A sophisticated, innovative eco-luxe safari experience for the modern age, the private Plains Houses provide a sensual backdrop to your private safari experience. The imaginative, honest architecture is complemented by restful interiors that invite the outside in.  The muted palette of the interior design imbued with warm, natural elements is enhanced with handpicked decor pieces by notable African artisans. Perfect for an exclusive family safari or a party of friends the luxurious, private Plains Houses accommodate a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 guests per house.

The location and unique appointment of each Plains House is a beautiful rendering of its environment. Each house essentially takes the same form comprising two parts: the shared space and the accommodation.  Here, your exclusive safari hideaway provides you and your party a private bush retreat unlike any other. The shared space houses an expansive formal lounge, living room, sun deck, lap pool, loggia, fine wine gallery and dining room.

Adjacent, the accommodation comprises four graciously appointed free-standing Private Suites, two of which inter-lead. A dedicated hospitality team consists of your intuitive, accomplished host, private chef, field guide and tracker. They are allocated to your Plains House for the duration of your stay. Together, they deliver a safari experience tailored to you and your party’s individual preferences.

Delicious meals and snacks made to exacting standards are prepared by your talented private chef. Personal wellness is in the hands of your dedicated wellness therapist. An immersive connection with nature is facilitated by the expert field guide and tracker team at your service.

Each Plains House hosts a fine wine gallery comprising a purely South African wine selection curated to reflect Japie’s favourite estates and varietals.  Only wines of the most discerning quality are stocked in your wine gallery.

Peruse our wine book to get a taste for the treasures within. Your host will readily recommend a wine to pair with your beautiful meal. Explore the wonders of our new world wines by embarking on a wine tasting hosted by our on-property Sommelier (available upon request).

Our accomplished culinary team delivers imaginative, soulful meals that, when paired with our characteristic wines, resulting in an elevated dining experience you will savour. Your dining expectations and requirements are an important element of your stay.

We have an ‘open kitchen’ policy; you’re always welcome to pop in and see what is cooking!  If you like, join in the culinary action or just observe while having a relaxed chat with your chef.  Dining al fresco, preferably out in the bush, is always a highlight.  Fresh, locally sourced produce is our preference and supports our farm-to-table vision at Cheetah Plains.

Cheetah Plains facilitates a personal journey of discovery amid an inspired bushveld landscape. Each Plains House has a dedicated hospitality team comprising host, wellness therapist, ranger and tracker. What awaits you is an unforgettable experience, made possible by our unique collective of highly skilled individuals.

The best time of day to explore the bush is early morning and late afternoon. Our twice-daily game drives are led by our best-in-class safari guides and trackers and taken in our prototype Land Cruiser Electric safari vehicles, a game-changing innovation pioneered by Japie van Niekerk, owner of Cheetah Plains. This bold advance toward zero-emission game drives is what drives our sustainability safari experience at Cheetah Plains. An onboard bird book, binoculars and a professional level Nikon D850 camera fitted with a 200-500mm telephoto lens plus memory card are provided for guests’ enjoyment.

Cheetah Plains Private Reserve comprises an exclusive traverse area set aside for our Cheetah Plains guests.  We do, however, explore the greater area which extends many thousands of hectares beyond our location in the pristine north-west corner of the vast Sabi Sand Game Reserve.  Our particular area is revered for its prime game viewing, most especially the iconic species known as the ‘Big Five’.

We share our fenceless border to the east with the vast, world famous Kruger National Park and our southern border with the esteemed Mala Mala Game Reserve.  Cheetah Plains’ prime location within the inimitable Sabi Sands delivers a prolific, sustainable safari experience facilitated by the natural movement of wildlife over this vast land, fiercely protected under conservation.