Arathusa Safari Lodge Review: The Ultimate Sabi Sands Safari Experience

If someone had asked me one simple question before I booked my safari, it would have saved hours of research.

"What kind of safari experience are you actually looking for?"

First animal within 23 minutes into afternoon/evening safari

At first, I thought all safaris were essentially the same. Animals are animals, right?

Not even close.

What I really wanted wasn't a wildlife checklist.

I wanted Africa.

I wanted to hear hyenas at night. I wanted elephants at breakfast. I wanted guides who knew individual leopards by name because they are plentiful.

I wanted to sit beside a waterhole and watch life unfold without vehicles jostling for position on a park road.

I wanted to feel like a visitor in the animals' world, not a tourist passing through it.

Open air, tiered Land Rover for morning and late afternoon drives

Arriving by plane into Hoedspruit. were realized that we were taking the road less traveled. No word of a lie, shuttle after shuttle turned toward Kruger, our SUV was the ONLY car that turned left into Sabi Sand.

That simple decision changed everything. If this was going to be my once-in-a-lifetime African safari, I wanted to experience Africa the way I'd imagined it for years. Intimate. Unscripted. Not through a crowd. But through the eyes of a ranger who is well trained, a tracker, and a handful of fellow adventurers sharing the same dirt road.

And that's exactly what we found..

Welcome to my first pick. (Keep in mind there are many other options.)

Make your “must have” list and start your selection.

Arathusa (4 Star)

Located about 2.5 hours on a rough dirt road , BTW - they call it - African massage. Lots of pot holes If this is an issue, there is an airstrip that you could fly in.

Arathusa is small - 8 villas so a perfect way to be initiated to my very first safari.

Comfortable villa with outdoor shower and sitting room with veranda
view wildlife from the lounge chairs between your 2 daily safaris
Relaxed atmosphere, exceptional value, wonderful staff

If possible -go during the dry season.

The grass is lower. Water becomes scarce. Animals naturally gather around rivers and waterholes.

Which leads to my second piece of advice:

Book a lodge overlooking a waterhole.

Some of our best wildlife encounters happened while drinking coffee of having a gin and tonic on the deck.

Every day we returned to Arathusa camp another animal was at our villa doorstep - Nyala antelope

Set-up for our sundowner - Gin and Tonic is a thing, but the sunsets will blow you away.

The wildlife was incredible, and the sunsets stole a piece of my heart.

Each evening, our guide would find the perfect spot overlooking the bush or a watering hole and we'd pause for a traditional African sundowner. With a drink in hand and freshly baked treats to enjoy, we watched the sky transform minute by minute. No filters needed—just endless horizons painted in gold, orange, crimson, and violet.

In a world that moves far too fast, these moments reminded me that sometimes the greatest luxury is simply stopping to watch.

But the adventure wasn't over when the sun disappeared.

As darkness settled across the bush, we climbed back into the safari vehicle and headed out with a spotlight in search of Africa's nocturnal world. Everything changes after sunset. Predators become active, and we were lucky enough to witness lions and leopards beginning their nightly hunts. The bush takes on an entirely different energy—one that's impossible to experience during the day.

This is one of the biggest reasons I recommend choosing a private reserve like Sabi Sands that offers late afternoon/evening game drives. Daytime safaris are spectacular, but seeing the African wilderness transition from golden sunset to star-filled night adds a whole new dimension to the experience. It's like getting two safaris in one.

JM Tip: Don't just compare safari prices—compare safari experiences. An evening game drive may be the difference between seeing wildlife and truly experiencing Africa. Also look for guided walks. It is the small animals you miss; like to dung beetle, leopard tortoise and many birds.

Lioness watching prey - 20-30 % successful on average

Male rhino enjoying a mud bath. Tusk removed to save the species from poachers.

Female Rhino with her calf (2-3 years old)

Hear of Elephants right from the sundeck - this is the value of a waterhole AT your camp

After a fight for prey. with another leopard, this leopard fell out of tree and now rests. sad that this one did the work but the larger one steal the meal. Welcome to real life in the wilderness

Male staying close. She is in heat and he marks his territory.

We bid goodbye. This as our first safari and I can certainly see why people return. It is magical. Having a very small camp and about 650 square KM (160,000 acres) that parallels Kruger with no fences between the two. Smart choice!

Our next lodge is about 100 km to the south but will take us over 3 hours overland with the roads and villages we will pass. .

Join me as we head south to Sabi Sabi Bush Camp. This is a 5 star so you can determine the safari you want.

I will also be going to Botswana to stay in a 3 Star - Tented camp on the banks of the Chobe River.

Here is a handy comparison of 2 parks. Happy planning for your next destination.

I Almost Booked Kruger. Here's Why I'm Glad I Didn't.

"What kind of safari experience are you actually looking for?"

Arathusa (4 Star)

The wildlife was incredible, and the sunsets stole a piece of my heart.

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