Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Greater Kruger Park, South Africa

The 65,000ha Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in South Africa offers some of the finest Big Five game-viewing in the whole of Africa and so should always be on your shortlist when considering which game reserve to visit on safari. The Sabi Sands, as the Sabi Sand Reserve is affectionately known in South Africa, offers some of the world’s finest game lodges such as Singita, Londolozi and Rattrays at Mala Mala, together with some less well-known, but excellent, bush camps which offer superb value for money. We have visited practically every game lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve so we can give you a first hand review.

Just why is the Sabi Sands such a good area for safaris? Firstly it has two good rivers, the Sand and the Sabie rivers, which supply much needed water to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve resulting in an incredible diversity of wildlife. Secondly due to a long history of sensitive game-viewing over many decades, the animals are mostly relaxed allowing for superb game-viewing. This is especially noticeable with the leopards in the Sabi Sands which, most unusually, have become accustomed to safari vehicles resulting in extraordinary close sightings. This is a unique feature of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve however all of the Big Five (elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo) are frequently seen on safari here as well as plenty of general game.

Travel to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Access is relatively easy to the Sabi Sands. You can fly in by schedule charter flight direct from Johannesburg to your safari lodge. Or you can fly into Kruger Airport and then take a road transfer (approx 1½ to 2 hours depending on the lodge) or quick charter flight hop (20 minutes but more expensive). This allows you to enjoy direct flights from Cape Town or Durban into Kruger Airport. Finally you can even drive to the game lodges in the Sabi Sands, if you’ve been travelling through the Kruger National Park or driving up from Swaziland.

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