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Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa · Sabi Sabi · Grand Luxury
South African architect Mohammed Hans and sculptor Geoffrey Armstrong designed Earth Lodge to disappear into a slope of the Sabi Sand reserve when it opened in 2001, excavating the 13 suites and main building into the hillside and covering the roofs with sand and vegetation so elephants sometimes walk across them. Armstrong carved the furniture, headboards and writing desks from trees toppled by floods and elephants. The design earned Earth Lodge a reputation as one of the most environmentally sensitive lodges in Africa and a spot among National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World.
- 13 rooms
- Opened 2001
- Neighborhood: Mbombela Ward 39
- Architect: Mohammed Hans
About Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
- Architect Mohammed Hans excavated Earth Lodge's 13 suites and main building into a Sabi Sand hillside and covered the roofs with sand and plants, so elephants occasionally walk across them.
- Sculptor Geoffrey Armstrong carved the lodge's headboards, writing desks and benches from trees toppled by a 2000 flood and others knocked over by elephants.
- Earth Lodge opened in 2001 and has been named among National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World.
- The lodge's underground wine cellar holds more than 6,000 bottles beneath the main building.
History
Earth Lodge opened in 2001 as Sabi Sabi owners Jacqui and Hilton Loon's most ambitious project, designed in close collaboration with South African architect Mohammed Hans and sculptor Geoffrey Armstrong. The 13 suites and main building are excavated into a slope of the Sabi Sand reserve, with sand and indigenous plants replaced on the roofs so the structures merge almost invisibly into the bushveld; elephants have been known to walk across them.
Armstrong's sculptural furniture, including headboards, writing desks and benches, was carved from trees felled by a 2000 flood and others knocked over by elephants. A visiting conservationist called it 'the most ecologically-sensitively-designed lodge in Africa,' and Earth Lodge has been named among National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World. Its underground wine cellar holds more than 6,000 bottles.
The setting
4 km from R536 road. 8 km from Kruger National Park.
Experiences
- Amani Spa — Spa listed as a facility at Earth Lodge. Guests of Little Bush Camp or Selati Camp have access to Amani Spa & Wellness at Bush Lodge or Earth Lodge.
Amenities
- Back up electricity
- Boma
- Boutique shop
- Full bar facilities
- Gym
- Lounge
- Parking
- Spa
- Telephone/Fax facilities
- WiFi
- Wine cellar
- Air conditioning
- En-suite bathrooms
- Fans
- Hairdryers
- Lounge area
Awards
- Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards (2025)
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More Sabi Sabi hotels
- Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge — Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa · Core 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
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