Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

The world-renowned Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve is located in the game-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Skilled rangers and trackers lead you on journeys of discovery into the heart of the bushveld, and every game drive offers a myriad of unforgettable sights, producing new rushes of excitement and enjoyment.

The unique Earth Lodge encompasses superbly appointed suites in the heart of the African bushveld. Designed like no other game lodge, and sculpted deep into the earth making it almost invisible in the landscape, Earth Lodge is inspired by the textures, colours and shapes of the natural world.

A corridor leads you down beneath the ground, and you arrive into an uninterrupted bushveld panorama, and the start of a unique and unforgettable experience which is Earth Lodge. A sense of peace consumes you, and you are cocooned in luxury, inspiration and grace.

The boma, its walls sculpted from roots and built up piece by piece, captures the drama of an African night and embraces the power of the wilderness. The Amani Spa offers massages, natural therapies or a classic spa.

There are only 13 suites at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. Each is attended by a private butler and is appointed with specially commissioned furnishings, a secluded plunge pool and open air shower. The exclusive Amber Presidential Suite is generous beyond belief in its dimensions and boasts its own exercise room, steam room, study and kitchen. It captures art and luxury in one unique experience.

There is also the exclusive use Amber Villa which has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, making this an ideal option for families and friends travelling together, accommodating four guests with a fifth able to be hosted on request. The villa has a lounge, terrace and outdoor pool, and a small fitness area. Guests staying in the villa have the use of a private game vehicle with a dedicated ranger and tracker team.

Rates Include

Twice-daily open 4x4 safari vehicle shared safari drives; the Guest Conservation Contribution; walking safaris; breakfast, lunch and "boma" dinner; selected beverages (excluding cellar wine collection and premium brands) and South African house wines; sundowner drinks during your evening safari; and return transfers from the Sabi Sabi airstrip 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 13 years and older are welcome. Rates available on request. Children under 13 can only be accommodated if the entire lodge is booked exclusively.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

If the lodge is booked exclusively, children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

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

Guest Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 based on 2 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, Exeter and Savanna. Go past these, and approximately 3 km further on, on the left-hand side of the road, you will see signposts for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn left here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate. 

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 for approximately 4.5 km and on the right-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn right here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate.

ONCE AT THE SHAW’S 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 suites have en-suite bathrooms with stone baths and indoor/outdoor showers. They also have air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, fans, hair dryer, mini bar, safe, telephone and a private plunge pool. In-suite massage treatments can be arranged on request.

In the main area guests can enjoy full bar facilities, wine cellar, telephone/fax facilities, a library, spa, Wi-Fi plus boutique/curio shop.

The gym facilities at Earth Lodge offer cardio equipment in a safe and air conditioned environment while still capturing the beautiful views.

Activities available include morning/afternoon game drives and walking safaris. The lodge seats a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle.

Community Tours can also be arranged. The tour focuses on an authentic experience, and guests will have the chance to view life from the perspective of the staff, as many of them are from the local communities of Lillydale, Justicia and Huntington (additional cost).

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

Credit cards are accepted.

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 15 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

If the lodge is booked exclusively, children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided 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.