Rhino Sands Safari Camp - Review

Rhino Sands Safari Camp is a dreamy, intimate, luxury tented camp that guests can’t help but swoon over as they experience the tranquillity and connection to the wilderness of KwaZulu Natal that it offers. It is as romantic as it comes, but also boasts some unique aspects that creates an atmosphere that, in our opinion, is hard to beat. This has propelled it to being our favourite little camp in KZN and one of our favourites in the whole of South Africa. Read on to find out what it is that makes Rhino Sands so very special.

Location & Setting

Located in Manyoni Private Game Reserve, Rhino Sands sits quietly in the most picturesque forest and riverine setting that is teaming with wildlife and birdlife. The river was still in flow when we visited in June this year (2025) and both lions and elephants had been spotted down by the river the week before we arrived. But it is the ever-present camp visitor the nyala that you will see all day every day as they go about their business in the forest around you.

As you walk in you will be able to see the main area in its entirety but your eyes will probably be drawn to the exquisite boma to the left with the camps iconic red, East-African-style blankets draped over the camp chairs. This stunning signature look and design is carried throughout the lodge and is one of the most stunning we’ve seen. The location in the South of the reserve is also teaming with wildlife as well as gorgeous riverine settings.

One slight issue may be the proximity to the N2 highway that can sometimes be heard from camp, although some guests may not even notice this.

Everything is open air at Rhino Sands and whether it’s raining, sunny, hot or cold guests are made to feel very comfortable yet always connected to the wilderness around them. This connection doesn’t just happen by chance though, and we think we’ve figured out how they have created this in bounds at Rhino Sands…

More than Eco-conscious

What’s better than luxury in the bush? Guilt free luxury in the bush! Rhino Sands has found the perfect balance between offering guests a luxurious and very comfortable safari experience whilst being a very eco-friendly and low impact camp. In fact, the camp was built around the vegetation instead of over it, and not a single tree was cut down or removed for the camp to exist, something the owners and staff are very proud of. The whole camp runs off solar power and boasts enough power to now offer heated blankets to guests for those chilly winter nights, a much-welcomed addition as both times we have visited has been in winter. The magic of Rhino Sands stems from this low impact approach where the lodge has been carefully integrated into the natural environment, and with the absence of walls or anything to block guests off from the outside, you’re able to feel that much more connected to the wilderness around you. It’s a special feeling and one that isn’t easily replicated.

Wildlife & Conservation

What’s unique about KwaZulu Natal and most of our reserves here is that they offer outstanding rhino (both black and white) and cheetah sightings. This is in contrast to the Greater Kruger where these species can oftentimes be hard to spot. In Manyoni in particular the lion population is also very healthy, and leopard sightings are improving steadily.

Manyoni was initially established as a site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and later led to the creation of a larger protected area by merging 17 private owned farms. Today there are wonderful conservation activities guests’ can experience during their safari such as rhino horn trimming, pangolin conservation, priority species tracking, and K-9 Unit training.

The reserve is 23 000 hectares and is fenced in which is sometimes experienced safari goers’ biggest gripe about KZN when compared to the Greater Kruger’s vastness of over 2 million hectares. There are very ambitious plans, however, in KZN to expand all the private reserves and wilderness area so we can only hope that these areas will become much larger in future. Still at this size your experience is still going to feel “wild” as they are able to traverse about 18 000 hectares of the reserve which is a massive area. And game drives do tend to be quite action packed with the wildlife being a bit easier to find. The landscape is also varied in Manyoni, with riverine habitats, open plains, bushveld and even some hilly areas. Sunrises and sunsets are dramatic here and your sundowner stop, often perched on a hilltop, will certainly take your breath away. And this was precisely the case for us when a curious cheetah decided to join us for our drinks break by surprising us on foot just as it was getting dark. Needless to say, it gave us quite a fright – especially after we’d just followed a lioness down to a riverbed. In the fading light, we could only make out the shape of our unexpected visitor, and instinctively assumed it was her returning. It was only after we had hurriedly hopped into the vehicle and shone the spotlight on it that we realised it was just a non-threatening cheetah that had given us one of our most exciting experiences yet!

Luxury Canvas Suites

Probably the most private of any suites we’ve seen, an elevated boardwalk winds its way from the main area to each of the stylish tents boasting almost all the bells and whistles that you’d expect from a luxury lodge, and probably wouldn’t expect from an eco-lodge. The heated blankets in the already plush and oh-so-comfortable beds are a very welcomed addition, and we enjoyed a very comfy nights sleep with the front of the tent totally open to the bush barring the mosquito netting. You couldn’t feel more connected to the bush or hear more of the sounds of the wild whilst still feeling like you’re in total luxury and comfort. We LOVE this about the suites at Rhino Sands, and feel like there are not too many other lodges that are able to replicate this feeling.

Each luxury tented suite offers guests a very expansive outdoor shower, indoor shower, bath tub with bush views, private plunge pool, viewing deck, lounge area, minibar, coffee bar, and is styled to perfection. The pools will see more use during the warmer months as they are not heated, but thankfully warm weather is plentiful in KZN province, and for those that enjoy the cold plunge trend then mid-winter will suffice too.  

The suites can get a bit chilly in Winter due to the canvas walls so the dance from the shower/bath to your bed in the evening or morning can be a bit brisk – but that’s all part of the charm of bush living, isn’t it? Even so, if you’re very sensitive to the cold then perhaps consider traveling outside of mid-winter (July/August).

Hospitality

Personalised, professional yet unpretentious is how I’d describe the hospitality at Rhino Sands. You’re immediately made to feel welcome and at home by a warm and friendly greeting, and camp orientation. You’ll feel the stress and tension leave your body as you’re shown around the tranquil camp and realise that you’re in very capable, attentive and kind hands. The staff here are proud and passionate about the special experience that Rhino Sands offers and they’re all invested in the success of the camp and therefore guest happiness. It’s a genuine care that really is felt by each guest and they seem to have mastered the balance between being attentive but not overly so, to give guests privacy when needed and in keeping with the quiet, relaxing atmosphere of the camp.

Food

In keeping with the very personalised hospitality offered at Rhinio Sands, the food is no exception. The chef comes out to chat to guests to fine tune their meal choices and make each dish perfectly suited and absolutely mouthwatering for every person. It’s gourmet, high-end cuisine made from local, fresh ingredients with creativity and passion behind every dish. Expect to be well-fed too as the spread is large and varied (especially breakfast) and portions generous.   

Something Special

The one department where we feel Rhino Sands really shines is the balance they’ve created between being a low-impact, eco-friendly lodge and maintaining a very high level of luxury and comfort. The style and layout of the camp is also a standout feature for us as we love small, intimate camps where guests have lots of privacy and space to relax and enjoy their safari experience in paradise. Nothing beats canvas luxury for us personally as well. And finally, the hospitality is exceptional in how comfortable and relaxed guests are made to feel, and the passion each staff member has for the lodge itself.

Who Does it Suit?

Couples looking for oodles of romance in the bush for a mid-range to high price point would be hard-pressed to find a better option in KZN and South Africa itself.

Groups or large families with kids older than 12 could also book out the camp on an exclusive-use basis with the max occupancy only being 10 guests.

Conclusion

To be honest, if we could place Rhino Sands in a quiet corner of the Sabi Sands it would be hard to imagine or dream up a better lodge for us personally! That said it’s location in Manyoni Private Game Reserve also has much to offer especially in terms of rhino and cheetah sightings and the somewhat dramatic scenery on the reserve. If you’re interested in a safari in KwaZulu Natal then Rhino Sands simply HAS to be on your short list of lodges to visit!

If you’re ready to start planning your safari in South Africa or have any questions about a safari here or the KwaZulu Natal province, then please don’t hesitate to reach out to us:

Email: info@nalaafrica.com

WhatsApp: +27716358491

Check out Rhino Sands Safari Camp for yourself here: https://rhinosands.com/