Sir Richard Branson’s lodge in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Reserve has privileged hilltop and riverside locations and on-tap Big Five game viewing.
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Sunset over the savannah from hilltop Rock Lodge; game viewing at riverside Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge’s secluded Treehouse Suite, which has an expansive observation deck overlooking the Xikwenga Dam, often frequented by herds of elephants and bathing hippos
The two new suites and dedicated staff at Cliff Lodge, available for exclusive rent
Review
At the western edge of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the thatch peaks of Ulusaba’s Rock Lodge can be seen at the summit of a koppie, the small hill (specifically in an area of flat land) that gives this original lodge its unmatched views of the bush and Drakensburg Mountains. Ulusaba or ‘place of little fear’ derives from the language of the ancient Shangaan warriors that once occupied the land. The elevation of the koppie provided them the optimal lookout point and advantage in battle. Less than half a mile away down the steep hillside, Safari Lodge immerses you in bush life with a series of standalone suites connected by rope bridges that would make Indiana Jones proud. Most guests choose to spend time at both lodges.
Part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection, which includes Necker Island and Morocco’s Kasbah Tamadot, Ulusaba’s sibling retreats are unique but complementary in design, with rich colors and dark woods enhanced by lighter shades and contemporary accents. All 21 suites mix modern comforts (including AC and WiFi) with traditional African design, from the mosquito-netted four-poster beds and egg shaped tubs to animal skin rugs and pitched thatch ceilings, and all show off their uniformly breathtaking views—the lowveld, open savannah, dry river bed, watering hole, towering Drakensburg Mountains and more—from furnished outdoor decks.
On the dining front, Ulusaba’s chefs are as inventive with the pan-African dishes as with the unforgettable dining locations: breakfast under acacia trees in the bush, candlelit dinners along the dry riverbed, special occasions celebrated on your own private deck or in the wine cellar and just about anywhere else you can think to request.
Of course, the highlight of any stay here is the exceptionally diverse game viewing, including all of the Big Five and frequent sightings of rare wild dogs. Kids up to the age of the 11 can join the lodge’s Cub’s Club and have their own safari in the care of expert guides and in-house babysitters, giving parents time to enjoy the upscale Aroma Boma spa, gym or simply time to watch the spectacular African sunset from Rock Lodge’s cliffside decks.
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