Sausage Tree Safari Camp

“Our first safari exceeded all expectations”

This was our first safari, I had seen footage of convoys of vehicles gathered round a single lion so had low expectations. Sausage tree exceeded any expectations on the animal front and the hospitality front. There were only 8 of us at camp so we could all travel in one vehicle with two amazing g… more

This was our first safari, I had seen footage of convoys of vehicles gathered round a single lion so had low expectations. Sausage tree exceeded any expectations on the animal front and the hospitality front. There were only 8 of us at camp so we could all travel in one vehicle with two amazing guides and drivers, Polite and Themba who had worked together for years and communicated so well together and with us. We saw so many animals, the big 5 for what that’s worth but everything else too. All the lodges at this reserve agree too limit 2 vehicles per sighting and politely wait so usually we were the only vehicle at the sighting. Also the vehicles drive off road so get very close to the animals and make for a fun ride too. Overall we couldn’t have asked for a better safari experience. On the hospitality side all the staff are so welcoming and have worked together for years so are like a big happy family, working together but laughing and having fun together too. The food is amazing and at dinner two staff members join the guests at dinner each night to chat,joke and answer any questions. The food and chef were wonderful. It is a testament to James the owner that many staff were helped to train and qualify on the job and have stayed for so long. The rooms were very comfortable and overlooked the waterhole where we watched elephants and giraffes walking past our room. What more to add? We will be recommending this to all our friends who would like to try a safari.

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“Incredible safari, unmatched hospitality and wonderful food!”

We spent four unforgettable nights at Sausage Tree Safari Camp celebrating my birthday, and from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, it felt nothing short of magical. Arriving with no real expectations, we were completely blown away; it surpassed anything we could have imagined, making it … more

We spent four unforgettable nights at Sausage Tree Safari Camp celebrating my birthday, and from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, it felt nothing short of magical. Arriving with no real expectations, we were completely blown away; it surpassed anything we could have imagined, making it genuinely difficult to leave. We were welcomed so warmly by Thandi, Karinne and Nelly, whose effortless hospitality set the tone for the entire stay. They made us feel instantly at home, anticipating every need with such ease and care. On our first day, we were incredibly fortunate to be the only guests, which meant what felt like two entirely private game drives—an experience that felt both rare and deeply special. Polite, our tracker, and Themba, our driver, were exceptional in every sense. Their depth of knowledge, calm confidence and clear passion for the bush elevated each drive into something truly memorable. Remarkably, on our very first game drive, we saw four of the Big Five—an unforgettable introduction. At all times, we felt completely at ease, and their commitment to creating a meaningful, personalised experience was evident in every detail. No question was ever too small, and by the end of our stay, they felt far more like friends than guides. It was also a pleasure to spend time with James, one of the co-owners, who joined us for breakfast each morning and for dinner on our final evening. His warmth, generosity and evident pride in the camp are woven into the experience—it’s clear this is a place created with genuine care and intention. The level of hospitality at Sausage Tree Safari Camp is truly exceptional. There is a quiet attentiveness to everything, delivered with such authenticity and generosity that nothing ever feels like an effort, only a pleasure. A special mention must go to Phitso, the chef, who is a true talent. Each meal was beautifully considered and consistently delicious, and on my birthday, I was surprised with the most incredible chocolate cake, an unforgettable and thoughtful touch. Sausage Tree Safari Camp is something truly special, an experience that stays with you long after you leave. We are already looking forward to returning.

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“Sausage Tree Eclipses the more expensive camps for utter joy and vibe!”

The best experiences we had of three camps we travelled by far was Sausage Tree Camp in Oliphant. Great food, great animal experiences ---but the key by far was the people and the vibe. Want to feel happy? Come to Sausage Tree! Sausage Tree's owner James has a gift for recruiting and nurturing t… more

The best experiences we had of three camps we travelled by far was Sausage Tree Camp in Oliphant. Great food, great animal experiences ---but the key by far was the people and the vibe. Want to feel happy? Come to Sausage Tree! Sausage Tree's owner James has a gift for recruiting and nurturing the coolest staff and crew. This is specially so of the two guides, Themba, and tracker, Polite. Themba and Polite are great pals, and hilarious to be around, as well as super high functioning communicators and guides. They make everyone feel included and in on the joke. Laughter and delight was the mark of our experience at this camp. Animal experience can be hit an miss, but we had some AMAZING animal experiences at Sausage Tree, including my mother being touched all over her head by a curious elephant who was passing by. All managed very calmly ands safely by the guides. Sausage Tree offers a richer, more personal experience. You feel like you are with friends on an adventure. The camp is more intimate /smaller than the bigger, sprawling luxury camps -- It may perhaps be a little more rustic - but only barely --- and its smaller size is a feature not a bug. One feels more embedded in the bush, not just observing it. Despite this, Sausage Tree is still very comfortable, with aircon in the tents, and in many ways feels a more authentic kind of camp. James is currently upgrading older tents with more luxury, including sliding glass doors, rather than zips and a a small gym.  Their chef and the food is fantastic. The mango frappes were to die for. Sausage Tree has some other specialties, too, that makes it unique. Sundowners were held at places with spectacular 360 views --- absolute knock out scenery and perspective which we didn't see , for instance, in Timbavarti or Makallali. Themba stopped the 4wheel drive a few times and turned off the lights so we could see the specatcle of the milky way above. No other camp did this for us. And Sausage Tree offers a 'Sound Safari' which, though expensive, was extraordinary. Imagine high end audio headphones in the bush, where you can hear every detail of herds of impala or wild dogs grunting and yapping to each other on a hunt trail. This is an extremely heightened and visceral experience of the bush, lead by and expert Nick who is a fantastic passionate advocate for the animal sounds of this landscape. Its and incredible experience that will spoil you for ordinary safaris. - just note that it has an over all cost, but if you can convince up to 6 people to do this safari, the cost is greatly minimised for a group, and well worth the experience. For its price point, the experiences and camaraderie of Sausage tree is, in my opinion, unbeatable. Congratulations to James and the team for creating such a brilliant experience. We will be back!

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“A very special place…”

We had a fabulous stay at this amazing property for three nights and days. The whole experience was wonderful- luxury tent, bush drives, food and staff. We saw all of the animals that we hoped to see plus some that were unexpected bonuses. The staff could not have been more helpful or kind. The fo… more

We had a fabulous stay at this amazing property for three nights and days. The whole experience was wonderful- luxury tent, bush drives, food and staff. We saw all of the animals that we hoped to see plus some that were unexpected bonuses. The staff could not have been more helpful or kind. The food was fabulous with between meal treats served. We really hope to return one day. Thank you to everyone for a memorable trip.

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