Highlights

• Prime western Sabi Sand position, accessed via Newington Gate, with regular close-up sightings of leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo
• 14 suites, each with a private deck and plunge pool
• New Baobab Spa and an expanded gym, double the previous size, reached by elevated walkway
• Refurbished waterhole hide across the Shadulu Swing Bridge, brighter and better suited to photography
• Over 300 bird species plus regular cheetah and wild dog sightings
• Solar power and water-saving measures, with active support for local community and wildlife projects

You Should Know

• Children aged eight and older are welcome
• Suited to honeymooners, solo travellers, couples, families, multigenerational groups and small private parties
• Raised walkways run throughout the lodge to protect the surrounding bush

The Details

Idube sits in the prestigious western sector of the Sabi Sand, one of the most productive Big Five areas in southern Africa. Access is via Newington Gate, and the lodge is easily reached by both road and air with straightforward transfers from nearby airports and neighbouring lodges.

From above, the reserve looks like a forest, a lush pocket of bush punctuated by a dry riverbed that runs below the main deck. The camp is laid out along raised walkways that keep foot traffic off the ground, and central gathering points include a glass-walled gazebo overlooking resident nyala, a fire pit, a boma for dinners under the stars and a well-stocked cellar with South African and international wines.

Accommodation

There are 14 suites in total: two Makubela Suites, eight Safari Suites and four Linked Suites suitable for families or friends travelling together. Every suite has a private deck and plunge pool, air-conditioning, wi-fi, a hairdryer, a security safe and mosquito netting over the bed, windows and doors. Bathrooms feature either a combined indoor-outdoor shower with a glass roof or separate indoor and outdoor showers, and most suites have a separate WC.

Dining

Breakfast and lunch are served on the lower deck alongside the dry riverbed. Evenings shift to the bar patio, fire pit or open-air boma, a fenced circular space used for social dinners under the stars. The cellar carries a strong selection of local wines and the drinks menu is deliberately broad.

Spa and Gym

The Baobab Spa is a dedicated wellness space offering a range of treatments, bookable individually or as couples sessions. The gym has recently been doubled in size and sits near the suites, reached via the elevated walkway.

Swing Bridge and Hide

The Shadulu Swing Bridge leads to a refurbished hide overlooking a waterhole. The redesign has opened up the space and improved the light, making it a strong spot for both photography and quiet, unhurried wildlife watching between drives.

Game Drives

Two open-vehicle safaris run each day, led by experienced guides and trackers with traversing rights across a productive western Sabi Sand concession. Leopard sightings are a particular strength of the area, alongside regular lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo encounters. Cheetah and wild dog are seen throughout the year, and the reserve records over 300 bird species.

Guided bush walks are offered on stays of two nights or more, providing a slower, closer read of the smaller signs of the bush that vehicles pass by.

Price Includes

• All meals, teas and coffees
• Selected drinks
• Two open-vehicle safaris daily
• Guided bush walk on stays of two nights or more