Ulusaba Rock Lodge
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Our Opinion of Ulusaba Rock Lodge
Sir Richard Branson’s Ulusaba sits within the Sabi Sand Reserve, a private game reserve that shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. The Rock Lodge is the more dramatic of the two properties here, perched atop a rocky koppie with sweeping views across more than 13,000 hectares of Big Five territory. The name Ulusaba comes from the Shangaan words for ‘place of little fear’, a reference to the ancient warriors who once used this very lookout point.
The lodge is built into the rock itself, and the rooms make full use of the elevated position with floor-to-ceiling windows that draw the bush inside. Meals here are a genuine highlight, as they tend to be at the best safari lodges, and the kitchen turns out food that rivals anything in Cape Town. Between game drives you can swim in the infinity pool with that extraordinary view, book a treatment at the Aroma Boma spa, or visit the Bush Observatory for some of the best stargazing in southern Africa.
Guests at Rock Lodge can also use the facilities at the neighbouring Safari Lodge, and the team will happily drive you between the two. This gives you the best of both worlds – the dramatic height and intimacy of the Rock Lodge with the family-friendly feel and larger pool of Safari Lodge.
The game viewing across Sabi Sand is consistently outstanding, thanks to the open boundaries with Kruger and the expert trackers who know this land intimately. For anyone wanting a luxury safari with real character and a profound sense of place, Ulusaba Rock Lodge is a remarkable choice.
The lodge is built into the rock itself, and the rooms make full use of the elevated position with floor-to-ceiling windows that draw the bush inside. Meals here are a genuine highlight, as they tend to be at the best safari lodges, and the kitchen turns out food that rivals anything in Cape Town. Between game drives you can swim in the infinity pool with that extraordinary view, book a treatment at the Aroma Boma spa, or visit the Bush Observatory for some of the best stargazing in southern Africa.
Guests at Rock Lodge can also use the facilities at the neighbouring Safari Lodge, and the team will happily drive you between the two. This gives you the best of both worlds – the dramatic height and intimacy of the Rock Lodge with the family-friendly feel and larger pool of Safari Lodge.
The game viewing across Sabi Sand is consistently outstanding, thanks to the open boundaries with Kruger and the expert trackers who know this land intimately. For anyone wanting a luxury safari with real character and a profound sense of place, Ulusaba Rock Lodge is a remarkable choice.
Ulusaba Rock Lodge Summary
Both Ulusaba lodges will be closed from late Jan 2026 until March 2027 for refurbishment.
Sir Richard Branson’s award winning private game reserve Ulusaba is set in Sabi Sand and traverses over 13,500 hectares of unspoilt game rich bush in big 5 territory. All guests at Ulusaba can expect luxurious accommodation, outstanding food, twice-daily game drives, safari walks and unforgettable views. Ulusaba features two separate lodges: The Rock Lodge and the Safari Lodge. Regardless of which lodge you’re staying at, the team will be happy to drive you to the other if you’d like to experience the bush from a slightly different viewpoint.
Ulusaba strikes the perfect balance between nature and nurture - as well as being an excellent place to observe the 'Big Five', it is also an ideal place to kick back and unwind. Ulusaba re-defines the rules of a safari lodge by offering swimming pools, gymnasiums, a wine cellar, Aroma Boma spas with panoramic views, a Bush Observatory perfect for star gazing and tennis courts. Make sure you save time to enjoy the safari walks, moon-lit bush dinners and of course, the twice daily game drives.
The Rock Lodge sits at the top of a ‘koppie’, or small mountain. This spot provided the ancient Shangaan warriors with the perfect lookout point, hence the meaning of Ulusaba – ‘place of little fear’.
Sir Richard Branson’s award winning private game reserve Ulusaba is set in Sabi Sand and traverses over 13,500 hectares of unspoilt game rich bush in big 5 territory. All guests at Ulusaba can expect luxurious accommodation, outstanding food, twice-daily game drives, safari walks and unforgettable views. Ulusaba features two separate lodges: The Rock Lodge and the Safari Lodge. Regardless of which lodge you’re staying at, the team will be happy to drive you to the other if you’d like to experience the bush from a slightly different viewpoint.
Ulusaba strikes the perfect balance between nature and nurture - as well as being an excellent place to observe the 'Big Five', it is also an ideal place to kick back and unwind. Ulusaba re-defines the rules of a safari lodge by offering swimming pools, gymnasiums, a wine cellar, Aroma Boma spas with panoramic views, a Bush Observatory perfect for star gazing and tennis courts. Make sure you save time to enjoy the safari walks, moon-lit bush dinners and of course, the twice daily game drives.
The Rock Lodge sits at the top of a ‘koppie’, or small mountain. This spot provided the ancient Shangaan warriors with the perfect lookout point, hence the meaning of Ulusaba – ‘place of little fear’.
