Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

When looking back at a story that spans more than four decades, it is rewarding to see how each chapter has unfolded and how every decision has shaped Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve into what it is today. It is a story of steady growth, where each piece has found its place over time. 

The Beginning That Still Defines Us

Our story begins with Bush Lodge, the first of our lodges acquired more than 45 years ago, marking the very first step in what would become a much larger collection. It was the original expression of our philosophy built on warm, genuine hospitality and a deep respect for the natural world. From the outset, it set the tone: a lodge where guests feel completely at ease, where the bush is not observed from a distance, but experienced up close, whether from the unfenced lodge or out on a game drive.

In those early years, wildlife was slowly and respectfully introduced to safari vehicles, allowing animals to become comfortable without compromising their natural behaviour. This careful, patient approach laid the foundation for the remarkable sightings we continue to enjoy today. More than that, it was a family vision, one that set out to create a place where people would return to, again and again, drawn back by something that feels both familiar and rare.

An Atmosphere Of Stillness

The introduction of Selati Camp in 1993 brought a new layer to the Sabi Sabi experience, offering something more nostalgic. Inspired by the romance of a bygone railway era, Selati Camp deepened our story, introducing a different pace and a different mood.

It was here that the idea of unhurried luxury took shape, where less became more, and where the experience was defined by a way of life that no longer exists. Selati Camp showed that within one reserve, there is space for different interpretations of luxury, each with its own character, yet all grounded in the same principles.

Where Architecture Meets Earth

In 2001, our vision expanded to include Earth Lodge, a bold, forward-thinking addition that redefined what a safari lodge could be. Rather than sitting above the landscape, it was sculpted into it, almost invisible from a distance.

At the time, it challenged traditional notions of safari architecture, yet never lost sight of what defines Sabi Sabi. It is immersive without being overwhelming, refined without being excessive and deeply connected to its surroundings. Earth Lodge marked a shift toward a more contemporary, design-led expression of the same values.

An Intimate Way To Experience The Wild

The addition of Little Bush Camp in 2006 completed the collection, introducing a more private and personal way to experience the bush. Smaller in scale and tucked beneath the riverine canopy along the Msuthlu River, it offers a sense of seclusion.

Here, families and small groups settle into their own rhythm, away from the world. There is space to slow down, reconnect, and to experience the bush in a way that feels entirely your own. It reinforces the idea that true luxury is not always about scale, but about how a place makes you feel, whether in shared moments or in solitude.

Where We Are Today

Today, Sabi Sabi is known not only for its exceptional wildlife sightings within the Sabi Sands, but for the way in which those sightings are made possible. Leopards stroll confidently along the roads, sometimes for kilometres at a time, completely at ease with a safari vehicle following at a respectful distance. Elephant herds move past the lodges with their young, choosing these spaces because they feel safe. Even wild dogs have been known to make a kill near the lodges, undisturbed, in an environment they trust. These moments are not by chance, but the result of decades of care, respect and thoughtful conservation practices. It is this approach, carried through every decade, that has shaped Sabi Sabi into one of the world’s most desired luxury safari destinations.

As we look ahead, with Sandringham Private Game Reserve taking shape, there is a sense of continuity. The story is still being written, guided by the principles that have always defined us. The addition of the Claremont Boutique Hotel in Cape Town enriches our offering, providing yet another experience for our guests to enjoy all that South Africa has to offer.

Guests arrive at Sabi Sabi Collection properties from all over the world, and over time, many return – not only for what they see, but for how it feels to be here. Sabi Sabi has always been, and will always be, about welcoming people in and giving them something worth returning to, again and again.   As we explore to grow and our story continues to unfold, more from our family will be shared here – bringing together experiences, news and exciting developments taking shape across the Sabi Sabi Collection. Each new chapter adding to the story we are fortunate enough to still be writing.

Warm regards,
The Sabi Sabi Collection Team