Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Overview

The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve shares a 50km unfenced border with Kruger National Park and offers the best wildlife viewing in South Africa. The area is divided into individual private game reserves, all offering the ultimate Big Five experience. The reserves offer an exclusive experience with luxury accommodation, great service and excellent food.

Why Go:

  • Superb wildlife viewing
  • Home to the Big Five
  • Day and night game drives
  • Exceptional service and hospitality
  • Excellent high-end luxury safari lodges
  • Off-road driving allows close-up viewing of animals

Wildlife

Sabi Sand is the place in South Africa to easily see all of the Big Five in a short period. Even a two-day visit is usually enough to see all flagship species.With a good population of highly habituated leopards, Sabi Sands is one of the best places in Africa to see these normally elusive cats. Lion and cheetah are also easily seen.

More About the Wildlife

Scenery

Sabi Sand is an extension of Kruger National Park and has the same relatively thick vegetation consisting of woodland savanna. Two rivers run through the park, providing water. The riverine vegetation makes an excellent habitat for leopards and other wildlife.

Best Time to Visit

The best wildlife viewing time is during winter, which is also considered the ‘low season’. Fewer crowds make this an appealing time for a visit. It is also the Dry season which lasts from May to September.Animals are easy to spot during the dry months as foliage becomes less abundant and they gather around rivers and waterholes. September is the most attractive month to visit. It is also the least cold of the winter months.

More About the Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Sabi Sand experiences winter and summer at opposite times to Europe and North America. October to April are the hot, wet summer months while the warm and arid winter occurs from May to September.Although winter days are dry and mild, it is cold in the mornings, so warm clothes are advised for morning and evening game drives. Expect thunderstorms in the afternoon during the Wet season, though it generally doesn’t rain all day.

More About the Weather and Climate

Wildlife & Animals

At Sabi Sand Game Reserve you will easily be able to see all of the Big Five in a short period. Even a two-day visit is usually enough to see all flagship species. With a good population of highly habituated leopards, Sabi Sand is one of the best places in Africa to see these normally elusive cats. Lion and cheetah are also easily seen.
Abundant Common Occasional Rare None
  • Elephant

    Elephant

    Common
  • Zebra

    Zebra

    Common
  • Hippo

    Hippo

    Common
  • Buffalo

    Buffalo

    Common
  • Zebra

    Zebra

    Common
  • Wildebeest

    Wildebeest

    Common
  • White Rhino

    White Rhino

    Occasional
  • Black Rhino

    Black Rhino

    Rare
  • Lion

    Lion

    Common
  • Leopard

    Leopard

    Common
  • Cheetah

    Cheetah

    Common
  • Hyena

    Hyena

    Common
  • Wild Dog

    Wild Dog

    Rare

Best Time to Visit

The best wildlife viewing time is during winter, which is also considered the ‘low season’. Fewer crowds make this an appealing time for a visit. It is also the Dry season which lasts from May to September. Animals are easy to spot during the dry months as foliage becomes less abundant and they gather around rivers and waterholes. September is the most attractive month to visit. It is also the least cold of the winter months.
  • Best Time to GoMay to September
    (Dry season)
  • High SeasonOctober to March
    (The park gets crowded)
  • May - September

    Dry Season

  • October - March

    It can get a bit busy

  • April - September

    Excellent time for wildlife viewing

  • April - May

    Mild weather and little rain

  • September - October

    Mild weather and little rain

  • June - August

    Chilly mornings and nights

  • December - February

    Hot and humid

May - September
- Dry Season – Winter
  • It is low season for tourism
October - March
- Wet Season – Summer
  • Very little risk of malaria

Weather & Climate

The Sabi Sand experiences winter and summer at opposite times to Europe and North America. October to April is the hot, wet summer months while the warm and arid winter occurs from May to September. Although winter days are dry and mild, it is cold in the mornings, so warm clothes are advised for morning and evening game drives. Expect thunderstorms in the afternoon during the Wet season, though it generally doesn’t rain all day.
Climate Chart
- 272-479m / 892-1,572ft
Averages based on 50 years of monthly climate data, taken from 1km² (0.39mi²) interpolated climate surfaces.
© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.
Dry Season
- May to September – Winter

The dry winter season is from May to September, which is also the best time to visit Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Wet Season
- October to April – Summer

The dry winter season is from May to September, which is also the best time to visit Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Getting There

Sabi Sand Game Reserve is a sum of smaller parts with various freehold landowners. There are a number of ways to access particular lodges within the reserve by road and air. In addition to the options below, private road transfers, charter hops and individual charter flights can be arranged to suit guest itineraries.

Airline and Ticket Prices

People flying from international destinations can choose from one of the many flights to the region throughout the year.

Domestic Flights

There are domestic flights to the Sabi Sands regions and people can also choose self-drive options.

Getting to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve by road

Travellers making use of their own rental car when travelling in South Africa can easily reach the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

From Johannesburg, the driving distance is approximately 450 kilometres. Most of the route from Johannesburg takes you along the N4 national road making it an easy and comfortable drive.

Including some stops for refreshments, the total driving time adds up to about 6 hours. Please note: access to the northern section of the Sabi Sands (access to for instance Chitwa Chitwa, Cheetah Plains and Arathusa lodges, also see our Sabi Sands map) is through Gowrie gate which takes 7 hours to get to from Johannesburg.

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