The Sabi Sands
The Sabi Sands is a 65,000 hectare private game reserve that shares an unfenced border with the world famous Kruger National Park. Initiated as a conservation project by the landowners in the 1950s, the Sabi Sands was once cattle and crop farms. Over the years, the landowners have downed their fences, cleared the alien vegetation and the wildlife has returned in great numbers, offering guests the best big five game viewing in Africa.
The term Big Five comes from the hunting term for the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt. Nowadays, photographic safaris have used the term as the top 5 animals to see whilst on safari. Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino make up the Big Five and all are fairly common in the Sabi Sands.
Over the years, the animals have become habituated to safari vehicles and this allows some of the best photographic opportunities for guests to capture that perfect shot. In particular, leopards have become very relaxed around vehicles, allowing some of the best leopard viewing in Africa. Guests will often see several different leopards on their safari, which is really uncommon in other parts of Africa. The habitat suits leopards perfectly, as they need varied scrub, riverine woodland and bushveld that allows them to stalk within meters of their prey.
Aside from the big five, the Sabi Sands is also home to general game like giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, bushbuck, hippo and more. In terms of predators spotted hyena, wild dog and cheetah are occasionally seen on game drives.
Being private, guests staying at any of the Sabi Sands Lodges can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, night drives as well as walking safaris. Night game drives allow guests a glimpse into the nocturnal habits of the animals. This is generally when the cats are more active as they can hunt under the cover of darkness. Walking safaris is an exciting way to experience the African bush as you get to see some of the smaller elements of the safari that you would miss whilst on a vehicle. The tracks and signs left behind by the animals, as well as the smaller insects, frogs, plants and spiders which you would miss while on a game drive.
There is a wide selection of safari lodges to choose from inside the Sabi Sands. Ranging from rustic bungalows to ultra-luxury villas, there is something for everyone. Because of this, the Sabi Sands is the perfect safari destination for first time safari goers, family safaris, honeymoon safaris and avid safari goers and wildlife photographers.
The term Big Five comes from the hunting term for the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt. Nowadays, photographic safaris have used the term as the top 5 animals to see whilst on safari. Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino make up the Big Five and all are fairly common in the Sabi Sands.
Over the years, the animals have become habituated to safari vehicles and this allows some of the best photographic opportunities for guests to capture that perfect shot. In particular, leopards have become very relaxed around vehicles, allowing some of the best leopard viewing in Africa. Guests will often see several different leopards on their safari, which is really uncommon in other parts of Africa. The habitat suits leopards perfectly, as they need varied scrub, riverine woodland and bushveld that allows them to stalk within meters of their prey.
Aside from the big five, the Sabi Sands is also home to general game like giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, bushbuck, hippo and more. In terms of predators spotted hyena, wild dog and cheetah are occasionally seen on game drives.
Being private, guests staying at any of the Sabi Sands Lodges can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, night drives as well as walking safaris. Night game drives allow guests a glimpse into the nocturnal habits of the animals. This is generally when the cats are more active as they can hunt under the cover of darkness. Walking safaris is an exciting way to experience the African bush as you get to see some of the smaller elements of the safari that you would miss whilst on a vehicle. The tracks and signs left behind by the animals, as well as the smaller insects, frogs, plants and spiders which you would miss while on a game drive.
There is a wide selection of safari lodges to choose from inside the Sabi Sands. Ranging from rustic bungalows to ultra-luxury villas, there is something for everyone. Because of this, the Sabi Sands is the perfect safari destination for first time safari goers, family safaris, honeymoon safaris and avid safari goers and wildlife photographers.