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Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa · Sabi Sabi · Core Luxury
Investment banker Hilton Loon and his wife Jacqui bought the 'Shaws' farm portions of the Sabi Sand and built Bush Lodge first, the founding property of what became a four-lodge, family-owned reserve. At a time when neighboring land was still leased out for hunting, Sabi Sabi committed to photographic-only safaris, an early bet on conservation tourism in South Africa. The oldest and largest of the group's lodges, Bush Lodge now has 21 luxury suites and three villas facing an active waterhole, and has hosted guests including Nelson Mandela.
- 25 rooms
- Opened 1979
- Neighborhood: Mbombela Ward 39
About Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
- Sabi Sabi pioneered photographic-only safari tourism in South Africa at a time when neighboring reserves were still operated as hunting concessions.
- Bush Lodge is the oldest and largest of Sabi Sabi's four lodges, with 21 Luxury Suites plus three named villas overlooking an active waterhole.
- Nelson Mandela is among the guests who have stayed at Bush Lodge over its more than four decades of operation.
History
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is the founding lodge of Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, established in 1979 in the Sabi Sand region of the Greater Kruger area. Investment banker Hilton Loon and his wife Jacqui bought the 'Shaws' farm portions on which Bush Lodge was the first lodge to be built, with a dream of creating a luxury home in the bush. Sabi Sabi became a pioneer of photographic-only safari tourism in South Africa at a time when many neighbouring properties were still hunting concessions.
The oldest and largest lodge in the Sabi Sabi collection, Bush Lodge today has 21 Luxury Suites, a handicapped-accessible suite, and three villas (Mahlatini, Tumbela and Mandleve) overlooking an active waterhole, blending relaxed contemporary luxury with classic safari tradition. Over four decades it has welcomed treasured guests including Nelson Mandela, and the family-owned reserve has grown to four lodges (Bush, Earth, Little Bush and Selati).
Experiences
- Game Drives — Game drives listed under the Wildlife Experience section of the site.
- Walking Safaris — Walking safaris listed under the Wildlife Experience section of the site.
- Birding Safaris — Special-interest birding safaris offered by the reserve.
- Photographic Safaris — Special-interest photographic safaris offered by the reserve.
- Amani Spa — Spa offered at Bush Lodge and Earth Lodge; guests of Little Bush Camp or Selati Camp have access to it.
Amenities
- Back up electricity
- Boma
- Boutique shop
- Full bar facilities
- Lounge
- Parking
- Wine cellar
- Telephone/Fax facilities
- WiFi (signal may be interrupted by weather or wildlife interference)
- Meeting facilities
- Kids club
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More Sabi Sabi hotels
- Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge — Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa · Grand Luxury
- Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp — Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa · Core Luxury
- Sabi Sabi Selati Camp — Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa · Core Luxury
More hotels in Sabi Sand Game Reserve
- Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp — Sabi Sabi · Core Luxury
- Sabi Sabi Selati Camp — Sabi Sabi · Core Luxury
- Lion Sands Treehouses — Lion Sands · High Luxury
- Ulusaba — Virgin Limited Edition · High Luxury
- Cheetah Plains — Independent · Grand Luxury
- Londolozi Healing House Retreat — Londolozi · Grand Luxury
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