South Africa Sabi Sand Game Reserve
With no boundary fences between it and the world renowned Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand enjoys an abundance of diverse wildlife. The entire Big Five is well represented, and other rare animals, such as the cheetah and hyena are often sighted. Various antelope species, from impala, waterbuck and duiker to kudu, bushbuck and nyala can also be seen. However, it is the leopard that is the real star of the show, with the area well known for some of the best leopard experiences in Africa.
Apart from riverine forest and scatters of dense thickets, the Sabi Sand's principal habitat is bush savanna, consisting mainly of small trees and shrubs. This type of vegetation is interspersed with patches of taller, more widely-spaced trees, as well as open areas dominated by grasses. The trees and grasses provide perfect grazing for giraffe, warthog, impala, zebra and wildebeest. A favored delicacy for the Sabi Sand elephants is the marula tree, renowned for its distinctive mottled grey bark and its abundant summer crop of juicy fruit. When ripe, this fruit is greatly sought after - not only by elephant but also by baboon troops. The leaves and bark of the knob thorn tree are another delicacy enjoyed by elephants. Undeterred by the knobby spines on the trunk and branches, both elephant and giraffe are drawn to the nutritious foliage.
The Sabi Sand has two distinct seasons, and game viewing is equally rewarding during both. The summer season (September to March) is a time when many species breed and prey is plentiful for the lurking predators. Rainfall occurs between October and February and often results in spectacular afternoon thundershowers. In the winter season (April to August), the animals concentrate at the perennial water sources and the grass is low, making game viewing easier. Although winter days are usually warm and clear, late afternoon and early morning temperatures are distinctly chilly.
Dulini Lodge is a blissfully quiet retreat that enjoys shade and peace beneath a leafy canopy of ebony trees. As one of only twelve guests, you feel instantly at home in this luxurious lodge. Generous private plunge pools and shady decks look out onto the seasonal Mabrak River just meters away. This tranquil retreat offers tantalizing glimpses of the calm rhythms of the bush, with leafy views opening up to surprise scenes of the nearby riverbed and the animal life centered round it. Morning and afternoon game drives, bush walks and other wildlife activities are offered daily.
Six stone cottages nestle among the trees, with private decks and decadent plunge pools facing out toward the river bed, with its green banks and quirky suspension bridge. All cottages are air-conditioned, have private bathrooms and both indoor and outdoor showers. Huge glass windows let you gaze out onto the shady banks directly from the comfort of your bed, sheltered by gracefully draped mosquito nets. Get away from it all with a long soak in a deep claw-footed bathtub, while huge glass windows keep you close to the nature outside. Dine under the ancient jackalberry tree where skilled chefs serve delicious meals or steal away for an intimate dinner for two in the well-stocked wine cellar.
Set in a leafy, evergreen thicket on the banks of the Sand River, each room in the Exeter River Lodge offers panoramic views of the water and the wildlife it attracts. The lodge’s eight luxurious suites have private bathrooms and large decks with you own plunge pool. A grove of ebony trees lends its shade to this gracious lodge, where dramatic views of the nearby river are enjoyed from every corner of each suite. Elephants come to take a bath in the river, hippos spend their days submerged and for many other species, the river is a vital and important place for a cooling drink. Twice daily game drives, regular bushwalks and excellent birding await you here.
Warm afternoons are spent cooling off in private plunge pools or simply soaking up the beautiful scenery. Freshen up in an alfresco shower or soak in a deep bathtub before enjoying a fine meal around a blazing fire in the open air boma under a star strewn sky. Linger over dinner while you listen to the sounds of the African bush, the distant yipping of a jackal, nervous chuckle of a hyena or strident wail of a bush baby. The last sound you here as you drift off to sleep in the depths of your warm bed is the gentle rushing of the river outside your front door.
Step back in time into the gracious atmosphere of this original 1920s homestead and marvel at the spectacular views of the unspoiled wilderness from each of the eighteen guest cottages. Spacious sitting, dining and bar areas contain mementos of a time long past, while the untamed wilderness is just outside – like the warthogs grazing on the lawn. Located high on a ridge, the camp overlooks the Sand River and the animals that depend on it for life. The green tin roof and manicured grounds carve out a soft and cultured niche in the wild and tumbling bush. Enjoy the ritual of afternoon tea served on the spacious veranda or rolling lawn, perhaps in the company of a wild but friendly visitor or two.
Private verandas attached to each cottage offer a secluded spot to drink in the breathtaking views. Old-fashioned bedsteads combine seamlessly with modern comfort and souvenirs of bygone years to create a nostalgic safari atmosphere. Generous claw-foot bathtubs complete the picture, while stand-alone showers in each room provide an up-to-date touch. Indulge in private time in the fascinating library or while away a few hours in front of the roaring fireplace in the guest sitting room. Leisure hours can be spent by the pool admiring the bush landscape and enjoying a special wildlife sighting in the river valley.
Situated on a wooded bank of the Sand River, Leadwood’s four suites offer solitude and serenity. Fully sized private plunge pools soothe and refresh in the warmth of the day, while a blazing fireplace in each suite offers a cozy refuge when cool nights creep in. Elevated dining and sitting areas boast dramatic views over the confluence of the Sand and Mabrak Rivers. With only four suites carefully distanced from each other, Leadwood is ideal for families or parties of friends who want to share their safari experiences without intruding on each other’s privacy.
Constructed for maximum privacy, none of the four suites overlook each other, ensuring total serenity and solitude. Simply relax on your private deck or while away the hours absorbed in the peace of the bush. Floor to ceiling glass windows in the front of your suite afford wide views of the animals coming down to drink at the rocky watering hole. The colors and textures of the bush follow you indoors and even the indoor shower is encased in glass. When the chill of the African night comes creeping up, retire to the warmth and comfort of your own fireplace in your private suite. The deep, free-standing tub in the bathroom beckons and the underfloor heating chases the chill from the smooth rock floor.