Exploring a South African Lodge Powered Entirely by Solar Energy (Including Electric Land Cruisers)

The Dinogo Perspective

Established in 2018 within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve—South Africa's oldest private reserve, renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing—Cheetah Plains boasts ultra-luxurious lodgings, attentive service, and a strong focus on sustainability. A standout feature is its fleet of electric Land Cruisers, designed for quiet and unobtrusive wildlife encounters, allowing close observation of over 500 bird species, 110 reptile species, and 145 animal species inhabiting the area. These vehicles are outfitted with heated bucket seats, USB ports, and removable roofs for a smoother ride. Accommodations include three exclusive-use villas, each with dedicated guides and vehicles.

Who Is It For?

The self-contained villas, each with their own guides and staff, make Cheetah Plains perfect for an ultra-private getaway. These villas are especially suited for groups, including adventurous families with children, as there are no minimum age restrictions for younger guests.

The Setting

Sabi Sands, the home of Cheetah Plains, is a private reserve sharing a 31-mile unfenced border with Kruger National Park, renowned as one of the premier wildlife-viewing destinations globally. This area boasts incredible biodiversity, with sightings of elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, baboons, and antelope almost guaranteed. You'll encounter these majestic creatures amid the stunning granite hills, rolling grasslands, shaded groves of bushwillows and sycamore fig trees, and by the numerous rivers that meander through this arid landscape.

Kruger is among the busiest national parks in Africa, meaning that spotting a pride of lions may often come with a few other vehicles in tow. However, the charm of a private reserve like Sabi Sands lies in its exclusivity—only vehicles from the approximately two dozen lodges within this 160,000-acre area, including Cheetah Plains, can access it, ensuring a more intimate experience. Sabi Sands is particularly famous for its stunning leopard sightings, supported by a higher population density of these elusive big cats.

To reach Cheetah Plains, travelers must fly from Johannesburg. They can land at Arathusa Airstrip, just 20 minutes away from the lodge, or at Hoedspruit Airport, which is about a two-hour drive, where they will be met for pickup.

The Accommodations

The villas, named after renowned lions and leopards that once inhabited the region (Mvulua, Karula, and Mapogo), each accommodate up to eight guests. Each villa includes two interconnected suites, making them ideal for families traveling with children.

Every suite is furnished with a king-size bed (complete with a mosquito net that can be closed at the push of a button), a lounge area with a free-standing fireplace, a complimentary minibar, a coffee station, and a private deck featuring a daybed. Additionally, there's a spacious walk-through wardrobe that leads to a luxurious bathroom equipped with dual sinks, two rainfall showers, and a soaking tub positioned before floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors for an open-air bathing experience (during one of my baths, I enjoyed the sight of a herd of kudu grazing just a few feet away). Guests receive monogrammed pillowcases as departure gifts, and iPhones preloaded with birdwatching, animal tracking, and astronomy apps are provided to enhance the experience.

Each villa features its own main house, which includes two lounge areas, both indoor and outdoor dining spaces, a wine cellar, and a deck complete with a heated swimming pool. The open floor plan and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows provide excellent opportunities to observe any wildlife passing by the lodge. During our stay in the Mapogo villa, we were visited by a group of hippos that gathered at a watering hole just beyond our pool.

The property showcases large-scale photographs and artworks from both emerging and established South African artists, including Loyiso Mkize and Connor Mccreedy. Outside, you can find abstract bronze sculptures of wild dogs by artist Gail Catlin on display.

Culinary Experience

With a team of private chefs assigned to each villa, guests have the freedom to dine whenever they desire. Dinner options can range from elaborate multi-course tasting menus served in the formal dining room to a traditional South African braai (barbecue) enjoyed in an open-air dining space, where guests gather around the fire beneath the stars.

One morning, while on a game drive, we rounded a bend near a cluster of acacia trees and stumbled upon a lavish bushveld breakfast spread. It featured smoked salmon, assorted cheeses, tropical fruits, warm croissants, parfaits, and eggs cooked to order on a portable grill. They had even set up a bar offering mimosas and coffee infused with Amarula, a local cream liqueur made from marula fruit.

The stay includes a variety of locally sourced wines, spirits, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks. A sommelier is available to curate wine pairings—or even organize South African gin tastings—for every meal.

Team and Service

Each villa is supported by a dedicated team that includes chefs, servers, bartenders, room attendants, a masseuse, and a host. The staff excels at ensuring guests feel indulged, whether by setting out pastries before an early morning game drive or providing refreshing towels upon return. The guides and trackers are highly skilled at spotting wildlife, even in dense vegetation, tracking days-old paw prints in the dirt, and sharing insights about the local flora and fauna.

Accessibility

All rooms are located on the ground floor, ensuring there are no steps throughout the property. The open layout facilitates easy movement; however, entering and exiting the sDinogoi vehicles may pose a challenge for individuals with mobility difficulties.

Sustainability

Cheetah Plains operates entirely on renewable energy. The lodge's solar plant, equipped with over 1,000 panels, powers everything from air conditioning and lighting to electric fencing, leading to a reduction of approximately 530 tons of carbon emissions each year. The electric Toyota Land Cruiser sDinogoi vehicles, fitted with Tesla batteries, are a unique feature in Africa.