Our Superior Safari Experience at Sibuya, the place where the lions ate the poachers
The Lions Ate The Poachers? Hey, we’re sure that’s not what Sibuya Game Reserve wants to be known for, because they offer a superior safari experience. But they made it into worldwide social media significance in June 2018 when this amazing story broke. Yes, a pride of lions ambushed poachers who were intent on poaching Sibuya’s rhinos. Only a few remains of the poachers were found – plus the guns and saws with which they had planned to saw off rhino horns. The world cheered, and Sibuya got on the map in a hurry.
What Makes Sibuya a Superior Safari Experience?
As it happens, we visited Sibuya a mere 6 weeks before the lions vs poachers event, when it was still very unknown. There are a number of reasons we selected it, which we’ll lay out below in our review. But, apart from its newfound attraction as the place where poachers got what was coming to them, let us assure you – it’s a fabulous place. So let’s look at those reasons.
The Location is Unique
Those of you who follow our safari stories regularly know that we are always looking to bring you alternatives to the most expensive and famous places. It’s our mission to reveal the incredibly diverse and rich choices in the safari world, even for those on a budget, because we fervently believe that safari is the ultimate travel experience, and one that everyone should be able to enjoy.
Sibuya is an exciting and different safari destination because it’s located in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, which has different habitats and animals than many other safari areas, and it also has the huge advantage of being malaria-free. Another unique feature is that the only way to get there is by boat. The estuary scenery and bird life is beautiful, and the mix of jeeps and boats gives you a different perspective.
Otter Delight at Sibuya
To give you an idea of the different animals you might experience, and why the riverine (or more accurately, estuarine) environment adds so much, check out our exciting encounter with an African (or Cape) Clawless Otter. All the guests with us, from newbies to old safari hands, rated this one of their best experiences ever, notwithstanding our many close encounters with elephants, rhinos and lions at Sibuya. There’s something about interacting at length with a rare animal that makes for an unforgettable experience. Just click on the image below to join us in the video.
Sibuya’s Philosophy: No Ferrari Safaris
The fact that there is a very small number of guests at Sibuya means that you can linger and learn in a deep way about the behavior of all kinds of animals. For example, you may spend over an hour in the midst of an elephant herd, as we did, sitting still and observing their family plays, squabbles, disciplines, baby training and all the other complex activities that make their society so fascinating. Sibuya calls this an interpretive safari, because the guides impart an amazing amount of knowledge and you come away with a much deeper appreciation of how wonderful and important these animals are. Contrast this with, say, an East African safari where you are lining up behind other vehicles to take a quick snapshot before you have to move on to check the next big animal off the list. That’s what Sibuya calls a Ferrari Safari, and they are committed to delivering something more. Watch this video to get an idea of what we mean.
An Unusual Arrival at Forest Camp
This video will give you an idea of the unique boat-borne arrival at your camp, plus a review of the food and accommodations at Forest Camp, the eco-camp where we stayed. We were made to feel most welcome, and the service, food and accommodations were terrific. Click the video below for the details.
As the video shows, upon arrival you’ll check in at their cute thatched lodge on the banks of the Kariega River Estuary (about 1 1/2 hours north of Port Elizabeth), and await the arrival of the boat that will take you about 10 km up the estuary to the very secluded reserve. While you wait, you’ll chat with fellow guests over a noontime drink, and discover that they are from all over Europe or Asia – but with few Americans in sight. (That mix has probably now changed since Sibuya’s massive Facebook fame hit in July 2018). The group of guests is very small, because this game reserve is very exclusive. There are only 5 tents at River Camp, 8 at Forest Camp, and 4 luxury suites at Bush Lodge. Each camp offers a different environment and experience, from the habitat to the food to the rangers, so you’ll be enjoying a very pampered and private experience.
When the boats arrive, your luggage is whisked away to be sent separately, because the safari begins the moment you step on board. You’ll head away from the beautiful Kariega River mouth (which empties into the Indian Ocean), and pretty soon all signs of human habitation fall away as you press on into the pristine riverine wilderness. The boat trip to your camp takes about 45 minutes – or 90 minutes, depending on what animals you see. You’ll be spotting things from the first moment, starting with the fabulous bird life. The marine birds closer to the ocean give way to a wide array of species familiar to safari-goers – and some that are not.
You’ll certainly stop for a moment if you spot an African Fish Eagle (which you almost certainly will). This is one of the world’s great eagles, and looks a bit like the American Bald Eagle – except that its fishing skills are second to none. It’s a thrill to see one of these large, powerful birds swoop and seize an unsuspecting fish in its talons from well below the surface and fly off in triumph to feast in a tree.
The great thing about a safari at a riverine destination is the variety of things you’ll see nowhere else. (If you didn’t watch our otter video above – go back and watch it!) Generally, we love safaris that combine water and land, and Sibuya delivers on that in a way that is quite unique in South Africa. The St. Lucia Estuary, while having great wildlife, doesn’t offer this sort of personal safari. It’s really only on the Chobe River in Botswana or Mana Pools in Zimbabwe where you will also get a mix of these great safari experiences. And Sibuya is the only one we know of that is malaria-free.
River Camp: The Kid-Friendly Alternative
River Camp is geared towards families, with lots of river activities for kids and adults alike. The tents are a bit larger than Forest Camp, to accommodate family groups. It’s a fun environment. Check out this video to help you choose between the camps.
Bush Lodge: For those Looking for More Luxury
Bush Lodge has 4 luxury chalets (as opposed to tents), so it’s very exclusive. There is regular power in the camp, and it has beautiful bush hikes where you can walk among many species because the camp is separated from predators. There is also a very nice swimming pool where you can relax between activities. This camp is particularly recommended for bird watchers, besides the usual game drives. This video will give you a good idea of the setup.
The Rangers Make a Big Difference.
The Rangers (aka Guides – we like the old-school word) are incredibly informative and dedicated. Their training is obviously very deep to get them work on an exclusive Reserve such as this, and one feels the owner Nick Fox’s hand behind the careful recruitment of people who are both knowledgeable and really personable. Our ranger, Daniel Coetzer, is only 24 years of age, yet his skills at handling the boat and jeep, his tracking ability and above all his deep knowledge of birds, fauna, flora, stars, weather patterns and so on amazed us. Try as we might, we could not stump him. The same standards applied to all the rangers we came across, and they are a cut above most other reserves in South Africa. Which is saying a lot, because the standard of guiding in South Africa is usually significantly better than the rest of Africa.
Conclusion
Sibuya is a superior safari experience, which is set apart from others by the unique water location, the superior guides, the excellent accommodations and the food. You’ll see plenty of elephants and the rest of the big 5, except for leopard, which are only seen very occasionally. The terrain also doesn’t allow for cheetah. The malaria-free location and the reasonable pricing make Sibuya one of the best safari finds we have come across in South Africa. You can easily book directly at sibuya.co.za/reservations.
Note: Sibuya provided us with accommodation but had no influence on the content of this review.This page may contain affiliate links. See our DISCLOSURE.
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