Sabi Sand Highlights

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve consists of a mixed bush savanna habitat and is dominated by acacia, marula and combretum trees, with tamboti and weeping boerbean on raised termite mound thickets. A narrow band of riverine forest lines the Sand River and its drainage lines.

These wooded habitats provide the ideal conditions for leopard, bushbuck and a variety of shade-loving birds. Rock outcrops (koppies) north of the Sand River support trees such as large-leaved rock fig and jacketplum. Two perennial rivers supply the game reserve with a valuable water source. The Sand River flows through the reserve for 50km (31 miles) from North West to south east whilst the Sabie River flows on the southern boundary. The sustenance of these rivers ensures that this area boasts one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations in Africa.

Over two hundred different species occur in abundance whilst the ever changing bird life provides even the most experienced ornithologist with rare finds. Such is the environment that the wildlife remains in their territories all year round.

Sabi Sand Game Viewing and Activites

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is situated in the south western sector of the game rich Kruger National Park. There are no fences between the two reserves which mean animals roam freely in this pristine part of Africa. The Reserve is regarded as one of the best wildlife destinations in South Africa, home to the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino as well as an abundance of general game and prolific bird life. The reserve is also known for the best leopard viewing in Africa.

Impala are the most abundant antelope, with common waterbuck and grey duiker seen on a regular basis. Greater kudu, bushbuck and nyala prefer thickets and riverine forest, whilst buffalo herds graze in tall grasslands. Waterholes attract elephant, white rhino, giraffe and warthog and many other wildlife species during the dry season. Sabi Sabi hosts a remarkable 350 species of birds.

Almost five percent of the world's bird species have been recorded in this region of South Africa. The reserve is divided by the Sand River, an important source of water and a dependable place of refuge for the animals' endless migration. This unique and unspoilt region promises guests a safari experience of a lifetime.

How to Get there

Air

There are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg International) to various airports bordering the Kruger National Park, being, KMIA (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) as well as Hoedspruit Airport (also called Eastgate). We recommend that guests use KMIA for lodges in the southern section of the Sabi Sand Reserve and Hoedspruit Airport for lodges in the northern area of the Sabi Sand Reserve. Once guests arrive at the various airports they have a choice between, a car hire option (self-drive), a road transfer to the lodge where they will be staying or a short air transfer (flight hop) to the various lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve.

Land

All the Sabi Sand Reserve safari lodges are accessible via self drive with a sedan rental car from anywhere in South Africa. Obviously the drive time depends on where you are driving from! To self drive from Johannesburg will take approximately 6 hours.

Seasons and Climate

The climate is subtropical with hot rainy summers and cool dry winters.

Summer lasts from October to March. The days are hot and humid with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can get very high, 32 degrees Celsius, followed by cooler more pleasant evenings. The dry bushland comes to life after the rains, however game becomes more challenging to find as numerous water sources fill up and the area becomes lush and green.

Winter is from April until September, it is dry and water is scarce. The days are warm and pleasant, however early mornings and evenings are chilly. Game viewing during winter is excellent and visibility is good, as the animals tend to gather around the water sources and guides know where to find them. Game viewing in the dry winter months is therefore considered the best.