TRIP OVERVIEW
Seven days / Six nights duration
Big Five game viewing + more
Open borders to Kruger National Park
Premier location for leopards
Photographic guidance throughout
Private vehicle and field guide
Optional editing tuition in between game drives
Trip includes:
+ Hoedspruit airport pick up and drop off
+ One night b&b accommodation in Hoedspruit
+ Ground transfers to and from Sabi Sands
+ Five nights in Sabi Sands
+ All meals, tea, coffee and water in Sabi Sands
+ All game drives
+ All conservation levies and gate fees
+ Photographic guidance throughout
Trip excludes:
- Any accommodation or travel outside of itinerary
- Drinks (available as extra purchase at bar)
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips for local guides and lodge staff
- Travel insurance
ABOUT SABI SANDS
Regarded as one of the best safari destinations and premier private game reserve in South Africa, Sabi Sand Game Reserve should be on every wildlife and nature enthusiast’s African safari bucket-list. Boasting 65,000 hectares of vast untamed wilderness, the notorious Sabi Sand Game Reserve shares a 50km/30mi unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park (South Africa’s flagship national park), allowing animals to roam freely between the reserves. This ensures an unforgettable and unmatched African safari and wildlife experience.
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is praised for its remarkable and longstanding conservation efforts. In fact, Sabi Sand Game Reserve’s conservation initiatives has led to the successful conservation of the highest density of big game in South Africa. The re-purposing of boreholes, previously used for private farms, into countless waterholes for animals means that the Sabi Sands is able to offer a year-round water source for wildlife and birdlife which is not affected by seasonal changes. This means you’re never far away from spotting the Big Five and the hundreds of other species that make up the greater Kruger population at any time of the year.
The Sabi Sands is in particular well known for its amazing leopard sightings. The most elusive animal of the Big 5 is frequently spotted when going on a game drive in the reserve. As such, Sabi Sands offers the ultimate photographic safari one can think of. You can be certain to return home with some absolutely stunning pictures and memories. Besides the Big 5, other game species occur in great numbers, among which are over 300 bird species. Sabi Sands possibly makes the best South African safari destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and bird watchers alike.
ITINERARY
Day One
Arrive at Hoedspruit airport (also known as Eastgate airport) and get picked up and transferred to nearby guest house. Meet your photographic host and the rest of the group. Relax from your international travels
Day Two
After breakfast head out to Sabi Sands game reserve via ground transfer (approx 2hrs). Upon arrival at our lodge, take the time to adjust to your new surroundings and settle in.
First game drive, an introductory drive to the reserve, kicks off in the mid afternoon. We stop to celebrate the first safari at sunset with a drink before heading back to the lodge at night. We're welcomed back to the lodge and dinner is shortly served.
Day Three - Six
It's an early morning start as we head out with the sunrise on gamedrive. We stop half way through for a short coffee break before heading back to the lodge mid-late morning. Breakfast is served at the lodge
The rest of the day, until high tea and our second daily game drive, is our own time. This is when your photographic host will provide one-on-one bespoke tuition and editing guidance. However, this is also a great time to relax - have a drink at the bar, take a swim in the pool or a read a book with a view of the bush.
After some high tea, we depart again for our game drive and then arrive back to the lodge for dinner.
Day Seven
After our final game drive and breakfast, we check out from the lodge and head back to KMIA
You're dropped off at departures and this is where say our goodbyes.
YOUR HOST
" I've been a professional wildlife photographer for over a decade, photographing the flora and fauna of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and South Africa - a country I consider as a second home.
I spent four years living in the Limpopo province of South Africa amidst the wildlife and on the doorstep of the famous Kruger National Park, teaching international guests the specifics of wildlife photography and aiding conservation initiatives.
Over the years I've seen my photography and writing published across various platform through the likes of National Geographic, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Travel Africa, Wildcard Magazine, Africa Geographic, Getaway Magazine, Nature TTL, Tracks4Africa and more locally in the Limpopo-based publications of the Klaserie Chronicle and the Hoedspruit Explorer magazines
I love being creative and photography is a fantastic outlet for showcasing one's artistic sensibilities. However, I truly feel that with nature and wildlife - it should be more about what's in front of the camera and less about the person behind it. As much as I put my own creative stamp on my imagery, it's also important to me that my work truthfully and honestly reflects and the wildlife and scenery that was in front of me. "
ACCOMMODATION
Elephant Plains Game Lodge is situated in the northern part of the world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park. The lodge is situated on the dry Manyeleti riverbed, overlooking an open area and watering hole. The main lodge houses the reception area, dining areas, lounge, bar & wine cellar, as well as a curio shop. Facilities include two swimming pools, a gym and games room. Mealtimes are sumptuous affairs, with a combination of international cuisine and South African specialities. Breakfast and lunch are enjoyed in the dining room, or on the pool deck, overlooking the open area. Dinner is served around a log fire in the boma, whilst enjoying the mystical nocturnal sounds under the African sky.
Rondavels are set in the beautifully landscaped garden of the original family holiday camp and one can still feel the old bushveld charm upon entering. The rondavels have sundecks, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, overhead fans, mini bars, tea/coffee facilities, mosquito nets and electronic safes.
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