Elephant Plains Main Lodge

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

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Elephant Plains Game Lodge is located in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, one of South Africa’s best game-viewing areas. The lodge is situated on the banks of the seasonal Manyeleti River and offers guests a classic African safari experience. In the landscaped garden, you’ll find five rondavels — traditional circular dwellings with conical thatched roofs — while six luxury rooms overlook the river and waterhole. All rooms are en suite with air conditioning and mosquito nets. The Manyeleti Honeymoon suite also offers a private plunge pool and deck area.

Evening meals are enjoyed either in the open-air boma or under the thatched roof of an open-sided lapa. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with experienced ranger guides and Shangaan trackers and cool off in the heat of the day using the two swimming pools between.

Our rating: Medium

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Rooms

Guests can choose between rondavels, which are located in the garden, the luxury suites that overlook the river and watering hole, or the Manyeleti honeymoon suite. All three boast decor that reflects the natural beauty around you, with lots of stone, rattan and bush-inspired palette of sand, tan, brown and gentle splashes of blue and maroon.

All come fully equipped with a lounge, private deck, air conditioning, en suite bathroom, bedroom with double bed, outside shower, minibar, fan, mosquito nets, wood fires, safe, and tea and coffee making facilities. 

Location

Situated on the southwest edge of Krueger National Park, Sabi Sands is a sprawling game reserve with a dense population of the Big Five. The reserve is well known for its leopard and lion sightings in particular.

Food and drink

  • Evening meals are served around a fire in the boma under the vast African sky. 
  • Breakfast and lunch are served either in the dining room or on the deck overlooking the swimming pool. 
  • International menu with a South African twist.

Families

Children of all ages welcome, and there's a range of children's activities available. Cribs are also available on request.

Facilities and activities

  • Morning and evening game drives. 
  • Bush walks.
  • Bar area with TV.
  • Barbecue facilities.
  • Air conditioning.
  • Wi-Fi.
  • Kids’ activities.
  • Swimming pool. 

Our opinion

One of the oldest and best lodges in this area of the Sabi Sands, Elephant Plains has been one of our preferred lodges for years. We love it for it knowledgeable guides, abundance of wildlife, attentive staff and exceptional food.

Sabi Sand Wildtuin tour ideas

Nearby accommodation

Nearby places

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.

    • Arathusa Safari Lodge, lounge area

      Arathusa Safari Lodge

      Medium

      Situated in the popular Sabi Sands area of the Greater Kruger National Park, Arathusa offers an intimate safari experience, excellent value for money and a chance to spot the Big Five.

    • Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge

      Deluxe

      The lodge has eight luxurious suites which are stylish and individually decorated to the very highest standard. The game viewing here is truly second to none.

    • Dulini Leadwood Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Dulini Leadwood Lodge

      Deluxe

      Dulini Leadwood Lodge offers the perfect package for guests wanting to relax in privacy and luxury with a very exclusive safari experience.

    • Dulini River Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Dulini River Lodge

      Deluxe

      Overlooking the Sand River, Dulini River Lodge offers a luxury stay in the Sabi Sands region of the Greater Kruger.

    • Dulini Safari Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Dulini Safari Lodge

      Deluxe

      Set on the banks of the Mabrak River, under ebony and leadwood trees, Dulini Safari Lodge offers an sophisticated stay in the Sabi Sand Reserve. Guests travel to the lodge for the opportunity to see the Big Five, and treated to a luxurious, discerning stay.

    • Exeter Private Game Reserve - Kirkman's Kamp, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Exeter Private Game Reserve - Kirkman's Kamp

      First Class

      Kirkman's Camp, with its spectacular views of the unspoilt wilderness and the Sand River, is regarded as one of the best loved lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

    • Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, lodge lounge area

      Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve

      First Class

      An intimate destination (perched on a small kopje in the western sector of Sabi Sands), Leopard Hills will cater for an exquisite stay in the African bush.

    • Lion Sands Private Game Reserve - Ivory Lodge

      Lion Sands Private Game Reserve

      Opulent

      Ivory Lodge offers an extremely luxurious and very private safari experience and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a very exclusive safari experience.

    • Sabi Sabi - Little Bush Camp, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Little Bush Camp

      Deluxe

      Little Bush Camp is a warm and cozy, contemporary African retreat in the heart of the bush. With just six suites, the lodge is very exclusive and private, boasting all the features of an exceptional bush lodge.

    • Notten's Bush Camp, dining area

      Notten's Bush Camp

      First Class

      Set within Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Notten’s Bush Camp is a characterful base from which to explore the reserve’s wildlife. Owned and managed by the same family for four generations, the friendly, personal service makes you feel as though you’re staying at a friend’s home.

    • Luxury villa, Sabi Sabi - Bush Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

      First Class

      Bush Lodge enjoys a stunning location and the discreet placing of the suites gives an intimacy and exclusivity that belies the relatively large number of suites.

    • Sabi Sabi - Earth Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

      Opulent

      Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is built in complete harmony with its surroundings, each enormous suite is sculpted into the earth, with rough mud walls reminding you that you are in wild Africa.

    • Sabi Sabi - Selati Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge

      Deluxe

      Selati Lodge has all the atmosphere and trimmings of 'Yesterday'. The lodge's name commemorates the Selati railway line that used to run from the Transvaal to Mozambique, close to the site of the lodge.

    • Main Area, Savanna Private Game Reserve,The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Savanna Private Game Reserve

      Deluxe

      This characterful lodge is situated within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and provides comfortable accommodation to return to after game drives out in the bush, where the Big Five can often be spotted. Staff here are very friendly and help to create a relaxed atmosphere.

    • Simbambili Game Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

      Simbambili

      Deluxe

      Simbambili Game Lodge is renowned for copious leopard sightings as well as an abundance of other animals and scenic views. It isn’t unusual to spot the Big Five during a stay here.