The expansion of the Sabi Sabi Collection is imminent, with the opening of The Claremont Hotel in Cape Town on 1 October to be followed by the June 2026 launch of Sandringham Private Game Reserve.
Speaking to media in Sydney earlier this month, Marketing Director Jaques Smit shared the latest updates on the two newcomers. “We’ve taken the Sabi Sabi recipe, and we are moving it into other parts of South Africa,” he said.
Dating back to 1928, the Claremont Hotel, formerly the Andros Boutique Hotel, is located in the suburb of Claremont, beneath the slopes of Table Mountain and near the renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Just 20 minutes from the city centre and airport, it is surrounded by eight of South Africa’s oldest wine farms.
Designed by South Africa’s first registered female architect, Magdalena Gertruide “Magda” Sauer, the property will celebrate its heritage through architecture, food, and wine.
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“Every meal and every dish tells a story,” Smit explained. Seasonal, sustainable ingredients will be sourced from local farmers, and unlabelled boutique wines selected in collaboration with the region’s winemakers. The hotel will offer guests the same warmth and hospitality they experience at Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, he added, making it a perfect addition to a safari circuit.
Meanwhile, the idea for Sandringham was first conceived during the pandemic when the team “stumbled upon” a derelict hunting reserve that had been uninhabited for around 15 years, Smit shared. “We fell in love with the potential,” he said.
A four-year rehabilitation process followed, which focused on restoring the land’s ecological integrity. ‘Wildlife have reacted to us in a positive manner.”
Located northwest of Sabi Sabi in the Limpopo Province, Sandringham boasts a distinct character, shaped by its abundant water sources. “You’re always going to have water activities – giraffes drinking, hippos, African fish eagles,” Smit said.
While guests will still encounter the same animal species as they may find at Sabi Sabi, the environment provides a different perspective. “Animals do react differently when there’s a lot of water around,” he said.The new lodge will feature six luxury suites overlooking a lake and two family villas, with each suite equipped with a private stargazing sleep-out deck.
Its architecture reflects a strong sense of place, with Smit referring to its “beautiful woodwork, lovely stonework, authentic, very African, very neutral interiors”. The design prioritises open spaces, local materials and integration with the surrounding landscape.
The region’s transformation from a former hunting reserve into a sanctuary highlights the core values of the brand. “Empathy towards environment” is fundamental, with every vehicle and activity designed to ensure that wildlife “never associate our presence with stress.”
Smit shared that the reserve already supports a “very relaxed” elephant population, with new cubs and species like leopard, cheetah, and wild dogs making regular appearances.
