The entire Big Five is well represented in Sabi Sand and other rare animals, such as the cheetah and hyena are often sighted. Various antelope species, from impala, waterbuck and duiker to kudu, bushbuck and nyala can also be seen, as can giraffe and warthog. However, it is the leopard that is the real star of the show at Sabi Sand, with the area well known for some of the best leopard experiences in Africa. This shy and elusive animal, normally the most solitary of the African cats is often viewed both in daylight hours and during game drives.

A number of lion prides have territories in the Sabi Sand area and are regularly spotted on game drives. Although not as common as the leopard or lion, the cheetah is also a frequent sight at Sabi Sand. Built for speed instead of power, this formidable predator generally hunts during the day when its rivals, the lion and the leopard, are resting. This daytime hunting habit occasionally creates spectacular sightings of the fastest animal in the world in action. The fascinating social structure of the spotted hyena can also be clearly observed in a number of packs in the Sabi Sand.

Sabi Sand also boasts an ample array of bird life, ranging from water birds, which congregate in the riverside reeds to a staggering array of birds of prey. The bateleur, with its distinctive shape and energy-conserving flight technique, is a frequent sight in Sabi Sand’s skies. Africa’s largest eagle, the martial eagle, is also often spotted on the reserve. Their gigantic nests, in the shape of an inverted cone, decorate many a knob thorn or other large trees throughout Sabi Sand.     

Recent Sightings from Wildwatch.com

PANTHERA PARADISE - 26 July 2012
The tranquil sound of a lazy stream of water overpowered the joyous morning chorus as another day dawned in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. But there was something different in the water on this morning. A red tinge to the surface lingered as it flowed...
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BUFFALO BRUTALITY - 25 July 2012
The steam rose as it escaped from the warm bodies of the felines only to fade into eternity as it met the first rays that fell upon the dramatic scene. The low growls were synonymous with an event that has transpired for centuries passed. The eternal...
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OWL EATING A WILD DOGS' KILL! - 24 July 2012
Imagine my disappointment when I came around the corner and saw a fresh wild dog kill which was evident that I had missed. On this occasion it was a female nyala and knowing that you have just missed one of the most spectacular sightings of the...
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