The 11 Best Safari Lodges in the Sabi Sand for Value (2026)

1. Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge — Southern Sabi Sand

Sabi Sabi's original lodge and one of the few that truly welcomes young children.

Bush Lodge is the first lodge Sabi Sabi built, and one of a handful in the region that actively welcomes young children, with its EleFun Centre running activities while parents relax.

It has luxury suites and villas, a big boma and the full Sabi Sabi guiding team, at lower rates than Earth Lodge.

Good to know: Ask about the EleFun Centre's program for your children's ages when booking.

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. Kirkman's Kamp — Sabie River side, Sabi Sand

Twelve colonial-era cottages with wide verandas, now part of the MalaMala collection.

Kirkman's Kamp is a vintage-style safari homestead with 12 cottages, a vintage sitting room and cool, wide verandas for lunches after the drive. Dinners are in the dining room, the boma or on the veranda by candlelight.

Now run by the Tengile MalaMala Collection, it also offers guided bush walks.

Good to know: Book the treatment room for a massage after the morning drive.

Kirkman's Kamp, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. Lion Sands River Lodge — Sabie River, southern Sabi Sand

Eighteen rooms on the Sabie River, the most relaxed of the Lion Sands lodges.

River Lodge is Lion Sands' biggest lodge, with 18 rooms along the Sabie River, which forms the border with Kruger. It offers the same Lion Sands guiding and Sabie River frontage as Ivory Lodge at lower rates.

The atmosphere is social and welcoming, with space to be on your own when you want it.

Good to know: Book a river-facing room; the Sabie is a highway for elephants in the dry season.

Lion Sands River Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Arathusa Safari Lodge — Northern Sabi Sand

Twelve suites and guides who know the local leopards' family histories.

Arathusa is an intimate lodge with just 12 suites, aimed at couples, friends, solo travelers and families with older children. Its guides and trackers know the territories and lineages of the local leopards and lion prides, so sightings tend to be close and relaxed.

Good to know: Families should confirm the minimum age; the lodge is aimed at older children.

Arathusa Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. Nottens Bush Camp — Southern Sabi Sand

A family-owned bush camp with nine suites and daily walking safaris.

Nottens calls itself the original safari lodge: family-owned and personal, with only nine private suites. Walking safaris are offered daily to show guests the smaller details of the bush, on top of two game drives.

It has the feel of a traditional private camp rather than a hotel.

Good to know: Join the walk; it is the best way to learn tracks and trees that you will miss from the vehicle.

Nottens Bush Camp, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Elephant Plains Game Lodge — Northern Sabi Sand

Owner-run since 1998, with two drives and a bush walk every day.

Elephant Plains is owner-run on land the family has held for 57 years; the lodge opened in 1998 and takes at most 24 guests. Rooms range from rondavels to luxury suites and a honeymoon suite.

Guests get two game drives and a bush walk a day, and the lodge is known as a good-value base for Big Five viewing.

Good to know: Honeymooners should ask for the Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite.

Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

7. Inyati Game Lodge — Sand River, Sabi Sand

Chalets on the Sand River for up to 25 guests, popular with families.

Inyati takes up to 25 guests in chalets with views of the bush and the Sand River. Recent guests single out the guides and trackers, and families report good experiences.

It is a mid-priced way to stay on the Sand River, the same river as Londolozi and MalaMala.

Good to know: Ask for a chalet with a direct river view.

Inyati Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

8. Idube Game Reserve — Western Sabi Sand

Leopard sightings across 10,000 hectares of traversing, with a resident nyala family.

Idube's guides traverse 10,000 hectares of the western Sabi Sand and the lodge is known for leopard sightings. Guests watch game from their suite patios, including a resident family of nyala.

It is relaxed and good value, with the reserve's Big Five on the doorstep.

Good to know: Its sister lodge Lukimbi is inside Kruger; combine the two for contrast.

Idube Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

9. Chitwa Chitwa — Northern Sabi Sand

Large, luxurious suites in the northern Sabi Sand at below-flagship rates.

Chitwa Chitwa is a long-established private lodge in the northern Sabi Sand. Guests praise its very large suites, generous food and attentive staff.

It sits between the value lodges and the flagships in price, with the same off-road tracking.

Good to know: Ask about multi-night specials; northern Sabi Sand lodges often discount longer stays.

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

10. Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp — Southern Sabi Sand

Sabi Sabi's smallest camp, secluded on a riverbed.

Little Bush Camp is Sabi Sabi's most intimate lodge, in a secluded riverside spot with a handful of luxury suites. It offers Sabi Sabi's guiding and traversing in a quieter setting than Bush Lodge.

It suits couples who want a small camp without Earth Lodge's prices.

Good to know: Book it as part of a split stay with Earth Lodge to see two sides of Sabi Sabi.

Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

11. Umkumbe Safari Lodge — Sand River, Sabi Sand

One of the most affordable Sabi Sand lodges, on the banks of the Sand River.

Umkumbe sits on the banks of the seasonal Sand River, so game comes past the lodge itself. It has standard rooms and superior chalets, and is one of the most affordable ways to stay in the Sabi Sand with full off-road game drives.

Every space at the lodge overlooks the river.

Good to know: Standard rooms are the cheapest way into the Sabi Sand; upgrade to a superior chalet for the views.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website