Visiting South Africa should be on everyone’s bucket list, because there really is no place like it
Majestic mountains, beautiful vineyards, incredible food, the famous Kruger National Park, and of course, the unbeatable South African hospitality are just some of the things you can expect to experience. Our trip to the Mother City included many of the classic Cape Town sites: Boulders Beach, Camps Bay, the V&A, Franchhoek, and Table Mountain. But there’s one place we visited that we won’t be forgetting in a hurry: Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, in the heart of Kruger.
Sabi Sabi is one of many private game reserves in the National Park, but what sets it apart is the luxury accommodation, talented game drivers, and passion for wildlife that everyone shares. It’s also one of the most likely places to see the Big Five! We checked in for a two night stay, full board where all meals, drinks, and game drives – two per day – were included.
To get to Sabi Sabi was an adventure all of its own. After flying to Johannesburg, we took a small plane to Skukuza, a tiny airport in the middle of Kruger. Within 10 minutes of landing, we were driving through the National Park, passing giraffes, impala, zebra, and kudu, until we finally reached the wonderful lodge. After checking in at Sabi Sabi, we were shown around camp and the luxury lodge, where we’d be staying. The room was like nowhere we’ve ever stayed before. High thatched ceilings, antique furniture, African prints, and a huge bathroom with an open shower, and deep bathtub. It was opulent yet cosy, classic yet modern, decorated in warming hues of brown, lifted with soft white and grey.
But the most incredible part had to be the private garden, with an outdoor shower, bath, and plunge pool, which looked right out onto the reserve, with just a tiny electric wire fence separating us from the roaming animals. Did we mention Sabi Sabi is an open game reserve? One afternoon, when we were sipping Cap Classique (South Africa’s answer to Champagne) by the pool, we heard a faint rustle in the bushes. A few seconds later an elephant appeared. So large yet so quiet, it walked majestically past our lodge to the watering hole in front of the main camp’s decking. We followed the elephant the whole way – wine still in hand.
On our first day, we arrived around midday, so we joined the rest of the guests for a wonderful lunch, which includes everything from soup to burgers, fish to sandwiches, all freshly made. The game drives take place at sunrise and sunset, and last 3-4 hours, so we had little to do until 4pm apart from relax by the pool – we had the choice of our private one or the bigger one in the centre of camp. When 4pm came around, we gathered in the lounge for iced tea and coffee, and freshly made cakes before jumping into our vehicles. There were three couples on our game drive, and each couple had their own row.
Within five minutes of leaving the lodge we were surprised with a Don Pedro, a boozy South African drink, with vanilla ice cream, heavy cream, and Amarula. The perfect refreshing drink for a balmy summer evening. We rattled along in our big jeep, scouring the landscape for animals. We were lucky enough to see three of the Big Five: a leopard, an elephant, and a rhino, as well as giraffes, zebras, and warthogs. As sunset fell, the game drivers found a spot for sundowners: beers, gin & tonic, wine, soft drinks, and little snacks like beef jerky and crisps.
We arrived back at camp to welcome drinks and dinner. We dined under the stars, with monkeys swinging around above our heads in the trees, enjoying a wonderful Braai (a South African BBQ) and traditional dishes. By 10pm we were in bed, ready for our 5am game drive. What began as a quiet morning took a very quick turn when we stumbled across pride of lions, basking in the morning sun after feasting on a dawn kill. Sated from their feed, we were able to get extra close, too, without disturbing them. As we did the night before, we stopped for tea and rusks (a South African biscuit), half way through the drive. On our way back to camp we saw hundreds of buffalo and a mother rhino with its calf, plodding down a long track.
Back at camp a beautiful breakfast awaited. Fresh smoothies and fruit, yoghurt and freshly baked treats, as well as a cooked breakfast. The afternoons can be spent relaxing, reading, sleeping, or taking part in some of the other activities Sabi Sabi offers, such as the earth spa or a walking safari. This is an opportunity to really immerse yourself in the bush, learn how the guides track the animals, and experience wilderness up close. It’s simultaneously invigorated, spine-chilling, and magical. We joined three game drives in total – more than enough to see the Big Five – and opted for a relaxed morning and long breakfast on our day of departure.
Our stay was one we’ll never forget. For a camp that is so opulent and luxurious, it’s also simultaneously wild and rugged. We enjoyed the slower pace, the time to reconnect with nature and ourselves, and of course the South African hospitality. We felt like we were part of the family, and have made memories that will last a lifetime.
South Western Greater Kruger National Park
sabisabi.com