SABI SABI SELATI LODGE
Kruger Park, South Africa

Sabi Sabi Lodge

Since 1978 guests from all parts of the world have been enthralled by Africa's fabled wildlife in their natural habitat at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, situated in the world-renowned 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Wildtuin in the southern section of the Kruger National Park.

Specially-trained, armed Game Rangers and Trackers will take you on safari in open land rovers - both by day and night - and on walking trails, learning about some 300 bird species and 200 animal species, including lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant and cheetah, tracked and followed off-road, deep into the African bushveld - a Nature Wonderland. The advantage of Sabi Sabi Safaris stems from the fact that animals on the Reserve have not been hunted for over half a century. Because they have become habituated, they perceive the outline of a vehicle carrying humans as non-threatening. Tourists can therefore look forward to the unique experience of being driven extraordinarily close to the large mammals which, despite being totally wild, continue unperturbed in their natural patterns of hunting, feeding, mating and suckling.

The Lodge

Sabi Sabi's intimate all-suite Selati Camp, furnished with a historic Railway theme and 19th century charm, meticulously created as an authentic home in the bush, is the most unforgettable of all African experiences. The railway theme extends from original steam engine name plates, signals and other memorabilia in the lounge, to collector's pieces in each room and shunter's lamps lighting the way to your suite. Originally created without electricity to preserve the ambience, Selati Camp now has overhead fans and air-conditioning, while the camp is still lit at night by the gentle flicker of oil lamps, the warm glow of fires and the spectacular canopy of the Southern night sky. The eight luxury thatched suites, each with full bathroom en-suite and private alfresco shower, blend perfectly into the surrounding bush. Home-cooked cuisine is served on decks built over the river-bed, in the open air "boma" or in the "farmhouse kitchen".

Morning Safari

A knock on your door from the Ranger will wake you before first light, while the kitchen brews hot coffee or tea, and prepares cool fruit juices with a muffin or rusk on the side. Early morning is the time of day for bird choruses, and the rising sunlight dances off beads of dew on spiders' webs. The Tracker will watch the road for spoor, leaning forward intently to find any print left by a predator during its hunt in the dark. There may be hushed discussions in Tsonga between Ranger and Tracker, and brief radio interactions from one vehicle to another. Sharing information ensures that the occupants of each Landrover have the best chance of a wide range of sightings - and also ensures control and responsible behaviour as vehicles move in close to the animals.

Morning Walk

You will be part of a small group that sets out on foot after breakfast. The walk is an opportunity to experience wild life at close quarters. Sabi Sabi boasts approximately 350 different species of birds. Their nests and calls are fascinating. There is an endless diversity of trees, shrubs and flowering plants, and whatever the time of year, no two walks are ever remotely the same.

Evening Game Viewing

As the fierce heat of the day cools, animals move out of the shade of the trees, and birds increase the volume of their song. In the late afternoon, the call of the Crested Francolin reverberates through the Bushveld. You will be aware of colours softening to beautiful, gentle hues that vary with each season. New scents fill the air as the sun dips behind the horizon. The Ranger will choose a spot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a sundowner alongside the vehicle. The dusk period tends to be quieter. There is a lull as the animals sense the transition into a time of increased danger. The nocturnal hunters start stirring, and their prey needs to be alert for survival through the night. If you are lucky, you may be able to watch a lion or his pride prepare for the evening hunt. Their long bodies stretch to ease muscles cramped from lying in the shade during the day; claws are sharpened and sinews lengthened against a tree; vegetation is marked with urine, and the wind sniffed for scents; only then do they set off in a slow, loose-jointed, arrogant amble. With the help of the spotlight, a leopard's eyes may reflect back from a tree. Other smaller predators that are often encountered at night include the genet, African Civet and African Wild Cat. Bushbabies are nocturnal primates that feed on insects and fruits. Their large eyes shine red in the light.

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The Kruger National Park & Private Game Reserves