The Sabi Sand is a private reserve sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park — wildlife flows freely, but vehicle numbers do not. Generations of careful guiding have made its leopards utterly relaxed, and few places on earth watch them better.
This is also the home of the polished South African lodge: superb food, spas, private plunge pools and rangers who have guided the same traversing land for decades. Flights from Johannesburg take about an hour, so it is the easiest world-class safari to reach.
Highlights of Kruger & the Sabi Sand
Leopard, daily
The Sabi Sand’s leopards are habituated to vehicles across generations — sightings most drives.
Off-road traversing
Private-reserve rules allow rangers to follow sightings off-road, day and night.
The Big Five, reliably
Lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino share the reserve with its famous cats.
Cape Town pairing
A two-hour flight links the bush with one of Africa’s most beautiful cities.
Explore Cape Town pairing →
Best time to visit
Dry winter — thin bush, animals at waterholes, and no malaria medication needed by many travelers (low season risk). Prime game viewing.
Green summer — newborn antelope, superb birding and lush scenery.
In the rainy months many of these same camps drop their rates by 20–40% — emerald landscapes, newborn wildlife, superb birding and far fewer vehicles. Peak season isn't the only great season: tell us your budget and we'll show you what the green season buys.
Planning & cost
Fully tailor-made — priced privately to your camps, season and travel style. No fixed packages.
Every journey is private and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
Money & tipping
US dollars are accepted at virtually every camp, and cards work at lodges and city hotels. Your trip is fully inclusive, so cash is mainly for tips: plan on roughly $10–20 per guest per day for your guide and $10–15 for camp staff, handed over at the end of each stay. We send exact guidance with your final documents.
Health & safety
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Staying connected
Nearly all lodges have Wi-Fi in the main areas (often in-tent too), and an eSIM from your US carrier covers the cities. Expect to be offline on game drives — most guests come to see that as the point. Family back home can always reach you through us, day or night.
What to pack
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
South Africa
A South Africa safari pairs Big Five private reserves with Cape Town and the Winelands.
Explore → ExperienceBig Five Safari
A Big Five safari — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, Africa’s most sought-after sightings.
Explore → Southern AfricaBotswana
A Botswana safari is Africa’s water wilderness — the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari.
Explore → RegionSouthern Africa
The desert, the delta and the falls — Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Explore →Kruger & the Sabi Sand FAQs
Getting to South Africa — flights, visas and health
Current at the time of writing. We re-confirm every requirement for your exact routing before you travel — and we will tell you what to apply for, and when.
Let's design your Kruger & the Sabi Sand journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
Enquire now