The Greater Kruger reserve celebrates 50 years with a double win at the World Travel Awards, reaffirming its place among Africa’s leading luxury safari destinations.
By Mapaballo Borotho
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve has been named Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2026 at the World Travel Awards.
Known for its peaceful surroundings, beautiful landscapes, and lush wilderness, the private game reserve has been operating for 50 years, and what better way to celebrate the milestone than with recognition as one of the leading game reserves on the African continent?
The reserve is known for its luxury safari offering, balancing the romance of the bush with an increasingly considered approach to conservation, hospitality and design.
That enduring appeal was recognised at this year’s World Travel Awards, where Sabi Sabi was named both Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2026 and South Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve.
Sabi Sabi is home to four distinct lodges, Bush Lodge, Earth Lodge, Selati Camp, and Little Bush Camp, each offering its own interpretation of the safari experience.
At Bush Lodge, the emphasis is on relaxed luxury and family-friendly stays, while Earth Lodge takes a more design-led approach to its bushveld setting.
These two are a must for those who appreciate the art of living among the animals of the African continent.
Selati Camp leans into the nostalgia of an earlier era of safari, while Little Bush Camp offers a more intimate take on life in the wilderness.
Together, the four lodges demonstrate just how varied the modern safari experience can be.
And while the lodges provide the setting, it is the surrounding wilderness that remains the main attraction.
Situated in the Greater Kruger, Sabi Sabi offers the kind of close encounters that make a safari difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Guests can enjoy game drives, walking safaris and birding, while also having opportunities to engage with the communities and conservation initiatives connected to the reserve.
An escape from busy city life
If you are looking for an escape from the pace and noise of city life, Sabi Sabi offers an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature.
The reserve allows guests to immerse themselves in the wilderness while learning more about how nature, conservation and sustainability can coexist.
Imagine waking up to the sounds of birds and the rustling of trees, rather than the noise of traffic and a busy city morning.
The wildlife experience also extends beyond scheduled game drives. Animals can sometimes wander close to the lodges, offering guests the chance to witness the wilderness from the comfort of their own accommodation.
Sabi Sabi also celebrates South African luxury beyond its accommodation and wildlife experiences.
The lodge is known for its exclusive wine offering and has been recognised by The World of Fine Wine for its extensive selection of South African boutique and exclusive wine labels.
The recognition adds another layer to the Sabi Sabi experience, showcasing the country’s contribution to luxury hospitality through its food and wine offering.
For visitors looking to explore beyond traditional game drives, Sabi Sabi offers a range of experiences designed to bring guests closer to the surrounding wilderness and communities.
A romantic escape into the wild
Whether you are planning a honeymoon, celebrating a milestone or simply looking for an escape from everyday life, Sabi Sabi offers a chance to experience luxury at a slower pace.
Here, the luxury is not only in the lodge, the food or the wine. It is also in the opportunity to wake up surrounded by nature, spend the day exploring the bush and return to a peaceful retreat at the end of it.
For anyone looking to trade the city skyline for an African sunset, Sabi Sabi might just be the escape you’ve been looking for.
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