“Were greeted by management and staff. Room was cozy and comfortable. Staff were very friendly, food was great and the game drives were superb. Lots of great and close up sightings. Great birding on the lodge property. Overall a very memorable stay.” Guest: Bud L
YOUR SAFARI ADVENTURE AWAITS
When you drive into IDUBE GAME RESERVE in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve in South Africa,
your senses will instantly awaken to your safari adventure.
Traversing 10 000 hectares of pristine wildlife area, Idube Game Reserve is home to the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo — and many other fascinating animals, large and small. Our leopard sightings draw safari guests from all over the world, and our visitors are enthralled by the abundant wildlife they can view from their suite patios, especially the resident family of nyala we call our welcoming committee. Idube is an oasis in the wilderness with established trees and verdant lawns. Our guests love the feeling of serenity the wonderful environment evokes. Join us for a welcome and refreshing drink at our convivial bar or the trendy glass gazebo. And at night enjoy nature by firelight.
SAFARI ESCAPE
Stay For 3 Nights – Only Pay For 2!
Valid 16 November to 19 December 2026
Contact res@idube.com to book
(New bookings on these dates only and terms apply)
Experiences
Our Lodge
Idube Game Reserve, Sabi Sands Mpumalanga, South Africa
Idube Game Reserve is a lush oasis in the bush and, from the air, looks like a lodge in a forest. We welcome you at our reception and gazebo and assist you to your luxury suites. Our suites all have their own plunge pools and a main swimming pool is also available to all guests. We also have the Baobab spa, gym, cellar, bar, swing bridge and hide, lounge and many patios for you to relax and enjoy nature.
Big 5 Private Safari
If you’re lucky you’ll find elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and maybe even the rare rhino, as well as many other fascinating animals and plants.
Step into your open safari vehicle with your experienced FGASA-trained ranger and tracker for your daily morning and evening drives. At sunrise you’ll traverse the bush for about three hours and witness wildlife awakening to a beautiful new day.
Our Suites
Our rooms are all tastefully and individually decorated with plush, African-inspired decor, fabrics and furniture that welcome you to the South African bush.
Each luxury suite has its own coffee and tea station, bath, inside and revitalising outside showers (or combined indoor/outdoor shower), hairdryer, safe, air conditioning and improved wi-fi. And don’t worry about mosquitos as nets cover all windows and doors as well as the beds themselves. You can’t help but relax in these sumptuous settings at Idube Game Reserve. You can choose from a few different configurations to suit your needs.
Dining & Cuisine
Idube’s reputation is for excellent cuisine that often features as a highlight in guest reviews.
We cater to all our guests’ food preferences, with specific emphasis on cultural requirements, allergies and dietary restrictions. People love our vegan and vegetarian options.
Our dining portions guarantee full satisfaction, and we serve breakfast, lunch and supper in a variety of settings, so that our visitors are constantly surprised and delighted.
Our Team
Our amazing, welcoming staff are known for their attention to detail, kindness and personal service.
Led by our very capable management team, Charita and Evert Hanekom, Idube Game Reserve aspires always to make our guests feel welcome. Our team‘s mission is to look after visitors in a friendly and relaxed way, and the number of repeat guests is testament to the comfort our staff members provide.
Left: National Women’s Day 9 Aug 2023. Meet the faces behind the scenes, the ones who work tirelessly to ensure every moment of your stay is filled with wonder and joy.
Reviews & Awards
TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award also in: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014 & 2013
RECENT TRIPADVISOR REVIEW:
“What an unforgettable time our family had at Idube. Our safari guides Ian and Bongani were so knowledgeable and fun to be with. The game drives were just jaw-dropping: leopards eating a wildebeest up in a tree, frolicking baby lion cubs, massive adult male lions, elephants everywhere… we saw much more than we could have imagined, including the Big 5 on just our first day. What a wonderful vacation! Beautiful facilities, delicious and creative food, friendliest staff. We couldn’t have asked for more. We were so very happy here.”
– Guest: Betsy P, USA
Slender mongoose peaking out of its burrow to see if there is any danger outside. Enjoy a safari at #IdubeGameReserve #SabiSandsSafari #Mongoose #SafariAdventure Photo credit: FJ Mammes @mammes_wildlifephotography
Jul 17
A hamerkop tries unsuccessfully to land on a hippo at #idubegamereserve Book: www.idube.com Photos by FJ Mammes #hippo #birdphotography #sabisands #luxurysafarilodge
Jul 15
Tisela with an adult female steenbok kill at #IdubeGameReserve. Book at: www.idube.com #Leopard #BigFive #SafariAdventure #LuxuryTravelAfrica Photo credit: FJ Mammes @mammes_wildlifephotography
Jul 9
The Bateleur pride on show at #idubegamereserve. Book: www.idube.com Photos: FJ Mammes @mammes_wildlifephotography #bigfive #bucketlistjourney #safariphotography #safarisouthafrica
Jul 8
A leopard cub being a little curious while it`s sibling is hiding with mom in some long grass. Book at: www.idube.com Photo credit: FJ Mammes @mammes_wildlifephotography #SafariSouthAfrica #Leopard #IdubeGameReserve #Bigfive #LeopardCub
Jul 7
This is the possible line-up for your #IdubeGameReserve experience! Book at www.idube.com #BucketList #wildlifephotograpy #SafariSouthAfrica #BigFive Photo credit for some photos: FJ Mammes mammes_wildlifephotography and Marlo Hartman @Rangermarlo26
Jul 3
A gorgeous baby #elephant taking a dust bath at#IdubeGameReserve Book: www.idube.com #SafariSouthAfrica #BigFive #SabiSandsSightings Photo credit: Charita Hanekom @hita_bushlife
Jun 28
The Othawa pack suffered a devastating loss a few days ago as lions raided their den during the night and killed most of the pups and the alpha female. This one pup has survived with ten adults looking very well after it. Edit: this poor pup survived for about four days but with no milk to feed it, it has sadly passed away. This is the harshness of the bush.
Book at Idube: www.idube.com #IdubeGameReserve #Wilddog #SafariSouthAfrica #SafariExcellence #PuppyLove Photos by: FJ Mammes #mammes_wildlifephotography
Jun 26
A spectacular cheetah sighting at #IdubeGameReserve, book: www.idube.com #Cheetah #BucketList #SafariSouthAfrica #BigCats Photos by: FJ Mammes @mammes_wildlifephotography
Jun 24
There`s a different kind of morning waiting for you at Idube — bushveld views and luxury rooms made for slowing down. This is the Idube in the Sabi Sand, the way it should be felt. Book: www.idube.com
#IdubeGameReserve #SabiSand #SafariLife #KrugerNationalPark #LuxurySafari
Jun 19
There`s more to Idube than the drives — though those are pretty special too. Walk the bush with our trackers, cross the swing bridge to the hide, work out at the gym, taste local wines from the cellar, and let the spa team take care of the rest. This is what "fully present" feels like. Book: www.idube.com #IdubeGameReserve #SabiSand #SafariExperience #BushWalk #LuxurySafari
Jun 17
Do you know which "five" I am part of? The Ugly Five, along with the warthog, spotted hyaena, vulture and maribou stork. The blue wildebeest (gnu) is often jokingly described as being made from a mix of leftover animal parts—looking a bit like both a horse and a buffalo. Seen at #IdubeGameReserve #SafariSouthAfrica #Wildebeest #Gnu #AfricanWildlife Photo credit: Evert Hanekom BOOK NOW: www.idube.com
Jun 11
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We are open!
And very happy to be welcoming our guests back, regulars and new!
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⭐ Special Announcement ⭐
Idube Game Reserve is excited to announce that the lodge will be undergoing a substantial renovation in early 2025! Idube will be closing for a this major renovation from 11th January 2025 until the 15th June 2025. We will, of course, keep you posted during the building process, and updated on wildlife sightings during that…
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The Magnificent Marula Tree
Article by Marlo Hartman (Guide at Idube). The Marula tree is a medium-sized tree, with heights ranging from 7 to 17 meters. They have a spreading, rounded crown and are deciduous. The word “deciduous” is derived from the Latin word “decider”, which means “to fall off.” This type of tree is dormant in dry seasons…
