from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary
SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE
The Sabi Sand Reserve is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. It is the oldest of all the park's private reserves and covers an area of 153,000 acres of savannah thornveld. The fenceless borders between the national park and private reserves allow the game to move freely through this enormous natural reserve.
Two rivers supply the game reserve with water. The Sand River flows through the reserve from northwest to southeast whilst the Sabie River flows on the southern boundary. These rivers ensure that the area enjoys one of the most bio-diverse wildlife populations of any area in Africa. Over two hundred different species live in abundance, whilst the ever changing bird life provides even the most experienced ornithologist with rare finds.
TIMBAVATI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE-SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE, AIR TRANSFER
Departure time 7:00AM: Enjoy a game viewing activity as you transfer to the Hoedspruit for your flight to Leopard Hills. Please note that your charter may include stops en-route. After settling in at camp, enjoy an afternoon activity. Your luggage will be transferred by road to Leopard Hills, so you only need to take a day bag on the plane.
TIMBAVATI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE-SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE
Federal Airlines 501 - Departs 09:00 - Arrives 15:00
LEOPARD HILLS
Leopard Hills, a five-star sanctuary in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and bordering Kruger National Park, offers a refined immersion in the heart of the African wilderness. Set against the untamed beauty of the reserve, this luxury lodge presents unparalleled opportunities to experience the bush.
Each of the eight glass-fronted, air-conditioned suites is a private retreat, designed with muted tones that blend effortlessly with the landscape. From your suite's plunge pool or shaded veranda with sun loungers, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the reserve's rich wildlife. Spacious bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers add to the luxury of your experience.
The main lodge, with its expansive deck overlooking a waterhole, offers inviting spaces to unwind, whether in the cozy lounge or quiet library stocked with books and journals. A large swimming pool and wellness spa are also available, ensuring complete relaxation in this exclusive setting.
Activities:
Morning and afternoon game drives and walking safaris. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.
Walking is dependent on seasonal conditions.
The schedule for the day turned out to be very different than the one that we had in our itinerary.
Leaving the Makanyi Lodge at 12:15 pm, we had a ground transfer to the Hoedspuit Airport. It took about an hour and twenty minutes. The ride for the first half was rougher than I remembered when we arrived. I also didn't remember the much about the town around the airport; I was pretty under the weather when we got here...
We were at a much different part of the airport than we landed on Wednesday. We waited about an hour for our charter flight on Federal Airlines. It was a small fifteen seat twin prop plane.
The flight to the Sabi Sands Airport took about 20 minutes. The pilot described it as a low level flight. It was pretty bumpy.
The Leopard Hills lodge picked us up at the airport. It was about a ten minute drive to the lodge. We are spending the next three nights here.
Drew had asked me before the trip what I was looking forwards to the most. I had said this lodge. Unfortuantely, some things are not quite as advertised.
After getting settled in the room, we went out on an evening game drive. The highlight of the evening was a female leopard sitting in a tree above her kill of an impala.
I am enjoying the differnces in topography here versus at the Makanyi Lodge. There are rolling hills and some open plains. We stopped for the evening break along the Sand River with a group of elephants grazing in the distrance. A very nice setting.
We finished the day with dinner in the Boma. A boma is a fortified enclosure, stockade, or corral, often made of thorn bushes, branches, or stakes. They served a calamari stir fry with some oxen tail and lamb chops. I wasn't very happy with the wait staff service.
Sharon and I both crashed before 9 pm.
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