Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is known as being a luxury safari lodge in South Africa but before we booked we wanted to know – Is Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge good for kids?
When planning a family safari, finding a lodge that caters to both adults and children can be challenging as there are some lodges that don’t allow children under 12. Some lodges allow younger children but then won’t allow them on game drives.
We not only wanted to find a lodge that catered for kids – we wanted a lodge that openly welcomed kids. And we were particularly looking in this area of South Africa because we knew it was good for leopard sightings.
We did loads of research on family-friendly South African safari lodges and read a few Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge reviews but none were really family-focused.
We ended up booking it and so can give you a complete review of Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge from the point of view of a family.
Further read – you might like to look at these Timbavati family safari lodges as Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is also a popular game reserve next to the Kruger National Park for families. The same goes for the very popular and family-friendly Thornybush Game Lodge.
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Is Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge good for kids?
In short…Yes. Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is good for kids. But we want to tell you why it is and give you as much information as we can so you can decide for yourself.
If you do decide to book, make sure you speak to Go2Africa. They are the industries leading luxury safari tour operator and they know Africa better than anyone else. They also support local communities in Africa which we appreciate. We have booked loads of our travel through them. You can see all the awards they’ve won here.
We booked our stay at Sabi Sabi through Go2Africa. Read our thoughts on Go2Africa.
Where is Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge?
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is located in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve on the border of the Kruger National Park.
Getting to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge by car
If you have hired a car at Johannesburg airport, it is around a 5 hour drive. You can drive right to the lodge. There are gravel roads to the lodge and a slightly higher clearance vehicle might come in handy but a 4×4 is not required.
Note the gate opening times (05.00 to 22.00). You will not be able to access your lodge if you arrive outside of these times. To be honest, we never drive at night in South Africa so this was not a problem for us.
If you are self-driving, you will need to pay an entrance fee (per vehicle and per person) into Sabi Sands Game Reserve. They do take cards but it’s always a good idea to have cash with you. You’ll ned it for tips anyway.
The closest gate to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is Shaws Gate.
Getting to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge by air
You can also take a domestic flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga or Hoedspruit and get picked up from there by the lodge.
The transfer would take around one hour from each airport or you could take a further charter flight to Sabi Sabi airstrip. Bear in mind these flights will add a lot to the cost of your holiday.
You can see more information here on the best ways to get to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge.
What can families expect at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge?
From the moment we arrived at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, it was clear that children were openly welcomed.
The friendly staff greeted us with warm smiles (and a welcome drink) and made our kids feel just as important as the adults.
The lodge’s open design and beautiful setting gave us a sense of tranquility while maintaining a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
The key here is that it is luxurious but it is also casual. There was no need to pack smart clothes – much to the kids’ delight! See here for a guide to kids safari clothing.
Often we would come back from an afternoon game drive at 7pm and have a quick drink and then straight to dinner rather than showering and dressing for dinner.
The reason for this is that the kids were tired and our lodge was a good 8 minute walk away. If we had gone back to our lodge before dinner, we wouldn’t be eating until 8pm and wouldn’t be getting the kids to bed until well after 9.
With a 5am wake up call the next day, we really appreciated the casual dining style!
Accommodation options for families at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge offers spacious and luxurious suites that are ideal for families.
There are luxury suites which have 2 day beds that can convert to beds for kids. A family of 4 would comfortably fit in one of these.
We stayed in one of the Luxury Villas, which provided ample space for the four of us. In fact, it was huge!
The villa had two bedrooms, a comfortable lounge area, and a private deck overlooking the bush with a private pool.
Our fridge was fully stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the kids had a lovely welcome gift on their beds (a bag with all sorts of safari related goodies in), some kiddy toiletries and kid-sized bathrobes.
They also had their own bathroom but there was no way they were using it when they could use ours!
So the coolest thing in our villa was the main bathroom which had two baths side by side each with views out into the bush. Insane!
You can see more about the accommodation at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge here.
Kid-friendly amenities and activities at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
A major highlight for our children was the EleFun Centre, Sabi Sabi’s dedicated children’s facility for kids aged 4 – 12 years old.
It is open from 10.00 to 15.30 (closed for lunch between 13.00 and 14.00).
The center is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable staff who are passionate about wildlife and conservation.
Activities are tailored to different age groups and include arts and crafts, bush-themed games, and educational sessions about local wildlife.
Our kids particularly loved the nature walks within the safe confines of the lodge grounds, where they learned about tracking animals and identifying different plants.
They also left a permanent reminder of their time there with a colourful handprint on the Elefun center wall. A right of passage for all Elefun kids!
There is also a really cool outdoor play area with a maze and a zipline!
We made use of the Elefun Centre only for a couple of hours each day in between the morning and afternoon game drives.
The whole point of going on safari with our kids is that we get to do game drives with them. They love it as much as us.
But while we needed a nap after lunch to recharge after the early morning starts, our kids still had energy to run off so Elefun was perfect for them.
Game drives with children at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
One of the big concerns with choosing a safari lodge for families is whether they will let kids on game drives.
We have been on loads of safaris with our kids and know that they love them so there was no way they were getting left behind.
The Child policy at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is that children over the age of six are allowed on regular game drives at Bush Lodge, and younger children can join at the discretion of the ranger.
The rangers at Sabi Sabi are exceptionally skilled at engaging young guests, making the drives both educational and entertaining.
They took the time to explain animal behaviours in a way that was easy for our kids to understand, pointing out everything from tiny dung beetles to huge elephants. And the spotters are so skilled at spotting the most minute or camouflaged animals.
They even picked twigs off trees and showed them how to clean their teeth with them. It was so fun and educational. You just can’t teach this sort of thing in the classroom.
Don’t just rely on the spotter and the guide. Get involved. Check out these tips to improve your wildlife spotting on safari.
You can also enhance the kids’ experience by getting them their own animal spotting checklists. If you have time before your safari to get something like this in South Africa (maybe at the airport), the kids will love it.
And just in case you were wondering – you cannot do a self-drive safari at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge. If you want to know more about self-drives, read our guide on where to do a self-drive safari in South Africa.
Dining for families at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Meal times at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge are a delight for both parents and kids. The lodge offers a variety of dining options, including child-friendly menus with familiar favorites alongside more sophisticated dishes for adults.
Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and dinner is a la carte. The choice of food was amazing and there was always something for the kids.
Breakfast included a selection of quail, chicken, duck and ostrich eggs for making omlettes!
Dinner was usually from around 7.30/8 to allow guests to get back from their drives and clean up but we asked for an earlier sitting as the kids were so tired. We really appreciated this flexibility.
There are also lots of snacks available before morning game drives, during the game drives, after the game drives. We honestly did not stop eating.
Safety and security for families
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is fenced, however, the fences are more to keep elephants out. Certain cheeky animals can get through the fence.
We saw hyena tracks and were told that leopard occasionally visited camp.
We were allowed to walk back to our villa at night without a guide but the kids were not allowed to walk on their own.
If you haven’t been on a game drive before, the rangers and trackers provided thorough safety briefings before each game drive, emphasizing the importance of staying seated and quiet around wildlife.
Just a note on malaria. Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is in a malarial area. The worst time of year to visit this area in terms of prevelance of malaria is during the wet season (October to April). There is a lower risk from April to September.
If you would prefer to go on safari in a non-malarial area, see our guide to family-friendly malaria free safaris in South Africa.
Relaxation for parents
While the kids were happily engaged at the EleFun Centre, we took full advantage of the Amani Spa (when not napping).
We had our own pool but there is also a communal pool close to the main lodge.
Cost considerations
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is undoubtedly a luxury safari destination, and the cost reflects that.
However, the value it offers for families is undeniable. The all-inclusive pricing covers accommodation, meals, game drives, and many activities, reducing the stress of budgeting for every little expense.
Considering the level of service, quality of accommodations, and the unique experiences tailored for children, we found the investment to be well worth it.
Want to know (in general) how much a family safari might cost? Check out this guide to safari costs for families.
Tips for families visiting Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
- Book early: Family suites are in high demand, so it’s best to book well in advance.
- Discuss game drive options: If you have young children, inquire about private or shorter game drives.
- Pack appropriately: Bring comfortable clothing, hats, sunscreen, and binoculars for the kids. No need for glamourous clothes. See our guide on what to pack for a safari with kids.
- Leverage the EleFun Centre: Take advantage of this incredible resource to give both kids and parents some downtime.
- Bring enough cash (USD) for tips.
Final verdict on Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge with kids
So what did we think of Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge for kids?
Bush Lodge exceeded our expectations as a family-friendly safari destination. The thoughtful accommodations, engaging activities for kids, and unparalleled wildlife experiences made it a trip of a lifetime for our family.
If you’re wondering whether Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is good for kids, the answer is a resounding yes. It’s a place where families can bond, learn, and create unforgettable memories while immersing themselves in the beauty of the African bush.
