Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Lions on the bank of the Sand River
Location Mpumalanga, South Africa
Coordinates 24°48′02″S 31°32′29″E / 24.80056°S 31.54139°E / -24.80056; 31.54139 (Main camp, Mala Mala)Coordinates: 24°48′02″S 31°32′29″E / 24.80056°S 31.54139°E / -24.80056; 31.54139 (Main camp, Mala Mala)
Area 650 km2 (250 sq mi)
Established 1948
Governing body Sabi Sand Wildtuin (SSW)

Sabi Sand Game Reserve[1] is located adjacent to the Kruger National Park in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Officially named Sabi Sand Wildtuin, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve consists of a group of private game reserves. The Newington Gate is at 24°52′9″S 31°24′16″E / 24.86917°S 31.40444°E / -24.86917; 31.40444 and west of the Kruger Gate and Skukuza camp of Kruger Park. Other entrances are Gowrie Gate in the far north and Shaws Gate in the south.

The park's name comes from the Sabie River on its southern boundary and the Sand River flowing through it. The area of the reserve is 65,000 hectares (650 km2) and it shares a non-fenced boundary of 50.0 km (31.1 mi) with the Kruger National Park to its east. The Tsonga people, who occupied the land before being forcefully removed by the colonial Government during the early 1900s, are currently claiming back Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Wildlife

Some of the species roaming the reserve are the lion, African bush elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros. Collectively these animals are also known as the "Big Five". Other animals that roam this reserve are the cheetah, hippopotamus, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and Cape wild dog. It was the home of Tjololo, a famous leopard. The reseve shares thousands of different plant varieties and all animal species with the famous Kruger National Park. It is home to 45 fish species, 500 bird species, 145 animal species, and 110 reptile species.[2]

Accommodation

Accommodation is composed of various camps and lodges. Some accommodation areas and facilities are only for private use by landowners and shareholders of the reserve, while others are rented out to the public on a daily rate at steep prices. This pricing structure is not considered to be excessive in the market, taking into account the reserve's exclusivity and that it is one of only a few 'real wilderness' areas left in Southern Africa, but still being close-by to developed infrastructure like cities, shopping centers and tarred roads.

The nearest airport is Skukuza airport east of Sabi Sand, just within the Kruger National Park and regular commercial flights can be boarded from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport outside of Nelspruit.

Properties and lodges

Listed alphabetically:[3]

Mala Mala Private Game Reserve lies within the boundaries of the Sabi Sand Reserve but is not a member of the Sabi Sand Wildtuin Association

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sabi Sand Wildtuin » History of the Reserve". www.sabisand.co.za. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  2. ↑ Sabi Sand Resevations Site
  3. ↑ Sabi Sand Reserve Lodges
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