Sabi Sands big cat safari with Jamie Paterson
SOUTH AFRICA
"Join me in big cat paradise in this limited-offer safari. We will have our own exclusive safari villa and vehicle in the northern Sabi Sands for 6 days – and plenty of time to spend with my favourite cats and other fascinating creatures." Jamie Paterson – NatGeo Wild guide and Africa Geographic scientific editor
Spend time with the famous lions and leopards of the Sabi Sands
Overview
Length: 6 days / 5 nights
Group Size: Maximum 6
Location: Sabi Sands, Greater Kruger
Departure Dates: 8-13 Dec 2023 | 5-10 Jan 2024
Jamie Paterson - our scientific editor and NatGeo Wild guide - says:
"I have been fortunate enough to live in some of Africa’s most breath-taking wilderness areas, but none has had a more profound impact on my soul than the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger. It is where I have experienced some of the most phenomenal sightings of my career as a guide and have had the unparalleled opportunity to follow generations of lions, leopards and hyenas – celebrating their triumphs and grieving their tragedies.
Nothing would make me happier than you joining me on a rare journey of rediscovery in my old stomping grounds and perhaps a reacquaintance with some familiar (wild and human) faces. Let’s go on an adventure: listen to the dawn chorus, track down the big cats and revel in not knowing what’s around the next corner…"
About this safari
"Participation is limited to one group of 6 guests. We will have the entire Jaci’s Sabi House and vehicle to ourselves and plan each day around our needs.
The daily ‘routine’ of your Sabi Sands safari will, of course, be dictated by what’s happening out there, but we can expect the following broad structure to our days in paradise.
As the first rays of sunlight touch the horizon, we will venture into the bushveld on our early morning game drives. Each drive brings different thrills and experiences, from the dew drops clinging to spider webs, to the gruff cough of a leopard. An early morning stop for coffee and homemade rusks will allow us to stretch our legs and rest our eyes.
Late afternoon game drives are times of soft ethereal light when the bushveld shows us its most beautiful self – even the large mono-coloured elephants, rhinos and buffaloes seem enhanced by the late afternoon light. As the sun retreats behind the hills and trees on the horizon, we share the iconic tradition of the safari sundowner and ready ourselves for the nocturnal search for large predators. Lions and leopards revel in the darkness, which assists their hunting. Selective, educated use of a hand-held spotlight by our tracker allows guests to share these nocturnal activities and search for smaller creatures of the night like genets, porcupines, bushbabies and honeybadgers."
Jamie will be accompanied by an experienced local guide and tracker who know this area like the back of their hands. Between game drives, there is ample time to catch up on sleep, enjoy brunch and afternoon high tea and those stunning outdoor dinners.
Prices and dates
Per person sharing | ZAR 58,815 |
Per solo traveller | ZAR 65,075 |
INCLUDES:
Return transfers Hoedspruit Eastgate airport - Jaci's Sabi House
5 nights' exclusive use at Jaci's Sabi House
All meals prepared by private chef
Specialty teas and filter coffee
Private bush picnic available
Twice-daily game drives in your private game-viewing vehicle with your on-site private field guide
Game drives include a sunrise/sunset stop and night drive with stargazing
All house drinks including a selection of South Africa's most enjoyable wines (red, white & sparkling), local beers and our selection of spirits as well as non-alcoholic beverages
Jamie Paterson's on-site expertise and guiding
VAT
Conservation levies
Park entrance fees
EXCLUDES:
International flights and associated taxes
Excess weight charges
Visas
Travel and medical insurance
Laundry
Telephone costs
Incidental costs
Premium spirits and wines
Gratuities
Per person sharing | ZAR 64 945 |
Per solo traveller | ZAR 71 850 |
INCLUDES:
Return transfers Hoedspruit Eastgate airport - Jaci's Sabi House
5 nights' exclusive use at Jaci's Sabi House
All meals prepared by private chef
Specialty teas and filter coffee
Private bush picnic available
Twice-daily game drives in your private game-viewing vehicle with your on-site private field guide
Game drives include a sunrise/sunset stop and night drive with stargazing
All house drinks including a selection of South Africa's most enjoyable wines (red, white & sparkling), local beers and our selection of spirits as well as non-alcoholic beverages
Jamie Paterson's on-site expertise and guiding
VAT
Conservation levies
Park entrance fees
EXCLUDES:
International flights and associated taxes
Excess weight charges
Visas
Travel and medical insurance
Laundry
Telephone costs
Incidental costs
Premium spirits and wines
Gratuities
Additional information
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is a 65,000 hectare reserve pioneered by local landowners in the 1950’s that shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park – thereby falling withinwhat is known as ‘Greater Kruger’.
The reserve enjoys high wildlife density, including one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa. Animals are habituated to the presence of vehicles and wildlife encounters are often up close and personal, placing a Sabi Sands safari on many bucket lists.
Jaci’s Sabi House is a luxurious exclusive-use safari villa in the northern Sabi Sands.
The main house features a large patio and grassed viewing area, a swimming pool and open-plan kitchen/bar as well as indoor and outdoor dining facilities. Cuisine is best enjoyed under African skies – for that authentic outdoor dining experience.
Featuring locally produced and designed fabrics, furnishings and crafts, the main house is a show piece of custom creations and vibrant colours.
Follow the path through the spectacular landscaped indigenous garden to the separate garden rooms, fire pit and boma areas, all located just a short distance from the main house.
There are three guest rooms – one in the main house and two in separate garden cottages. Each room has king or twin beds, en-suite bath, shower, toilet, hand basin, air conditioning and wifi.
From her first forays into the Kruger National Park as a child, Jamie was transfixed by the magic of Africa’s wild spaces and creatures. She was given her first guiding reference book at age six, and the well-thumbed and somewhat battered copy travels with her wherever she goes. For over a decade, Jamie has worked as a research and trails guide, as well as a wildlife television presenter for NatGeo Wild and SafariLIVE. A desire to tell Africa’s stories as they deserve to be told led her to Africa Geographic, where she now works as the scientific editor. She is also completing a Veterinary Science degree at the University of Pretoria.
Jamie was fortunate enough to spend years exploring the secrets of the northern Sabi Sands and has an intimate understanding of the terrain and wildlife. She knows the history of its more iconic inhabitants and while spotted hyenas will always be her first love, she has spent endless hours tracking and observing the resident leopards and lions. Nothing brings her more joy than to share her passion for the wilderness with others, albeit with a somewhat wry sense of humour.
Why us
We live here, in Africa, and have been doing this since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
We are members of:
African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA)
Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA)
✔️ Have Integrity ✔️ Are Legitimate
✔️ Are Audited ✔️ Are Insured
We are insured by Sutcliffe & Co (UK)
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