The camp is perfectly located, as guests do not have to drive all that far from the main gate to reach it. Because the camp is right next to the river, there are plenty of animals and birds to see, as well as a lot of plant life that is unique to the area. The camp is known for having the second largest number of trees after Letaba, and its shaded lawns make it a real favourite amongst visitors.
Kruger Park Travel
Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Overview
The rest camp is situated on the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors can relax and enjoy the view over the river from various lookout points in the camp.
Staying in any of the camps of the KNP is a top experience where you can be guaranteed to see the Big 5. It is one of the more affordable safari vacations available in South Africa.
The camp offers a variety of accommodation to choose from, and it also has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (barbecue) and picnic.
Why would you want to visit Lower Sabie?
Spending a few days in the Lower Sabie camp offers a truly African experience, like few others, and is definitely something to add to your safari vacation.
Large numbers of wildlife are attracted to the plentiful water, and at night, the diversity of animals seen in the area is hard to equal anywhere in the KNP. All the larger mammals can be seen regularly, which include lion, cheetah, elephant, hippo, rhino, herds of buffalo, and many warthogs. A wide variety of bird species will appeal to the bird lover.
The camp is host to large riverine trees, and the sycamore fig tree is very prominent, which provides generously for the livelihood of many animals, birds, and insects. The vegetation of the area is mostly knob thorn and marula savannah on basalt soils. Other prominent trees are the leadwood and sausage trees. The sweet grass attracts many grazing species. Just west of Lower Sabie is an area of delagoa thorn thicket on ecca shale soil with many delagoa thorn and the magic guarri growing there.
The camp is an ideal destination for families with a wide range of activities. Going out on an open vehicle safari during the day or at night is the preferred way to see animals, but the best way to spot animals is right in the camp from the various vantage points.
The camp offers great bird watching opportunities as it provides a walking route on the inside perimeters of the camp. You will get a general offering of fauna and flora, and be close to animals that you might catch a glimpse of on the other side of the electrified fence.
Lower Sabie has a designated day visitor area. There are also picnic sites nearby at Nkuhlu, a drive of about 20 km, Mlondozi Dam, about 17 km, and Tshokwane, which is 43 km away.
Where is Lower Sabie located?
Lower Sabie is located in the south-eastern part of the KNP, about 34 km from the Crocodile Bridge entrance gate. The GPS coordinates for the camp are S 25 7′ 16″ E 31 55′ 2″.
How to get to Lower Sabie
Travelling time from Johannesburg to the closest entrance gate at Crocodile Bridge by car is at least five to six hours.
Travel on the N4 to Nelspruit and head on to Malelane and then Komatipoort. It is a distance of about 110 km. Turn left onto the R571 at Komatipoort and head on to the Crocodile Bridge gate. The camp is 34 km north of the gate. You should allow at least 2 hours for the drive to the camp. However, due to the abundance of animals in this area, it might take you much longer to reach Lower Sabie.
You can also travel by air, and the closest airport to Lower Sabie is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), which is situated between Nelspruit and White River. Nelspruit is about 25 km from KMIA and about 120 km from the Crocodile Bridge entrance gate.
There are daily scheduled flights between KMIA and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Flights from Cape Town and Durban International Airports are also available, but less frequently.
Be aware of the gate times for entering and departing from the park. It is as follows:
Entrance gates:
- January, February, November, and December – gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:30
- March and October – gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:00.
- April, August, and September – gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.
- May, June, and July – gates open at 06:00 and close at 17:30.
- What to do while staying at Lower Sabie
A map of KNP can be bought at the entrance gates or any of the camps in the park.
There are many activities on offer at the camp that will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings and further details for these activities are available from reception.
The following is on offer:
- Guided Bush Walks
- Game Drives with trained field guides
- Bush Breakfast and Bush Braai (Barbecue)
- Sunset Dam is 1 km from the camp
- Nthandanyati Bird Hide is about 11 km from the camp
These activities will ensure an exciting bush experience. Various open vehicle safari operators are available to book a trip with. They offer affordable yet exclusive safari trips for singles, couples, families with children, or small groups.
What to watch out for when staying at Lower Sabie
Staying at Lower Sabie is an exciting experience, and guests will encounter the flora and fauna that this area offers.
The perfect safari begins just before the sun rises, so you should try to get out as early as possible. The earlier you get out there, the better your chances of seeing what you have come to see. The best routes in KNP are situated around Lower Sabie.
Being close to a dam and the river means you should probably see wildlife of all kinds. Of the animals, you will find grazers like elephants, rhinos, giraffes, waterbuck, impala, kudu, warthog, wildebeest, hippo, and buffalo, to mention but a few. The animals are drawn to the constant water sources in the area, and where you find grazing animals, you will also find predators, like lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. Staying at Lower Sabie ensures that you will see the best Kruger has to offer.
Bird watchers will find many different bird species right in the park. You can also go and sit at Sun Set dam or visit the Nthandanyati bird hide.
What type of accommodation does Lower Sabie offer, and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Lower Sabie provides a variety of accommodation types for singles, couples, and families with children. Whether you prefer luxury, self-catering, caravanning, or camping, you will find accommodation to suit you for your stay in the wilderness.
Accommodation availability changes from day to day, and all inquiries about general availability are subject to change without notice. Last-minute reservations in less than 31 days before the arrival date are payable within 24 hours after receiving a confirmed provisional reservation via e-mail.
Your accommodation is only guaranteed once you receive a provisional reservation confirmation and to secure your reservation full pre-payment is required a.s.a.p.
Lower Sabie’s accommodation also boasts wheelchair friendly accommodation in some of the units as well as chalets. The Keartlands Guesthouse and some of the safari tents are also wheelchair accessible. The shops, restaurants, main building, pool, and boardwalk along the river can be accessed via wheelchair.
Lower Sabie has also added accommodation for couples looking for something more romantic in the form of semi-luxury 2-bedded tents, positioned so as to secure intimate privacy for each one. Each has its own small bathroom and kitchenette, and some have the added advantage of a river view.
At Lower Sabie, the following accommodation types are available:
Campsites
Camping is the most affordable and rustic style of accommodation that Kruger offers. The camp has 33 tent or caravan sites, with a power point for a maximum of 6 people per site. Guests use the communal ablutions and cooking facilities that have 24-hour boiling water, electric hotplates, and washing-up facilities.
Huts
Various huts are available with 1, 2, 3, or 5-beds all using the communal ablutions and kitchens. The huts come equipped with a fridge and air-conditioning but no cooking utensils, crockery, or cutlery.
Safari Tents
The camp has 24 permanent furnished canvas tents on stilts. They are fully equipped, with 2 single beds, a fridge, a fan, and a small veranda. You can also choose between a river view and not.
Bungalows
The camp boasts 58 air-conditioned units with 2 single beds, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet, and a fridge. There are no cooking utensils, crockery, or cutlery, and guests use the communal kitchen. You have a choice of with or without perimeter view.
There are also 2 bungalows with 3 single beds. These are fully equipped with en-suite bathroom, small kitchenette, fridge, and air-conditioning.
Family Bungalows
These two bungalows sleep five in 2 bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. They are fully equipped with a small kitchenette and a private braai area.
Keartlands Guest House
There is only one large luxury air-conditioned unit with a river view that sleeps 7 in 3 bedrooms. It has a fully equipped kitchen, en-suite bathrooms, lounge and dining room, outside braai area, car port and limited channel DSTV television.
All accommodation providers provide linen and towels, except camping provide linen and towels. All units and sites also has its own braai facilities.
Facilities
The following facilities are available:
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephone
- Post Box
- Restaurant
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Laundromat
- Filling Station
- Communal Kitchens
- Communal Ablutions
- Swimming Pool
- Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
- Basic First Aid Assistance
- Separate Day Visitors Picnic Area on the periphery of the camp
- Eco Information Centre
- DSTV in Guest House
- Cellphone reception
- No ATM facility
What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at the Lower Sabie?
Plan properly for your stay at Lower Sabie to make it a relaxed trip and stay. Bookings need to be done well in advance of your planned date of arrival. KNP is a popular game reserve, and accommodation is not readily available, especially in the holiday season and during the winter months.
Lower Sabie does not offer any bed and breakfast facilities, and guests must bring their own food and drinks. Meals can be bought at the restaurant, and the shop provides most items that will be needed daily.
Most parts of the KNP are situated well within a malaria area. This is much more than just an unpleasant illness, but it can be fatal if left untreated. Since it is being spread by mosquitoes, the best way to avoid getting sick is to prevent the mosquitos to bite you.
You can avoid mosquito bites if you take the necessary steps, such as wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening, and using a reputable kind of insect repellent. The best way to totally avoid a malaria scare is to get the necessary preventative medication prescribed by your doctor before journeying into the African bush.
Although it is basically impossible for larger, more dangerous animals to enter the camp, it is best to always be alert. Nocturnal animals like the civet, porcupines, and others are frequent visitors.
Ensure your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many unusual and dangerous creatures, such as bats, spiders, snakes, scorpions, to mention but a few, and without knowledge, some of them could be dangerous.
If you must walk around at night, please do not do so without a torch. Although there are streetlights, it is not very bright and are only along the footpaths.
❌Under no circumstances are you allowed to feed the animals. By feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become lazy and do not seek food themselves, which can cause them to starve. Some also become aggressive.❌
When to visit Lower Sabie
The best time of the year to make your trip to Lower Sabie in the KNP is either early spring or late autumn. Kruger is a summer rainfall area, and such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours.
The hot summer months from October to April can make any safari tour unpleasant. Fortunately, Lower Sabie does have a swimming pool where overnight visitors can cool down.
The winters are warm and mild during the day and can sometimes be quite cold at night. If you are planning a trip to KNP in the winter that includes a night-drive be sure to pack warm clothing that includes a warm jacket, beanie, scarf, and gloves.
Even animals sometimes shy away from the heat. During the summer months, they tend to look for shade during the hottest time of the day and are not always easy to spot, especially since the bush is very dense.
During the winter months, wildlife tend to stay in the vicinity of water sources and can often be seen at the watering holes, rivers, and dams. The bush is also less dense, and animals are spotted more easily than during the summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lower Sabie Rest Camp is situated in the southeastern part of Kruger National Park, along the Sabie River near the Mozambique border.
It is popular for its excellent game viewing, scenic river views, and frequent sightings of the Big Five and other wildlife close to camp.
Accommodation includes safari tents, bungalows, family cottages, and guest houses, catering to different budgets and group sizes.
Yes, the camp has a well-known restaurant and riverfront deck offering meals with views of the Sabie River.
Yes, the camp is family-friendly and offers family units, a swimming pool, and easy access to game-viewing roads.
Common sightings include lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species.
Yes, SANParks offers morning, afternoon, sunset, and night game drives departing from the camp.
Yes, guided bush walks with armed rangers are available and must be booked in advance.
Yes, the camp has a shop selling groceries, souvenirs, snacks, firewood, and necessities.
Yes, there is a swimming pool available for overnight guests, ideal for relaxing during hot days.
Yes, the camp is fenced for safety, but wildlife may still be visible close to the perimeter.
Yes, day visitors may access the restaurant, picnic area, and shop during park operating hours.
The dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for wildlife viewing, while summer offers lush scenery and birdlife.
Yes, all accommodation units have electricity, although power outages may occasionally occur.
Lower Sabie Rest Camp is approximately 45 km from Skukuza Rest Camp, making it a scenic and popular drive.
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