Intimate lodge with a homely feeling

At Cheetah Plains you will be blown away by the abundant wildlife and unparalleled game viewing. The 65,000 hectares Sabi Sands Nature Reserve is world renowned for the Big Five – leopard, elephant, black & white rhinoceros, cape buffalo, and lion – but at Cheetah Plains you will see so much more. Cheetah Plains Private Reserve is situated adjacent to the Kruger National Park, in the northwest corner of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. There are no fences between the two reserves, allowing game to move freely between the two areas. Cheetah Plains has on its one boundary the Kruger National Park and on the other MalaMala - perfect neighbours! You are also guaranteed exclusivity – the private concession traversing rights dictate that only two game vehicles at a time can traverse the individual areas, exclusivity at game sightings is the norm at Cheetah Plains. This intimate lodge offers friendly service with comfortable safari style lodge accommodation, along with amazing hospitality and a welcoming staff, ensuring a safari experience to be remembered.

Just three designer bush homes make up the brand new Cheetah Plains Lodge. Each bush home has two lounges, outdoor boma area, wine cellar (!) and a heated swimming pool. Cheetah Plains strives to embrace a contemporary ethnic design, with elegantly decorated houses nestled into the indigenous gardens of the camp. The ultrachic accommodation blends seamlessly into the African bush, creating a harmonious flow between pampered relaxation and the raw South African bushveld. Each bush home includes a private safari vehicle and designated field guide for the duration of your stay. The bush homes all flow onto the indigenous gardens and their wild surroundings. Other facilities available include a swimming pool, bar and lounge area, viewing deck, boma and well stocked curio shop.

Activities at Cheetah Plains Lodge

Shortly after your arrival at Cheetah Plains, after snacks and drinks, you’ll be taken on the first of your exhilarating twice-daily game drives. Go on a personalised journey with your professional field guide to learn and see things you never thought possible. Setting out into the bushveld in the late afternoon is the ideal time to spot the predators that prowl the Sabi Sands. Leopard & lion emerge in the early evening to drink water or rest before the night’s hunt. As part of the concession rights, only two safari vehicles are allowed in the shared areas of the reserve at any given time. You're guaranteed exclusivity as you go on safari through Cheetah Plains and the surrounding area, giving you the added privilege of peace, quiet and relatively undisturbed wildlife. Halfway through the drive you’ll disembark for a sundowner against the dramatic, inspiring African sunset. The next day an early morning wake-up call is followed by a journey through the magic of the African sunrise. Bushveld inhabitants will also wake up for the day, or settling down to laze in the shade after a hard night’s hunting. An experienced field guide will take you through the reserve in specially equipped game drive vehicles to make the most of the finest game viewing opportunities. Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, antelope and more will be spotted among the gorgeous thorn and marula trees.

Cheetah Plains is actively involved in the surrounding local communities of Utah and Dixie. A visit to these neighbouring villages will give you insight into the rural South African way of life, allowing you to meet the village elders and share in the exuberance and enthusiasm of the villagers.

Tripadvisor comments Cheetah Plains Lodge

Just returned from a two-night stay at Cheetah Plains in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, and it was a phenomenal experience! It was my first time seeing a leopard in the wild, a moment that will stay with me forever. The highlight? Spotting the Big 5, all on our very first day!

Quest51051861610

Lorraine's Team was amazing and we all cannot stop talking about the incredible hospitality we received. They truly became friends to us during our stay. Every request is addressed immediately, and I do not think the experience could ever be topped. They constantly went above and beyond for us and it made for a difficult goodbye.

Carolyn G