The best time to visit sabi sands is during winter, which is also considered the low season. The sabi sands game reserve is a 65,000 hectare reserve, pioneered by local landowners in the 1950s, and shares a border with the worldrenowned kruger national park. Within its borders is sabi sands, a 65,000hectare private reserve that was established by a. Sabi sands game map safari lodges south africa on the map. Kruger explorer sabi sands safari kruger national park. Kruger national park is south africas oldest, largest and best known national park. Sabi sands private game reserve sabi sands game reserve. Sabi sands game reserve safaris south africa yellow zebra. Oct 21, 2011 this amazing leopard sighting was filmed on african safari in the sabi sand, kruger park, south africa. At abs, we get this, so many of our trips include stys in both the kruger park and sabi sands. Animals are easy to spot during the dry months as foliage becomes less abundant and they gather around rivers and waterholes. The game reserve offers amazing sightings of leopards and close encounters with africas top predators including lion, cheetah, and cape hunting wild dog.
It is adjacent to kruger park no fences between them and its big waterhole attracts wildlife from both sabi sand and kruger. Sabi sands or timbavati kruger national park forum. It shares its unfenced 50 km eastern border with its worldrenowned neighbour, kruger national park. Upon entering sabi sands in south africa we head to the safari. This is enough reason to choose the sabi sand, if seeing leopards is important to you. Sabi sands vs kruger which safari experience is better. Sabi sands game reserve the ultimate luxury safari south.
The timbavati is north of sabi sands and is most easily accessed by way of hoedspruit airport. Sabi sands versus timbavati game reserves in kruger park, south. The eastern half of the park is the most important grazing area, providing red and buffalo grass species as nourishment for its resident. Krugers private reserves such as the sabi sands, timbavati and thornybush offer africas best big 5 sightings, especially for the most elusive member of the group, the leopard. Rainfall is less in timbavati, while sabi sands easily gets mm or more, something to consider if you want to visit this reserve from october april. Sabi sands safaris affordable kruger big 5 game reserves. Sabi sands game reserve the ultimate luxury safari south africa. This difference is well and truly felt in the costs. Singita sabi sand has been owned by the bailes family who have acted as the dedicated custodians of this precious part of south africas natural heritage since 1926. Over 25 years crafting authentic tailormade private journeys. It is one of the most popular neighbouring private reserves and, together with a few others, forms part of the greater kruger national park.
Today, many of these families are now third and fourth generation land owners, their legacy being the successful conservation of the highest density of big game in south africa. Compare singita, royal malewane, mala mala, londolozi, sabi. Private game reserve sabi sands bordering kruger national park in south africa for the ultimate luxury safari. Kruger vs masai mara vs serengeti which is best for african. This amazing leopard sighting was filmed on african safari in the sabi sand, kruger park, south africa. I think it is impossible to say one is better than another.
Feb 08, 2018 kruger nation park, sabi sands, lion sands, private game reserve, lion sands private game reserve, kruger park, kruger park safari, south africa, south africa safari, big five, big 5. Nkorho has a great feel to it nkorho has a great feel to it owned and overseen by the family that was one of the first to build anything in that part of sabi sand. All you need to know about a sabi sands safari go2africa. In 1993 the fences between kruger park and the sabi sands game reserves were removed which allowed wildlife to move freely between kruger park and the sabi sands. The sabi sands is renowned for its leopard densities. Timbavati versus sabi sands extraordinary journeys. Sabi sands incorporates the mala mala reserve, djuma game. The kruger is synonymous with thorny acacia trees along its rivers, and many marula and mopane trees. So, for location and game viewing, i would recommend ls river lodge.
Except for elephant plains which i believe is the most affordable one, with rates around r1500 per person. Sabi sands vs timbavati kruger national park message board. What isare the differences between the sabi sand reserve and. The sabi sand is a privately owned game reserve adjacent to kruger national park, and together the two areas make up some of south africas most incredible and pristine land. Here you are invited to relax and experience african hospitality at its finest. The sabi sands private game reserve is a renowned and expansive reserve that shares an unfenced border with the kruger national park and has one of the highest densities of game animals in south africa. The greater kruger national park is an extended conservation area that includes kruger itself, as well as a number of adjacent private game. Sabi sands vs timbavati kruger national park forum. You can say it earned its legendary reputation from being committed to sustainable tourism and because of the many visitors who witness amazing wildlife moments while.
Oct 06, 2016 the sabi sands game reserve is a 65,000 hectare private reserve, pioneered by local landowners and conservation enthusiasts in the 1950s. It is claimed as a favourite safari destination by both locals. Kruger also shares borders with private reserves like thornybush, sabi sands, malamala and timbavati. The kruger park is one of africas top safari destinations and rightly so. From the airport, you head out to our safari lodge in the greater kruger. Here youll find some of the bestknown names in luxury south africa safaris. The sabi sands area supports larger numbers of species but the other areas can be just as rewarding. Feb 05, 2020 in sabi sands idube we saw the big 5 within 2 game drives a couple that arrived the day after us and was there for 2 days didnt see any lions. Krugersabi sands sabi sand game reserve forum tripadvisor. We only have two weeks, but because it is easier to get from california to johannesburg, we are returning to kruger and sabi sands this october.
Sabi sands lodges reservations sabi sands game reserve. The sabi sands is definitely the best safari destination of south africa. For the avid bird or wildlife photographer, sabi sand must be the yearround african safari destination of choice. As i said, all 3 lodges are great if i have to make a recommendation though, i would recommend lion sands river lodge. Read more about the wildlife of sabi sands game reserve. Typically, in kruger, you can expect to see bigger herds and greater numbers of animals, and a larger variety of general game, compared to the. The sabi sands borders kruger national park, contains two rivers, and boasts brilliant wildlife viewing all year round. How does a kruger park safari differ from private reserves such as, say, the sabi sands. For your convenience we added a little map showing you the sabi sands game reserve including all sabi sands lodges, access gate, airports and sabi sand airstrips. Sabi sabi earth lodge is a unique, luxury 5star lodge situated within the famous sabi sand game reserve, one of the oldest and largest proclaimed private reserves which make part of the greater kruger national park and is known as south africas top safari destination, offering outstanding game viewing. The timbavati has a very low density of lodges and extends over a very large area. Many people want to experience both parts of the park.
This lodge is an ideal choice for accommodation for the couples and honeymooners planning for a safari excursion. Best places to stay in sabi sands safari lodges located on the south west border of the famous kruger national park, sabi sands is contrastingly exclusive as a private reserve whilst still benefitting from the fantastic kruger game with its unfenced boundaries. Private reserves kapama vs thornybush vs sabi sands kruger. Jan 16, 2020 sabi sabi game reserve is one of the well known names within the sabi sands game reserve. The sabi sands and private concessions that border the kruger are famous for the quality of game and accommodation. Is there a big difference in the animals that are around. The sabi sand game reserveis adjacent to kruger and shares an unfenced border with the national park. Today, 6 of the original founding families still own all the land that comprises sabi sands private game reserve. So the sabi sand is a bit more consistent in terms of quality and quantity of game viewing. Begin your safari time from there, starting in sabi sands and neighboring kruger national park, continuing down the zambezi river on a luxury houseboat, and ending amidst the okavango delta southern africa safari.
Sabi sands game reserve is adjacent to kruger national park and so shares the same wildlife diversity that makes the kruger famous. Greater kruger national park vs kruger national park. When you mention a sabi sands game reserve safari lodge, the name sabi sabi jumps at you. Spectacular leopard sighting, sabi sands, kruger youtube. A private reserve, such as the klaserie, timbavati, balule, or sabi sands is located within what we call the greater kruger area. Budget sabi sands lodge safari to greater kruger park. Sabi sands is highend luxury safari, whereas the government camps in kruger are very basic. As you can see it is located adjacent to kruger national park and within easy travelling distance from johannesburg. The lodge in sabi sands is slightly more expensive. I was hoping to get some advice on a decision i am having some.
To the west of the kruger national park lies the sabi sands private reserve. Only those staying at one of the private safari lodges are permitted access to the sabi sand game reserve, limiting the number of tourists coming in and providing a more exclusive gameviewing experience. Sabi sands is most easily accessed by way of the small kruger airport at skukuza or mpumulanga international airport at nelspruit. Singita, londolozi, sabi sabi and richard bransons ulusaba. Lastly, the sabi sand is the best place in the world to see leopards in the wild, at most lodges they are seen almost every day.
At londolozi, for example, within 15 000 hectares, we consistently view about 20 different leopards at any one time, and this high populations of cats is a great benefit to visiting a private wilderness area as opposed to. Day visitors and selfdrives are allowed in kruger national park and not in the sabi sand. Location of sabi sands game reserve in south africa. The sabi sand game reserve is adjacent to kruger and shares an unfenced border with the national park.
This is the dry season which lasts from may to september. It has some of the highest leopard densities of anywhere in the world. The areas hillocks, rocky outcrops and plentiful trees are prime leopard territory. A cluster of small jointly managed private reserves bordering the immense kruger park, sabi sands is arguably the best place anywhere in africa for certain sighting of all the big five lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo in the space of a 2 or 3 night stay. The oldest private reserve in south africa, dating back to 1934, sabi sand reserve is in effect a private extension of the vast kruger national park. Kruger national park and the greater kruger area of adjoining private reserves covers such an immense area that the landscape changes and with it the types and number of species each landscape supports. Reviews of sabi sands from 7 acclaimed safari experts. As part of the sabi sand private game reserve, the big 5 game viewing at lion sands is excellent. Inyati game lodge inyati lodge is an excellent option for big 5 game viewing in the sabi sands with a fantastic riverside location. In sabi sands game reserve near the banks of manyeleti river, lies a romantic and intimate lodge called simbambili game lodge. Should you choose 5 star guided luxury or the selfdriving safari adventure.
Everything you need to know to compare singita vs royal malewane. Guide and tracker take their guests offroad to get closer to cheetah at sabi sabi private reserve. The sabi sands area supports larger numbers of species but the other areas can be just as. In sabi sand most lodges are uppermarket 5 stars and thus expensive. Within its borders is sabi sands, a 65,000hectare private reserve that was established by a group of landowners in 1934. The size of a small country, south africa s flagship reserve is home to large prides of lion, herds of buffalo, rivers fat with hippo and bush that vibrates with the twittering of birds. I was hoping to get some advice on a decision i am having some difficulty finding an answer to. Lion sands river lodge repeat guests will be gifted 10% off on their accommodation rateriver lodge is the soul of the lion sands game reserve and has been built on the banks of the sabie river, positioned on a site with trees dating back 800 years. Breaking down the greater kruger national park african budget. The fiveday sabi sand lodge safari starts off in the vibrant city of johannesburg where you will be collected from or tambo bus terminal building around 06.