Sabi Sands Wildlife & Birds

Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers excellent wildlife viewing. This is especially true for flagship species including the big cats. All of the Big Five are usually ticked in a two to three-day visit. White rhino is regularly seen, but black rhino, although present, is very shy and rarely encountered. The off-road driving assures quality sightings of most species, particularly the habituated resident predators. Sabi Sand is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, which makes for a very authentic wildlife experience.

Wildlife highlights: Sabi Sands is possibly the best place in Africa to see leopards. Both the quantity and quality of sightings is superb. This is a place where you can see leopardbehavior such as males marking and patrolling their territory or females interacting with their cubs. Wild dog sightings are less common, but if they are denning in the area, it is often possible to spend time with these amazing predators.

Best time for wildlife viewing: Wildlife viewing in Sabi Sands is at its best during the Dry season (June to September). August and September are particularly nice, since it is warmer than in mid-winter and animals tend to gather at water sources, making them easier to spot.

Sabi Sands game reserve is home to more than 300 bird species. Sabi Sands is the best place to see Kruger National Park's birds. Safari guides & rangers  are well versed and very knowledgeable when it comes to birding in the Sabi Sands game reserve. Birds enthusiasts or "twitchers" will be spoilt by the knowledge of the guides and the variety of birds within the Sabi sands game reserve and Kruger National Park in general. Whether you will go on game drives or bush walks, you will have an incredible birding experience in the Sabi Sands.

While most guests visiting the Sabi Sands focus on viewing the Big Five, most guides do accommodate bird lovers. If you would like an exclusive birding safari, we recommend that you book a private vehicle with a guide who will spend most time locating all the birds you would love to see in the Sabi Sands game reserve.

Best time for a Birding Safari: Sabi Sands bird watching is great throughout the year, however the best months are late October to late April as the migratory birds from Europe and north Africa are still present. Wildlife viewing in general is ideal when climate is dry during the months of June through September which is considered to be low season for some lodges.