Sabi Sand and Kruger’s private reserves: a guide to private safaris
5 min read · Facts checked
The short answer
The Sabi Sand is a private reserve of roughly 65,000 hectares on the south-western edge of Kruger National Park, with an unfenced boundary so wildlife moves freely between the two. Its lodges can drive off-road and limit vehicles at sightings, and it is famous for leopards. It is a malaria area. You can reach it by road from Johannesburg, by scheduled flight to an airport serving the Kruger area, or by charter to lodge airstrips.
What makes a private reserve different
- Open vehicles and expert rangers and trackers.
- Off-road driving to follow animals, which is not allowed on Kruger’s public roads.
- Limits on the number of vehicles at a sighting.
- All-inclusive lodges, from family-run camps to some of Africa’s best-known names, such as Londolozi, Sabi Sabi and Lion Sands.
The Sabi Sand
Bordering Kruger along an unfenced boundary of about 50 km, the Sabi Sand shares its wildlife with the national park. It is known in particular for leopard sightings, alongside the rest of the Big Five.
Getting there
- By road: a long but scenic drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria, best with a chauffeur and planned stops.
- By scheduled flight: to an airport serving the Kruger area, followed by a lodge transfer.
- By charter or helicopter: direct to lodge airstrips, operated by licensed operators and priced per flight.
Before you go
- The Kruger area is a malaria area: speak to a travel clinic in good time.
- The dry season (about May to September) offers the easiest game viewing.
- Lodges have luggage limits on light aircraft, so pack soft bags.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sabi Sand part of Kruger National Park?
No. It is a separate private reserve, but it shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger, so animals move freely between them.
How do you get to the Sabi Sand?
By road from Johannesburg, by scheduled flight to an airport serving the Kruger area with a lodge transfer, or by charter or helicopter to lodge airstrips.
Is the Sabi Sand malaria-free?
No, it is in a malaria area. Malaria-free alternatives include Pilanesberg, Madikwe and the Waterberg.
Sources
Rules, advisories and schedules change. Always check the official source before you travel.
Travel with Envo Prestige
Private Safaris
Private game reserve and Kruger safaris planned end to end, with road, flight or helicopter transfers.
About Private Safaris