All You Need to Know About a Sabi Sands Safari

The Sabi Sands is a private wildlife reserve that has a 50-kilometer (31-mile) unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa. It is renowned for providing constantly gratifying Big 5 game watching and is regarded as one of the premier safari regions in the nation. Daily, the myriad of species inhabiting the Greater Kruger region roam freely, as they have for millennia, captivating wildlife enthusiasts with remarkable observations and stunning imagery.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve is clearly one of the most remarkable treasures within the Kruger National Park. This pristine region of South Africa boasts remarkable biodiversity, housing over 500 avian species and nearly 150 mammalian species. In conjunction with a temperate climate, convenient access from Johannesburg, and arguably the largest assemblage of award-winning ‘safari chic’ accommodations globally, it is evident why both novice and experienced safari enthusiasts return to the Sabi Sands annually. It is optimal for novices, as the wildlife observation is accessible, the climate is temperate, the distances are little, and the logistics are efficient. Even seasoned safari enthusiasts will appreciate witnessing the meticulous restoration of a region once devoid of animals to its original magnificence.

Sabi Sands has the best of all worlds: wildlife can come and go as it wants, yet there aren’t a lot of people there, so you can see a lot of animals without being overwhelmed. But why is it so popular, and why do the best lodges become filled up months in advance during the high season?

How Big is Sabi Sands

When compared to other massive game reserves in Africa, such as Kruger, the Sabi Sands is relatively tiny at 65,000 hectares (160,600 acres).

Its southern border is the Sabie River, its eastern border is Kruger National Park, and its northern border is Manyaleti Game Reserve. Water for animals is provided by the several streams that flow into the reserve from the Sand River, which meanders through the centre of the reserve. Rock outcrops called “koppies” and dense vegetation with tall trees are typical of the Lowveld region of South Africa. Leopards love these locations, while lions and cheetahs can be seen roaming the open savannah.

Sabi Sands vs Kruger

Since Kruger is a national park, the government of South Africa is responsible for its administration. It welcomes hundreds of people annually who come in their own vehicles or on buses to explore at their leisure. Guests are required to stay at public campsites managed by the South African National Parks Board; night drives and nature hikes are prohibited.

As opposed to that, the Sabi Sands are run by private individuals. The only people allowed inside are those staying at the lodges; day tourists and self-drivers are not allowed. Exciting safari activities that guides can partake in include spot-lit game drives, when they search for animals that are active at night, and nature walks, where they search for smaller plants and animals that are typically missed from a vehicle.

Will You Have the Reserve to Yourselves

Singita, Ulusaba, Sabi Sabi, and Londolozi are just a few of the illustrious safari brands that have lodges spread out across the “broken up” Sabi Sands. In order to reach exclusive wildlife viewing areas or lookout spots, several lodges work together and let each other use “their” territory.

Among the Sabi Sands, MalaMala is one of the few really “private” regions; guests from neighbouring lodges are not permitted to drive their vehicles into nearby MalaMala.

That being said, you may expect to share the reserve with other private safari guests for the most part.

Will You See Other Vehicles in Sabi Sands

Because there are over 30 lodges in a tiny region, it is highly like that you will encounter another game-drive 4×4 at a sighting. Other safari enthusiasts are also likely to be present, particularly during the mid-year high or peak season, or if the sighting is really uncommon, such as a kill or wild dogs.

Because you don’t have to drive very far to get wildlife, the Sabi Sands’ intimate size really works to your benefit.

Unless you’re in an exclusive-use area like MalaMala, which has just three lodges in a huge region all to itself, you might observe other vehicles (such as delivery trucks and tractors used for bush management):

Sabi Sands Wildlife

Over the course of several decades, the area has gradually welcomed back endangered species. More than three hundred and thirty-six tree species, more than 500 bird species, and about 150 mammal species call the Greater Kruger their home. This number includes the Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. Widow finches, buntings, cisticolas, mannikins, wydahs, and eremomelas are just a few of the interestingly named birds that call this area home. Here, the Southern Ground Hornbill Project’s conservation efforts have proven fruitful.

Many animals find refuge in the lush greenery, including hyenas, sable antelope, eland, cheetahs, and white rhinos. You may expect to spot leopard on nearly every game drive in the Sabi Sands, but the MalaMala area is famous for its abundance of wild dogs. It is not unusual to see all five of the Big Five in the Sabi Sands in the course of a single day.

How Long Should You Spend in Sabi Sands

A three-night stay is perfect since it allows you to fully explore the reserve and embark on at least four game drives (two each in the morning and evening). You might be able to squeeze in an extra evening when you arrive and a morning drive before you go, for a grand total of six, depending on your arrival and departure times.

Keep in mind that the more drives you can go on, the better, because leopard and rhino sightings, no matter how abundant, are never assured. Even if you get to see all the animals on your wish list and take in all the breathtaking scenery, you will only have one full day to explore the region if you just stay for two nights.

If your safari is longer than three nights, you might want to think about switching lodges so that you can explore more of the Sabi Sands on safari and hopefully see more wildlife. Always keep in mind that due to the numerous traversing rights, you won’t be able to drive across the entire reserve to reach your new lodge. As a result, you’ll probably have to pay the gate fees twice: once to exit the reserve and again to re-enter at a point nearest to your new lodging. These kinds of logistics are usually taken care of by transfers.

Sabi Sands Compared to Other Game Reserves in the Area

There are also additional private game reserves in the vicinity such Timbavati, Thornybush, Kapama, Selati, Klaserie and Manyaleti. Though the weather and flora are identical, the concentration of animals may differ from one reserve to the next due to differences in wildlife management.

The Sabi Sands is often thought of as more exclusive and the others as more accessible, but keep in mind that pricing is just one aspect of a fulfilling safari.

Booking in advance is highly recommended at Sabi Sands because to the high demand, particularly during peak season. Fantastic game viewing in colder weather is available throughout the dry winter months, which begin around June and last all the way into September. Animals do not venture far from water sources, and the vegetation is not as dense and lush as it is in the summer, when it is much easier to observe game. Make sure to book your reservation in advance if you would want to visit during this period.