model ensures all guests experience an authentic, unhurried safari, which also benefits the reserve’s prolific wildlife.
Wilderness without borders
As part of the Greater Kruger National Park, the free-roaming wildlife means no two game drives are alike.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit Sabi Sands
The Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is a year-round destination, offering varied experience throughout the year.
In the dry winter months from May to September, wildlife viewing is made easier by sparse vegetation and scarce water, which results in wildlife concentrating around water sources.
By contrast, the summer rains, from October to March, transform the bush into a lush paradise, singing with migratory birds and baby animals.
If possible, visit in August-September for warm temperatures and excellent sightings.
Dry Season
May to SeptemberIdeal for game viewing
Rainy Season
October to MarchBest for birdwatching
Why to go
See large numbers of predators while surrounded by beautiful scenery
For the ultimate South African safari, the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve sets a high bar.
The reserve is renowned for predator sightings, especially leopard, boasts world-class guiding at several luxury lodges, like Vuyatela and Dulini, and ethically mindful sightings.
Unlike most national parks, game drives here are exclusive, with offroad driving allowed in certain circumstances.
With seamless access to Kruger, and tailormade Sabi Sands safari packages, visitors a wonderful balance of adventure by day and indulgence by night.
Add in jaw-dropping landscapes, exceptional cuisine and attentive, yet understated, service, and Sabi Sands becomes more than a safari–it’s a once-in-a-lifetime sojourn for the soul.
“Some of the most extraordinary wildlife moments our guests have experienced in South Africa have been in Sabi Sands.“Alexandra | South Africa Travel Expert
Where to stay in Sabi Sands Nature Reserve
Locations and distances
The Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is situated in Mpumalanga Province in northeastern South Africa, sharing a common boundary with the Kruger National Park and other privately-owned reserves.
For international arrivals, the closest airport is Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
From there, visitors can take scheduled domestic flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, and reach the reserve via transfer or rental vehicle.
Domestic flights are available to the above airports from most major airports across the country, including Livingstone (Zambia)
Private charters to various airstrips within the reserve can be arranged.
By road from Johannesburg, the 430-kilometre journey takes about 5 hours to complete.
- Sabi Sands (Shaw's Gate) Â
- Johannesburg (International Airport) 430 km | 5.5 to 6 hours by road
- Kruger National Park (Skukuza) 25 km | 45 minutes by road
- Pretoria 425 km | 5.5 to 6.5 hours by road
- Panorama Route (Graskop) 80 km | 1 to 2 hours by road
- Mbombela (Nelspruit) 100 km | 2 hours by road
- Timbavati GR (Simbavati River Lodge) 170 km | 3.5 hours by road
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