It is the most famous private game reserve of all. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to South Africa’s flagship Kruger National Park, offers a safari experience found nowhere else in the world. Game viewing possibilities are simply unparalleled, including the much sought after ‘Big 5’. Add a fantastic range of luxury lodges suiting all tastes and an African dream safari is born. There are no fences between Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve, so wildlife roams freely in a huge natural environment.
The Sabi Sands is in particular well known for its amazing leopard sightings. The most elusive animal of the Big 5 is frequently spotted when going on a game drive in the reserve. As such, Sabi Sands offers the ultimate photographic safari one can think of. You can be certain to return home with some absolutely stunning pictures and memories. Besides the Big 5, other game species occur in great numbers, among which are more than 300 bird species. Sabi Sands possibly makes the best South African safari destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and bird watchers alike.
Major Attractions: Sabi Sands is possibly the best place in Africa to see the leopard. Both the quantity and quality of sightings is superb. This is a place where you can see leopard behaviour such as males marking and patrolling their territory or females interacting with their cubs. Wild dog sightings are less common, but if they are denning in the area, it is often possible to spend time with these amazing predators.
Wildlife: Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers excellent wildlife viewing. This is especially true for flagship species including the big cats. All of the Big Five are usually checked in a two to three-day visit. The white rhino is regularly seen, but black rhino, although present, is very shy and rarely encountered. The off-road driving assures quality sightings of most species, particularly the habituated resident predators. Sabi Sand is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, which makes for a very authentic wildlife experience.
Getting There
Getting To Sabi Sands By Air:
There are many flight possibilities available for travellers that seek for the quickest way getting to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. From Johannesburg and Cape Town travellers can make use of scheduled flights to Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) near Nelspruit. From here you can travel onwards to your preferred lodge by making use of a road transfer or a short hop on a small aircraft. South African Airways also serves Hoedspruit Airport which is conveniently located for travellers staying in the northern section of the Sabi Sands (see our Sabi Sands map). Also from Hoedspruit, you can choose for either a private road transfer or a short hop on a small aircraft. From June 2014 you will have an additional option as Skukuza airport (located in Kruger National Park) will be reopened and served by South African Airlink from both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Please see our Skukuza Sabi Sands page for all information related to this new convenient travel possibility.
Sabi Sands Shuttle Flights:
The fastest and most convenient option to get to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is by making use of a scheduled charter flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Federal Air serves almost all lodges in the reserve on a daily basis. View our Federal Air Sabi Sands page for all details.
Where To Stay: You will need a good place to sleep when travelling to the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve as you will experience that your time in the African bush will have a rather tiring effect on you.
Fortunately, Sabi Sands offers a perfect bed to everyone, and for every budget. As there is quite a number of lodges to choose from in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve you can be sure to enjoy an exclusive experience guaranteeing an absolutely unforgettable time in the African bush!
