So often I get this question from travellers and it is a very tricky question to answer!
The first thing to consider is what you were planning to spend on safari? This is usually the most expensive aspect of your holiday however in return for this expenditure you receive luxury accommodation, gourmet meals and even more importantly, morning and evening game drives in an open, 4×4, off-road vehicle.
To give you a bit more information about the Sabi Sands, the Reserve is undoubtedly the most exclusive private game reserve in South Africa. Situated on 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located on the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. In the last 20 years most of the fences have been removed between the private reserves and South Africa’s Kruger National Park, allowing game to roam freely back and forth.
This is what makes the Sabi Sands an ideal place to experience an amazing African safari. The remarkable scenery, affordable and luxury accommodation, extraordinary wildlife encounters and rich biodiversity makes Sabi Sand the ultimate safari destination! Access to the Sabi Sands is very easy, there are daily direct flights to the lodges or to the Kruger Airport, and alternatively you can drive from Johannesburg (5 hours).
The area is known for its great leopard & lion sighting and they are so accustomed to vehicles that they don’t really take much notice of you and carry on with their daily activities. You therefore have a great chance of seeing a leopard on the hunt!! You chances of seeing the Big 5 animals are also very great (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino).
OK, enough about the reserve, where to stay is what we should be focusing on. (Sabi Sabi Map ). The cost to stay at one of these private lodges ranges between USD 280 – USD 1000 per person per night.
To break it down the top ULTRA luxury lodges include Singita, Ulusaba, Londolozi, Mala Mala, and Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. Slightly more affordable are Savanna, Simbambili & Leopard Hills. And for the best value for money lodges I would suggest Chitwa Chitwa & Kirkman’s Camp.
However nothing beats speaking to your consultant so that we can get an understanding of exactly you want out of your safari and recommend the perfect option. Between us here at Rhino Africa we have seen every lodge in the Sabi Sands and will be able to offer you first hand knowledge and personal recommendations. I would also encourage you to read my colleagues blogs about the different lodges.
At each and every one of these lodges in the Sabi Sands you are going to have the advantage of being in an excellent game viewing area. The guides in the area are very knowledgeable and you are sure to have an incredible safari experience!