Recent Big 5 Sightings
Weekly Big Five Sightings 23 February – 01 March
Monday, 23th February 2026 (32°C) Langa, the female leopard mating with Tortoise Pan, the male leopard mobile north from A-main junction with Nkombe junction. Three elephant bulls, feeding at Marula Bolt Four Way North. Two of the Kambula male lions, mobile...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 16-22 February 2026
Monday, 16th February 2026 (26°C) A breeding herd of fifteen elephants, feeding at the junction of Kudu Drift and Seepline. Thalamba, the female leopard resting on a marula tree at the junction of Bateleur Road and Drakensburg Road. Tuesday, 17th February 2026...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 9 – 15 February 2026
Monday, 9th February 2026 (32°C) Langa, the female leopard, feeding on an impala lamb carcass, with her two cubs, east of the junction of Cutline and Seepline. Makhomsava, the female leopard, stationary on The Rocks. Two elephant bulls feeding around KBR. Xidulu, the...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 2-8 February 2026
Monday, 2 February 2026 (35°C) Two Ndzhenga male lions, stationary at the northern end of Arathusa Airstrip. Tiyani’s cub stationary, east of Tsalala southern junction with East Bank Manyeleti. Tiyani, the female leopard, joined her cub during PM Drive. ...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 26 Jan 2026 – 1 Feb 2026
Monday, 26 January 2026 (33°C) Two Ndzhenga male lions stationary on Buffelshoek Gowrie Cutline junction Rain Tree road. A breeding herd of approximately 80 buffalo mobile North from Long Pole East. Tiyani, the female leopard mobile South from Simbambili Driveway. A...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 19 – 25 Jan 2026
Monday, 19 January 2026 (21°C) No AM/PM Drive Lodge closed due to flooding. Tuesday, 20 January 2026 (24°C) No AM/PM Drive Lodge closed due to flooding. Wednesday, 21 January 2026 (23°C) No AM/PM Drive Lodge closed due to flooding. Thursday, 22 January 2026 (28°C) No...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 05 – 11 January 2026
Monday, 05 January 2026 (25°C) The two Plains Camp Male lions resting south of EP/Manyeleti Crossing. The Kambula pride of lions, consisting of two lionesses and six sub adults, resting north of Mkombe junction to Arathusa Main. Tiyani, the female leopard and her cub,...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 29 December – 04 January
Monday, 29 December 2025 (30°C) 11 mm Rain Overnight. A pack of 13 African Wild Dogs, stationary on EP Airstrip. A breeding herd of approximately 15 elephants, mobile northwest from Leeukuil. Two unidentified lionesses from either the Torchwood or Imbali pride,...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 22 Dec – 28 Dec 2025
Monday, 22 December 2025 70 mm Rainfall overnight. (26°C) One elephant bull mobile north along MMM. Three elephant bulls, feeding at the junction of Gowrie Main and Cheetah Cutline, Djuma. Tlalamba, the female leopard, feeding on an impala kill on Cheetah...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 15 Dec-21 Dec 2025
Monday, 15 December 2025 (32°C) A small herd of twelve elephants feeding along Madash. Two Ndzhenga male lions, mobile east from Vrystaat clearing, Buffelshoek. Tuesday, 16 December 2025 2025 (34°C) Xidulu, the female leopard, mobile east, from Arathusa Airstrip...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 8 Dec -14 Dec 2025
Monday, 8 December 2025 (32°C) A breeding herd of approximately 40 Elephants feeding along Kudu Drift/Serengeti Crossing. The Nkuhuma Pride of lions (7) and two Ndzhenga Males, stationary on Nyala Road S, Djuma. Two Kambula male lions, mobile north west from KNP...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 01 – 07 December 2025
Monday, 01 December 2025 (26°C) Tiyani, the female leopard and her cub, feeding on an impala kill on Madash South, south of 16th A breeding herd of approximately 20 Elephant mobile west from Marula Bolt South towards Shortcut Wetpatch. The Hyena Den on Hyena Den Road...
Latest News
June & July Trumpet
What’s been happening at Elephant Plains during lockdown? We tell you the story in pictures.
May Trumpet from Elephant Plains
Without Prejudice Good day travel partners It has been more than a month since we arrived at the lodge for lockdown. Normally, the saying goes: “Time flies, when you’re having fun.” I am sure that most of you would agree that time also sometimes flies, despite...
April Trumpet from Elephant Plains
As I sit here working, catching up on e-mails, trying to make sense of the Covid-19 pandemic, a hyena laughs in the distance. It also started raining softly – a welcome relief from yesterday’s heat. And so, life goes on… Even though it is 04:00 in the morning, during the start of our three-week lockdown, somehow sitting on the porch, listening to these sounds, the world around us seems fine. And the situation feels surreal.
Special offer from Elephant Plains
Special rates valid for a stay between 16 March and 31 August 2020. Applies to new bookings only. Rates include accommodation, all meals and game drives (including sundowner refreshments). Rates exclude transfers, conservation & reserve entrance fees, beverages and items of a personal nature.
Salayexe – The Lonely One
As most of you would know by now, Salayexe, our resident female leopard, sadly passed away on the 18th of August. Salayexe was the territorial female on Elephant Plains and I am sure that thousands of guests who visited the lodges in the northern sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve would remember her.
From the Kitchen
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
This Asian inspired dish will make your guest think you took special cooking courses. Blow them away with this flavourful bowl of tasty goodness.
Sweet and Sour Pork Kebabs
Making your own kebabs just puts a lot more flavour into them. Braaing them outside will make the meat much more succulent and tasty. Enjoy this with varieties of side dishes. People will definitely remember these kebabs
Soetkoekies
You will have the whole neighbourhood at your doorstep when baking these biscuits. Make some royal icing and let your children decorate their own biscuits to enjoy
Honey Sesame Pork Fillet
Throw this on a nicely heated braai grill, and you will have people standing at your doorstep wanting to have what you have for dinner. The sesame flavour beats any aroma. Add some garlic potatoes to the meat and they will be coming back for more – Chef Yolandi Grobler
Sundried Tomato and Cheese Bread
Packed with flavour from the sundried tomatoes, garlic and herbs give this “not your usual” bread a go. You will love the melting taste and the cheese is a bonus of course – Chef Yolandi
Mielie Bread – Corn Bread
The next time you walk into your kitchen, walk into the warm, sweet scent of mielie bread. Let a smile curl along your lips as you taste that first, moist bite with your imagination. Then take a moment for real indulgence: spread softened butter across the still-warm bread, only to see it melt into and down the sides of the tender crumb.
Tiramisu
The word Tiramisu (tira me su in Italian) means “cheer me up” or “pull me up,” which is very appropriate because one bite will put you in a good mood! Enjoy the smooth creaminess of this succulent dessert.
Caprese Quiche
This Caprese Quiche is the ultimate summer breakfast! Loaded with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese, it comes together quickly and has all the best flavours of summer! And it’s not just for breakfast. This Caprese Quiche makes a great lunch or dinner, too!
Curried Pasta Salad
Making this salad a day in advance will give the ingredients time to blend well giving you the best, most amazing flavour any salad can offer. This salad will go well with a succulent braaied steak – Chef Yolandi Grobler