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Best reached by charter flight to a Sabi Sand airstrip (such as Arathusa) followed by a short game-drive transfer, or fly to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) and transfer by road (roughly 2 hours into the northern sector), alternatively self-drive via the Gowrie Gate (the last ~40 km is dirt, allow 1.5 hours from the tar).
A genuine choice of styles: the six glass-fronted Luxury Suites are the pick, open-plan with a lounge, fireplace and a private deck looking over the riverbed and waterhole, and our clients specifically single out Room 5 for its direct waterhole view. Couples and honeymooners take the glass-fronted Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite with its own splash pool and daybed, families take the newer two-bedroom Elephant Suite with its large shared deck, and the five garden rondavels are the comfortable, affordable option. All suites have air-conditioning, overhead fans, mosquito nets, safes, minibars and tea/coffee.
Sumptuous South African cuisine on a full-board basis, breakfast and lunch on the viewing deck or in the dining room and dinners around the fire in the boma, with all meals, sundowner drinks and tea/coffee included, an on-site wine cellar, and the bar and minibar charged extra.
Neutral safari layers with a warm jacket, beanie and gloves for cold winter dawn drives in open vehicles (May–August), lighter clothing for hot summers, closed shoes for bush walks, a sun hat, sunscreen and binoculars, insect repellent and antimalarials, swimwear for the pools and splash pool, and a good camera with a long lens, this is top leopard-photography country.
The Sabi Sand is arguably the world's best place to see leopard, and being a private reserve, your guide can drive off-road and after dark with limited vehicles per sighting, an ethical edge over Kruger proper. Request a glass-fronted Luxury Suite over the waterhole (Room 5 has the best direct view),
Sabi Sand’s GCC funds anti-poaching, habitat management and community projects across the reserve. Lodge emphasises guest education as its core contribution.
