Silvan Safari Lodge Review

Silvan Safari Lodge sits in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, tucked under leadwood and jackalberry trees overlooking the seasonal Manyaleti River. The design is striking: contemporary and bold, drawing on the colours and iridescence of the bee-eater to create a look that is vivid without being overdone. Silvan is one of those lodges that makes an impression on arrival and holds it throughout the stay.

There are six suites, one of which is the Leadwood Family Suite with two bedrooms, both with ensuite bathrooms, a large deck and a private pool. The remaining five are individual suites, each with sprawling decks, private plunge pools, daybeds, a private indoor lounge with fireplace, minibar, and a soaker tub that opens to the bush. Large stacking doors blur the boundary between inside and out.

Twice-daily game drives go out with experienced guides and trackers; every guest has a window seat and Swarovski binoculars are provided. Food and wine pairings are taken seriously, and a private dining experience can be arranged. The gin experience at sundowners is a highlight: handcrafted gins are matched with carefully chosen ingredients in an impressive setting. The Ansellia Spa has treatment rooms with good bush views, and the Silvan Studio is a well-equipped post-processing space for photography enthusiasts, with a large-format printer and editing software.

The Sabi Sand shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, which means free movement for all wildlife including the Big 5. The reserve’s leopards are particularly well documented, many of them named and followed across social media. For overall wildlife consistency and quality of guiding, Sabi Sand remains the benchmark in Greater Kruger.