Sabi Sand

Sabi Sand is one of the largest and oldest proclaimed reserves - established in 1950 as the Sabi Sand Wildtuin. The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is home to some of Africa's most famous game lodges, notably Mala Mala, Singita, Ulusaba, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. The 60000 hectare expanse consists of mostly private sanctuaries. No fences separate this reserve from the Kruger National Park. The reserve has been a conservancy since 1962, and forms part of the 5.7 million acre Greater Kruger Park conservancy. The area forms part of the Kruger National Park ecosystem - the Mpumalanga lowveld - and ranges in habitat from riverine thicket along the Sabi and Sand rivers to open savannah.

Seasons: The best time to see game is during the winter months (April - September), as water is restricted to rivers and waterholes, where the wildlife congregates. Visibility is also good as the vegetation is less dense. Summer (October to March) is lovely due to the rains - everything is lush and green, and the birding is excellent. November and December are the calving months.

Wildife: You should see: elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog, lion, spotted hyaena, baboon, hippo, impala, kudu, vervet monkey, waterbuck, tsessebe, wildbeest, bushbaby, bats, mongooses, duiker, steenbok, klipspringer, genet, vultures, owls, bee-eaters, rollers, eagles, bustards, hornbills, starlings, shrikes You may see: Leopard, wild dog, cheetah, bat-eared fox, rhino, honey badger, porcupine, rhebok, aardvark, aardwolf, civet, caracal, serval and suni.

Precautions: Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.