Ulusaba Safari 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 Safari Lodge is the lower-lying and more family-friendly of the two properties here, set among ancient trees with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. While its sister Rock Lodge perches dramatically atop a koppie, Safari Lodge feels more grounded, with rooms that open directly onto the bush.

The lodge centres around a main area with swimming pool, and the larger pool here is a particular draw for families. The rooms are spacious and airy, designed to bring the outside in, and the decked dining area is a lovely spot for meals. Food at Ulusaba is consistently excellent, and the kitchen here is no exception. Between game drives you can visit the Aroma Boma spa, work out in the gym, explore the wine cellar, or spend an evening at the Bush Observatory stargazing. There are tennis courts too, and guided bush walks for those who want a closer look at the smaller wonders of the bush.

Guests at Safari Lodge can also use the facilities at Rock Lodge, and the team will happily drive you between the two in a matter of minutes. This arrangement gives you the best of both worlds: the intimacy and dramatic views of the Rock Lodge alongside the more easy-going, family 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 families wanting a luxury safari that feels welcoming rather than formal, Ulusaba Safari Lodge is a superb choice.