Singita Private Game Reserve
Kruger National Park & Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Singita (‘place of miracles’) is world-renowned for providing the best safari experience in Africa. The balance of hospitality, conservation and community is what sets Singita apart, and has been at our core from the very beginning.
Singita Properties - Sabi Sand Reserve
The Sabi Sand is a privately owned game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, and together the two areas make up some of South Africa's most incredible and pristine land. Singita Sabi Sand has been owned by the Bailes family who have acted as the dedicated custodians of this precious part of South Africa's natural heritage since 1926. With the opening of its first lodge, Ebony Lodge, in 1994, Singita's philosophy has been to protect large tracts of wilderness and wildlife populations for future generations. Prior to the lodge's construction, this part of the Sabi Sand had been completely inaccessible save for Singita's environmental team and the owner's family. Since Singita Ebony Lodge opened and subsequently Singita Boulders Lodge, guests have shared the privilege of experiencing this carefully protected part of South Africa. Spanning more than 45,000 acres, Singita Sabi Sand is renowned for high concentrations of big game and frequent leopard sightings.
Like the big cats the area is famed for, Ebony Lodge has a commanding presence. Its essence evokes a feeling of familiarity, as if you are visiting a congenial family home. In between game drives, lavish meals and other activities lies a great opportunity for rest and reflection.
The secluded thatched suites are the epitome of elegant comfort, with cosy rooms styled with an eclectic mix of colours, fabrics and textures. Traditional English linen, African throws, antiques and modern luxuries combine to create a homely, lived-in feel. From the vast wooden deck, with its pool overlooking the Sand River, it’s not uncommon to see elephant, buffalo and antelope grazing only metres away at any time of day. Perhaps this is where the notion of an ‘armchair safari’ was perfected…
Beautifully appointed alongside the Sand River, Boulders Lodge has an air of tranquillity that honours Africa in an authentic way. Named so after it was impossible to remove an enormous boulder without disturbing the environment, Boulders is literally built around the elements. Guests can enjoy wrap-around views from most parts of the coarse stone lodge, and you’re bound to spot game frequently throughout your stay. The lookout deck offers the perfect spot from which to observe the surrounding landscape. The quiet pond alongside the thatched lounge area allows the light and the landscape inside to the wide open spaces, where straw baskets, neutral shades and textured fabrics complement wooden furniture, beckoning guests to enjoy peaceful afternoons.
Singita Castleton Camp lies between the Sabi and Sand rivers, in the Sabi Sand Reserve. This is a comfortable hideaway that exudes timeless charm, in lush grounds overlooking a waterhole, where buffalo, antelope and lion prides are regular visitors. The colonial homestead offers accommodation in six charming rooms in a garden setting, with fascinating memorabilia and artefacts that create an ambience of understated luxury.
The camp is booked as an exclusive villa and can accommodate up to twelve guests at a time. Guests can enjoy sublime cuisine prepared by an executive chef, vintage wines, fireside dinners in the boma and sundowners out in the bush, while children can have fun at the tennis court, swimming pool or trampoline.
Singita Properties - Kruger National Park
Singita's concession in the Kruger National Park was granted in 2001 in part, because of Singita's outstanding record and steadfast commitment to conservation as well as its minimal environmental footprint. Singita Kruger National Park's mission is to create and maintain a balance between conservation, community development, and ecotourism. The lodges, Singita Lebombo and Sweni, have been built with this ideal in mind and both integrate the 'touch the earth lightly' philosophy into every aspect of their daily operations. Singita Lebombo and Sweni Lodges lie in the southeastern reaches of the Kruger National Park, on South Africa's border with Mozambique. Situated on 33,000 acres, Singita's concession is an isolated piece of pristine wilderness where a unique wildlife population thrives across four distinct ecological-zones. This area is especially well-known for the remarkable concentration of the 'Big 5' and four particularly formidable prides of lions.
Like the Lebombo Euphorbia tree, the design of Lebombo Lodge is one of a kind. The sweeping wooden decks provide the perfect vantage point from which to watch the theatre that unfolds before you. The lap pool that lines the dining area reflects the beauty of the nearby N’wanetsi River, while large sunbeds beckon you to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Each of the fifteen suites feature glass, wood, steel and contemporary finishes. Inside, the romantic beds are dressed with Egyptian cotton bedding, silky-soft throws and a layered lattice ceiling. Enjoy dinner in the boma, with the sounds of the bushveld as background music, and then spend the evening sleeping under the stars on the bed of your private terrace – complete with mosquito net.
Sweni Lodge was influenced by the structures of dens, warrens and lairs found in the area. Flanking the Sweni River, this tranquil sanctuary is elevated on stilts with decks of timber. Even when you’re indoors, you’ll have the sensation of being close to the river and trees. The six secluded suites, with tactile furnishings, have been carefully created to bring in the textures and shades of the bush. Designed with open-plan living in mind, your suite flows from the bathroom area, through to the lounge and into the bedroom – yet if you wish, each area may be sealed off by curtains. Try the outdoor shower overlooking the river or – for a magical experience – ‘camp out’ under the stars on the day bed out on your viewing deck.
