On 1 August 2026, Sandringham Private Game Reserve welcomed its first guests, opening a new chapter for Sabi Sabi Collection and for a piece of land that has undergone a significant transformation over the past five years.
Located in the Greater Kruger, Sandringham was previously operated as a hunting reserve. Since its acquisition, the focus has been on rehabilitating the land and returning it to a state where wildlife and natural ecosystems can thrive. For Sabi Sabi Collection Managing Director Rod Wyndham, the reserve represents an opportunity to restore what he describes as “probably one of the last pieces of great African bushveld part of the Greater Kruger that one could get hold of.”
The process has extended beyond the landscape itself. Sabi Sabi Collection has also invested in developing young people from a nearby rural community, providing training and employment opportunities as part of the reserve’s long-term development.
“There is a huge sense of pride in seeing a dream like Sandringham come true,” says Wyndham. “Watching historically neglected land being restored and seeing it returning to its true glory. All while taking the youth from a rural community and not only giving them a future, but a sense of pride.”
The result is a reserve that takes a somewhat different approach to the traditional safari experience. Rather than focusing solely on game drives and wildlife sightings, Sandringham places equal emphasis on the landscape itself and the slower rhythms of life in the bush.
At the centre of the reserve is the main lodge, designed by architect Nick Plewman, with interiors by Cate Simpson of Reflecting Africa. The building overlooks a large expanse of water where four rivers meet, with the bar, lounge and restaurant positioned to make the most of the view. A timber walkway connects the main lodge with Shisaka and N’Weti Camps, as well as the gym, spa, library, museum and bush boutique. The two camps offer distinctly different takes on the surrounding landscape.
Shisaka, named after the Tsonga word for “nest”, has been designed around a series of elevated, nest-like salas. From these rooftop spaces, guests can look across the river towards the Drakensberg Mountains. The camp also includes two luxury villas that follow the same architectural approach.
N’Weti is a luxury canvas camp inspired by Tsonga culture. Its name refers to the view of the mountains on a moonlit night, and its design places guests closer to the textures and sounds of the surrounding bush.
For those looking for more privacy, Sandringham House offers an exclusive-use option for up to eight guests. The 1,100m² residence has four en-suite bedrooms and comes with a dedicated chef, butler, ranger and private safari vehicle. Its layout makes it particularly suited to families travelling together or small groups looking for a more independent safari experience.
Food is another part of the offering, with Executive Chef Dion Von Wielligh and his team overseeing the dining across the reserve. Safari activities range from traditional game drives to more relaxed opportunities to observe the landscape from the lodge and its expansive decks.
Conservation and community development are central to the reserve’s longer-term plans. Sabi Sabi Collection’s partnerships with the Tracker Training Academy and Bushwise form part of its approach to developing skilled guides and supporting its wider rewilding and conservation efforts.
While Sandringham is a new destination, it draws on more than 45 years of experience from the Sabi Sabi Collection. That history is evident in the team behind the reserve, many of whom bring experience from across the group’s existing properties.
Sabi Sabi Collection Marketing Director Jacques Smit sees this as an important part of Sandringham’s introduction to the market.
“With this new destination under the Sabi Sabi Collection’s portfolio, we’re not only giving wildlife a second chance to thrive; we’re also bringing our guests Sabi Sabi’s hospitality in an exciting new place,” he says.
Ultimately, Sandringham’s story is less about creating something from scratch than about giving an existing landscape the opportunity to recover and evolve. Five years after the rehabilitation began, that process is now being experienced by its first guests.
