Elephant Plains Game Lodge offers comfortable and affordable luxury in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park. It is one of the best priced lodges in the Sabi Sand. Elephant Plains is owner run. This ensures personal service and a warm, friendly atmosphere. The property was bought in 1962, and has been running as a commercial lodge since 1998. Over many years strict conservation policies and successful habitat management have resulted in a rich diversity of fauna and flora.
The lodge is on the banks of the Manyeleti riverbed, offering unforgettable views across the plain. The pool deck overlooks the watering hole opposite the camp where animals often come to drink. Next to this is the Boma for dinner under the African sky, with nocturnal sounds as your background music.. The main lodge houses the reception, dining room, bar/lounge, wine cellar, small library and curio shop. The African Health Spa is situated right across the watering hole in front of the camp and offers breathtaking views. A small Conference Room, games room & gym complete this ideal offering.
Elephant Plains is world renowned for excellent game viewing. Guests can enjoy two game drives and a bush walk included per day. Here you will come face to face with Africa’s Big 5. You may even be lucky enough to encounter other rarer species. Such as the endangered wild dogs and cheetahs. The surrounding habitat of the lodge is favorable for leopards.
The lodge caters for the discerning traveler, offering a variety of accommodation options up to a maximum of 24 guests. All rooms have air-conditioning, overhead fans, mosquito nets, electronic safes, tea/coffee stations, and mini bars. The Suites also have a fireplace.
All thatch roofs have been replaced now (not all images have been updated) which is great for people with allergies.
Rondavels (x 5)
Each Rondavel has its own distinct character and comfortable charm and overlooks a beautifully landscaped garden. The Rondavels have a double bedroom, sun decks, and en suite bathrooms (bath & shower). One of the Rondavels has two separate bedrooms, ideal for a family. While being elegant and luxurious, the Rondavels offer great value for money and affordable game lodge accommodation.
Rondavel
Luxury Suites (x 6)
The natural design and architectural flow of these glass fronted Luxury Suites fall softly on the eye. Decorated in warm, earthy tones, the luxury suites blend in superbly with their natural surroundings. They overlook the riverbed and open area in front of the lodge. These open plan suites have a lounge area, double bedroom, en-suite bathroom (bath & inside/outside shower) and a private viewing deck. Some of the suites also have a sleeper couch for small children. Alternatively, an extra bed can be supplied. The newest addition, the Elephant Suite, boasts two en suite bedrooms and a large private viewing deck. Ideal for families, wishing to share a suite.
Luxury SuiteLuxury Suite (with new roof)
Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite (x 1)
The Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite is the same as the luxury suite. With the addition of a private splash pool, as well as a sala. It provides honeymooners, or guests that are just romantic at heart, with elegance, privacy and a stunning view.
Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite
Activities at Elephant Plains Game Lodge
At Elephant Plains you can be sure of game drives and bush walks that will live up to the Africa of your imagination!
Game drives
The highlight of your visit will surely be the thrill of discovering wildlife from the safety of the open 4×4 vehicles. This enable the rangers to drive off road and provide guests with up close game viewing and great photographic opportunities. Off road driving is done in accordance to guidelines set out by the Sabi Sand ecologists. The rangers do not drive over sensitive areas. Your experienced game ranger and local Shangaan tracker will share their extensive knowledge and love of the African bush.
Elephants on game drive
During the afternoon game drive you will stop at a carefully selected spot to enjoy a sundowner drink. Enjoy the sun set over the awe-inspiring wilderness with your favorite tipple. During the drive back to camp, your tracker will use a spotlight to locate nocturnal animals.
Bush walk
The daily bush walk of about an hour takes place after breakfast and you will be accompanied by your ranger. During bush walk you will be able to take a closer look at animal tracks, birds, different types of grasses and trees. As well as any smaller details of the bush that might fascinate you.
This is also the ideal time for birdwatchers to get a closer look at their favorite bird species.
For safety reasons, children aged 16 and under cannot do the bush walk.
Giraffes on bush walk
Getting to Elephant Plains Game Lodge
There are daily flights between Johannesburg International Airport, Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit). Privately chartered flights from Johannesburg, as well as any of the other nearby airports, can land on Elephant Plains gravel airstrip.
If driving to Elephant Plains you must use Gowrie Gate. Due to river crossings it is not possible to use any of the other gates in the Sabi Sand. Please note that traveling times may be influenced by road conditions. Especially during the rainy season (December to March). Add 2 hours of traveling time to compensate for any possible delays along the way.
Driving distances:
Johannesburg to Elephant Plains: ±560 km / ± 7 hour drive.
Nelspruit / Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Elephant Plains: ±180 km / ±2½ -3 hour drive.
Hoedspruit / Eastgate Airport to Elephant Plains: ±100 km / ±1½ hour drive.
Elephant Plains Game Lodge Accommodation Rates
Due to it’s fantastic affordable rates, you need to book Elephant Plains Game Lodge well in advance.
Elephant Plains Game Lodge Rates
1st January – 31st December 2026
1st January – 31st December 2027
Rondavel
Per person sharing
R7 300
R8 050
Single
R10 000
R11 000
Child under 12*
R5 400
R6 000
Luxury Suite
Per person sharing
R9 300
R10 250
Single
R13 000
R14 500
Child under 12*
R6 900
R7 600
Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite
Per person sharing
R10 300
R11 350
Single
R15 600
R17 200
Elephant Plains Game Lodge welcomes children from 3 years old.
Rates include:
Accommodation.
All meals, morning and evening game drives, bush walks, sundowner drinks, tea and coffee.
15% VAT.
Rates exclude:
Drinks (except sundowner drinks), curio shop purchases, laundry and child minding services.
Guest Conservation Contribution Initiative.
Transfers to the lodge (rates on request).
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is Richard Branson’s safari lodge located in the western Sabi Sand Game Reserve, for an incredible Greater Kruger National Park safari. Lots of offers and packages including family and honeymoon.
South Africa Holiday Safari Specials – Discounted rates for the ultimate South African safari at Kirkman’s Kamp in the Sabi Sand (Greater Kruger National Park).
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
