Experience: Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

A highlight of my South Africa trip was the 3-day stay at Sabi Sabi - a Private Game Reserve, which is geographically integrated into the Kruger National Park.

Exciting game drives in an extraordinary landscape with constant wildlife sightings - I have the most amazing images in my mind when I think of safari!

Will it really be like this and will I finally see elephants, lions, giraffes, and the endangered black rhino live in the wild?

I don't know at this point - we are not in a zoo.

• Sabi Sabi is an exclusive area for wildlife observation. Especially wild cats thrive in this area. Here, I saw the only black rhino of my South Africa trip. These animals have sadly become extremely rare and must never be tagged, photographed, or uploaded directly with GPS coordinates.

• Tracker and Ranger. The well-trained Ranger drives the well-maintained vehicle while the tracker keeps an eye out for animal tracks. Knowledge is happily shared with us guests. Ranger Marcus often pulls out his smartphone to play bird calls and explain the differences.

• Off-road driving instead of sticking to the official (paved or unpaved) road. In private game reserves like Sabi Sabi, rangers are allowed to leave the roads with their vehicles when an animal is sighted. Off-road driving is the ultimate experience during a game drive. Additionally, in Kruger, you are not allowed to drive after 7 PM. There are no restrictions for rangers in Sabi Sabi.

• If trails are spotted... the trackers sometimes leave the jeeps in pairs to follow the tracks into the bush. The rangers coordinate and encircle the area from the outside.

Even the rangers sometimes get out to investigate tracks and dung:

• Small groups, open safari vehicles, and a private ranger with a tracker. For the duration of our stay, we have our own ranger and tracker who take care of us exclusively. As a result, the vehicle is only occupied by 4 people, allowing everyone to select the best spot for photography and observation. Of course, we had the funniest, best, and friendliest guides in Marcus and Candy.

• Maximum flexibility. The game drive does not end if the scheduled time is up when animals are sighted. Here, the ride is extended, and upcoming meals must wait.

• Animals are accustomed to vehicles and don't flee. Unlike in Kruger National Park, the animals are used to the open safari vehicles. They don't rush into the bushes but remain calm. Even a hunting leopard leaned against our vehicle for a moment while stalking a herd of impalas. This gives you the best opportunities to photograph wildlife in peace.

• Rangers maintain radio contact. The rangers in Sabi Sabi are linked by radio. If you really want to see lions, your ranger is directly informed when a lion is sighted. The anti-poaching teams who combat poachers and live in the bush also report their sightings.

To ensure that no outsiders overhear, the rangers have developed a secret language. Marcus also speaks the local dialect used by trackers like Candy.

• Animals are not harassed. A distance from the animals is maintained, as no more than 3 vehicles are allowed at one sighting. If more vehicles are in the vicinity, a distance is established through discussion, and everyone must turn off their engines occasionally.

• Spotlights in the dark. Once it gets dark, it gets more dangerous. You don't want to encounter an elephant at night. We saw from a short distance how it chased a jeep and nearly overturned it.

This is why the rangers speed at night, and the tracker lights the way and the bushes left and right to prevent being surprised by an animal. If an animal is sighted, special infrared spotlights are used to avoid blinding light-sensitive creatures like impalas.

• Sabi Sabi offers accommodation suitable for everyone. Families feel comfortable in the Bush Lodge with child care, honeymooners in the Little Bush Lodge (the smallest and most intimate lodge), couples in the Selati Camp, and those who do not have to worry about budget book into the award-winning Earth Lodge.

Learn more about the Earth Lodge here

• No fences - pure nature experience. There are no fences here. Hence, when leaving the lodge, one must be cautious regarding who is outside the door. At night, one may only leave one's accommodation accompanied by staff.

• Intimate, family atmosphere. The Earth Lodge feels like a big family. Small talk with staff and other guests is no problem. Despite the luxury accommodation, it is not as posh as expected; the atmosphere is very pleasant. I feel completely comfortable.

• The food is fantastic, and the underground wine cellar, which can also be rented for events, is very exclusive.

• All races work together equally here. The environment is warm, the team is well-coordinated, and they understand each other blindly. You quickly feel like part of the Earth Lodge family. (Why do I mention this so explicitly? I have had other experiences at other accommodations.)

• Only natural materials were used for construction. The walls are made of earth, clay, and grass. The style is modern and minimalist. I like it.

• At the Earth Lodge, there are 5 open Toyota vehicles for game drives. In the entire area, including 3 other lodges, there are 20 vehicles. All are connected via radio.

Sabi Sabi borders the Kruger Park, one of the largest national parks in South Africa. "Sabi Sabi" means "fear" in the Tsonga language. Yet I feel no fear. Instead, there is peace and a certain tension about what animal we will encounter first.

I don't understand the hype regarding the Big Five among tourists. Neither can the rangers answer this question. For them-just as for us-every animal holds fascination. Be it a rhino, giraffe, leopard, or kingfisher.

We spend three days in Sabi Sabi - a combination of nature and luxury. At the Earth Lodge, we spend three days in one of the 13 luxury suites. The Earth Lodge has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler USA as one of the 52 best places in the world.

The accommodation is located in the midst of the 65-hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, south of the Kruger National Park, amidst nature and hundreds of animal and bird species. Including the Big Five.

Upon arrival, we are warmly welcomed, our car key is taken, and our luggage is loaded onto a golf caddy. A path winds into the "interior" and brings us directly into paradise.

Until the next game drive (a game drive is called a Game Drive here and not a safari), we have an hour left, so let's have a quick look at our suites. We reside in number 11, which must not be left alone in the dark.

Because: At the Earth Lodge, there are no fences. What this can mean even during the day we discover soon after leaving our luxurious suite to have a coffee in the lounge.

A loud rustling from the left, and not two seconds later, an elephant breaks through the thicket. It remains undisturbed by us as its goal is the waterhole 5 meters away. I am so surprised to see an elephant at just a few meters distance that I almost "overlook" two more...

5 AM: The alarm rings. Wake up, get up and quickly dress. Because: The best time for wildlife observation is the early morning hours.

5:30 AM: There's a knock at the door, and we are awakened. It's time for the first coffee, tea, or snack at the coffee bar. Slowly, the rangers and other guests of the Earth Lodge arrive. A quick check to make sure the cameras are charged, spare batteries and memory cards are packed, and perhaps a jacket should also be taken.

6 AM: The Toyota jeep for the game drive is already ready. Tracker Candy observes as the GoPro is mounted; an elephant appears behind him, and we are off. The wildlife awakens at sunrise. Now the animals are particularly active.

We are lucky: after a few meters of driving, an elephant crosses our path, and a little further, we come across impalas and a herd of buffalo. Marcus has the right intuition, Tracker Candy carefully reads the tracks in front of us and also identifies animals from over 500 meters away, where we can only see trees.

Thus, after a short drive, we encounter three white rhinos. After being scrutinized for a moment, the animals trot away.

9 AM: After the morning game drive, we return to the lodge for breakfast. A delicious breakfast awaits us. Afterward, we still have about an hour to shower, relax, or take a short nap. We use the time to back up and review the pictures taken. Tiredness on safari? Not at all...

10:30 AM: A walking safari - a walk accompanied by our armed ranger Marcus is usually on the agenda. However, due to the rain during the morning game drive and the worsening weather, the walking tour is canceled. Instead, another jeep tour is planned. Unfortunately, due to the rain, we are not allowed to leave the public roads. After rain, you cannot leave the paths for 24 hours to avoid damaging nature. Off-road driving is therefore not possible.

Nevertheless, we frequently stop to learn about birds and their sounds. In addition, we learn about the significance of some plants and their medicinal or practical uses.

After returning, we have another hour to relax, visit the gym, or use the lodge's spa area.

1:30 PM: Time for lunch. The meal is served with a view of a waterhole. Unfortunately, no animals are visible. After the morning rain and the cool temperatures, the animals prefer to hide in densely vegetated areas. Afterward, we have even more time to unwind. I grab the camera and the telephoto lens and venture out to look for animals. Unfortunately, apart from an impala in front of our bathroom window, no other animals are spotted nearby the lodge.

4 PM: Time for coffee, tea, and cake. Delicious cupcakes and cookies await me. Early rising makes one hungry. Before we head out on another game drive, we strengthen ourselves again with coffee.

4:30 PM: We board our open safari vehicle and set off for the sundowner game drive. The second ideal time, after the early morning hours, is the evening. As the temperatures drop and the sun sets, the animals leave their hiding places to move to the waterholes. Nocturnal animals like hyenas also become active now.

We drive towards the sunset and spot a leopard in the grass. In its line of sight: a large herd of impalas. Because these graceful animals have excellent eyesight, it means, not only for the leopard: remain patient until the sunset. So we wait.

As the light diminishes and the shadows lengthen, the optimum time for the wild cats begins: they creep ever closer to their target until the sun completely disappears.

Before it does, we drive on to uphold an old safari tradition at sunset: Marcus parks the vehicle and unfolds a kind of table over the hood. We are presented with delicious snacks (biltong, nuts, chips) and a chilled drink of our choice. Of course, we always keep an eye on the surroundings. We toast to a successful day and enjoy the incredible colors in which the savannah now appears. A sunset in South Africa is unforgettable.

As darkness approaches, the rangers use bright spotlights to locate the nocturnal inhabitants of the nature reserve. The light from the spotlights reflects off the animals' eyes, making even small creatures relatively easy to spot. The rangers primarily try to track lions and leopards.

7:30 PM: Return to the lodge begins at 7:30 PM, depending on how many animals were discovered during the game drive. Spotting a hunting leopard is not an everyday occurrence... dinner must wait. Who's thinking about food now?

Therefore, we arrive back at the Earth Lodge shortly after 8 PM. No problem; we head straight to the next program point at the bar:

8 PM: Before we head to dinner, we meet with Ranger Marcus at the bar (refreshments are also available; we skip that today). I choose gin and tonic. We all share our experiences from the day and hear from other guests and rangers about what they have encountered during the game drives. By now, we know each other and I enjoy the family atmosphere.

After we finish our drinks, we take our seats at the table. Tonight, we are even served by our ranger Marcus. This is part of his job too. We choose from three dishes. Whatever we select tastes exquisite, the portions are just right-not too large, just enough to make me full and satisfied.

We go to the garden to reflect on the day under the impressive starry sky in the bush. After this exciting day, the evening ends quite early, and we let an employee take us back to the lodge - not without a weapon - an elephant in the dark can be dangerous.

Let alone lions and leopards... Good night, the alarm goes off at 5 AM for another day of game drives and walking tours!

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From Johannesburg: Driving trip from Johannesburg via Hazyview: about 5 hours without a break. Entrance through Shaws Gate. Once you pass the gate, all lodges are signposted. We turn right towards the Earth Lodge.

From Nelspruit: Travel time also via Hazyview and Shaws Gate is about 2 hours.

The entrance fee per vehicle is 190 Rand. An additional 50 Rand per person applies. The Wild Card is not valid here.

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I was supported during my stay by the Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. One night was complimentary for me, while the other night and the nights of my companion were at a discounted rate.