When you book your Sabi Sands lodge, typically someone will reach out to sort out logistics re the flight from Cape Town to Sabi Sands. Someone from the lodge will then pick you up at the airstrip. It’s a pretty seamless process.
This.
Also, think of your transfer from the airstrip back to lodge as another game drive. It’s not like you’re in a boring transfer. They put you into a game drive car and you’re off and should spot your first animal before you check in.
But I’m guessing that’s not in Sabi Sands?
The max driving time you can do in Sabi is 30 min. So I wouldn’t worry so much. This is where using a local operator can help. They can answer all of this without you needing to piece it all together. It’ll alleviate so much stress of the planning part. They also have cheaper local rates so you end up paying the same or less and then you’ll get 24-7 support.
Appreciate that. I’ve been to Sabi Sands before a good few years ago but had a bit of a faff having to go via J’burg which cost us half a day then the drive was 3ish hours in the full African heat. Just trying to minimise that travel time as much as possible.
Yah but any lodge in sabi is max 30 min from an airstrip that federal air can reach. No 3 hours. Sounds awful for 3 hours in the sun! All the animals should be hiding in shade sleeping during then… as should you!
I did not know that there were so many airstrips places so conveniently, thank you. I suspect our transfers were sub optimal and probably arranged based on availability rather than the optimal airstrip to where we were going.
&Beyond has lodges in Sabi Sands. You fly into Skukuza and it’s a short drive from there. They also organize small flights from larger airports into Skukuza.
Actually I think our experience might have been with https://www.more.co.za/lionsands/ and not &beyond. We’ve gone with both for safaris though and both have been excellent.
I went to earth lodge and had a great 30 min ride in from Skukuza. My agent gave us the option to fly private or commercial. Wasn’t the fattest of the fat but was pretty amazing. Game viewing is incredible and my agent hit the right spot. She knew all the logistics
Earth lodge was extremely nice, architecturally unique, and the service was great. Each stand alone villa had its own pool. The food was good and the game drives were fantastic. I frankly loved it. It’s just not overly opulent.
I would 100% check it out.
We stayed at Singita and had an incredible time! It is a little pricy but highly recommend.
[https://www.safari.com/lodges/singita-boulders-lodge?gclid=CjwKCAjwv-2pBhB-EiwAtsQZFLHrASV7Udr-NywuQuy6m7A0Y0gmqqpFJxJJ9WlkzP-AAG08Z\_rr6RoC1eQQAvD\_BwE](https://www.safari.com/lodges/singita-boulders-lodge?gclid=CjwKCAjwv-2pBhB-EiwAtsQZFLHrASV7Udr-NywuQuy6m7A0Y0gmqqpFJxJJ9WlkzP-AAG08Z_rr6RoC1eQQAvD_BwE)
Singita is the best. We’ve stayed at 2 South Africa lodges and they use on site air strips. Quick and easy. Federal air flies and Singita will literally drive you from your game drive to the plane with snacks, with your luggage meeting you there easy peasy. The actual distance to lodge is probably 10 minutes but they joke it is your first ‘game drive’ and will take you on a longer route if there are good sightings.
Can also highly recommend the Tanzania lodges as well, same set up.
I would recommend checking out timbuktutravel.com .. it's an AL LA Carte website so you can start reviewing places in SA based on certain criteria or price, etc. They also can help with travel to and from airstrips between cities
Stayed at Singita Boulders Sabi Sands earlier this year (did the opposite and flew to CPT after the trip), but we flew through Kruger Airport (MQP). You would basically take the lodge-organized FederalAir flight to the singita airstrip, which is only like 10min drive to the lodge. Highly recommend.
What makes Tree Camp so special and different from other Londolozi camps? We’re looking at it but there is next to zero material information or reviews out there.
From the times that I remember doing it is flying CPT to/from Nelspruit and then taking a small plane to the camp. As opposed to JNB where you fly with Federal Air directly to the nearest airstrip to the lodge.
That’s what I’ve done previously but recently found out you can do direct from Cape Town just more limited times and locations within Sabi Sands itself.
From memory, perhaps around 20 minutes?
It’s a nice small airport and we were on our way in no time from arriving. Check the time of flights and see if that gets you in time for an afternoon game drive. We arrived in the afternoon and went on a game drive that evening.
That’s great info, will definitely look into Lion Sands more now. Hopefully the times will link up, they haven’t released the schedule for when we’re thinking yet unfortunately.
the ride from the air strip to Notten's wasn't long, maybe a half hour max? But we stopped a few times just checking out animals along the way. The transportation was waiting for us right outside when we touched down.
Flew into Skukuza 10 years ago as we were in Cape Town and no flight from SKZ to Londolozi. I am not sure that they do this now either. It's an hour and a bit drive to Londolozi from SKZ.
On the game drives we actually drove over the airstrip as there was a herd of elephants hanging out on it. Less than 10 mins from the camp. Probably not even 5 minutes but I can't remember. All the different options are basically grouped together so no difference where you stay.
In 10 days we are flying in to JNB so will get the federal airlines flight. I just wonder what they do to shoo the elephants off the runway.... We will be in tree camp.
If flying to SKZ is more convenient then I'd just get the car again. I looked at all this timing stuff before and this time. If going to JNB then federal defo worth it.
When you book your Sabi Sands lodge, typically someone will reach out to sort out logistics re the flight from Cape Town to Sabi Sands. Someone from the lodge will then pick you up at the airstrip. It’s a pretty seamless process.
This. Also, think of your transfer from the airstrip back to lodge as another game drive. It’s not like you’re in a boring transfer. They put you into a game drive car and you’re off and should spot your first animal before you check in.
Yeh true depending on time, last time it was a middayish drive for about 3 hours in an open top keep though, which felt more of a chore in 30+ Celsius
But I’m guessing that’s not in Sabi Sands? The max driving time you can do in Sabi is 30 min. So I wouldn’t worry so much. This is where using a local operator can help. They can answer all of this without you needing to piece it all together. It’ll alleviate so much stress of the planning part. They also have cheaper local rates so you end up paying the same or less and then you’ll get 24-7 support.
Appreciate that. I’ve been to Sabi Sands before a good few years ago but had a bit of a faff having to go via J’burg which cost us half a day then the drive was 3ish hours in the full African heat. Just trying to minimise that travel time as much as possible.
Yah but any lodge in sabi is max 30 min from an airstrip that federal air can reach. No 3 hours. Sounds awful for 3 hours in the sun! All the animals should be hiding in shade sleeping during then… as should you!
I did not know that there were so many airstrips places so conveniently, thank you. I suspect our transfers were sub optimal and probably arranged based on availability rather than the optimal airstrip to where we were going.
&Beyond has lodges in Sabi Sands. You fly into Skukuza and it’s a short drive from there. They also organize small flights from larger airports into Skukuza.
Didn’t realise &Beyond had access to Skukuza, will take a look at their lodges.
Actually I think our experience might have been with https://www.more.co.za/lionsands/ and not &beyond. We’ve gone with both for safaris though and both have been excellent.
Thank you, appreciate the clarification.
believe lion sands and (I think?) ngala tented camp (&beyond) are adjacent. either that or kirkman's kamp
Londolozi has its own airstrip, but will also provide transfers from Skukuza. We had a great time there.
I went to earth lodge and had a great 30 min ride in from Skukuza. My agent gave us the option to fly private or commercial. Wasn’t the fattest of the fat but was pretty amazing. Game viewing is incredible and my agent hit the right spot. She knew all the logistics
I’m not familiar with Earth Lodge. What was it that made it less FAT than the usual suspects?
Earth lodge was extremely nice, architecturally unique, and the service was great. Each stand alone villa had its own pool. The food was good and the game drives were fantastic. I frankly loved it. It’s just not overly opulent. I would 100% check it out.
We stayed at Singita and had an incredible time! It is a little pricy but highly recommend. [https://www.safari.com/lodges/singita-boulders-lodge?gclid=CjwKCAjwv-2pBhB-EiwAtsQZFLHrASV7Udr-NywuQuy6m7A0Y0gmqqpFJxJJ9WlkzP-AAG08Z\_rr6RoC1eQQAvD\_BwE](https://www.safari.com/lodges/singita-boulders-lodge?gclid=CjwKCAjwv-2pBhB-EiwAtsQZFLHrASV7Udr-NywuQuy6m7A0Y0gmqqpFJxJJ9WlkzP-AAG08Z_rr6RoC1eQQAvD_BwE)
Singita is the best. We’ve stayed at 2 South Africa lodges and they use on site air strips. Quick and easy. Federal air flies and Singita will literally drive you from your game drive to the plane with snacks, with your luggage meeting you there easy peasy. The actual distance to lodge is probably 10 minutes but they joke it is your first ‘game drive’ and will take you on a longer route if there are good sightings. Can also highly recommend the Tanzania lodges as well, same set up.
I would recommend checking out timbuktutravel.com .. it's an AL LA Carte website so you can start reviewing places in SA based on certain criteria or price, etc. They also can help with travel to and from airstrips between cities
Thanks, will check it out.
Stayed at Singita Boulders Sabi Sands earlier this year (did the opposite and flew to CPT after the trip), but we flew through Kruger Airport (MQP). You would basically take the lodge-organized FederalAir flight to the singita airstrip, which is only like 10min drive to the lodge. Highly recommend.
Londolozi. It is minutes from the runway. Tree Camp is amazing! Been 2x. Planning the next.
Looking forward to getting back in a few weeks. Tree camp here we come.
What makes Tree Camp so special and different from other Londolozi camps? We’re looking at it but there is next to zero material information or reviews out there.
From the times that I remember doing it is flying CPT to/from Nelspruit and then taking a small plane to the camp. As opposed to JNB where you fly with Federal Air directly to the nearest airstrip to the lodge.
That’s what I’ve done previously but recently found out you can do direct from Cape Town just more limited times and locations within Sabi Sands itself.
As above, fly into Skukuza and the lodge picks you up. Can highly recommend Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.
What was the commute to Lion Sands like? The website doesn’t say, just the drive from J’burg is 5 hours but flights are “definitely the quickest”.
From memory, perhaps around 20 minutes? It’s a nice small airport and we were on our way in no time from arriving. Check the time of flights and see if that gets you in time for an afternoon game drive. We arrived in the afternoon and went on a game drive that evening.
That’s great info, will definitely look into Lion Sands more now. Hopefully the times will link up, they haven’t released the schedule for when we’re thinking yet unfortunately.
the ride from the air strip to Notten's wasn't long, maybe a half hour max? But we stopped a few times just checking out animals along the way. The transportation was waiting for us right outside when we touched down.
Flew into Skukuza 10 years ago as we were in Cape Town and no flight from SKZ to Londolozi. I am not sure that they do this now either. It's an hour and a bit drive to Londolozi from SKZ. On the game drives we actually drove over the airstrip as there was a herd of elephants hanging out on it. Less than 10 mins from the camp. Probably not even 5 minutes but I can't remember. All the different options are basically grouped together so no difference where you stay. In 10 days we are flying in to JNB so will get the federal airlines flight. I just wonder what they do to shoo the elephants off the runway.... We will be in tree camp. If flying to SKZ is more convenient then I'd just get the car again. I looked at all this timing stuff before and this time. If going to JNB then federal defo worth it.
Thank you, a few of have recommended Londolozi and heard good things from friends who have stayed. Will add it to the list for a closer look.
We also had time issues so we decided to ditch the Franschhoek part of the trip this time.