Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Elephant Plains Game Lodge is situated in the northern section of the world-famous Sabi Sand reserve and offers guests a wonderful bush experience with superb game viewing opportunities. Situated on a dry river bed overlooking an open area with a waterhole, daily early morning and evening game drives with enthusiastic and qualified rangers and trackers provide unforgettable and close encounters with a remarkable variety of wildlife, from the safety of your open Land Rover.

Between game drives, guest can relax in the comfortable lounge and bar area, read a book in the upstairs library, or recline on the sun loungers on the large wooden deck adjacent to the swimming pool, both overlooking the scenic plain and waterhole.

The African Health Spa offers a range of unique treatments to pamper and relax you.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal with your fellow guests around the roaring log fire in the boma under the starlit African sky. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style in the thatched lapa.

The lodge offers the choice of luxury air-conditioned suites or smaller, well appointed rondavels.

The luxury suites all have large wooden decks overlooking the bush, a spacious en-suite bathroom with double basins, and a private outside shower which is perfect for cooling off after a hot game drive. The glass fronted Honeymoon Suite offers romantic elegance, total privacy and a stunning view, as well as a private splash pool. In addition, the Elephant Suite boasts two en-suite bedrooms and a large private viewing deck, ideal for families wishing to share a suite.

The thatched rondavels also have air-conditioning and all open out onto lush gardens and a swimming pool, where guests can relax and enjoy the warmth of the African sun.

Rates Include

All meals; tea/coffee; the Guest Conservation Contribution; morning and evening shared game drives; and bush walks are included. PLEASE NOTE: All drinks are NOT included. IN ADDITION: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change).

Children Policy

Children aged 3 years and older are welcome. Rates available on request. Children under 16 are not allowed on bush walks but can go on game drives at the Ranger's discretion.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children aged 16 years and under are not permitted on bush walks. Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a bush walk are required to provide a medical certificate stating that they are in good health and fit to go on a bush walk. The final decision on whether a guest can join a bush walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Guest Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 based on 38 ratings

Directions For Drivers

Important: Please enter the Sabi Sands via the Gowerie Gate only - you will not be permitted to enter using any of the other gates in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.  If you make use of Google Maps, follow directions to Gowrie Gate and NOT Elephant Plains Game Lodge.

From Hazyview: Take the R40 from Hazyview towards Bushbuckridge. Continue on this road for approximately 68 km from Hazyview (passing Bushbuckridge and Acornhoek), then turn right onto the Orpen Road/R531 then follow the directions as below once on the R531.

From Eastgate Airport/Hoedspruit: Take the R40 towards Bushbuckridge, and continue along this road for 2 km until you get to the Orpen Road/R531 then follow the directions as below once on the R531.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 and then take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. Follow the R36 to Ohrigstad, go through the Strydom Tunnel and take the R527 to Hoedspruit. Turn right onto the R40 towards Klaserie, and continue along this road until you get to the Orpen Road/R531 on your left, then follow the directions as below once on the R531.

Directions once on the R531: Continue straight for 30 km. Once you have passed the South African Wildlife College (on your left), after 100m turn right onto a gravel road. Follow this road for 3 km, then turn left (the turn is 50m past a soccer field on your right). Drive down a narrow road for 400m, turn right on to a wide sand road, and continue for another 7.8 km. Continue on this gravel road until you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction you will see the Hluvukani Viva petrol station in front of you. Turn left onto the tar road to Gottenberg/Manyeleti and follow the tar road for 6.1 km. Turn right onto a dirt road, and follow this for 6.4 km until you see the Uthar Clinic on your left. Turn left onto the gravel road (Utha Store will be on the right) – and travel 7.3 km to the Gowrie Gate.

From Kruger National Park/Orpen Gate: Exit the Park via the Orpen Gate and travel along the R531 towards the R40. About 10 km on the tar road, before the South African Wildlife College, you will see a gravel road to your left. Turn left (helpful hint – if you pass the South African Wildlife College, you have gone too far). Follow this road for 3 km, then turn left (the turn is 50m past a soccer field on your right). Drive down a narrow road for 400m, turn right on to a wide sand road, and continue for another 7.8 km.  Continue on this gravel road until you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction you will see the Hluvukani Viva petrol station in front of you. Turn left onto the tar road to Gottenberg/Manyeleti and follow the tar road for 6.1 km. Turn right onto a dirt road, and follow this for 6.4 km until you see the Uthar Clinic on your left. Turn left onto the gravel road (Utha Store will be on the right) – and travel 7.3 km to the Gowrie Gate.

ONCE AT THE GOWRIE GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change and please note that the gate opens at 06:00 and closes at 19:00). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit.

Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Please DO NOT follow your GPS 'quickest route' co-ordinates for the lodge. This route inevitably leads guests through the incorrect entry gates (Kruger National Park and into the Sabi Sand Reserve) which do not service the lodge. Furthermore, many of the prescribed roads are not navigable in a normal vehicle. Following GPS co-ordinates can result in getting lost in the middle of the bush, or unnecessary delays of up to 3 hours.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have an in-room safe, air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, a mini bar and fans as well as mosquito's nets over the beds.

The luxury suites have a fireplace and a private viewing deck.

The honeymoon suite is glass fronted and has all the regular luxuries and boasts a private splash pool and a daybed.

The main lodge houses the reception, dining areas, bar, lounge and wine cellar, as well as a small library and curio shop. There is complimentary Wi-Fi in the main lodge only.

Other lodge facilities include 2 swimming pools, the African Health Spa, a gym (equipped with treadmill, bike, rowing machine, and multi gym as well as free weights) and a games room.

Breakfast and lunch are served in the dining room, or on the pool deck overlooking the open area. Dinner is sometimes served in the outside boma.

There is a laundry service available (additional cost).

The lodge offers bush walks and a kiddies programme, which can be adjusted according to the number of children in camp. Activities include painting, drawing, beading, constructing an ant farm, mini bushwalks and many more. Special children's menus are available. Babysitting can also be arranged.

Payment for all extras can be made with MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club credit cards or cash in SA Rand, UK Pounds or US Dollars (subject to commission).

A Guest Conservation Contribution has been included within your rate. The proceeds go towards the Sabi Sand Wildtuin anti-poaching efforts, the community and ecology.

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 2 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children aged 16 years and under are not permitted on bush walks. Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a bush walk are required to provide a medical certificate stating that they are in good health and fit to go on a bush walk. The final decision on whether a guest can join a bush walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

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If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.