So what is the 'secret' behind Sabi Sand's success story? For this one has to have a closer look at the reserve's history. Many of the land surface of what now is the Sabi Sands Game Reserve used to be agricultural land. As cattle farms occurred in the area, a reliable source of water was needed on the farms. To provide this water, many boreholes were drilled, providing a steady supply of water. After the establishment of Sabi Sands as a game reserve, these waterholes and dams were kept intact and still function as a water source. It is now not cattle that drink from this water, but the many wild animals in the game reserve. As the waterholes provide an abundance of water throughout the year (and seasonal influences are not much of a factor) Sabi Sands proves to be a very popular place for large herds of animals. This to the enjoyment of travellers and large predators alike. The original Sabie Reserve was already proclaimed in 1898. It turned out to be the forerunner of the massive Kruger National Park. Many of the original landowners were excised from the area when in 1926 the National Parks Act was passed. In turn, the former land owners created the Sabi Private Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in 1934. Of these pioneering land owners, six families still own land in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, they are now third and fourth generation owners. In 1948 the landowners formally formed what now is the Sabi Sand Reserve.