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Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, spanning 13,500 hectares in the Sabi Sands, is known for its rich wildlife and exceptional Big Five sightings. The reserve offers off-road game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, led by experienced rangers and trackers. These drives provide close-up encounters with animals and excellent photographic opportunities. Sightings are limited to two vehicles at a time, ensuring a quiet and personal safari experience. The Mabrak River, a prominent feature of the reserve, attracts a variety of wildlife, enhancing the game-viewing experience.
Owned by Sir Richard Branson and part of the Virgin Limited Edition, Ulusaba offers three luxury lodges: Safari Lodge, Rock Lodge, and Cliff Lodge. Each lodge blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings while providing world-class comfort. Rock Lodge and Cliff Lodge are family-friendly, welcoming children of all ages and offering a ‘cub program’ filled with educational and entertaining activities. Safari Lodge, set along the dry Mabrak River, accepts children over the age of 12 and offers a unique treehouse-style design, immersing guests in the surrounding wilderness.
Ulusaba is renowned for its frequent leopard sightings, considered among the best in the region. Guests can also enjoy exceptional outdoor dining experiences, including scenic bush dinners under the stars. With a focus on privacy, luxury, and extraordinary wildlife encounters, Ulusaba offers an unforgettable safari adventure in the heart of South Africa.
Wildlife:
- High concentration of Big 5 with large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as large lion prides.
- Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, African wild dog, hyaena, warthog and many other cat and antelope species.
- Large antelope herds support the populations of predators in the reserve.
- Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the region. Many can be seen in the reserve.
Game Drives:
- Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
- Game drives are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
- Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
- Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
- Night drives and guided bush walk are permitted
- 6-seater vehicles.
Highlights:
- 13 500 hectares in size.
- Three luxury lodges offer age restricted accommodation as well as family friendly options.
- Unique treehouse sleepout.
- Owned by Sir Richard Branson and part of the Virgin Limited Addition.
- Mabrak River is a prominent landmark attracting a variety of wildlife.
- Exceptional outdoor dining experiences.
- Exciting Big-5 game drives with game rangers and trackers.
- Renowned for some of the best leopard sightings in the country.
Location:
- Ulusaba is located in the western edge of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares unfenced borders with the Ulusaba, Savanna, Inyati and Dulini game reserves.
- Sabi Sands lies in South Africa’s far north-eastern corner in the Mpumalanga province. The private reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park.
Getting There:
- Ulusaba private airstrip is the closet airstrip, two daily chartered flights from Johannesburg are operated by Federal Airlines.
- Skukuza (SKU) is the closet commercial airport to Ulusaba, daily flights operate from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Flight time from Johannesburg to Skukuza or Ulusaba private airstrip: 60 minutes
- Flight time from Cape Town to Skukuza: 2 hours 30 minutess
- Road transfers from Skukuza to Ulusaba take 60 minutes and are arranged in open 4×4 safari vehicles.
Special offers:
- Enjoy one free night with our PAY 3 STAY 4 offer.
- South African resident rates are bookable 30 days prior to arrival date only.
- Special offers are valid 07 Jan – 31 May & 01 Nov – 19 Dec.
Packages:
- For extended safari holiday packages, we have a selection of exceptional properties in Cape Town and surrounding areas.
- Designed by our on-trend team of travel experts our packages include internal flights, transfers, accommodation and more.
- Expect efficient and knowledgable, one-on-one planning assistance to create your dream itinerary.
Accommodation:
- Ulusaba features three luxury lodges, each strategically positioned to offer a unique experience.
- Each camp provides a unique experience with specific age restrictions.
- For further lodge details, select an option below.
Ulusaba Rock Lodge
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
From R 16,000 per person, per night
Includes 2 daily game drives, meals, beverages…
Ulusaba Safari Lodge, with its unique treehouse-style design, is nestled beneath ancient trees along the dry Mabrak Riverbed. It features 11 diverse rooms and is renowned for wildlife visits
All ages are welcome
Ulusaba Safari Lodge
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
From R 16,000 per person, per night
Includes 2 daily game drives, meals, beverages…
Perched on a hilltop, Ulusaba Rock Lodge offers panoramic views of the pristine wilderness. With African-inspired décor, it features 8 unique rooms and suites overlooking the reserve.
Ages 12 years and older
Ulusaba Cliff Lodge
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
From R 29,500 per person, per night
Includes 2 daily game drives, meals, beverages…
Ulusaba Cliff Lodge offers an intimate and personalised safari experience with two luxurious suites, breathtaking views over the Sabi Sands, and an exclusive-use option.
Ages 6 years and older
Unquire at Ulusaba Game Reserve
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