Kruger National Park
First established as a National Park in 1926, Kruger National Park is one of the world’s most popular public-entry parks. This enormous park covers more than 2 million hectares and is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including 336 tree species, 49 fish species, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals.
Kruger National Park has become synonymous with a visit to South Africa, and very few tourists leave the country without experiencing this magnificent wildlife reserve. While the park is open to all members of the public, many pristine private game reserves can be found within Kruger National Park and along its boundaries. These private reserves ensure guests enjoy both extraordinary Big Five wildlife encounters and luxurious accommodations, coupled with high standards of service and personalized attention.
Sabi Sands Nature Reserve
Considered by many people to be Southern Africa’s premier wildlife destination and renowned globally for the incredible Big 5 sightings, Sabi Sands Nature Reserve is a testament to the vision of it’s founders who recognized the value in preserving this wonderful wilderness.
Covering 65,000 hectares and sharing a 50-kilometer unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands offers some of the most prolific sightings of the magnificent Leopard and the opportunity to observe then in their natural environment. Luxury lodges abound and each offers its own definition of authentic South African hospitality and comfort.
Featured Lodges – Sabi Sands
Cheetah Plains – Sabi Sands
Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Cheetah Plains’ three exclusive-use luxury eco-villas are the epitome of bushveld sophistication and luxury. Breathtaking architecture and thoughtfully curated furnishings are complemented by outstanding cuisine and incredible wildlife encounters.
Each villa accommodates up to eight guests in four superb bedroom suites and is supported by a dedicated team of hospitality staff and rangers, ensuring your stay is as comfortable as possible. The shared living spaces invite you to relax and reflect on your day’s wildlife encounters while enjoying a meal prepared in the fully equipped chef’s kitchen.
Londolozi – Sabi Sands
For nearly 100 years, Londolozi has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation and is one of South Africa’s original private game reserves. The name ‘Londolozi’ is derived from Zulu, meaning ‘protector of all living things,’ and this family-owned enterprise continues to embody the pioneering spirit of its founders, who envisioned creating one of the world’s most treasured wildlife experiences.
In 1993, Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be accorded Relais & Châteaux status. Its luxurious safari camps continue to offer a blend of experiential luxury and the spectacular natural beauty of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Beyond Tengile River Lodge – Sabi Sands
Tengile means ‘tranquil’ in the local dialect, and with its nine beautiful suites dotted along the banks of the Sand River, providing guests with both seclusion and ever-changing wildlife interactions, it’s easy to see why the lodge has taken this name.
Like its Sabi Sand neighbors, the lodge benefits from extraordinary leopard sightings and a very high density of other Big Five animals. Strict protocols regarding the number of vehicles allowed at any given sighting ensure that guests enjoy a relaxed and rewarding wildlife-viewing experience. Back at the lodge, it is clear that great care was taken in its design, with guest comfort at the forefront, offering many private, open, and interactive spaces for relaxation between game-viewing activities. The talented kitchen staff pride themselves on delivering delicious and imaginative meals, catering to all dietary requirements.
Singita – Sabi Sands
Singita’s contribution to nature conservation in Southern Africa dates back nearly 100 years, when the grandfather of Singita’s current owner acquired a 12,000-hectare piece of land in what is now known as the Sabi Sands Reserve. Since 1993, the name Singita has become synonymous with intimate safari experiences, reflecting the brand’s respect and love for conservation, supported by a hospitality offering that embodies this vision.
Each of Singita’s Sabi Sands lodges provides sumptuous accommodation with flexible configuration options to suit couples or family groups. The design of each lodge complements the natural landscape and features multiple relaxation and vantage points to maximize guest enjoyment. At the heart of any visit to Singita’s lodges are the wildlife experiences. Expert ranger and tracker teams ensure guests have up-close and personal encounters with a multitude of magnificent wildlife.
Leopard Hills – Sabi Sands
Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve is located in the western sector of the incredible Sabi Sands Game Reserve. With over 10,000 hectares of game-rich African bushveld to explore and nine luxury suites, guests are treated to some of the finest wildlife experiences, either in open game-viewing vehicles or on foot with experienced guides and trackers. As the lodge’s name suggests, leopard sightings and interactions are frequent, as are sightings of other Big Five game.
The lodge offers a relaxing and luxurious environment where guests can share their day’s adventures and enjoy exceptional cuisine prepared by the attentive staff.
Timbavati Reserve
Home to the famed white lions, the Timbavati Reserve offers visitors stunning and diverse wildlife encounters in an area of untouched African Wilderness. Spanning 54,000 hectares, the reserve was formed in the early 1950’s by a group of like-minded landowners determined to protect this natural integrity of this unique reserve for future generations to enjoy and protect.
An important milestone in the history of the reserve was the dropping, in 1993, of the fences between itself and the Kruger National Park and other adjoining privately owned conservation areas.
With a wide variety of authentic bush camps and luxury lodges to choose from, the Timbavati Reserve is a destination not to be overlooked.
Featured Lodges – Timbavati Reserve
Ngala Talented Camp – Timbavati Reserve
The tranquil and sophisticated Ngala Tented Camp can be found nestled in thick riverine bush along the banks of the Timbavati River. Having recently undergone a thorough refurbishment, Ngala Tented Camp offers luxurious accommodation in 9 tented suites and exclusive traversing rights on 14,700 hectares of pristine wilderness. Expert ranger and tracker teams, follow sensitive off-roading practices to allow close-up game sightings of elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, African wild dog, and more.
RockFig Safari Lodge – Timbavati Reserve
The luxurious Rockfig Safari Lodge is situated in the heart of the game rich Timbavati Game Reserve which borders the famous Kruger National Park. The Timbavati has become synonymous with the rare White Lions which were first discovered in the Timbavati in the 1920’s and the area remains home to most of the remaining wild White Lions.
The lodge itself has a relaxed ambiance with both communal and private spaces being carefully designed to ensure that all guests can enjoy both privacy and the companionship of other lodge guests. Only 6 suites ensure an intimate and relaxing atmosphere at the lodge and less crowded sightings of wildlife.