Sabi Sand Game Reserve

The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve offers some of the finest Big Five game-viewing in Africa with extraordinary close sightings of the elusive leopard & other predators.

Overview

The 65,000ha Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in South Africa offers some of the finest Big Five game-viewing in Africa. So it should always be on your shortlist when considering which game reserve to visit. A Sabi Sands safari, as the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is affectionately nicknamed, also offers some of the world’s most luxurious game lodges. (Though there are some more moderate options as well). We have visited virtually every lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. So we'll give you candid 1st hand reviews.

Why is the gane-viewing so good on a Sabi Sands safari?

Firstly it has two good rivers, the Sand River and the Sabie River, which supply much needed water to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This leads to  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 fantastic game-viewing.

This is especially noticeable with the leopards in the Sabi Sands and Timbavati. Most unusually, these have become accustomed to safari vehicles resulting in extraordinary close sightings. This is a unique feature of these game reserves ONLY. However you will see all of the Big Five (elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo) whilst on safari here. As well as plenty of general game.

Safari in Sabi Sands Game Reserve at Sabi Sabi

Features

Why you may love it

  • Park of the Greater Kruger and shares open borders with the Kruger National Park allowing the animals to roam freely across boundaries.
  • Animals are very relaxed around safari vehicles, allowing for extraordinary close sightings with the Big Five, especially with the leopards.
  • Some of the world’s finest game lodges are situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve offering memorable safari experiences.
  • Access is relatively easy. You can opt for a private charter flight direct from Johannesburg, where available, or fly in either Kruger Mpumalanga Airport or Skukuza Airport. From the airports you can either opt for a quick charter flight hop, road transfer or if you feel comfortable driving there are rental car options available.
  • The Greater Kruger is also easily combinable with Livingstone in Zambia (for the Victoria Falls) as there are direct flights from the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport.

Start planning your dream trip

Find me the best in for

Need a little help? View our Safari Guide to help you get started

Accommodation

View More Accommodations

We felt like royalty!

"The accommodations were top notch everywhere we stayed and the service was over the top. But the grand finale of Silvan Safari in the Sabi Sabi, totally blew us away. The game drives were like being in a movie… we could not believe what we were seeing, ride after ride. Our guide and tracker were incredible. And the accommodation! Good lord, our suite was twice the size of our apartment at home! The food, the service, everything was over the top. We felt like royalty! " Mrs Deb

Had no idea how beautiful

"It really was the most wonderful experience, we feel truly privileged to have seen so many amazing animals close up in the bush. This was our first trip to South Africa and we had no idea how stunningly beautiful your country is. " Laughton Family, UK
 
Did you know
  • BorderShares an open boundary with the Kruger National Park
  • NameComes from the Sabie and Sand Rivers flowing through the Reserve