Access & Location
The property can be accessed via road transfer from Arathusa Airstrip, Hoedspruit Airport, or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. The site is approached through the Gowrie Gate of the Sabi Sands.
Cheetah Plains
Luxurious accommodation in the northern part of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Each home has two lounges, dining areas, wine cellar, boma, and heated swimming pool
Three exclusive-use bush homes, each offering four private suites
Private game drives, bush walks, village visits, and Cub Club for young safarists
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
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Premium price, premium offering
I was blown away by the newly rebuilt Cheetah Plains. Each of the three self-contained safari houses successfully combines state-of-the-art architectural design, incredible local artwork, and unmatched luxury – all within the world-famous Sabi Sands Game Reserve. It’s definitely not cheap, but the more people you take with you, the better the value, making Cheetah Plains one of the best exclusive-use options in the region. I was particularly impressed with their fully electric Land Cruiser game-viewers!
Activities
Private game drives
Bush walks
Village visits
Cub club
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Vehicle safaris are available daily, during early morning and late afternoon into evening. The earlier drives include a sunrise stop, while the later excursion features sundowners and stargazers in the Sabi Sands . This wildlife-rich reserve is located next to Kruger National Park ’s south-west corner, and it benefits from an unfenced boundary that allows an amazing range of game to pass through, attracted to the two rivers from which the reserve derives its name. Among the mammal species you can look out for all of the Big Five – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – in addition to numerous smaller predators and herbivores, such as cheetah, hyenas, jackals, serval, caracal, wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and ample antelopes! The game vehicles offer individually controlled heated seats and access to a digital single-lens reflex camera with 500mm zoom lens.
This activity is also enjoyed in the presence of a knowledgeable and experienced private guide. Walks provide opportunities to take a closer look at the smaller lives of the Sabi Sands – the plants, insects, and approximately 500 bird species!
Guests are invited to take a trip to Utah village, where many of Cheetah Plains’ staff members and their families reside. This is an excellent experience for anyone interested in becoming acquainted with the local Shangan culture.
Offered to children aged 12 years and under, Cub Club provides lots of thrilling things to do for young safarists! These include special bush drives known as ‘bumbles’ and nature walks in the houses’ gardens.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Make an EnquiryMake an EnquiryFacilities
The communal areas at Cheetah Plains include spacious lounges and dining areas.
These flow out on to verandas that provide additional spaces for relaxing and tucking in to delicious meals. The palette features neutrals, greys, and occasional blues. One dining area is beautifully lit by an overhead scattering of raindrops, and some cushion patterns are slightly reminiscent of zebra print. There’s a small bar and a well-stocked wine cellar. Each home has a boma too, as well as indigenous gardens and a lovely heated swimming pool. All meals are prepared and served by a private chef and private butler respectively, while a private spa therapist is on hand for treatments such as massages. Guests have access to a central gym.
Make an EnquiryAmenities
Guest accommodation consists of three bush homes, each booked on an exclusive basis and offering four private suites that sleep up to two guests apiece.
The homes are named ‘Mvula’, ‘Karula’, and ‘Mapogo’, after two of the reserve’s most famous leopards and a local lion pride. Designed by ARRCC, every home has been constructed using combinations of timber and metal, with the aim of merging perfectly with the bushscape. This attention to detail is in evidence throughout the interiors too, which feature elegant linens and chunky wool rugs. The overall effect is modern and minimalist. Guests enjoy king-size beds, dressing rooms, double rain showers, and baths overlooking the bushveld! One of the homes is accessible for disabled travellers – please contact a member of YZ for further details.
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Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.As Seen In
