Wildlife right outside your hotel in South Africa […]
I discovered the Sabi Sabi Hotel more than ten years ago, in 2010, when the planet was discovering South Africa, that year when the country was to host the World Cup.
And since then my concept of hospitality has never been the same.
Stay in one of the lodges of Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, opened in 1979 as one of South Africa’s leading safari hotels, makes you feel at home.
The person who greets us upon arrival already knows the name and preferences of the host by heart; and the external experiences bring us to those images of wildlife that we thought existed only in television documentaries.
But there is one of them I will never forget.
Myth or not, the recommendation from those who nourish the fantasy of travels to African lands was to always notify the reception when leaving the room to go to the dining room.
Set in a wild environment and with spaces integrated into the savannah, you never know when animals might appear along the way.
South Africa out
Sabi Sabi is well received from the interior. But the best is found along the 65,000 hectares of the Sabi Sand Reserve, in the south-western sector of Kruger National Park, the largest protected area in all of South Africa, in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
And that’s not all.
Since all the fences between Kruger and Sabi Sands were torn down in 1993, the region has become a two million hectare reserve allowing free movement of animals, in the east of the country and 200 kilometres from Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.
You don’t always have to go far to have elephants and other animals right before your eyes.
At Bush Lodge, for example, afternoon sessions of black tea with tarts and bread take place on a terrace, where you can watch animals drawn to the water of a lagoon opposite, where wildlife viewing is guaranteed at certain times of the day.
This is the discreet, almost invisible luxury that doesn’t overshadow the best of the region: Africa itself.
Even though the program of activities is always the same, one departure in the morning and another in the late afternoon, a day in Africa is never the same as another.
The journey begins with photographic safaris, accompanied by the watchful eye of guides specialized in following sounds and footprints, aboard 4×4 vehicles, and ends with candlelit dinners, served outdoors.
From the beginning the operators warn that it is not possible to guarantee the observation of the animals. But they always appear.
In my case, I had the (rare) fortune of seeing, in just one day, the Big Fiveas the five most dangerous animals of the African savannah are called (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard). The term originated in the 19th century, when professional hunters sought the title by trying to kill them on foot, in the shortest time possible.
Today we satisfy our curiosity by seeing some of the most fascinating animals of the African savannah, which is also home to impala, wildebeest, kudu, zebra and hyena.
DISCOVER SABI SABI
Opened in 1979 by couple Jacqui and Hilton, based on the dream of having a luxury home in the bush, Sabi Sabi would soon become a property with the role of custodian of a South Africa that needed to be preserved.
In 1993 the second property was acquired, which would later house what is now Selati Camp, one of the four lodges open to accommodation.
The hotel’s proposal is based on time, uniting four lodges luxury themed mementos of the time of rail crossings (yesterday), wildlife sanctuary conservation (today) and ensuring a sustainable future (tomorrow).
Selati Field
The past is celebrated in this lodge, which refers to the old railway lines, from the second half of the 19th century, which linked Johannesburg and Maputo, the capital of nearby Mozambique, during the discovery of gold.
There are seven suites with air conditioning Vintage ▾characterized by a decoration with lamps, railings and colonial decorations, in one of the most minimalist spaces in all of Sabi Sabi.
Bush Lodge
This option with 25 suites is the only one that accepts children.
It is the first loggia to open and references Today, in a fusion between tradition and contemporaneity with designs inspired by the external landscape.
Little Bush Camp
With just six suites, this is Sabi Sabi for those who want more privacy, under the riverside trees on the banks of the Msuthlu River.
Each of them has a bridge private rooftop terrace and bathtub overlooking the river.
Lodge of the Earth
This is the most famous of all, especially for the classic image that opens this article with the Amber presidential suite, known for its bed with wooden headboard.
Considering the loggia The most integrated into the world’s environment, literally, this 13-suite option has an underground entrance that reveals little of that exclusive world.
This is Africa within Africa.
LEARN MORE
How to get
500km from Johannesburg (5 hours drive), the region has flights operated by South African Airways arriving at Nelspruit and Skukuza airports, both in Mpumalanga province.
When we go
According to local guides, between June and August there is a greater chance of spotting animals in large numbers, near the natural water reserves.
How much does it cost
Daily rates start from R$7,000 (ZAR 23,800, at Bush Lodge) and include two game drives per day and all meals with drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
