Elephant Plains Game Lodge offers you comfortable and affordable style in one of the world's few remaining wilderness areas. Elephant Plains is a privately owned and operated property within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of the 2,2 million hectare Greater Kruger National Park. Over many years our strict conservation policies and successful habitat management have resulted in a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Here you will come face to face with Africas Big Five and may be lucky enough to encounter other rarer species such as the endangered wild dogs and cheetah.

Information : Temperatures and seasons

Any time of the year is a good time to visit Elephant Plains.

Spring and Summer are our rainy seasons and the bush is lush and green. Many animals give birth at this time of year and summer-visiting migrant bird species can also be seen.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES ( range from) :

SPRING ( September to November)

• Minimum : 20 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum : 31+ Degrees Celsius

SUMMER ( December to February)

• Minimum : 22 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum : 35+ Degrees Celsius

Autumn and winter are dry; the bush is less dense and animals visit the waterhole in front of camp more often due to the lack of water.

AUTUMN ( March to May )

• Minimum : 19 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum : 28 Degrees Celsius

WINTER ( June to August)

• Minimum : 12 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum : 25 Degrees Celsius

What to bring :

• Dress informal and comfortable ( Safari clothing is available in our curio shop)
• Windbreaker or warm jacket for winter and night safaris.
• Raincoat/waterproof for summer months.
  
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimming costume
• Binoculars and camera ( film & batteries available in our curio shop)
• Please note that we are situated in a malaria area, we recommend that you consult your physician before travelling.

AIRPORT AND LANDING STRIPS
Airports: We have the airports of Eastgate (Hoedspruit), Skukuza and Nelspruit in close proximity with daily scheduled flights to/from Johannesburg . There is also a daily scheduled flight to/from Cape Town to Hoedspruit . Chartered and private flights can land on our airstrip, which is grassed and well maintained. The approach is South to North at co-ordinates S24o44'38.9" E 31o28'30.5" and 1200m long.

ENTRY is through Gowrie Gate, which is the only gate for entry into the northern section of Sabi Sand. Due to river crossings it is not possible to use any of the other gates in Sabi Sand or to travel through the reserve ( open between 5:00 and 23:00 ) . Entrance Fee @ R 60.00 per car .

ARRIVAL at the lodge should be scheduled for 13:00 - 15:00 to be in time for the afternoon game drive that starts at 16:30. On the day of your departure it will be appreciated if you vacate your room before 11:00.

With the expansion and redecoration of the lodge we now compare favourably with the best. In addition, we promise excellent service, facilities and stylish comfort, making us a prime value-for-money destination in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Situated in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, adjacent to the Kruger National Park, Elephant Plains Game Lodge offers comfortable style and affordable luxury. The lodge accommodates a maximum of 22 guests,which ensures personal service and a warm, friendly atmosphere. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Manyeleti river offering unforgettable views of sunrise and sunset across the plain. The pool deck overlooks the watering hole opposite the camp where animals come to drink daily. The main lodge houses the reception, dining room, bar/lounge, wine cellar, library and curio shop.

The lodge comprises six luxury suites, each with a lounge area and private deck with views of the riverbed. A further five original rondavels are set in a beautifully landscaped garden. All rooms have en suite bathrooms with shower, bath and air-conditioning.

The bar is an ideal place to relax and share experiences. Mealtimes are mouth-watering events complemented by carefully selected wines from the Lodge's well-stocked cellar.

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style in the dining room and evening meals are served around a fire in the boma. Each meal is prepared with exquisite care and this combined with the open-air setting, promise an unforgettable dining experience. Adjacent to the swimming pool , the wooden deck offers spectacular views overlooking the waterhole and scenic plain . The care with which each meal is prepared together with the setting of the open-air boma or thatched lapa , ensure an unforgettable dining experience .

Our personalised service is of the highest standard due to the exclusivity and smallness of the lodge. Your personal guides - an experienced game ranger and local Shangaan tracker - are keen to share their knowledge and love of the African bush with you.

At Elephant Plains Game Lodge you can be ensured an experience that will live up to the Africa of your imagination … creating a lifetime of memories!

The lodge features five spacious appointed thatched chalets tastefully decorated with an African theme. Every chalet has its own distinct character and comfortable charm, and looks out over the beautifully landscaped garden. All chalets have en-suite bathrooms (bath and shower) air-conditioning, overhead fans and mosquito nets.

The natural design and architecture of these six glass-fronted suites falls softly on the eye, decorated in warm, earthy tones they blend in superbly with their natural surroundings. These exclusive open-plan suites each have a lounge, double bedroom, en suite bathroom (inside/outside shower) and a private sun-deck that offers spectacular views over the riverbed. All luxury chalets feature air-conditioning, overhead fans, wood fires, mosquito nets and a safe. One chalet has been specially prepared to accommodate our disabled guests.     Your experienced game ranger and local Shangaan tracker are keen to share with you their extensive knowledge and love of the African bush - the highlight of your visit is the thrill of discovering wildlife from the safety of open vehicles. The 4-wheel drive vehicles enable the rangers to drive off-road and provide guests with up close game viewing and great photographic opportunities. The day starts with an early morning game drive, then after breakfast a bush walk gives you the opportunity to learn about the smaller wonders of the veld. During the afternoon game drive you will stop at a carefully selected venue to enjoy a sun-downer whilst watching the sun set over the awe-inspiring wilderness, before continuing on a night drive using spotlights to look for nocturnal animals. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style in the dining room and evening meals are served around a fire in the boma. Each meal is prepared with exquisite care and this combined with the open-air setting, promise an unforgettable dining experience. Elephant Plains is home to a maximum of 22 guests, this combined with our flexibility and gracious hospitality ensures our guests comfort and provides a very personal service. At Elephant Plains Game Lodge you can be sure of an experience that will live up to the Africa of your dreams … creating a lifetime of memories! Daily programmes : May to August September to April Arrival day 13:00 13:00 Check in / Drinks in the bar 14:00 14:00 Buffet lunch is served in the dining area 15:00 15:00 Enjoy a relaxing siesta or view the abundant bird life 16:00 16:30 Afternoon tea , coffee , juices and cake are served on the verandah. 16:30 17:00 Afternoon / evening game drive. At sunset you will stop for sundowners. 19:30 20:00 Return to the lodge where you will have a chance to freshen up and meet in the bar for a pre-dinner drink. 20:00 20:30 Dinner will be announced by drumbeat . It will be served either in the open air boma around a log fire or in the dining area ( weather permitting)                   May to August September to April Day of Departure 05:30 05:00 A wake-up knock on your door. Tea , coffee and rusks will be served on the verandah , followed by the game drive. 09:00 09:00 A South African breakfast will be served in the dining area followed by a bush walk , where you will have the opportunity to view the smaller animals , birds , trees etc. Alternatively simply relax (beside the pool , in the library or around the lodge) . 11:00 11:00 Check out