General Information
Introduction
Adjacent to the world renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, particularly leopard viewing. Home to a host of wildlife, including the Big Five, the Sabi Sand is part of a conservation area that covers over two million hectares (almost five million acres), an area equivalent to the state of New Jersey and larger than some independent countries.
With no boundary fences between the reserve and the Kruger National Park, this area benefits from the great diversity of wildlife found in one of the richest wilderness areas on the African continent along with the additional benefits experienced on a private game reserve.
Game drives traverse an area of 10 000 hectares (24 700 acres) and strict vehicle limits at sighting ensure the exclusivity of your game viewing experience. Off-road driving ensures that you have the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in touch with each other to keep track of animal movements.
Situated on a wooded bank of the Sand River, Leadwood’s four suites offer solitude and serenity. Fully sized private plunge pools soothe and refresh in the warmth of the day, while a blazing fireplace in each suite offers a cosy refuge when cool nights creep in. Elevated dining and sitting areas boast dramatic views over the confluence of the Sand and Mabrak Rivers. Multi-levelled viewing areas create intimate corners for a quiet moment of inner reflection.
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A favoured delicacy for the Sabi Sand elephants is the marula tree, renowned for its distinctive mottled grey bark and its abundant summer crop of juicy fruit. When ripe, this fruit is greatly sought after - not only by elephant but also troops of baboon. Not content with the succulent morsels of fruit, the elephant may seek out the tree's moist root system, pushing the plant over in the process. The leaves and bark of the knob thorn tree are another delicacy enjoyed by elephants. Undeterred by the knobbly spines on the trunk and branches, both elephant and giraffe are drawn to the nutritious foliage.
Termite mounds form a fascinating and distinctive feature of the Sabi Sand landscape. These mounds are created by termites and are constantly expanded while inhabited. When the colony is abandoned, the mound is often taken over by a variety of creatures, from smaller inhabitants such as mongoose, rock monitor or snake to larger dwellers such as aardvark, porcupine, warthog or even spotted hyena. A dense thicket may often form on the site of the old termite mound, creating an ideal hiding place for the cubs of many animal species, including leopard and lion.
Bare rocky outcrops have formed on some parts of the Sabi Sand reserve with sparse grasses and trees such as the rock fig, with its white stem and long roots that cling to the rock faces, or the distinctively shaped candelabra tree. The narrow crevices and stony ledges provide a home for a host of reptiles, including the rock monitor, giant plated lizard and rainbow skink. The dainty klipspringer and the stocky rock dassie vie for space with baboons on the precarious rocky precipices. Small caves or rocky overhangs offer the perfect hiding place for lion or leopard cubs.
Wildlife
The entire Big Five is well represented at Sabi Sand and other rare animals, such as the cheetah and hyena are often sighted. Various antelope species, from impala, waterbuck and duiker to kudu, bushbuck and nyala can also be seen, as can giraffe and warthog. However, it is the leopard that is the real star of the show, with the area well known for some of the best leopard experiences in Africa. This shy and elusive animal, normally the most solitary of the African cats is often viewed both in daylight hours and during game drives.
A number of lion prides have territories at Sabi Sand and are regularly spotted on game drives. In contrast to the leopard, lion are the most sociable of the cat family and prides may consist of up to 12 related females and their cubs, as well as a far smaller number of related males, often brothers. Although not as common as the leopard or lion, the cheetah is also a frequent sight at Sabi Sand. Built for speed instead of power, this formidable predator generally hunts during the day, occasionally resulting in spectacular sightings of the fastest animal in the world in action.
Night drives are an important part of the game viewing experience at Sabi Sand and provide an opportunity to view many unusual animals, such as the beautifully patterned African civet. Another animal often encountered in night drives is the dwarf mongoose, Africa’s smallest carnivore. Family troops of up to 30 of these little animals live in numerous hiding places in the sides of termite mounds. A typical though hair-raising sound often encountered on night drives is the wail of the bush baby, a forlorn noise that imitates the plaintive cry of a human infant.
A Day At Leadwood
At Leadwood Lodge, the days are designed to thrill you with intimate wildlife encounters and the nights to delight you with the indulgence and romance of Africa.
Morning Game Drive - As dawn breaks over the African bush, a gentle tap on your door will wake you to the delights of a new day. Your ranger will discuss what you hope to see that day over fragrant tea or coffee and morning biscuits or rusks. Set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle in the company of a ranger and tracker team, who will attempt to track your favourite animals. Sabi Sand is well known for its leopard sightings, and you may well spot one of these elusive cats resting after a successful night hunt. You will stop for refreshments at a scenic spot during your drive.
Breakfast - Return to the Lodge for a delicious breakfast, with platters of fruit and cheese followed by a selection of hot breakfast dishes. Choose from eggs, oats, waffles or a number of other options.
Lunch - If you wish, you can walk off your breakfast on a short walk near the lodge, accompanied by your ranger, who will share his insight into the smaller animals and vegetation in the area. Lunch is served in the open air dining room, with its dramatic views of the river.
Afternoon Tea - Cool off with a refreshing dip in your fully sized private plunge pool or indulge in an afternoon siesta. Over a late afternoon tea, your ranger will discuss what you hope to see during the afternoon game drive.
Evening Game Drive - This game drive begins in the late afternoon and lasts until after dark, when spotlights are used for a glimpse into the nocturnal bush life. Track spotted hyena as they call to each other on an evening hunt or post the beautifully patterned civet cat. Enjoy sundowners in a scenic location as the sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon.
Dinner - Return to the Lodge for a mouthwatering dinner around a blazing fire in the boma with newfound friends. Linger over dessert and cognac or retire to the warm fireplace in your own suite.