Lower Sabie
At night the silent air is interrupted by the calls of the Fiery-necked Nightjars. Listen: the call of the Verreaux's (Giant) Eagle Owl is haunting and hollow. Under spot-lights, the African bush comes to life. The Lower Sabie is undoubtedly one of the premier spots to view lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, rhinos. Herds of buffalo, 800-strong, become visible under the spotlight. Feel the exhilaration of a night game-drive, with a slight tinge of fear as the darkness of the surrounding bush ensconces the vehicle that is a speck on the vast plains of the Kruger National Park. During the day, see as far as your eye can stretch. The Lower Sabie offers spectacular views. Camp amidst riverine trees that whisper int he secret language of the bush at night as the wind passes through. Sycamore fig trees line the river banks where they can find water. The grass in the Lower Sabie is sweet, since it grows on basalt soils. This means that it is an instant fast-food heaven for grazing species, such as the Zebra, and many plain antelope.
In the trees, the birds hold secret communion above the heads of humans and animals. Find starlings, sunbirds, weavers, woodpeckers and hornbills in the Lower Sabie. Sunset Dam is the local theme park for many birds, with water to wash in and drink, plants to eat, it forms a haven of small and large birds. Merge yourself with the bush and bring out the binoculars. Observe as a kingfisher does a broad sweep, skimming the surface of the lake and emerging with a small fish clenched between its powerful talons. Other birds that you might observe at Sunset Dam include cormorants, herons, and storks. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see Marabou, Saddle-billed, Wooly-necked, Yellow-billed and Black Stork and African Open-bill. The Sabie river is one of the only perennial (all year round) rivers in the Kruger National Park, meaning that there is an uninterrupted flow of animals throughout the year. The Lebombo Mountains in the distance beyond provides the backdrop for this spectacular part of the Kruger National Park.
