Bush Lodge – Sabi Sabi

At Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, elephants often wander down to drink at the waterhole below the thatched dining deck, sometimes while you are still lingering over lunch. It is a fitting welcome to the original Sabi Sabi lodge, where the safaris of old meet the safaris of new.

This is where the Sabi Sabi story began, on part of the old farm Shaws in the Greater Kruger. The lodge has evolved since, yet it stays true to an authentic African experience, pairing relaxed luxury with a touch of adventure. Interiors are lively and eclectic, filled with furnishings and artefacts gathered from across the continent.

Days follow the rhythm of the bush, with game drives by day and after dark in open vehicles. Your ranger and tracker can head off-road for the best predator sightings.

Evenings centre on the Bush Kitchen, where chefs cook at live stations around a towering log fire and dinner is served under the stars. Private dining on the pool deck is also available on request. Victorian-style high tea comes with sweeping bushveld views, and two deck lounges look straight onto the comings and goings at the waterhole.

Bush Lodge is also one of the few lodges in the region to welcome children of all ages. The EleFun Centre keeps four to 12-year-olds busy with animal tracks, crafts and nature walks, leaving adults free to enjoy the Amani Spa, the gym or a quiet hour by the pool.

ACCOMMODATION

Standalone Luxury Suites are designed with privacy in mind, with an open-plan lounge, king-size or twin beds and daybeds that convert into two single beds for children. Bathrooms have a bath, rain shower and outdoor shower, and each suite opens onto a private patio with bushveld views. The Mahlatini, Tumbela and Mandleve Luxury Villas suit larger families or friends travelling together. Each has two oversized en-suite bedrooms, a library and a lounge flowing onto a patio above a private pool, with a private vehicle and guide included. An accessible suite is also available.