Sibuya Game Reserve

Forest Camp

Perfectly situated on the banks of the Kariega River, but tucked unobtrusively away into the vegetation. Adopting a low impact model, Forest Camp’s accommodation is built on expansive, slightly raised wooden decks and has long wooden walkways through pristine thicket which allow elderly and disabled guests to move around with ease. Sibuya offers true luxury tented accommodation: each tent measures 40 square meters (450 square feet), is adjoined by a large en-suite bathroom, accommodates two adults sharing in top-of-the-range king or twin beds, and sits under an all-weather roof. Wide decks offer views of the river or forest. Cot or camp beds are available for children sharing with adults.

River Camp

The smaller, more intimate River Camp has four tents, ideal for families with children, or for sole-use specialist groups. The luxury tents measure 75 square meters (800 square feet), are adjoined by an en-suite bathroom and accommodate two adults sharing in top-of-the-range king or twin beds, and sits under an all-weather roof. Decks offer views of the river or forest. Cot or camp beds are available for children sharing with adults.

Bush Lodge

Sibuya’s Bush Lodge is set in a pristine wilderness paradise only minutes from the main reserve. After departing from Kenton and enjoying our unique boat cruise up the Kariega Estuary, Bush Lodge guests enjoy lunch in the Reserve before a short transfer by game vehicle takes them to the Lodge.

Perfectly situated on the banks of the Kariega River, but tucked unobtrusively away into the vegetation. Adopting a low impact model, Forest Camp’s accommodation is built on expansive, slightly raised wooden decks and has long wooden walkways through pristine thicket which allow elderly and disabled guests to move around with ease. Sibuya offers true luxury tented accommodation: each tent measures 40 square meters (450 square feet), is adjoined by a large en-suite bathroom, accommodates two adults sharing in top-of-the-range king or twin beds, and sits under an all-weather roof. Wide decks offer views of the river or forest. Cot or camp beds are available for children sharing with adults.

At Sibuya, the camp and hospitality staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and will go out of their way to ensure a memorable stay for their guests. Sibuya’s guests are hosted and guided by a team of experienced professionals. Their love of the environment and their enthusiasm for their work is infectious, and guests will find them to be not only knowledgeable guides but also gracious hosts.

The smaller, more intimate River Camp has four tents, ideal for families with children, or for sole-use specialist groups. The luxury tents measure 25 square meters (300 square feet), are adjoined by an en-suite bathroom and accommodate two adults sharing in top-of-the-range king or twin beds, and sits under an all-weather roof. Decks offer views of the river or forest. Cot or camp beds are available for children sharing with adults.

Part of the purpose of a getaway is to relax! River Camp offers ample opportunity for guests to do this, and few pastimes can be more soporific than lying on a hammock with a book, listening to the birds in the trees.

Sibuya’s creative chef and his capable team take great pride in the preparation and presentation of the cuisine, which has attracted some rave reviews! The dining experience has to be tried to be believed. Good South African wines are served with the meals.

Sibuya’s Bush Lodge is set in a pristine wilderness paradise only minutes from the main reserve. After departing from Kenton and enjoying our unique boat cruise up the Kariega Estuary, Bush Lodge guests enjoy lunch in the Reserve before a short transfer by game vehicle takes them to the Lodge.

This stylish bush destination, which mushrooms from an indigenous forested valley, is a classic thatched 4-Star Lodge built to 5-Star standards with all the luxury and modern amenities to match.

Spacious viewing decks surround the main lodge which overlooks the wooded valley below. A sparkling swimming pool is an inviting alternative to the Kariega River Estuary and is an ideal place to relax and refresh between game drives or other activities.

For those guests wanting a little more luxury and comfort than our tented River and Forest Camps, this is the ideal alternative.

Bush Lodge is only available to adults and children over the age of 12.

Sibuya offers daily trips onto the reserve hosted by a professional guide. A leisurely cruise up the Kariega River is followed by a three hour game drive and a delicious picnic lunch on the banks of the river. A slow cruise back to Kenton-on-Sea as the sun sets is a fitting end to a wonderful experience with nature. Bespoke packages can be arranged for birders, year-end functions and other celebrations.

Boat, Lunch and Bush

• Arrival time at reception in Kenton on Sea 08h30.
• Boat departs from reception at 09h00, leisurely boat cruise to camp.
• 3 Hour game drive.
• A delicious lunch served on the banks of the river.
• Boat transfer back to reception.
• 5 – 6 hour day.

Child Policy

Due to their duration game drive are not suitable for children under the age of 6 years unless a private game drive vehicle is booked at a nominal rate.

The Boat, lunch and bush trips will start at 08h30 throughout the year.

River Cruise and Lunch

• Arrival time at reception in Kenton on Sea 11h30.
• Boat departs from reception at 12h00, leisurely boat cruise to camp.
• A delicious lunch served on the banks of the river.
• Boat transfer back to reception.
• 3 – 4 hour day.

Child Policy

Children of all ages are welcome on this trip.

The River Cruise and lunch trips will start at 11h30 throughout the year.

The most popular activities on Sibuya are the game drives and walks, but many guests also take advantage of the opportunity to try their hand at fishing from the camp jetties. Canoes at the camps are regularly used by guests, keen paddlers and novices alike. Birding and game viewing on horseback is a wonderful way to experience nature at close quarters. Birdsong provides the perfect background sound while enjoying a massage on the deck of one of our luxurious tents. Excursions off the reserve can also be arranged for activities such as golf, horse-riding (on the beach), deep-sea fishing or historical tours of the area.

Bespoke packages can be arranged for birding enthusiasts and nature lovers who would like to learn more about the environment, guiding and tracking skills.

Specialist Bird Guide

We know a birding holiday is not just about where you go, it’s who you go with – our birding safaris are led by Mike Pearson who has been involved with wildlife conservation and birding for over 30 years in various different fields – a lifetime’s experience birding in Southern Africa.

For a birding safari that will exceed your expectations and be highly rewarding – with Mike Pearson as your host and specialist birding guide, we hope to achieve this.

Bird Watching

For the avid birder, few destinations can offer anything close to the very special experience that Sibuya visitors enjoy.

Coastal, riverine, forest, savannah and a huge host of migrant birds add to compile an impressive list that approaches 400 species, and covers such a variety of birds and habitats as to be like visiting three or four destinations at the same time.

Take a boat or canoe up the estuary to search for some of the 6 varieties of local kingfisher. Or head downstream to the beach to see the multitude of waders, terns and gulls. A walk in the pristine thicket forest is the best way to see the shy Narina Trogon and every game drive reveals a host of raptors from the common buzzards to the more rare Bateleur, Crowned or Fish eagles. Night drives are made special by the numbers and varieties of owls and nightjars caught in the spot light.

Sibuya provides an idyllic setting for small intimate weddings of up to 100 people. A total of 27 adults and 8 children can be accommodated on the reserve. Additional guests can choose from several B&Bs in nearby Kenton-on-Sea.

Various packages are available which include floral decorations, table décor, entertainment, table gifts, photographer, local beers, soft drinks, spirits, house wines and Methode Cap Classique, choice of wedding menu’s and special honeymoon turndown.

Thought by some to be one of South Africa’s most breathtakingly beautiful private game reserves, Sibuya offers Big 5 game viewing over very varied terrain and vegetation. From the moderately open river plains, through the pristine lower Albany thicket, there are also patches of Cape fynbos and a windswept, grassy plateau favoured by many of the larger grazing animals. The delightfully scenic Kariega River estuary winds its way through heavily wooded thickets on steep slopes before opening out onto wide, grassy flats and sandbanks just upstream of the river’s mouth into the Indian Ocean.

Game viewing is consistently good, with frequent sightings of the Big 5, as well as zebra and giraffe at close quarters. Antelope range from the mighty eland to the diminutive blue duiker, with a huge variety in between, including the rare oribi and bontebok. Jackals are seen regularly, and there have been occasional sightings of caracals and aardvark. Due to Sibuya’s high carrying capacity, one is assured of an intensive and varied game-viewing experience in spectacular surroundings.

Sibuya Game Reserve Animal Overview

Thought by some to be one of South Africa’s most breathtakingly beautiful private game reserves, Sibuya offers Big 5 game viewing over very varied terrain and vegetation. Game viewing is consistently good, with frequent sightings of the Big 5, as well as zebra and giraffe at close quarters. Due to Sibuya’s high carrying capacity, one is assured of an intensive and varied game-viewing experience in spectacular surroundings.