About Sausage Tree Safari Camp

A Private, Family-Owned Big 5 Safari Camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve

Welcome to Sausage Tree Safari Camp, a small, intimate, family-owned and run safari camp in the heart of the Olifants West Nature Reserve, near Hoedspruit, Limpopo.

Sausage Tree was founded in 2012 by James and Sonja Carne, who built the camp from the ground up on a quiet corner of the Olifants West Nature Reserve. In 2017, Deon and Tamara van der Ploeg joined the partnership, and the two families have run the camp together ever since. That is still how it works today — the owners are here, hands-on, and you will meet them.

With just five luxury safari tents, we offer an intimate escape where you can relax in comfort while remaining completely immersed in the sights and sounds of the African bush.

Your Safari Home

Our three Superior Safari Tents and two spacious Luxury Tented Suites combine the romance of tented bush living with all the comforts you need, including air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with baths and outdoor showers, and private decks overlooking the surrounding wilderness.

Between game drives, relax beside the pool, enjoy a spa treatment, or simply sit quietly and watch the wildlife visiting our waterhole, with the Drakensberg mountains forming a spectacular backdrop.

For families, we offer thoughtful touches including board games, nature walks around camp and a swimming pool for cooling off.

The People You will Meet

A small camp means the people are the experience. Most of our team have been here for years rather than seasons, and several since the camp opened.

The Owners

James brings a professional knowledge of the eco-environment that runs from the largest mammals to the smallest insects, and he is an excellent field guide for this area — patient with birdwatchers, and fluent in French with competent Spanish and Portuguese. Sonja has been involved in the safari industry around Hoedspruit for many years. Her talents in the kitchen and her dedication to guest comfort shape how the camp feels, she trains the lodge team, and her eye for décor created the eclectic, elegant style that blends African modern with traditional. She is also a competent Dutch speaker.

Guiding and Tracking

Themba, Polite and Life have many years of tracking between them, the majority of it on this reserve. They know every rock, bush and tree. They take turns guiding and tracking for one another, and their knowledge is first-hand rather than learned from a book — everything from the smallest insect to the behaviour of the largest mammals, and the trees and plants around you with their medicinal and traditional uses.

Themba and Polite are former Olifants West Nature Reserve trackers who are now fully qualified Nature Guides, and they lead our Track & Sign experience. JC has twenty years in and around the Olifants West Nature Reserve, and speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

In Camp

Karrine is part of our front-of-house team and, like Kabelo in the kitchen, is a graduate of Daktari Bush School — the conservation-education programme we have supported since the camp opened. In the kitchen, Pitso has been with us since day one — one of our three original staff members — and has grown from no previous cooking experience into the heart of our kitchen, with Kabelo alongside him.

The Safari

Our experienced guides and trackers are passionate about the bush and love sharing their knowledge. They’ll not only find you incredible wildlife sightings, but bring them to life with fascinating stories, facts and a genuine respect for nature.

Our newly upgraded game viewers are equipped with camera mounts, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, entry and exit lighting and an easy-access step. A private game viewer is also available at an additional cost.

Food is Part of the Experience

Good food is a big part of life at Sausage Tree.

Our talented kitchen team serves delicious, home-cooked meals, with special dietary requirements happily catered for. From lantern-lit dinners in the boma to breakfasts overlooking the waterhole, dining here is relaxed, generous and very much part of the safari experience.

Pitso, one of our three original staff members, has grown from having no previous cooking experience into the passionate and talented cook he is today, under Sonja’s guidance and with additional training. Kabelo, a graduate of Daktari Bush School — inspiring youth to protect nature and shape their future, has followed in his footsteps and is developing her own skills in the kitchen.

And then there are our famous homemade rusks, muffins, breads, cakes and cookies — because no safari day should begin without something delicious alongside your first cup of coffee!

Special Moments

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or simply want to make your stay extra special, we can arrange thoughtful touches including sparkling wine, a romantic turndown and a private dinner for two beneath the African stars.

Beyond the Camp

We can also arrange a variety of local experiences around Hoedspruit, including private guided day trips to the famous Kruger National Park. For those who prefer to stay close to camp, we offer activities such as our Track & Sign course and relaxing spa treatments.

Come and Experience Our Africa

Sausage Tree Safari Camp is more than somewhere to stay. It is a place to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience the magic of the African bush in a relaxed and personal setting.

Five tents. Two families. One very special piece of Africa.

We look forward to welcoming you.