With 65,000ha of pristine African wilderness that’s open to the legendary Kruger National Park, this Big Five reserve came into being in the 1950s when a group of local landowners joined together to create what has since become an icon for conservation and community empowerment.

It’s the oldest private game reserve in South Africa and is renowned for its incredible predator sightings and relaxed, habituated wildlife that allows for game viewing at extremely close quarters. This makes it ideal for wildlife photography, particularly where leopards are concerned.

Both its namesakes – the Sabi and Sand rivers – flow through the reserve, affording safari goers the opportunity to experience a vast, biodiverse and game-rich environment that ranges from lush, riparian forests to acacia bushveld and open savannah.

Visitors are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to places to stay on the reserve – the Sabi Sand is home to some of the most lauded and exclusive safari brands in Africa, including Londolozi, Singita, Mala Mala, Ulusaba and Lion Sands.