The Sabi Sand has two distinct seasons, and game viewing is equally rewarding during both. The summer season (September to March) is a time when many species breed and prey is plentiful for the lurking predators. Rainfall occurs between October and February and often results in spectacular afternoon thundershowers. In the winter season (April to August), the animals concentrate at the perennial water sources and the grass is low, making game viewing easier. Although winter days are usually warm and clear, late afternoon and early morning temperatures are distinctly chilly. 

The Sabi Sand is world famous for its leopard sightings. Unlike many other areas, where leopard are rarely glimpsed in daylight hours, sightings of these shy animals are not uncommon during the day. The area also supports several resident lion prides, and while the relatively smaller and lighter build of the cheetah generally makes this elegant hunter reluctant to share an area dominated by lion and leopard, a number of them are also regularly spotted in the area. Herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as family groups of white rhino, move throughout the reserve and are regularly encountered on game drives.

The Sand River flows year-round and is a major source of water for the animals in the reserve. The deep water provides a home for rafts of hippo while lethargic crocodiles lounge along the wide sandy banks. Thick reed beds along the river’s course are home to many species of water birds and weavers, while water monitors slither among the tall grasses, and buffalo and elephant wallow in the cooling mud of the reed beds. The thick band of riverine forest found along the course of the river is the ideal home for shy species such as leopard and bushbuck, as well as tiny bushbabies.