Lower Sabie Main Camp
Lower Sabie is situated on the banks of a dam in the Sabie River in the southern part of the Kruger National Park, some eleven kilometres from the Mozambican border. With its large lawns and shade trees this camp is a popular family destination. Due to the abundant foliage and waterholes in the area, game abounds here.
The diversity of game seen in the Lower Sabie area is hard to equal anywhere in the park. The area is rich in lion, cheetah, elephant, hippo, rhino, herds of buffalo up to 800 strong, and a very high density of warthog.
The nearby Sunset Dam is one of the finest venues in the Park to observe aquatic species at close quarters with cormorants, herons, kingfishers and storks occurring in abundance. Marabou, Saddlebilled, Woolynecked, Yellowbilled, Openbilled and Black Stork can sometimes be seen simultaneously. In the Lower Sabie area Mlondozi Dam is a good spot to view waterfowl including some of the rarer species in the park. The small pan on the N’watimhiri road is a regular haunt of Lesser Moorhen.
Lower Sabie has many large riverine trees in camp and the yellow fever tree is very prominent. The camp is situated in knob thorn/marula savannah on basalt soils. Other prominent trees include the round-leafed teak. The grass is sweet thus attracting many grazing species. Immediately west is a zone of delagoa thorn thicket on ecca shale soil. Here prevalent trees include the delagoa thorn and the magic guarri. The grass is still sweet, but shorter. To the east of camp is the Lebombo Mountain Range. Here the vegetation differs again. However, there are no public access roads into this area.
Accommodation at Lower Sabie
Guest House
- Keartland: Sleeps 7
3 bedrooms, (2 beds in each room and sleeper couch in lounge), fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms, kitchen, DSTV, lounge and dining room.
Guest Cottages
- Moffet: Sleeps 4
2 bedrooms, (2 single beds in a room), 2 bathrooms, kitchenette and dining room/lounge area.
Family Bungalows
5-bed units (2 bedrooms, one with 2 single beds and one with 3 single beds), fully equipped with a kitchenette and en-suite bathrooms. In budget accommodation area of camp, but with private barbeque area.
Bungalows
2 or 3-bed rooms, equipped with ablutions (most with showers, but one with a bath), and with air-conditioning. A unit that is accessible for people using wheelchairs is available.
Non–perimeter units have communal kitchens and 2 units are equipped with their own kitchens. Some of the bungalows with communal kitchens have a perimeter view.
Safari Tents
2-bed permanent canvas tents, fully equipped, with or without river view. Units that are accessible for people using wheelchairs are available.
Huts
1, 2, 3 or 5-bed rooms with communal ablutions and communal kitchen. There are 4 1-bed huts and 26 multi-bed huts.
Campsites
Tent or caravan sites, with power point, communal ablutions and cooking facilities, maximum of 6 persons per site
Day visitors
Lower Sabie has a designated day visitor area. There are also picnic sites nearby at Nkuhlu (± 20 km), Mlondozi Dam (17 km) and Tshokwane (43 km)
Facilities
- Ingwe Restaurant
- The Lower Sabie Restaurant derives its name from the Shangaan people. It means leopard. The restaurant overlooks the Sabie River, blending in harmoniously with the tranquility of the surroundings. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served in the Restaurant, where you can experience a sumptuous ‘African Dining Experience’ while sampling an outstanding South African wine in this unique 100-seater restaurant.
The Lounge Bar
- Leads onto an expansive wooden deck, which provides an elevated view of animals watering in the Sabie River. Whether you prefer spending your time in the bar doing some passive game viewing from the deck or relaxing with a light meal, you are assured of time standing still for you to experience it.
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephones
- Post Box
- Clinic and Basic First Aid Assistance
- Restaurant
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Cutlery and Plates Hamper
- Emergency Road Service
- Petrol Station
- Laundromat
- DSTV (Limited Coverage) only in Guest Houses and at Old Restaurant for sports broadcasts.
- Communal Kitchens
- Picnic Facilities
- Swimming pool
Activities
- Morning, Sunset and Night Drives
- Morning and Day Walks
- Guided Bush Walks and Drives (in the company of trained field guides)
- Picnic Sites in Kruger National Park
Extra Information
- Plan your trip – do not try and cover too great a distance. Kruger is a massive tract of land and frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. Slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground.
- Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
- Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
- Do not leave any food unattended, as thieving monkeys and baboons are a constant threat.
- The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar and 40 km/h on gravel.
- Visitors are not permitted to leave their vehicle other than at designated get out points and rest camps.
- Pets are not permitted in a national park.
- Firearms must be declared at the entrance gate and sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
- Open vehicles must obtain the necessary permit.
- Feeding of the animals is strictly prohibited for yours and the animal’s safety and well-being.
- Kruger is a malaria zone. See Malaria Map / Info for further details.
Climate
Kruger Park lies in a summer rainfall area with possible downpours occuring later in the day. The summer months (October to April) are hot. Winter’s are warm and mild, with very cool evenings.
Gate Hours
| Gate Times | Nov-Jan | Feb | Mar & Oct | Apr | May-July | Aug-Sept |
| Park Gates Open | 05:30 | 05:30 | 05:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 |
| Camp Gates Open | 04:30 | 05:30 | 05:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 |
| Park& Camp Gates Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:00 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
