Savanna Private Game Lodge is an exclusive 5 star lodge in the western section of the 64 000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This is within South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park (no fences). The internationally acclaimed lodge offers an exclusive, personalized and intimate safari experience to guests, with a unique style of tented accommodation.
The lodge lies in an area where ‘Big 5’ sightings are so frequent. It is not unusual to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino in a single game drive. Specially designed game viewing vehicles and highly trained guides with a vast knowledge of the African bushveld, take guests on close and intimate encounters with a large variety of wildlife. Numerous nearby dams and a series of waterholes in front of the lodge attract many species. Especially in the dry winter months when elephants are daily visitors.
A close knit team of friendly staff provides personalized service with each guest regarded as a valued friend. From the moment they arrive guests feel part of the Savanna ‘family’.
There is a well equipped gym, wine cellar, lounge and library loft, boma, main lodge swimming pool and a curio shop. Spa treatments are available and can be booked in camp. WiFi is in guest rooms.
All suites have large bathroom with outdoor shower atrium
Luxury Suites (123 m²)
Four Luxury Suites under canvas nestle amid beautiful indigenous trees that attract a variety of birds. They have the same facilities as the Executive Suites in a more compact space and are furnished and decorated to the same superb standard. The bedrooms have draped ceilings creating an atmosphere of romance and intimacy. Tented roofs blend into the African bush while solid walls provide quiet and security, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
Each Luxury Suite has an en-suite bathroom with freestanding bath, double vanities, and both indoor and outdoor showers. The bedrooms open onto private decks with a private heated plunge pool and sweeping views of the bush and waterholes. Tucked away with large stands of natural shrubbery separating them, the luxury suites are the ultimate in cozy, private hideaways.
Luxury Suite
Executive Suites (180 m²)
The three large Executive Suites have canvas roofs for an authentic safari ambience and the romance of sleeping in Bedouin-style tents. Solid walls provide comfort, privacy and security as well as efficient air-conditioning and fans.
Each Executive Suite has an outsized bathroom with freestanding bath, double vanities, double shower and toilet. As well as outdoor shower atrium. The bedrooms have plush sitting areas and glass doors that open onto covered patios with private plunge heated pools facing waterholes in the bush. Quite and secluded, they offer a sanctuary of peaceful relaxation after the adrenaline rush of an exciting game drive.
Executive Suite
Savanna Suite (449 m²)
The Savanna Suite is an opulent home away from home under thatch. Two large, beautifully furnished bedrooms lie on either side of an interconnecting lounge. Each has an outsized bathroom with free standing bath, double vanities, double shower, and toilet. The bathrooms open onto paved outdoor showers. The bedrooms have glass doors with screens leading out onto covered patios, private heated plunge pools and waterholes in the bush.
The lounge is a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort with couches grouped around a television and DVD centre, and a cozy reading nook in front of the fireplace. Step through sliding glass doors onto a large covered patio where candle lit dinners or private pre-dinner cocktails may be enjoyed. An attached fully equipped kitchen and guest restroom complete the impression of being in one’s own exquisite home.
The Savanna Suite’s unique facilities are much in demand by families who would like to have their children under the same roof but not in the same bedroom. Or groups of friends wishing to spend quality time together (as both bedrooms are the same). A butler is in attendance at dinner and a private game viewing vehicle with dedicated ranger and tracker to take care of all their needs completes the Savanna Suite package.
The Savanna Suite can be sold as two individual suites. In this case it does not include the lounge, private Land Rover, private dining, and waiter in attendance.
Accommodates 4 x adults or 2 x adults and 3 x children
Each bedroom in the Savanna Suite has its own plunge pool
Sabi Sand Family Safaris
Children of all ages are welcome with their families when booking the Savanna Suite. However, no children under the age of 8 years will be permitted at the main lodge.
The thatched Savanna Suite is ideal for families wishing to share private time together in elegant, stylish surroundings. The lounge has a TV equipped with Cartoon & Discovery channels, as well as a DVD player and wildlife DVDs.
All meals are served by your private butler on your protected patio overlooking one of the waterholes and there is a special menu available for your children. A Childminder is also available at all times.
Your private guide, tracker and vehicle are on hand to host you on game drives tailor made to take your family’s needs into account.
We have our Bushbabies program in place to ensure that our little guests of the future are entertained while learning and having fun!
Savanna Private Game Lodge Activities
There is much to do at Savanna Private Game Reserve. From game drives, guided bush walks and bird watching. Else, embark on a Local Community interaction, or a Village tour. Read a book, book a relaxing massage, work out in the gym or simply relax and do nothing at all.
Bee-eater
Game Drives
Twice daily game drives with expert guides and Shangaan trackers are included in the rates. The safari vehicles have been specially modified for guests’ comfort and safety. With bucket seats separated by large storage boxes. In order to maximize photographic opportunities, there are never more than two people in a row. Or 6 guests per vehicle, unless guests request otherwise.
In addition, there are never more than two vehicles at a sighting. Except with very relaxed animals in open terrain, in which case three vehicles are allowed.
CheetahsLeopards
The afternoon game drive includes a stop for sundowners. While marveling at the splendor of an African sunset, and the absolute tranquillity of the bush. On the morning drive there is a tea/coffee stop with the famous Savanna Amarula hot chocolate or coffee. A highly recommended alternative for the more adventurous at heart.
Game Walks
Optional game walks are offered to guests who would like to experience the fauna and flora on foot. Led by an armed guide and tracker, they provide fascinating insight into the geology and botany of the area. Trackers who have grown up in local villages impart a wealth of information on the uses of bushveld trees and plants in tribal customs and rituals. As well as their herbal and medicinal properties and practical applications.
A peeled twig from one tree, for instance, makes a good toothbrush. While the silky leaves of another provide the softest toilet paper.
Walks generally take place in the area around Savanna Lodge in between game drives and meals. But if guests prefer, a longer walk can replace a drive or be incorporated as part of a drive. The thrill of quietly approaching game while on foot. Of close encounters with the smaller creatures and the myriads of wild flowers and beautiful butterflies they attract in summer, brings an added dimension to the magic of an African safari.
Elephants on a walking safari
Giving Back to the Community
The villages surrounding the Sabi Sand suffer from incredibly high rates of unemployment. And with limited access to quality healthcare support and opportunities to overcome poverty are scarce. Savanna has always been committed to supporting our neighbors to secure better futures. It employs 90% of their staff from these communities. They have also set up The Savanna Trust as a non-profit organization. Allowing them to collaborate with various community partners and support locally owned projects that focus on improving the lives of the area’s most vulnerable individuals.
The overall goal of the Savanna Trust is to help build more resilient communities. Which empower needy individuals, especially young and elderly people, to meet their basic needs and secure a better future for them.
Dining Experience
Superb South African cuisine combined with varied dining venues, is an essential component of the Savanna safari experience. Dining at Savanna is more than just a meal. It’s a way for all to come together and celebrate life. Menus are hearty, decadent and deliciously different.
Breakfasts provide full English fare plus fresh fruits, yogurts, pastries, home made muesli and Savanna’s famous ‘smoothies’. An innovative late lunch buffet offers a large variety of salads, hot meat and vegetable dishes and cheeses.
Candle lit dinners, with traditional local dishes adding spice to the best international fare, are served on the deck of the main lodge. On balmy nights, sumptuous barbecues are enjoyed under the stars round a blazing fire in an open air ‘boma’ or in a candle lit clearing in the bush. Guests are often treated to the stirring voices of a local choir who entertain during dinner. Cuisine is of the highest standard, with much emphasis on quality and presentation. Complemented by superb local South African wines from Savanna’s well stocked wine cellar.
As well as a kiddies’ menu for youngsters who prefer simpler meals. Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advanced notice.
When to travel to Savanna Private Game Lodge
Game viewing is excellent all year around in the Sabi Sand Reserve. Summer months (November to March) are hot and humid with summer rains. But generally in the way of afternoon thundershowers. The temperature starts to cool in April and the winter months (May to June) are warm during the day with cold nights. July to September is very dry, with cold temperatures during the night, early mornings and early evenings. Our spring (September to October) is very dry, with hot winds.
How to get to Savanna Private Game Reserve
The closest landing strip is the Ulusaba airstrip which is used by lodges in the Western sector. We offer a complimentary transfer service from this airstrip to the lodge. Airlink fly into the Ulusaba airstrip (ULX), as well as Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (KMIA) and Skukuza (SKZ), from various domestic and regional destinations. Should you fly into either KMIA or SKZ, you would still need to self-drive or book a road transfer to get to the lodge. We can take care of this for you. Federal Air also has daily scheduled flights to and from Johannesburg into this airstrip. The closest entry for self drive is Newington Gate.
Driving distances to Savanna Private Game Reserve: Johannesburg/Pretoria to Savanna: approximately 5 ½ hours’ drive (480km) KMIA (Nelspruit) to Savanna: approximately 1 ½ hours’ drive (130km) Skukuza to Savanna: approximately 1 hour drive (50km) Hoedspruit to Savanna: approximately 2 hours’ drive (130km)
Savanna Private Game Reserve Accommodation Rates
2024 Savanna Private Game Lodge Rates
1st January – 31st December 2024
Luxury Suite
Per Person Sharing
R 16 700
Single
R 25 050
Executive Suite
Per Person Sharing
R 19 950
Single
R 29 925
The Savanna Suite
Per 2 bedroom Suite
R 96 950
2025 Savanna Private Game Lodge Rates
1st January – 31st December 2025
Luxury Suite
Per Person Sharing
R 18 600
Single
R 27 900
Executive Suite
Per Person Sharing
R 22 250
Single
R 33 375
The Savanna Suite*
Per 2 bedroom Suite
R 110 000
The above rates include: Luxurious accommodation, two game drives per day, optional bush walk per day, three meals per day, teas & coffees, game drive drinks, laundry service, and all drinks (excluding select wines and imported beverages).
*The 2 bedroom Savanna Suites rate also includes a private game drive vehicle, private dining, and waiter in attendance.
Rates exclude: Sabi Sand Guest Conservation Contribution (GCC), curio shop purchases, drinks, telephone calls, transfers and flights, and airport taxes.
Savanna Private Game Lodge Special Offers
The below special offers are valid all year.
Sabi Sand Honeymoon Offer
One of the partners receives a 50% discount off the accommodation costs for the stay. Terms: Min 3 nights stay. Wedding date is required and cannot be booked if travel dates are more than 12 months post wedding date.
Repeat Guest Offer
Return guests receive a 15% discount off their accommodation costs. Terms: There is a min stay of 3 nights and we require their last dates of travel to confirm the discount. This discount will only apply to repeat guest’s accommodation and not guests who may be traveling in the same party.
4 Night Combination Offer
Two nights at Savanna Private Game Lodge in an Executive Suite, combined with two nights at one of the Dulini lodges*. And a safari transfer between the lodges.
*Dulini Lodges include: Dulini Moya/Dulini Leadwood or Dulini River (we are adding these to the website soon).
andBeyond Tengile River Lodge offers luxury all inclusive accommodation in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park in South Africa – perfect for honeymoons and even weddings
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).
