A Season of Growth

Rain has a way of anchoring a place in a particular moment. In the bush, it arrives midsummer. Heavy, welcome and transformative, filling rivers and waterholes and drawing life closer together. In the Cape, it comes later in the year, bringing shorter days, cooler evenings and a natural invitation to slow down. Across the Sabi Sabi Collection, these seasonal shifts connect landscapes that may be far apart yet are shaped by the same respect for nature and its timing.

The Bush I Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

At Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, January’s summer rains were intense, and, at times, close to overwhelming. Prolonged downpours pushed rivers to their limits, with water levels rising day after day. It was a high-energy season – one that demanded constant awareness and deep respect for nature’s force.

Yet with that intensity came extraordinary transformation. As the rain fell, the bush responded almost immediately. This kind of rainfall is profoundly life-giving, sustaining wildlife and restoring the systems that carry the reserve through the drier months ahead. Witnessing that change unfold – even in its most dramatic moments – was a reminder that change is not always gradual; sometimes it arrives all at once, reshaping everything in its path. The heavy rainfall required careful management, with the well-being of both our guests and staff always our priority. Our Lodges remained operational, and recovery has been aided by hot and humid days, which is typical of summer months. Guests are enjoying excellent sightings, and the Reserve is lush, vibrant and full of life.

The Cape I The Claremont

That sense of renewal carries through to the present, in a very different setting. The Claremont, which opened its doors late last year, is now fully established as a boutique hotel, welcoming guests to the relaxed rhythm of life at this century-old manor house. The Claremont Boutique Hotel was named by The Times UK as one of the hottest hotel openings for 2026.

Perfectly positioned just minutes from Cape Town’s attractions, set within leafy surrounds, The Claremont offers an ideal base from which to explore the city and its experiences on offer. Summer days unfold effortlessly with a range of adventures — from hikes through Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Table Mountain National Park’s trails, to leisurely tastings in the Constantia Wine Valley or coastal adventures along the peninsula, including snorkelling at Boulders Beach.

As the day draws to a close, guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining with a range of local restaurants showcasing Cape Town’s celebrated food scene. End your evening at The Claremont with a nightcap at the 1928 Craft Bar or quiet conversation in the Safari Library. For slower days, mornings begin with a perfectly brewed coffee at the Koffiehuis and then enjoying time spent in the Summer Lounge, poolside or lingering over lunch at the Veld & Vine Bistro. Throughout it all, The Claremont offers a sense of comfort and coming home.

Looking Ahead I Sandringham Private Game Reserve

Later this year, the Sabi Sabi Collection will welcome Sandringham Private Game Reserve, which is currently under construction and steadily taking shape. Once a hunting farm, the property is being carefully developed and restored, with a clear focus on how the reserve will function and endure over time.

Sandringham will open as the season again turns, and the first guests will arrive at a moment of transition, when the winds carry the promise of summer rain still to come, and the wilderness prepares for another cycle of renewal along the banks of the Timbavati River.

Across the Sabi Sabi Collection, the past few months have been shaped by timing. By rain that arrived with force in the bush, by a hotel in a leafy Cape suburb that has found its rhythm, and by a new reserve preparing for what lies ahead. From what has passed, to what is present, to what is still unfolding, each chapter reflects a careful, considered approach to growth – guided by the season, experience and respect for the environments we are part of.

Warm regards,
The Sabi Sabi Collection Team