Leopard Hills

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve is located in the western sector of the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve, bordering the world famous Kruger National Park. The lodge is spectacularly situated atop a rocky outcrop, offering magnificent views over the bush and a natural waterhole on the plains below.

Early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives, in search of Africa's big game, are conducted by your knowledgeable ranger. Walks through the bush take place just after breakfast, on request, and is the best way of experiencing the 'finer' aspects of the bushveld. Your ranger will guide you though the fauna and flora of the Sabi Sand Reserve, pointing out insects, grasses, trees and smaller species that are all an integral part of the ecosystem.

Back in camp, guests are spoilt by the highest standards of service and fine cuisine. On warm nights in summer, guests can also enjoy a traditional Boma dinner. After the evening game drive, guests will be drawn to the essences of a burning fire. Here a hurricane lamp lit 'dining room' under African skies, and a feast of delicious cuisine awaits.

The 5* luxury lodge features 8 glass-fronted, air-conditioned suites, each with private plunge pool and spectacular views over the African bush.

The treatment Sala and gym have proved very popular among guests. Work up a sweat on the various gym machines overlooking the bush below, or enjoy an array of pampering massage treatments in the glass-fronted Sala, which has a spectacular vantage point off the main pool deck, offering absolute privacy with spectacular views.

Rates Include

3 meals daily; tea/coffee; all beverages (excluding premium wines from the wine cellar); 2 shared game drives per day; optional walking safaris; a laundry service; the Guest Conservation Contribution; and return transfers from the Leopard Hills airstrip to the lodge are 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 10 years and older are welcome. Adult rates apply. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed on bush walks.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

In keeping with safety regulations on guided walks, no children under 16 are allowed.

Regardless of age, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Guest Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 based on 3 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction): Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.

Once on the R536, continue along this road for approximately 34.5 km and on the left-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube and Savanna. Turn left here onto the sand road (if the MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi signs are reached, or the Kruger Gate itself, you have gone too far and must turn back).

Once you have turned onto the sand road you will go through a cattle control gate. From this point the way is well signposted with the lodge signboards. The sand road has potholes and also goes past some villages, so please drive carefully. There is approximately 12 km of sand road, after which you will arrive at the Newington Gate entrance of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

From the Kruger Mpumalanga/Nelspruit International Airport: Turn right out of the airport onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River (Witrivier). Continue for approximately 12 km, until you reach the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn right here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway respectively 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). Keep on the N4 until you reach Nelspruit, where you will turn left onto the R40 to White River. In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself, turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right. Cross over the next set of traffic lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview (the R538, via the Numbi Gate, is a busy road and not recommended). After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria via Scenic Route: 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). Take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, follow the signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie, take the R536 to Hazyview. Just before Hazyview you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the R40 towards Hazyview. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Hoedspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport towards the R40. At the T-junction, turn left onto the R40 towards White River and Hazyview. Proceed on the R40 for approximately 88 km until you reach a set of traffic lights in Hazyview with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn left here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.  Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From the Paul Kruger Gate: Go through the gate, and follow the R536 to Hazyview. Continue along this road and on the right-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube and Savanna. Turn right here onto the sand road. Once you have turned onto the sand road you will go through a cattle control gate. From this point the way is well signposted with the lodge signboards. The sand road has potholes and also goes past some villages, so please drive carefully. There is approximately 12 km of sand road, after which you will arrive at the Newington Gate entrance of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

ONCE AT THE NEWINGTON 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). 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 through the reserve.

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.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have air conditioning and fans, underfloor heating and heated towel rails, mosquito nets, indoor and outdoor showers, a hair dryer, a safe, a telephone, Nespresso machine, a stocked mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary sherry and an i-Pod docking station.

The lodge facilities include a central swimming pool, a lounge, bar and dining room, a boma, a library (with internet facilities), a well stocked curio shop, and a fully stocked wine cellar. An open air deck overlooks an active waterhole.

There is a massage and treatment sala, and a well equipped gym.

Optional walking safaris, accompanied by a knowledgable ranger, take place after breakfast on request.

All credit cards are accepted, but there is a 5% surcharge on any payments made in camp for additional extras.

Leopard Hills have taken responsibility of looking after and building a day care centre/creche for under-privileged children and orphans in the area. Through the help and support of guests, they have been able to raise sufficient funds to build a new facility in the local village. Through additional donations of books, clothing, writing materials and blankets, they have also gone a long way to improve the lives and learning of these children. For any further information on this project, please ask your Travel Butlers consultant or enquire at Reception when you arrive.

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 10 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

In keeping with safety regulations on guided walks, no children under 16 are allowed.

Regardless of age, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Popular Alternatives to Leopard Hills

These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Leopard Hills, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Leopard Hills was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.

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.