About this hotel
General information
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is sculpted into a slope so that it all but disappears into the bush, its curving lines reading as an extension of the land. It is the design-led lodge of the Sabi Sabi collection and stands for “tomorrow” in the reserve’s philosophy: in place of conventional safari décor comes a dramatic minimalism of natural textures, raw materials, metallic accents and light used as a design element in its own right. The surroundings shape the interiors, and eco-tourism is part of the idea from the ground up.
There are only 13 places to stay, 12 suites and a single villa, which keeps the lodge quiet and intimate. Meals, drinks (except French Champagne and Private Collection wines), day and after-dark game drives in open vehicles and guided walks are included. Children over 13 are always welcome; younger children only when the whole lodge is booked exclusively.
Location
The lodge lies within Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, close to the Sabie River, in the Sabi Sand (Sabie Game Reserve) in the south-western Greater Kruger, some 500 km east of Johannesburg. Federal Air flies daily from Johannesburg straight to the Sabi Sabi airstrip, with a short hop there from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport too; a ranger meets guests at the airstrip for the included drive to the lodge in an open safari vehicle. Skukuza airport is 45 minutes to an hour away on private roads (transfers on request), Kruger Mpumalanga International about two hours by road, and Johannesburg about five hours by car.
Spa
Amani Spa & Wellness has two single treatment rooms and a double, and at Earth Lodge it adds a Zen meditation garden, an outdoor shower and the Pango cleansing cave. The menu covers massages, body and skin rituals and treatments drawn from African healing traditions, using organic Amani products made with indigenous botanicals.
Sports & leisure
Game drives with a ranger and tracker head out twice a day, in the early morning and the afternoon, in search of leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and giraffe, with the afternoon drive returning after dark. Guests can also enjoy:
- walking safaris with experienced guides, timed with the ranger;
- birding and photographic safaris;
- a gym with views over the bushveld;
- a lounge with a library;
- the Earth Boutique, with curios and locally made keepsakes.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen gives local flavours a contemporary, fusion-inflected treatment built on seasonal produce, and adapts to dietary needs. Afternoon tea with cakes and savouries comes before the evening drive.
- Earth Lodge Dining — breakfast, à la carte lunches and multi-course dinners;
- the boma — dinner in an open-air enclosure lit by braziers and lanterns;
- Wine Cellar — a subterranean cellar of more than 6,000 bottles, mostly fine South African wines, with a hand-hewn table for private paired dinners;
- Day Bar — lunch and drinks by the pool, feet in ankle-deep water;
- the bar and lounges, looking out over the bushveld;
- Garden of Contemplation — an intimate garden for dinner beneath the Milky Way; meals can also be served in the suite.
Swimming
The Day Bar has a pool with ankle-deep water where lunch is taken with feet in the water. Every suite and the villa have their own plunge pool on a deck facing the bush.
Rooms
Twelve Luxury Suites and the Amber Villa are tucked into the landscape along winding paths. Bespoke furniture and panoramic windows open onto generous indoor-outdoor lounges, each with a private pool and the bush beyond.
Each suite has air-conditioning, fans, a minibar with snacks, a pod coffee machine and tea, a safe, a telephone, a hairdryer, gowns and slippers, an art set and Wi-Fi; there are no televisions.
Luxury Suite
A suite for two adults with a king-size bed (half the suites can take twin beds), a marble bathroom with bathtub and rain shower, and an outdoor shower. The living area flows onto an outdoor lounge with ceiling fans, a deck with a sun lounger and a private plunge pool facing the bush.
Amber Villa
A two-bedroom villa for four guests (up to six with extra guests): the main bedroom has a king-size bed, a dressing room, a private fitness area and a bathroom with dual rain showers, the second has twin beds. A large living room leads to a deck with hanging sling chairs and a private plunge pool; the villa comes with its own game vehicle and guide.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.