Sanbona Explorer Camp is a seasonal camp in the private Sanbona Game Reserve in the heart of the Little Karoo.
Sanbona Explorers Camp operates during the summer months of October to April and offers a true wilderness walking experience. Each trail promises an adventure and takes two days to complete, requiring guests to stay a minimum of two nights. These walks allow you to immerse into nature while camping in the bush around a campfire. Walking safaris allow you to see the reserves true beauty, just as the San did centuries ago.
The unfenced camp consists of three mobile canvas Tents, each sleeping a maximum of two people on two dressed stretcher beds. The tents, although in fairly close proximity to one another, offer privacy. Each tent has a private en-suite with a bucket shower, a canvas basin and bio-toilet; bathroom amenities, and a hammock shaded by an ancient tree.
Sanbona comprises three major biomes, Succulent Karoo, Thicket & Fynbos, which provide habitats for a great diversity of plants, birds, and animals. The walking safari affords guests the opportunity to get up close to game in areas of the reserve inaccessible by vehicle. The reserve homes the only free-roaming self-sustaining white lions in the world, and the critically endangered and highly elusive Riverine Rabbit, which is the thirteenth most endangered mammal in the world and the second most critically endangered species in South Africa. Guests may encounter the several endemic tortoise species of the reserve, as well as the Dwarf Blue butterfly, the second smallest butterfly in the world.
The reserve is home to a variety of large and small antelope, zebra and wildebeest, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, and small game such as black-backed jackal and caracal. Late afternoon and early morning hikes provide the opportunity to see nocturnal creatures, such as the aardwolf, brown hyena and porcupine.
Over 200 bird species have been identified in the reserve, including that of the Verreaux’s Eagle. African Fish Eagles, breeding pairs of majestic Black Eagles and Black Harrier are regularly sighted.
An armed qualified walking guide leads the walks, as guests may encounter the Big Five while on foot. An open game viewing vehicle remains at the camp to ferry guests, when necessary, to and from start and end points of trails in other areas of the reserve. The well-trained and knowledgeable guides offer guests insights into the flora and fauna and the cultural and natural history of the reserve. Guests can visit the exceptional Sanbona San rock art sites as well. Nights around the campfire offer spectacular stargazing opportunities. Sumptuous meals are prepared by the camp hosts and are all served in the open.
Sanbona Explorer Camp is ideal for solo travelers, couples and families looking for an authentic walking safari experience.
March 25, 2024
Very prompt in reply and provided good…
Very prompt in reply and provided good advise re safari lodges. Smooth process throughout.
March 24, 2024
Great service from Dolan
Dolan sorted everything for us so efficiently (working in our timezone!) and made the process really smooth for us. It was a great customer experience!
March 24, 2024
Thanks Dolan for arranging the best…
Thanks Dolan for arranging the best safari experience for us!
Mar 28, 2024
Safari.com was helpful start to finish
Safari.com was helpful start to finish. The sign up process was clear, the support was great as we tailored our experience. Directions were perfect to get there. Everything in the safari was as we thought it would be and even better. It literally was the trip of a lifetime and exceeded our expectations.
Mar 28, 2024
Heleen 's service was superb
Heleen 's service was superb: prompt, friendly and efficient. She altered my reservation promptly and efficiently. She warned me that SAN Parks might not be able to accommodate my wishes, but all is well.
Mar 28, 2024
A superb experience
Dear Jayson, You are a star. The very professional pieces of advice and the optimal design of the schedule that turned our holidays into an extraordinary experience. Thank you so much! Leopard Hills are indeed the boutique luxury camp that you recommended. People there are incredible friendly and knowledgable. The guide was excellent. And the cook, she was a friendly star too. The flight connections went well, despite that rather long drive, and the very early morning start. Wake up calls at 4 AM should be forbidden :) Mauritius was great, Club Med The Plantation Albion was the perfect choice. (The other Club Med @ Cannonier we visited only and were glad we didn’t chose that one…) Thank you again for the superb organisation.
Mar 28, 2024
Shamiel was very helpful with advice on…
Shamiel was very helpful with advice on our trip and responded promptly to all my queries.
Mar 27, 2024
I have enjoyed working with Safari.com
I have enjoyed working with Safari.com! We are bringing a big group, and they have been amazing coordinating the different changes we have had to make. We will work with them in the future!
Mar 26, 2024
This is the second trip we book with…
This is the second trip we book with Candis from safari.com. Candis is super knowledgable, is extremly customer service and experience focused and did everything possible to organize the trip as we wanted it. I can highly recommend booking a safari with Candis and safari.com
Mar 25, 2024
These will be mine second time going to…
These will be mine second time going to Africa, the first time I booked everything with safari.com and pascal helped. He was amazing everything went perfect. Now going back to Botswana and pascal did everything again very fast and perfect. I had the best time and everything was super vip, and can’t wait to be back.October can’t come soon enough.
Mar 25, 2024
So far, great service
This review is for the booking only as we have not taken our trip yet. Safari expert Sara Van Coille has been great to work with. We booked later than we planned and she was able to come up with an itinerary that was perfect for our group. Sara has responded to all our questions and was very quick to get back to me. From our experience so far, we would definitely recommend Safari.com
Mar 25, 2024
Shamiel from Safari.com was awesome as…
Shamiel from Safari.com was awesome as everyone says. He got us exactly what we wanted at a very reasonable price. We will be back.