Lodges in Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Idube Game Lodge
Mala Mala Main Camp
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Simbambili Game Lodge
Umkumbe Safari Lodge
About the Reserve :
The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is the oldest private game reserve in South Africa and was established in the 1950s. The 65 000 hectare reserve is made up of a number of privately owned smaller reserves within the Sabi Sand and it shares a border with the renowned Kruger National Park in the Lowveld of the Mpumalanga Province. The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is world renowned for its luxury safari lodges, Big Five safari experiences and the diversity of wildlife conserved in the area. The name, Sabi Sand, comes from the Sabie River on its southern boundary and the Sand River flowing through the reserve.
The reserve shares a fenceless border with the Kruger National Park making it one of the richest wildlife areas in Africa. It is home to Africa’s famous Big Five-elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard- and a further 140 mammal species, including several clans of hyena, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, African wild dog and cheetah.
Of the many highlights of any visit to the Sabi Sand it is, however, the unbelievable sightings of leopards that guests can look forward to. These shy and elusive big cats have become comfortable around safari vehicles, allowing for incredible sightings and photographic opportunities.
The superb selection of exclusive lodges and bush camps located within Sabi Sand offer fantastic opportunities for guests to enjoy all-inclusive luxury amenities and facilities while enjoying the pristine African bushveld.
Activities available in the reserve include guided game drives in open safari vehicles led by experienced rangers and trackers; guided bush walks; photographic and birding safaris; astronomy lectures; boma and bush dinners; local community visits; fishing and golf, to name a few..
Directions to
Guests to the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve can travel there in a variety of ways. Most guests choose a scheduled flight or shuttle flight to the reserve. Guests wishing to travel to the reserve by car also have easy access to the reserve.
By Air :
There are three major airports that service the Sabi Sand :
Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport (for lodges in the western sector)
Skukuza Airport (for lodges in the southern sector)
Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (for lodges in the northern sector)
Guests travelling from Johannesburg or Cape Town can book a scheduled flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) and travel on to their lodge by road transfer or by means of a chartered flight in a light aircraft.
Airlink and CemAir fly into Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport and road transfer to lodges in the northern sector can be arranged.
Skukuza Airport is located in the Kruger National Park and road transfers to lodges located in the Southern sector of the park are recommended.
There are three airstrips located within the Sabi Sand and onward transfer by light aircraft from any of the above-mentioned airports makes it extremely easy for guests to get to their selected lodges.
The quickest and most convenient option to get to the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is by making use of a scheduled charter flight from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Federal Air serves almost all lodges in the reserve daily.
By Road : (directions to Gowrie Gate)
The Sabi sands has three access gates:
Shaw’s Gate: open from 05H00 to 22H00
Newington Gate: open from 05H00 to 22H00
Gowrie Gate: open from 05H00 to 22H00
Each gate serves different lodges. Please make sure you access through the correct gate when travelling to the lodge of your choice.
Directions from Johannesburg as follows :
- From Johannesburg, take the N12 to Emalahleni (Witbank).At Emalahleni (Witbank), take the N4 to Nelspruit (There are two national toll gates on this route- please ensure you are carrying enough funds for toll fees)
- Take the R40 from Nelspruit to White River and proceed to Hazyview
- Remain on the R40 towards Bushbuckridge (from Hazyview it is approximately 68 km/ 1 hour until Acornhoek / Manyaleti turn)
- Turn right at the traffic light to Acornhoek / Manyeleti
- Continue straight for 36km
- Turn right onto dirt road
- Follow dirt road for 6.4 km until the Uthar Clinic is on your left
- Turn left on gravel road (Utha Store will be on the right) – 7.3 km to the Gowrie Gate ( Entrance fee to the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve is payable in cash)
- Travel straight through the Gowrie Gate.
The Sabie River forms the southern boundary of the reserve and the Sand River flows through the park. The many waterholes and dams in the reserve provide a sufficient flow of water throughout the year- attracting an incredible diversity of wildlife.
Vegetation is primarily defined by bush savannah consisting of trees and shrubs, peppered with lush grasslands and riverine forest. Drainage lines form where the rivers flow, making for slightly hilly terrain in some parts. Over 330 tree species can be found on the reserve. All these species are indigenous to the area and, because of limited farming practices in the past, the environment is virtually as it was when humans first set foot in the region.
The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is part of the largest conservation area in Southern Africa and now links into the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Animals roam freely between the two areas and environmental management programmes and studies are ongoing within the reserve. These include alien plant control, micro-catchment management to combat erosion, monitoring of wildlife and habitat densities, anti-poaching units and control of runaway fires.
Community empowerment is also an important management aspect and includes activities to generate income and the provision of health care and drinking water for the local people.
Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is home to an enormous diversity of wildlife.
Not only the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) can be seen in the Sabi Sands- over 140 mammal species can be found. There have been occasional sightings of aardvark, pangolins, and caracals for some lucky guests- as well the more frequently seen Plains game such as zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala and wildebeest (to name a few)
In addition to the extensive mammal list, there have been 517 species of birds, 30 species of amphibians,114 reptiles and more than 45 fish species recorded in the reserve.
