About This Property
Ulusaba Safari Lodge is Virgin Limited Edition’s riverbed camp in the western Sabi Sand — Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, whose name means ‘place of little fear’. Go2Africa places it under jackalberry trees on a dry riverbed, with a long suspension bridge over an established elephant wallow and animals walking past on the way to the watering hole. Twice-daily Big 5 game drives, a daily walking safari, an observatory for stargazing and tennis are the published camp rhythm. Children are welcome from 12 years on this lodge; Rock Lodge is the under-12 camp.
Go2Africa still headlines eight rooms. Wetu’s pre-rebuild rack is more precise: ten rooms for a 20-guest exclusive buy-out — one Safari Room, one Safari Suite (they can interconnect), three Elephant Rooms (about 60 m²), four River Rooms (about 100 m², two with plunge pools) and the Treehouse Suite (about 160 m²) a 10–15 minute walk over swing bridges to Xikwenga Dam. Rooms have king beds (twins except in the Treehouse), air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, mini-bar, tea and coffee, decks and en-suite bathrooms; Go2Africa adds ball-and-claw tubs and separate showers on the Safari Rooms.
That lodge closed at the end of January 2026 for a ground-up redesign by Luxury Frontiers. Virgin Limited Edition’s own site, fetched 28 August 2026, says Safari Lodge returns from 5 January 2027 while Rock Lodge is finished, with a full reopen on 1 April 2027 as a 20-suite reserve: eight new Elephant Suites plus The Hide (three suites with a shared living area, deck and boma over the dam) at Safari Lodge, and nine accommodations at Rock Lodge. Every new suite is announced with a private plunge pool. Africology wellness, hydrotherapy and a pickleball court are part of the 2027 plan. Go2Africa’s from-rate remains USD 2,000–2,280 PPS fully inclusive; VLE’s rebuild from-rate is USD 2,200.
This listing keeps the Go2Africa / Wetu room names and the old-lodge photographs, and flags the rebuild in the dates. Confirm which product you are buying before you pay a deposit.
Why We Love It
We like Safari Lodge because it sits in the riverbed, not on the hill. Go2Africa guests who saw both camps said the same thing: Rock Lodge has the view; here the elephants walk past the rooms and use the wallow under the swing bridge. That is the point of this camp.
The old ten-room mix is easy to brief: a Safari Room by the lodge, a Safari Suite with its own plunge pool and garden, three Elephant Rooms on a migration path, four River Rooms (two with pools) in the jackalberries, and a Treehouse over Xikwenga Dam. We would still send honeymooners to the Treehouse and a family of teens to the interconnecting Safari pair — on the pre-rebuild plan, and only from age 12.
The honest 2026 note is the rebuild. Virgin Limited Edition closed both lodges in January, and the photographs here are the lodge that has been taken down. Safari Lodge is due back from 5 January 2027, with eight new Elephant Suites and The Hide over the dam, then a full 20-suite reserve on 1 April. The from-rate on Go2Africa is USD 2,000; VLE’s published rebuild from-rate is USD 2,200. Book the product that will actually be standing on your dates, not the brochure you remember.
Rooms & Details
Safari Room (pre-rebuild, 1 room)
Photographs show Safari Lodge before the 2026–27 ground-up rebuild. One Safari Room sat close to the main lodge and interconnected with the Safari Suite. It had a viewing deck, en-suite bathroom, king bed, mosquito nets, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, a ball-and-claw bathtub and a separate shower.
It could be booked on its own from four months before arrival. Children from 12.
Safari Suite (pre-rebuild, 1 suite)
Next to the main lodge, with its own entrance into a walled garden and boma fire pit. Separate lounge, large viewing deck with plunge pool, outdoor shower and private dining for up to eight, plus an en-suite and a guest bathroom.
A bookshelf door linked it to the Safari Room for up to four guests; the exclusive pairing included a private game-drive vehicle. Mini-bar, tea and coffee, air-conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi matched the other rooms.
Elephant Room (pre-rebuild, 3 rooms)
Three treehouse-style rooms of about 60 m², reached by wooden walkway from the main lodge. Decks looked over an elephant migratory route. King or twins, en-suite, large viewing deck, air-conditioning, fan, mosquito nets, mini-bar, tea and coffee, hairdryer, Africology toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The former lodge sat in Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, a private tract of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve with an open boundary to Kruger National Park.
River Room (pre-rebuild, 4 rooms)
Four treehouse-style rooms of about 100 m² in jackalberry, looking over the riverbed. River Rooms 2 and 4 had private infinity plunge pools; 1 and 3 had a terrace without a pool. Two were reached by swing bridge.
King or twins, air-conditioning, fan, nets, mini-bar and a large deck. This was the larger of the walkway rooms.
Treehouse Suite (pre-rebuild, 1 suite)
About 160 m², overlooking Xikwenga Dam, a 10–15 minute walk from the main lodge on raised walkways and swing bridges. King bed that could not split to twins. Private deck, plus a large viewing deck for private meals for up to 16.
Air-conditioning, fan, nets, mini-bar, tea and coffee and Wi-Fi. Neighbouring Sabi Sand camps such as Lion Sands Ivory Lodge share the same unfenced reserve.
Main lodge (pre-rebuild)
Dining was in the boma or on a lantern-lit deck, with a lounge fireplace, bar, wine cellar, Aroma Boma spa, gym, pool, library, curio shop and a suspension bridge over an elephant wallow. An observatory sat on the property.
From 2027 (announced rebuild)
These photographs are not the new rooms. Virgin Limited Edition’s rebuild plans eight Elephant Suites plus The Hide (three suites with shared living, deck and boma over Xikwenga Dam), all announced with private plunge pools. Safari Lodge is due to return in phases from 5 January 2027, with a full reopen as 20 suites on 1 April 2027. Rock Lodge is a separate camp on the koppie, not this listing.
Amenities & Features
Photo Gallery
Rates
Prices start from $2,000 per night. Final pricing depends on season, room type, and availability. Check current rates on our booking partner's site for the most accurate pricing.
What's Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner (boma or lantern-lit deck; private bush dinner named)
- Selected beverages (Go2Africa fully inclusive; VLE press: drinks included on the from-rate)
- Twice-daily open-vehicle game drives (ranger and tracker; Big 5 in the Sabi Sand)
- Daily walking safari guided by a ranger and tracker (Go2Africa)
- Stargazing at the bush observatory
- Tennis (two courts on the reserve; pickleball to be added in the 2027 rebuild)
- Game viewing from camp: dry riverbed, watering hole, and the suspension bridge over the elephant wallow
- Local village visits (Go2Africa); Pride n’ Purpose community work is the operator’s named programme
- Spa treatments (Aroma Boma on the pre-rebuild lodge; Africology wellness from the 2027 redesign — treatments extra)
- Helicopter flights and photographic safaris (Go2Africa list; confirm whether included or extra at booking)
Go2Africa fully inclusive: accommodation, all meals, selected beverages, twice-daily game drives and (on that page) a daily walking safari. VLE press for the rebuilt lodge: all meals, drinks and twice-daily game drives from USD 2,200 ppn. Spa treatments, helicopter flights, premium drinks if excluded on the rate, Sabi Sand gate fees, laundry if charged, and Pride n’ Purpose/community visits if extra should be confirmed at booking. Exclusive-use Safari Lodge (Wetu, old inventory) slept 20 on double occupancy with a private vehicle on the Safari Suite pairing.
Location
How to Get There
By air — Ulusaba private airstrip
Virgin Limited Edition: the closest international airport is O.R. Tambo (JNB). Ulusaba’s private airstrip is about a 1 hour 20 minute flight from Johannesburg. Federal Air runs a daily shuttle from a private terminal near O.R. Tambo (lounge from 07:30; complimentary meet-and-greet after 07:30 with notice). Soft-sided luggage only; 20 kg checked and 5 kg hand; maximum 40 × 30 × 60 cm. Private charters from Kruger Mpumalanga International (KMIA), Skukuza, Hoedspruit, Thornybush and Timbavati can land if airstrip procedures are followed. Reception / airstrip: +27 (0)71 870 8764. If you land before 14:00 check-in, send flight details in advance; they will collect you. Luggage can be stored after 11:00 check-out.
Road transfers (operator times)
O.R. Tambo 6–7 hours; Hoedspruit about 3 hours; KMIA about 2 hours; Skukuza about 1 hour 45 minutes. Transfers are priced separately.
Self-drive from Johannesburg (about 500 km / 6 hours)
N4/N12 to Nelspruit, R40 to Hazyview. At the Hazyview t-junction turn left, through the first lights; at the second lights turn right onto the R536 towards Paul Kruger Gate. After about 32 km turn left at the tall wooden lodge board onto tar; about 8 km to a four-way, then right onto dirt; 1.8 km, left at Happy Homes Primary School; 1.5 km to Newington Gate. About 17 km inside the reserve to Ulusaba, signposted. Speed limit 40 km/h. Official warning: Google Maps does not show the exact location and GPS may misdirect you — follow these directions, not a pin. Sabi Sand vehicle and passenger fees are payable at Newington Gate (Visa/Mastercard).
Nearby Attractions
Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (western traversing), Kruger National Park (unfenced boundary), Xikwenga Dam, Ulusaba Rock Lodge (sister camp on the koppie), Ulusaba private airstrip, neighbouring Sabi Sand lodges, Pride n’ Purpose community projects
Things to Do
At the property
Watch the dry riverbed and watering hole from the pool deck and room verandas. Cross the suspension bridge over the elephant wallow with a camera. Stargaze at the bush observatory. Play tennis. Book the spa (Aroma Boma on the old lodge; Africology, hydrotherapy, Himalayan salt sauna and yoga deck are announced for 2027). Wine cellar, gym, lounge with fireplace, curio shop, DVD library and room service sat on the pre-rebuild facilities list. Private bush dinners and wine tastings in the bush are named by Go2Africa’s expert note.
In the reserve
Twice-daily game drives with ranger and tracker for the Big 5, leopard, wild dog and general Sabi Sand game. Daily walking safari (Go2Africa). Photographic outings. Village visits linked to Pride n’ Purpose. Helicopter flights are on the Go2Africa activity list (confirm price). Off-road viewing is the private-reserve advantage versus Kruger’s public roads.
Day trips
Most guests stay on Ulusaba. Rock Lodge is the sister camp on the granite koppie — worth seeing for the view, as Go2Africa guests who compared both noted, but Safari Lodge is the one in the riverbed action. Kruger shares an unfenced boundary; you do not need to leave the Sabi Sand for Big 5 viewing. Gate fees apply if you self-drive via Newington Gate.
Good to Know
Rebuild: Both Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge closed at the end of January 2026. VLE website (fetched 2026-08-28): Safari Lodge welcomes guests from 5 January 2027 while Rock Lodge finishes; light daytime works possible. Full reopening 1 April 2027 as a 20-bedroom retreat (Safari Lodge 11 suites including The Hide of three suites over Xikwenga Dam; Rock Lodge 9). Go2Africa and Wetu still describe the pre-rebuild 10-room riverbed camp (Go2Africa headline “eight rooms” is short). Photos in this listing are the old lodge.Children: Safari Lodge from 12 years. Younger children are the Rock Lodge / Cubs Club product, not this camp, unless a future exclusive-use rule is confirmed.Meal plan: Fully inclusive of meals and selected drinks on Go2Africa; VLE press includes all meals, drinks and twice-daily game drives. Private bush dinners are named. Wine cellar on the old lodge facilities list.Check-in / out: Official getting-here page: 14:00 / 11:00.Malaria: Sabi Sand is a malaria area; take medical advice. Wetu lists mosquito nets, spray-on repellent and Africology toiletries in rooms.Power and Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi on Wetu. Rebuild target: up to 60% renewable energy, using existing solar.What3Words: No published address found. Operator says do not rely on GPS.Conservation: Sabi Sand entrance fees at Newington Gate contribute to anti-poaching and fence work; confirm current amounts with reservations.
Who It's For
Couples, honeymooners and families with children 12 and over who want a Sabi Sand Big 5 lodge with treehouse rooms and riverbed wildlife, not a koppie view (that is Rock Lodge). Exclusive-use groups up to 20 on the old inventory, or The Hide for a family enclave from 2027. Not for children under 12 at Safari Lodge. Not a self-drive-and-hope GPS arrival — use Newington Gate directions or the airstrip. Closed through 2026; first published Safari Lodge return is 5 January 2027.
Best Time to Visit
Safari Lodge is closed for a ground-up rebuild. Virgin Limited Edition: phased return with Safari Lodge from 5 January 2027 (light daytime works possible; accessible rates) and full reopening of both lodges on 1 April 2027. Go2Africa still shows fully inclusive seasons from 1 December 2026 — confirm which calendar is live before you book. Sabi Sand game viewing is year-round; dry winter months (roughly May–September) typically thin the bush.
