The Western Sabi Sands Adventure at Savanna Lodge

A place more magical than the river that runs through it.

Our adventure in the Western Sabi Sands began with an enchanting visit to Savanna Game Lodge. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm hospitality and shown our luxurious accommodations. Set in the beauty of the Western Sabi Sands Savanna Game Lodge is like your home away from home. After settling in, we indulged in a delightful afternoon high tea, savouring an array of beverages and delectable foods prepared with exquisite attention to detail. Sitting at a long table with all of the guests from all over the world makes for a homely atmosphere and everyone getting to know each other.

It is here that we met the owner of Savanna Game Lodge and what a privilege it was to share our vision of Frame the Wild with him.

Our first game drive was nothing short of magical. We encountered Karula, the majestic elephant bull, who has a special connection to Savanna Lodge. Relaxed and unperturbed by our presence, Karula walked right past our vehicle, allowing us to hear his deep rumbles and the sound of him chewing—an awe-inspiring moment.

As we continued our drive, we discovered the beautiful Ximungwe pride, consisting of four lionesses—two adults and two sub-adults—resting after a recent meal. Their impressive size and serene beauty left us in awe. The Ximungwe pride is a pride formed from 2 different prides – a lioness from the Otawa pride and the other from the Ximungwes that by chance got together and formed a new coalition and are currently thriving. We also heard rumours that one of the lionesses has new cubs, and we eagerly await the opportunity to return and update you on their progress!

A highlight of our drive was meeting the resident hyena clan cubs. These curious creatures popped their heads out just long enough for a photo session before retreating back into their den. Did you know a fun fact about hyenas is that they are called Mhisi in the local Shangaan language? We ended the drive with a spectacular encounter with one of the two Plains Camp male lions, the dominant males of the area. The Plains Camp males are currently 2 of the biggest male lions roaming the region and is an awe-inspiring moment seeing them live in the flesh in the bush. His majestic roar echoed through the bush, leaving us spellbound.

Dinner was served under the stars, a perfect end to an incredible day. We retired to our rooms, where we enjoyed a relaxing bubble bath and a glass of sherry, basking in the tranquillity of the African night.

The next morning, after an early wake-up call, we set off on our second game drive. We met Rixaka, a young female leopard, who showcased her incredible climbing skills by leaping into a tree and feeding on her impala lamb carcass. the beauty and grace of this female leopard were breathtaking and she is doing very well for herself claiming a section of territory for herself. A coffee stop at a local waterhole revealed a bustling scene of birdlife and hippo activity.

Our adventure continued with a sighting of Tisela, a female leopard, and her cubs. While the shy male cub remained hidden, the female cub lazily watched us from her safe spot high up in the treetops. Tisela has done an amazing job keeping these 2 cubs safe and we hope she gets to raise them to independence.

Our drive concluded with an awe-inspiring sighting of rhinos wallowing in a mud bath—a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect these magnificent creatures from poaching. a cause that Frame the Wild is so passionate about.

Each moment of our adventure at Savanna Lodge was a testament to the wild beauty and wonder of the Sabi Sands.

With every trip you book through Frame the Wild – be it an organised tour, a custom safari or any excursion, at least 20% of the proceeds go to conservation agencies like the PNHF Contact us for more details on how you can get involved info@framethewild.co.za.