Mother and baby monkey at Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Lonely Planet Traveller Magazine, Issue 103, July 2017, South Africa

©Jonathan Gregson/Lonely PLanet

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Kruger National Park


Within the borders of the large Sabi Sand Game Reserve are some of Southern Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges and the best wildlife watching on the continent. The area is routinely selected by safari connoisseurs as their destination of choice. As there’s no fencing between the various private lodges within the greater Sabi Sand area, all share the same wealth of birds and animals, but they're all far enough apart that no-one gets in each other's way.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kruger National Park attractions

1. Mathekenyane

14.77 MILES

The top of this granite kopje south of Skukuza has an uninterrupted panorama of the surrounding wilderness (best at sunset).

2. Transport Dam

18.05 MILES

This large water hole is where the famous YouTube video 'Battle at Kruger' (lions versus buffaloes versus croc) was filmed.

3. Manyeleti Game Reserve

18.57 MILES

During the apartheid era, the 23,000-hectare Manyeleti was the only wildlife reserve that blacks were permitted to visit. Due to its unfenced boundary…

4. Nkuklu Picnic Spot

18.95 MILES

One of Kruger's designated picnic spots. Between Skukuza and Lower Sabie. It's in a wildlife-rich area (elephants in particular love the riverbed when it…

5. Nkumbe

24.4 MILES

Set atop a rare ridge not far from the Tshokwane stop and restaurant, Nkumbe offers a vast view over the western savannah. The views are glorious. Watch…

6. Orpen Dam

25.01 MILES

A thatched viewing pavilion on an elevated hillside has great views of this dam, which is popular with elephants.

7. Shangana Cultural Village

28.32 MILES

This touristy recreation of a traditional Shangaan community features – depending on the time of day – a market, farming activity and house building…

8. Mlondozi Picnic Area

29.59 MILES

One of Kruger's designated picnic spots. North of Lower Sabie, which means it can get crowded in peak season. Given how prolific wildlife is in the area,…

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