5 Day Best of Sabi Sand Safari

After being met at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg by an African Sky representative, guests are assisted with check-in for a scheduled flight to Skukuza Airport in the Greater Kruger region. From here, a scenic road transfer carries you into the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, which adjoins Kruger National Park and is famous for its Big Five game viewing and exclusive lodges. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, set on the banks of the Sabie River, will be your luxurious base for the next four nights in one of South Africa’s premier safari destinations.

On arrival at the lodge, you’ll have time to freshen up and take in the tranquil views from your villa’s private deck or plunge pool. In the afternoon, the call of the wild is answered as you depart on your first open 4x4 safari accompanied by an experienced ranger-and-tracker team. As daylight fades, you may encounter nocturnal species by spotlight before returning to the lodge for a gourmet dinner beneath the stars. The sounds of the African night and the comfort of your suite provide a memorable first evening in the Sabi Sand.

Two game drives are conducted today in the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, which occupies a prime tract of Big Five country in the southeastern sector of the Sabi Sand. The lodge enjoys coveted access to the Sabie River, a permanent water source that attracts a concentration of wildlife, especially in the dry season when animals congregate along the riverbanks. Morning drives often reveal predators still active from the night before, while plains game like zebra, wildebeest and various antelope graze the open clearings and riverine fringes.

Between drives, you can relax at Ivory Lodge and enjoy its refined facilities, from shaded decks and inviting lounges to optional spa treatments. Your ranger will interpret tracks and behavior, explaining how the unfenced boundary with Kruger allows animals to move freely between the reserves. In the late afternoon, you set off again in search of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, pausing at a scenic spot for sundowner drinks. As the sun dips below the horizon, you’ll feel why Sabi Sand is widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest safari areas.

Today’s program again includes morning and afternoon open 4x4 safaris, with the option of a guided bush walk offered by the lodge, conditions permitting. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is well placed within a concession renowned for exceptional leopard sightings, and your ranger-and-tracker team will use their skills to locate these elusive cats and other predators. The varied habitats around the Sabie River support a rich array of wildlife, from browsing giraffes and browsing nyalas to pods of hippos and crocodiles in the water below the riverbanks.

If you prefer a slower pace, you may choose to spend more time at the lodge and let the wilderness come to you. It is not uncommon to see elephants, antelope and birdlife from your private deck or from the lodge’s main viewing areas, where spotting scopes are provided. Optional spa treatments and leisurely poolside hours offer a counterpoint to the excitement of safari activities. In the evening, another fine dinner and the warmth of the campfire provide the perfect backdrop to reflect on your deepening connection with this remarkable reserve.

As your days on safari accumulate, the rhythms of life in this ecosystem become more familiar. Having likely enjoyed multiple Big Five encounters, you may find your interests broadening to include smaller and more subtle aspects of the bush on today’s game drives. Your guide may focus on tracking techniques, bird behavior, termite mounds and the intricate relationships that sustain the food web in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, all while remaining ready to respond if fresh predator activity is detected over the radio.

Between activities, you are free to savor the comfort and exclusivity of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. Time spent watching the Sabie River from your deck, paging through a book in the lounge or chatting with your ranger about conservation adds depth to the experience. As this is your last full day on safari, the afternoon drive and sundowners are especially poignant. A final elaborate dinner, perhaps followed by stargazing in the clear southern skies, rounds off your extended stay in one of South Africa’s most sought-after wilderness areas.

A bittersweet sense of farewell accompanies your final morning game drive in the Sabi Sand, offering one last opportunity to search for any animals you may not yet have encountered. The cool air, birdsong and early-morning light provide a fitting end to your time in the bush. After returning to the lodge, a leisurely breakfast is served, giving you a chance to say goodbye to the staff who have hosted your stay with warm, attentive service.

Following breakfast, you are transferred back to Skukuza Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, retracing your route over the wild expanses of the Greater Kruger region. On arrival at O. R. Tambo International Airport, your unforgettable five-day “Best of the Sabi Sand” safari draws to a close. From here you may connect to your onward international journey or continue exploring Southern Africa with additional touring tailored to your interests.