What to Expect on Your First Silvan Safari

Some places change how you see the world. Others change how you see yourself. A first-time safari at Silvan tends to do both.

You’ll arrive expecting wildlife – and yes, there’ll be plenty of it – but you’ll leave with something far less predictable: a collection of moments that settle into memory in ways you didn’t anticipate. Here’s what your first stay with us might hold.

The stillness stays with you longest

Arrival: A Shift in Pace

Reaching Silvan Safari is part of the experience. Whether you fly in or make the journey by road, there’s a point where the familiar starts to fall away. The Sabi Sand Game Reserve has a way of drawing focus – to the landscape, to the details, to what’s unfolding right in front of you.

From the moment you’re welcomed at the lodge, there’s a subtle recalibration. We’ll get you settled, show you around, and guide you through how things work here – but never in a way that feels scripted.

This is the kind of place where questions are encouraged, plans are flexible, and each guest’s experience is shaped by the time of year, the wildlife activity, and your own preferences.

First sips, slower breaths, everything softens from here

Game Drives: Where It All Begins

Your daily schedule will centre around two game drives – early morning and late afternoon. These are the golden hours when the bush is most active and wildlife encounters are at their best.

You’ll be joined by a guide and tracker team who know the land intimately. Their focus isn’t on ticking boxes, but on offering genuine insight. That could mean following fresh leopard tracks, waiting patiently at a water hole, or pausing to explain the less obvious details – like the alarm call of a bird or a territorial scrape in the sand.

Our vehicles are open and spacious, with tiered seating designed to give every guest a clear view. Bring layers – the mornings and evenings can shift in temperature – but otherwise, you don’t need much. Curiosity goes a long way.

No two drives, or elephants, are alike

Time Between Drives: Yours to Shape

Between drives, the hours are your own. You might choose to relax in your suite, take a swim in your private pool, or book a treatment at the spa. Our lodge is built for both comfort and calm – never in opposition to the wild surroundings, but always in conversation with them.

If you’d like to learn more about the region, our team is always happy to chat. We’re here to share – not only stories from the field but also the history, conservation efforts, and partnerships that define who we are.

Where downtime looks like this by default

Dining at Silvan: Unscripted and Unrushed

We don’t believe in overly structured dining. Meals are fresh, considered, and shaped by what’s in season. From breakfasts overlooking the bush to dinners under the stars, every setting is chosen with intention – but without pretence.

There’s no set dress code, either. Some guests prefer to stay in their safari gear throughout the day; others may choose to change before dinner. Either way, comfort leads.

The menu changes, the standards don’t

What Makes a First Silvan Safari Unique

Wildlife sightings are, of course, a drawcard – and Silvan’s location in the Sabi Sand gives you excellent chances of seeing everything from elephants to elusive leopards. But what often surprises first-time guests is what happens in the in-between: the pause as a herd of buffalo passes, the shared glances during a lion sighting, the late-night conversations around the fire that start with stories and end in quiet understanding.

You won’t find performances here. What you'll find is a thoughtful approach to safari – a commitment to detail without drama and a respect for the land that extends to every part of your stay.

Evenings here glow without needing an agenda

Departure: With a Bit of Africa in Your Luggage (and a Lot More in Your Heart)

As you head home, there’s one thing we can’t quite prepare you for: how often your mind will return to this place. The game drives, the stillness, the encounters – they have a way of lingering.

Start planning your first Silvan Safari – and see for yourself why the first trip is rarely the only one.