Sausage Tree Safari Camp

Highlights

• Five-tent camp on Big Five traversing in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, part of Greater Kruger
• Waterhole frontage with views to the Drakensberg Mountains from the pool deck and sky deck
• Track-and-sign bush walks with experienced guides and trackers

You Should Know

• No children under 6 unless the camp is booked exclusively
• Children aged 6 to 12 sharing with adults pay 50 per cent of the adult sharing rate
• No guests under 14 permitted on bush walks; guests over 65 require a medical fitness certificate for walks
• Low-risk malaria area; mosquito repellent recommended
• Bar beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol, are not included in the rate

The Details

Location

The camp sits in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, an unfenced Big Five concession within Greater Kruger, just outside Hoedspruit. The traverse takes in marula, acacia and sausage trees, open plains and a stretch of the Olifants River, with the Drakensberg escarpment forming the western horizon.

Eastgate Airport at Hoedspruit is the nearest airfield, with scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town on Airlink, CemAir and FlySafair. Road transfers and shuttle services can be arranged from the airport or from further afield.

Accommodation

There are five tents in total: three Superior Safari Tents configured as twin or king, and two Luxury Tented Suites, one king or twin and one with a queen XL bed, suited to families of up to four with children aged 6 to 12. Maximum camp capacity is 10 guests.

Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower, mosquito nets, fans and air-conditioning, and a private deck or veranda looking into the bush. The newly reimagined Luxury Tented Suites add sliding glass doors and larger decks. Power comes from mains electricity backed by 28 solar panels with battery storage, and Wi-Fi reaches both the tents and the main lodge.

Game Drives and Activities

Two three-hour guided game drives go out each day in newly upgraded open vehicles finished in earthy brown, fitted with camera swivel mounts, USB-A and USB-C charging points, entry and exit lighting and an easy-access step. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost.

The reserve is home to the Big Five along with 94 mammal, 280 bird, 72 reptile and 128 tree species, and the Olifants River frontage adds crocodile, waterbuck, African fish eagle and the rare Pel's fishing owl to the sightings list. Track-and-sign bush walks, sundowner stops, boma dinners around the fire and waterhole viewing from camp round out the daily rhythm. Spa treatments, a private Sky Deck experience and guided local day tours are available on request.

Dining

All meals are included: a hot breakfast on the sky deck after the morning drive, a light lunch, afternoon tea with freshly baked cookies and pastries, and dinner served in the boma around the fire. Coffee, tea and game-drive sundowner drinks and snacks are also included, while bar beverages are charged separately. Dietary requirements and allergies are accommodated with advance notice.

Price Includes

• Tented accommodation for the duration of stay
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Afternoon tea with freshly baked pastries and cookies
• Tea, coffee and hot drinks
• Two daily three-hour guided game drives on a Big Five conservancy
• Sundowner drinks and snacks on the afternoon game drive, including house wines
• Coffee stop on the morning game drive
• Track-and-sign bush walk
• Wi-Fi in the tents and main lodge
• 15 per cent VAT