Game Drives - Open 4 x 4 Land Rovers - The real thing.
When you arrive in the Sabi Sand Reserve a qualified and experienced game ranger with his
458 rifle and local tracker will be assigned to you for the duration of your Sabi Sands safari. They will guide you for a few hours at a time on three totally open '4 x 4 Land Rover' game
drives each day - early morning, late afternoon and at night.
The reason why the game drives are carried out at these times is because the animals are
most active moving around during these cooler periods of the day searching for either fresh grazing or water. The predators take the opportunity to hunt during these same cooler periods. So to
increase the chances of seeing the animals we have to be active searching for them during these same periods.
During the heat of the day most of the animals stay under shade. There is not much animal
movement so during these times it's your opportunity to be at the lodge having a siesta or a swim, just relaxing out of the heat.
On the game drives we traverse the Sabi Sand Reserve by using the narrow dirt roads that
have been formed over the years. The dirt roads criss-cross the reserve in all directions - to water holes, across rivers, through open plains of grassland, thick woodland bush and dried river
beds. Leaving the lodge on a game drive we of course check the river lines and the water holes whilst searching for the wildlife but when your tracker finds fresh animal tracks belonging to one
of the Big Five crossing the dirt road, we will then use the Land Rover 'off road' following the tracks, driving further into the bush. We will follow any fresh Big Five track to ensure your
chances of seeing the Big Five.
This method of game viewing is very traditional, very exciting and of course very
rewarding.
When a pride of Lions are found as a result of us tracking, we will then continue to
follow the pride through the bush, keeping close to them, waiting and hoping for an opportunity to occur which results in you seeing the pride in action, bringing down suitable prey. Imagine!
Safely sitting in a Land Rover in the middle of Africa only a few metres away from a pride of Lions on a fresh Zebra kill!
It's important to know that in the Sabi Sands Reserve there is an agreed policy that only
3 game drive vehicles are allowed at a Big Five sighting at any one time. It's important not to pressure or stress animals in the wild and of course your viewing experience whilst at the
sighting is kept exclusive. The game viewing is excellent and wilder in the northern sector of the Sabi Sand Reserve with the Big Five regularly being seen.
Ever heard of the Big Seven? You may also see Cheetah - the fastest land animal in the
world or the Cape Hunting Dog more commonly known as Wild Dog. Both these animals are on the endangered wildlife list and they form part of what is known as the Big Seven!
Walking Safari - Leisure bush walks - Included.
Each day your ranger and tracker will take you on an hours bush-walking safari which
starts shortly after breakfast. The walking safaris are not compulsory but they do provide you the opportunity to get a closer look at some of the smaller animals, the flora and fauna and to
learn a little about bush survival and tracking. The walk is a relaxing change and brings one even closer to nature.
The Sabi Sand Reserve is the best reserve to witness many incredible sightings, very much
happening as nature intended. The Sabi Sand Reserve has it all.
