In a move sure to delight nature lovers, safari enthusiasts, and loyal guests, First Group Hotels and Resorts has officially welcomed Sanbonani Resort Hotel and Spa in Mpumalanga into its growing portfolio of premier South African destinations. First Group Managing Director, Shaun Lamont, says the addition of Sanbonani to its portfolio couldn’t have come at a better time, as it coincides with the approach of Kruger National Park’s prime game-viewing season, from May to September. The cooler, drier winter weather during this period makes wildlife sightings more frequent and truly memorable.
Nestled on the banks of the Sabie and Sand Rivers in Hazyview, Sanbonani Resort Hotel and Spa offers bush lovers the best of both worlds: a front-row seat to nature’s spectacle and the comforts of modern hospitality. “Sanbonani is one of those rare finds that blends effortlessly into the wild, without skimping on comfort or convenience,” says Lamont. “With 50 luxurious hotel rooms and 86 spacious, fully equipped self-catering units, guests are perfectly placed to explore the surrounding wilderness.” And with Kruger’s Phabeni Gate just 10km away, he notes that wildlife sightings – including lions, elephants, and leopards – can happen “sometimes even before your early morning coffee kicks in.”
Built in the late 1980s and affectionately known as the ‘Jewel of the Lowveld,’ Sanbonani has been a cherished holiday destination for generations of South Africans. What began as a small collection of bungalows has grown into a full-scale resort that still honours its roots in the bushveld. With its riverside backdrop, visitors are often treated to views of hippos wallowing and crocodiles basking in the sun, sometimes from the comfort of their chalet deck.
“Sanbonani has built a loyal community of guests over the years, and we want to assure them that the experience they’ve come to know and love will remain intact,” says Lamont. “Our goal is to preserve that heritage while enhancing it with the First Group touch – more value, more experiences, and more magical, lasting memories.”
Among the offerings one can look forward to enjoying are indulgent spa treatments, various outdoor adventures, exciting safaris, and sightseeing tours that showcase Mpumalanga’s cultural and natural treasures – from traditional villages and heritage sites to the Sudwala caves, and the iconic Bourke’s Luck Potholes. For those wanting to capture every second, GoPro cameras – hands-free action cams perfect for the bush – are available to hire, making it easy to relive those once-in-a-lifetime wildlife moments. And for First Group regulars, Sanbonani offers a new kind of escape – one that’s both refreshingly different and reassuringly familiar.
“So, if you’ve yet to discover the charm of the Lowveld or experience the magic of Kruger’s safari season, now’s your chance,” Lamont concludes. “Sanbonani is a destination all on its own. From the moment you pass through the gates, you’ll feel like you are in a whole new world, and we’ll be there to welcome you.”
