Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / South Africa / Sabi Sand Game Reserve / Ulusaba
Ulusaba
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa · Virgin Limited Edition · High Luxury
Ulusaba means 'place of little fear' in the Shangaan language, named for the granite koppie where Rock Lodge sits, once a lookout point for tribal warriors watching the bush below. Sir Richard Branson bought the reserve in 1999, folding it into the founding lineup of his Virgin Limited Edition collection when it launched the following year. Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge, its two properties bordering Kruger National Park, are currently closed for a full rebuild and are scheduled to reopen in April 2027.
- 20 rooms
- Opened 1999
- Neighborhood: Bushbuckridge Ward 34
About Ulusaba
- Rock Lodge's original structure dates to 1983, perched on the same granite koppie ancient Shangaan warriors used as a defensive lookout centuries earlier.
- The redesigned reserve will reopen in 2027 as a 20-suite retreat, with private plunge pools added to every room and a Cubs Club program for children under 12 at Rock Lodge.
- Ulusaba was one of Virgin Limited Edition's founding properties when Branson officially launched the collection in 2000, alongside Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
History
Ulusaba is a private game reserve in the Sabi Sand region bordering South Africa's Kruger National Park. Its Rock Lodge was originally built in 1983 atop a koppie with commanding views over the bushveld.
Sir Richard Branson purchased Ulusaba in 1999, and it became a founding property in his Virgin Limited Edition collection of retreats when it launched in 2000. Today the reserve comprises Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge, together offering around 21 rooms and suites, and is closed for a full rebuild ahead of a planned April 2027 reopening.
Experiences
- Wine tasting at one of the cellars — Wine tasting at one of the hotel's cellars.
- Traditional braai in the Safari Lodge boma — Local flavours at a traditional braai in the Safari Lodge boma.
- Surprise pancake stop in the bush — A pancake stop arranged in the bush as a surprise.
- Private picnic lunch in a scenic spot — A picnic lunch arranged in a scenic spot on request.
- In-house choir performing traditional Shangaan songs — The in-house choir performs traditional Shangaan songs after dinner.
Amenities
- In-house choir performing traditional Shangaan songs
- Wine tasting at one of our cellars
- Traditional braai in the Safari Lodge boma
- Surprise pancake stop in the bush
- Picnic lunch in a scenic spot on request
- Event planning for weddings and celebrations
- Events brochure available on request
- Bespoke options and pricing discussed with events team
Open Ulusaba in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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- Londolozi Healing House Retreat — Londolozi · Grand Luxury
- Londolozi Private Game Reserve — Londolozi · Grand Luxury
- Londolozi Private Granite Suites — Londolozi · Grand Luxury
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