Walking around the park with a ranger on a walking safari is a good option to explore Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Guided game walks are one of the most popular ways to see the park and get a different perspective on the wildlife. Some of the lodges in Sabi Sands offer guided bush walks allowing visitors to explore the reserve on foot, and an experienced ranger will provide interesting information on the nature and wildlife you see.  

It is possible to go mountain biking in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. There are some great trails to explore on two wheels through the reserve’s rugged terrain. 

There are three entrance gates to access Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve and each one serves different safari lodges. Day visitors are not allowed, you can only enter the reserve if you are booked into a lodge. The gates are as follows:

Shaw’s Gate opens at 05:00 am until 10:00 pm

Newington Gate opens at 05:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm

Gowrie Gate opens at 05:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm.  

Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve when entering any of the above-mentioned gates. The fees are ZAR 340 per vehicle, and ZAR 154 per person.  

Sabi Sands is considered a safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. 

The official language spoken in Sabi Sands Game Reserve is English, which is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. There are officially eleven languages in South Africa with Afrikaans being one of the most popular along with English and nine ethnic languages, of which Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The climate in Sabi Sands is subtropical, hot, and semi-arid climate with hot, humid summers. The warm arid winter rainy season is from September to May, the climate can vary throughout the area due to its size. The hot, wet summers run from October to April with afternoon thunderstorms almost daily. Sabi Sands experiences summer and winter at opposite times to Europe and North America. The best time to visit for wildlife viewing is during the winter months which is also the low season with fewer crowds. This is the dry season when animals are easier to spot as the foliage is less abundant, and they tend to gather around rivers and waterholes. The months of August and September are some of the most attractive months to visit when it is warmer and wildlife is better seen.               

The currency of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

There are some very unique dining opportunities to participate in when staying in Sabi Sands. After a busy day of game viewing diners can enjoy sumptuous dinner experiences under the stars in a variety of different settings. Visitors can choose from a number of unique, exciting, and romantic settings for dinner in Sabi Sands. 

Outdoor Boma dining is one of the popular options with beautiful dining tables set up encircling a fire under the wooden arc structure of the boma with a ceiling of stars above. Diners can then enjoy buffet-style or plated meals which include delicious game meat in traditional and fusion-style dishes. There is usually singing and dancing performed by the lodge staff showcasing their vibrant and energetic culture.  Dinner enjoyed under the African sky and stars is what a bush dinner is all about. This is no ordinary experience, but one that is highly recommended when visiting Sabi Sands. Diners will be blown away by the array of delicious meals served outside under gently lit trees, surrounded by the African bush, with a collection of nighttime sounds and the sparkling Milky Way above. 

As the sun goes down, the African bush is blanketed in colors and sounds. When the evening dawns the nocturnal animals come out from their sleeping spots and there are new adventures to be had on safari in the bush. An evening game drive presents visitors with a whole new world of African wildlife. Heading out for the evening on the back of a game drive vehicle wrapped up against the chilly night temperatures and watching the night sky change from blue to lilac to orange and red as the evening begins to fall. Your knowledgeable guide invites you to disembark and enjoy a sundowner and take in the surroundings as you witness a spectacular sunset on the horizon. The guide then hands out some spotlights and teaches you how to slowly scan the trees and shrubs for the shiny white reflections of the animal’s eyes. Some examples of animals that can be spotted on a night safari include African Bush Babies, Porcupines, Hippos, Aardvark, Honey Badgers, Caracal, and different birds such as Owls and Nightjars. 

In case of an emergency dial 10111 for the police, and 10177 for an ambulance. 

Hospitals:There are some medical services on site, but the nearest hospitals are in Nelspruit, Hoedspruit, and Phalaborwa.