Overview–southafrica

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

An authentic wildlife experience is assured at Sabi Sabi, one of the private luxury reserves located within the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Sabi Sand shares fenceless borders with the world-famous Kruger Park. Wildlife viewing tends to be superb, and the main focus is on the Big Five. The big cats are plentiful. Even the secretive leopard is easily found.

Sabi Sabi was one of the first lodges in Sabi Sands and offers exclusive wildlife viewing while guests enjoy 5-star accommodation as well as excellent food and service. It has four very different lodges to choose from with themes ranging from traditional to colonial and contemporary to avant-garde. Sabi Sabi owns a reasonable chunk of the Sabi Sands area and only offers traversing rights to one small property, which makes it less crowded at wildlife sightings.

Best Time to Visit

Sabi Sabi is part of the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The best time to visit Sabi Sands is during winter, which is also considered the ‘low season’. This is 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 a lovely month to visit. It is also the least cold of the winter months.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Animals are easier to spot as they concentrate around water sources
It is low season
Virtually no rain and lots of sunshine
Mild daytime temperatures and low humidity
Very little risk of malaria
The air is dusty and dry
It is necessary to wear warm clothing for morning and evening game drives

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

The scenery is lush and green
There are many newborn animals around
Birding is excellent, and migratory birds are present
The Dry season is the best time for wildlife viewing
It can be crowded since it is high season
Days are hot and humid
Antimalarial drugs are necessary

Scenery

Sabi Sabi's landscape is mostly woodland savannah. The foliage can be dense, but this rarely presents a problem when viewing wildlife due to the expert tracking skills of guides and the possibility of driving off-road.

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Good

Fair

Poor

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Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Dec

Mar

April

Oct

Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: October to March (It can get a bit busy)

Size

From: 650km² / 251mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Easy sightings of the Big Five make wildlife viewing superb. While you’ll almost certainly see some lions resting during the day, you might be lucky to find them hunting on a night drive. Other nocturnal animals you could encounter are porcupine, civet and maybe even a notoriously fierce honey badger. Burchell's zebra and blue wildebeest are often seen grazing together while greater kudu tends to stick to thicker vegetation.

Wildlife Highlights

Sabi Sands is possibly the best place in Africa to see leopards. Both the quantity and quality of sightings is superb. This is a place where you can see leopard behavior such as males marking and patrolling their territory or females interacting with their cubs. Wild dog sightings are less common, but if they are denning in the area, it is often possible to spend time with these social pack animals.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in Sabi Sands is very good throughout the year but perhaps at its best during the Dry season (June to September). August and September are particularly nice since it is warmer than in mid-winter and animals tend to gather at water sources, making them easier to spot.

General Wheather

Sabi Sand Game Reserve experiences winter and summer at opposite times to those seasons in Europe and North America. October to April are the hot, wet summer months while the mild, dry winter occurs from May to September. Although winter days are pleasant, it is cold in the mornings, so warm clothes are advisable for game drives.

Dry Season –May to September – Winter

For the most part, it doesn’t rain during the winter, and humidity is low. Permanent water sources become a place for animals to gather, making them easier to spot.

May – May marks the end of summer. Temperatures are around 11°C/52°F in the morning and 28°C/82°F in the afternoon as the weather cools.
June, July & August – Due to the cold mornings (10°C/50°F), it is wise to bring along warm clothing for morning game drives. There will be cloudless skies in the afternoon and temperatures will be pleasant at around 24°C/75°F.
September – The first rains bring relief and alleviate the dry conditions. The heat rises to an average afternoon temperature of 27°C/81°F. Mornings are mild with average temperatures around 15°C/59°F.

Wet Season –October to April – Summer

Summer can be hot and humid, sometimes to an uncomfortable level. Temperatures often reach 40°C/104°F, but the daytime average is around 32°C/90°F with high humidity. Afternoon storms are normal, yet all-day rainfall is rare.

October & November – Temperatures increase and afternoon rains become more frequent. Typical temperatures range from 18°C/64°F in the morning to 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These months have the most rainfall and highest temperatures, coupled with intense humidity. The average afternoon temperature is 33°C/91°F, but it is not unusual for it to reach an unbearable 40°C/104°F.
March & April – The rain decreases, and it gradually cools. This trend continues into April, which is the most pleasant month with little rain, less humidity, and sunny skies. Nighttime temperatures fall to 15°C/59°F and daytime temperatures of 32°C/90°F are typical.

Prons

Wildlife viewing is fantastic
Off-road driving allows close encounters with wildlife
Experienced guides offer a variety of wildlife-viewing activities
Four luxury safari lodges with different styles
Situated in a less crowded part of Sabi Sands

Cons

Expensive, fully-inclusive safari packages are the only option
Emphasis on finding flagship species only

How To Get There

Sabi Sand Game Reserve experiences winter and summer at opposite times to those seasons in Europe and North America. October to April are the hot, wet summer months while the mild, dry winter occurs from May to September. Although winter days are pleasant, it is cold in the mornings, so warm clothes are advisable for game drives.

Dry Season–May to September – Winter

For the most part, it doesn’t rain during the winter, and humidity is low. Permanent water sources become a place for animals to gather, making them easier to spot.

May – May marks the end of summer. Temperatures are around 11°C/52°F in the morning and 28°C/82°F in the afternoon as the weather cools.
June, July & August – Due to the cold mornings (10°C/50°F), it is wise to bring along warm clothing for morning game drives. There will be cloudless skies in the afternoon and temperatures will be pleasant at around 24°C/75°F.
September – The first rains bring relief and alleviate the dry conditions. The heat rises to an average afternoon temperature of 27°C/81°F. Mornings are mild with average temperatures around 15°C/59°F.

Wet Season–October to April – Summer

Summer can be hot and humid, sometimes to an uncomfortable level. Temperatures often reach 40°C/104°F, but the daytime average is around 32°C/90°F with high humidity. Afternoon storms are normal, yet all-day rainfall is rare.

October & November – Temperatures increase and afternoon rains become more frequent. Typical temperatures range from 18°C/64°F in the morning to 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These months have the most rainfall and highest temperatures, coupled with intense humidity. The average afternoon temperature is 33°C/91°F, but it is not unusual for it to reach an unbearable 40°C/104°F.
March & April – The rain decreases, and it gradually cools. This trend continues into April, which is the most pleasant month with little rain, less humidity, and sunny skies. Nighttime temperatures fall to 15°C/59°F and daytime temperatures of 32°C/90°F are typical.