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.
©Jonathan Gregson/Lonely PLanet
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Kruger National Park
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
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.
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Mathekenyane
14.77 MILES
The top of this granite kopje south of Skukuza has an uninterrupted panorama of the surrounding wilderness (best at sunset).
Orpen Dam
25.01 MILES
A thatched viewing pavilion on an elevated hillside has great views of this dam, which is popular with elephants.
Afsaal Picnic Spot
29.63 MILES
One of Kruger's designated picnic spots with decent shade. Between Malelane Gate and Skukuza.
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,…