Leopard Hills private game lodge sabi sands
- Sandra Caganoff
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
How to choose a game lodge in South Africa
It can be hard choosing a game lodge for clients in South Africa. A Tour Operator needs to think about the whole experience - wildlife, accommodation, food, service and of course, what is the client's budget. High end, medium, low? There are lodges and there ARE LODGES. Sometimes a client says: “We want the best,” but when you quote the best, they take a step back. Prices can be steep, even in USD.
Leopard Hills is up there with the best!
Leopard Hills is a five star luxury lodge in the heart of the Sabi Sands game reserve. This is prime game viewing area so it means extraordinary game. You know by its very position that you are likely to see the Big Five, all the plains game like zebra, giraffe, warthog, so cute, and antelope, wild dog and hyena. Also, stunning beautiful birdlife. The accommodation is exquisite, each suite with a private deck and plunge pool, the main lounge and outdoor area are sophisticated and gorgeous, all the furnishings and art are chosen with great consideration, there is an excellent Spa and, a MAGNIFICENT library.
Why does Leopard Hills stand out?
But I could be describing a number of luxury lodges in the Sabi Sands, the top lodges are all beautifully designed and decorated with stunning bush views. So I had to ask myself, what made Leopard Hills stand out? Was it the leopards of which there are abundant? Was it Michael our game ranger with his infectious enthusiasm for wildlife? And his ability to surprise at dinner with his reasoned knowledge on South Africa. Was it perhaps the Boma dinner which was truly divine, open air dining under the stars, terrific food, thrilling and so much fun.
Am I getting a bit carried away?
Or was it, and I sound like a character from the board game Clue, the LIBRARY. And I think it was the library, not because of the array of books, the selection is small and select, but because it was where I made connections. This is where Megan Rodgers - assistant General Manager and family member who was home schooled at Leopard Hills - showed me the time-line of leopards that have made themselves comfortable in the area over the years. It is where I had excellent conversation with other marvellous guests, and it is where I sat with my legs tucked under me, on a gorgeous couch, quietly reading, reflecting, listening.
What were those eyes? I think they were the chef's but hey...
It is also where I dashed, from the outdoor Boma dinner to the loo, accompanied by a ranger of course, no danger here, but giggling with a visitor from Panama, about what we could have bumped into!
`Hang on, did those eyes belong to lion? Where they the chef's? Was it an owl? Or were they the candles on the birthday cake the kitchen had lovingly prepared for my son.
Pure elegance
Leopard Hills is elegant. The lodge has an excellent way of bringing guests together, but also, offers extraordinary privacy. The experience can be intimate, glamorous, exciting, adventurous, simple, or all of these put together. We loved the staff, the decor, the cosy sofas, the private pools, the food, the Belgians who were on their fifteenth safari, the French who had never been on safari, and the way that we were all so beautifully welcomed!
If someone had to ask you for one of the best game lodges in Sabi Sands, well, this has to be right up there with the best.The all round safari experience is rather magnificent!
Pics not mine because Leopard HIll's are so much better!
Please contact me, thandeka@icon.co.za for queries and bookings.
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