From: USD 1219 pps

Cheetah Plains Camp

Genuinely affordable & family-friendly, Cheetah Plains Camp delivers Big 5 safaris with all the comforts of a luxury lodge

A traditional timber and thatched safari lodge, Cheetah Plains Camp offers real affordability at the heart of the Sabi Sand. Tucked away in a game-rich corner of this famous private reserve, this accommodation serves up safari exclusivity for its guests in its private concession. And with wildlife in abundance, Cheetah Plains Camp can lay claim to being one of the most budget-conscious ways to enjoy classic, up-close sightings of rhino, lion, elephant, leopard and buffalo.

With only eight chalets on offer, Cheetah Plains is one of the smaller, more intimate Sabi camps. There’s a 4-sleeper cottage available too, making it a good choice for a family safari. Children over the age of six are welcome at Cheetah Plains though parents should note that the camp does not have an extensive range of child-oriented facilities and activities. These are generally better available at other camps that cater for younger children.

Game drives are the focus at Cheetah Plains. You’ll enjoy a morning and afternoon drive – the latter drive morphing into a spot-lit night drive as you return to camp. Visits to local villages and conversations with their elders are part of the experience too. The camp is heavily involved in community development and you have the chance to learn all about it – and contribute if you like – while on a tour of the community with your guide.

Lodge Highlights:

  • Affordable, rustic lodge in enviable Sabi setting
  • Big 5 game drives & local community interaction
  • Air-conditioned chalets plus 4-sleeper cottage
  • Relaxed atmosphere & family-friendly

About Cheetah Plains Camp

Luxury Chalets

  • Air-Conditioned Chalets in Garden Setting
  • Veranda & En Suite Bathroom
  • Mosquito Net & Ceiling Fan
  • Luxury Chalets & 4-Sleeper Cottage Available

The camp’s eight thatched chalets lie in landscaped gardens ringing with birdsong. Each has a veranda with table and chairs; step inside and you’ll find a cool, simple interior furnished with either a double bed or twins and complete with mosquito net and fan. Air conditioned, all chalets have en suite bathrooms: six come with shower only; two boast not just a shower and bath but also an outdoor, open-air shower.

A short walk from main lodge and surrounded by an electric fence, the 2-bedroomed cottage is ideal for a privacy-seeking couple, group of friends or a family. Featuring a large veranda, the cottage has a large lounge/dining area as well as a small kitchen. There is a shared bathroom with bath and shower as well as a second toilet.

Lodge Facilities

  • Swimming Pool with Sun Deck & Loungers
  • Lounge, Bar & Dining Area
  • Game Viewing Decks
  • Internet Access
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Curio Shop

For such a modestly sized and affordable lodge, Cheetah Plains certainly doesn’t lack for facilities. Guests can laze next to the swimming pool, taking in views of the river from a sun lounger. There are two game viewing decks equipped with comfortable chairs and a curio shop with safari apparel and local art for sale.

The camp serves meals indoors or under the stars depending on the weather but you’ll enjoy the comfort and conviviality of Cheetah Plains’ bar and lounge all year round.

Activities at Cheetah Plains Camp

  • Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
  • Spot-lit Evening Drives
  • Bird Watching
  • Village Visits & Community Tour

Cheetah Plains offers two drives a day. It’s an early start for the morning one but well worth it. The camp lies in epic big game territory and it’s during the early hours that predators such as lion and leopard are on the move. Despite the camp’s name, cheetahs are not seen particularly often in the area – it is more an historical reference – but guests at the camp for two or three days can expect to have excellent sightings of the Big 5, including the normally elusive leopard. Traversing rights on other private concessions adds to the scope – and there will never be more than two vehicles in the same area, allowing for virtually exclusive sightings.

With 500 or so recorded bird species in the Sabi Sands, Cheetah Plains Camp is a great choice for bird watchers. And with its proud record in community development, it’s an equally good choice for travellers who wish to see the human side to this environment as well. Meeting community elders in local villages gives you an insight into life here, and Cheetah Plains offers an inspiring guided tour of the Manyeleti community and its achievements.

On The Map

Lodge Rates

These rates are purely for informational purposes and do not reflect the actual cost in those currencies.

Standard Chalet

Season & Year
Per villa
19 December 19 - 05 January 2021 (for 4 guests)
USD 7
06 January 2021 - 05 January 2022
USD 7
Included in your stay
  • All meals, local & speciality tea & fabulous filter coffee
  • Game drives – including sundowner stop and night drive with astronomy
  • All drinks – a special selection of fabulous South African wines (red / white & sparkling), craft & local beers, non-alcoholic beverages as well as selected premium spirits
  • Transfers to and from Arathusa airstrip when flying with FedAir / Unique Air / Flexi Flyer
  • Emergency medical assistance (excluding evacuation)
  • VAT at 14%
Excluded in your stay
  • Transfers to and from the lodge other than the Arathusa airstrip
  • Curio shop purchases
  • Gratuities
  • Laundry
  • Telephone calls
  • All other incidental costs
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Travel insurance / travel cancellation refunds
  • Sabi Sand reserve entrance fees which will be charged (in cash) at Gowrie Gate
  • A mandatory Sabi Sand Guest Conservation Contribution of R114 incl VAT per person per night will be levied to all bookings as of 01 March 2017.
Enquire about:
Cheetah Plains Camp Enquire Now

Hands-on Expertise

  • We’re based in Africa
  • Visit our destinations regularly
  • Exceptionally knowledgeable team
  • Expect unrivaled customer service

Accredited & Bonded

  • SATSA – Bonded Membership (2061)
  • ATTA Membership (204387)
  • Fully Independent & Owner Run
  • 24/7 Travel Support

Reviews

Absolutely Perfect

I was already last year in South Africa and Zambia organized by Safari Online. It was a absolutely gorgeous trip. Everything was perfect. This was the reason I booked this year in May and June an new trip to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. I got everything I expected. It was a dream again. I know I´m coming back.

Bernard (DE)
The trip was sensational and tailored to our needs. Simply fantastic!

The care by Walter was great from planning to leaving Johannesburg. The accommodations were perfectly chosen. If after a few days you thought it could not be better, you were told otherwise. It was an increase every day, with the 3 days safari in the Kruger, including overnight in tree house, the grand finale.
I would book a trip anytime again at Safari Online.

Ulrike (DE)
Experience of a lifetime and wonderful service!!

Our extended family (16 travellers, including 8 children under ten years of age!) went on a wonderful safari adventure curated and organised by Walter Kohrs of Safari Online. It could not have been any better than we experienced. From our time in Cape Town, to visiting Victoria Falls, all the way through Zimbabwe and finally wrapping up at the amazing Chobe Safari Lodge, all the locations chosen by Walter were amazing.

His attention to detail, willingness to fine-tune and excellent responsiveness (over a period of several months!) could not have been better. He took time to visit us personally upon our arrival in South Africa, with lovely gift-packs and shared a wealth of advice, recommendations and tips. I cannot recommend Safari Online (and Walter Kohrs in particular) any higher. Absolutely amazing.

Oisin (AU)
We had a wonderful holiday with no hitches, perfectly planned for us and so professional.

Though we live in Australia, Safari online made planning for our family holiday so easy. Walter understood our requirements and nothing was too much trouble. The holiday was everything we wanted it to be and so much more. Every camp was ideally suited for our family and we loved each day, every early morning and evening game drive. Thank you to Walter for his attention to detail and his friendly, professional and caring manner. It was a trip of a lifetime and one that we will talk about forever.

Mary (AU)
Karina was absolutely instrumental to our safari success.

Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver. She responded to our requests promptly and gave us several options with links to each option; we ultimately chose Lukimbi. She then coordinated our flights to and from the property, arranged the drivers necessary to get us from the airport to the lodge and back again, and sent the appropriate paperwork to each of us to verify each step of the process. We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Chris (USA)
Faultless service, attention to detail and quality of accomodations.

The communications and service from Walter was excellent, and we were continuously fully informed. The information package and book received on arrival were excellent. We felt that we had been allocated carefully selected lodges at each camp and every detail met or exceeded our expectations.
The safari tour was wonderful, and a particular feature was the variety offered at each location which combined perfectly

Carolyn (AU)
Best experience ever!!

They provide us the most taylored and customized honeymoon possible! everything was much better than we expected. We loved the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere and everyone made us feeling so incredibly special and gave us a unique insight. Over our game drives we managed to see all the big five plus some!!

Salvatore (IT)
Trip of a lifetime: Five countries, six camps, Vic Falls, Big Five plus more game

In June/July 2016 we undertook a trip to Southern Africa to fulfill a lifelong intention. We stayed at six camps, safari style, and had a great time. All of our expectations were met or even exceeded. For example, we never expected to see honey badgers or sitatunga, given the secretive nature of those species, but we did! All travel arrangements and connections worked smoothly, which is astonishing since we had several dozen transfers and meeting points; all of the connecting personnel were prompt, professional, and welcoming.

Michael (USA)
Exceptional service ensuring a wonderful holiday. Highly recommended

Attention to detail & service provided was first class, from our very first email to the last day of our trip. Walter went above and beyond to ensure that we were notified of any changes, even up to our last day with a change to our flight time, at short notice. The safari was so much more than expected, from the rustic to the exceptional, every camp was different in it’s own way and our highlights are hard to single out just one as each camp was great.

Cyndi and Dave (AU)
Outstanding experience!

We have booked at the Elephant Plains Lodge. We stayed there for a few nights and went on safaris. The lodge, the guide, the food and all the animals we have seen were fantastic. Really an outstanding experience. We can recommend Elephant Plains to everybody. Maybe you will not be as lucky as we were, becaucse we have seen the Big 5! But however you will not forget your stay at Elephant Plains.

Silvio (CH)