Cheetah Plains

Welcome to Cheetah Plains Exclusive Plains Houses, located in South Africa’s most celebrated Big 5 wildlife area, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Exclusively yours, the Plains Houses play host to your private safari experience of a lifetime.

The best time of day to explore the bush is early morning and late afternoon. The twice-daily game drives are led by top class safari guides and trackers and taken in prototype Land Cruiser electric safari vehicles, a game-changing innovation. The almost silent, smooth gait of the zero-emission electric vehicles deliver the highest quality wildlife sightings and their unobtrusive nature facilitates the most silent approach by vehicle, resulting in an unparalleled safari experience. An onboard bird book, binoculars and a professional level Nikon D850 camera fitted with a 200-500mm telephoto lens plus memory card are also provided for guests' enjoyment.

The 3 exclusive-use and exquisitely appointed Plains Houses at Cheetah Plains each accommodate a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 guests per house.  The houses are named after 2 of Sabi Sand’s legendary leopards and a dominant lion coalition that were located in the area of the property - “Mvula”, “Karula” and “Mapogo”.

Each Plains House boasts a formal lounge, living room, dining area, expansive sun deck, heated swimming pool, a wine gallery, a chef’s kitchen and 4 individual suites. Your personal chef and team will take care of your every need and all the timings run to your own requirements.

In between game activites, the climate-controlled gym is fitted with modern equipment, or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment in the privacy of your own suite.

Rates Include

All meals; beverages; private wine gallery (housing a reserve collection of South Africa's finest wines); a laundry service; a dedicated hospitality team comprising private chef, spa therapist, game ranger and tracker; twice daily game drives (in private electric Land-Cruiser vehicles); use of a Nikon D850 camera with memory card; the Guest Conservation Levy; and walking safaris are included. IN ADDITION: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change).

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Children aged 6 and under are not permitted on game drives. Babysitting services are available.

Children of all ages are most welcome at Cheetah Plains.

The bespoke children’s safari programme, Cheetah Cub Club, for children under 12 years old is wildly popular with younger guests. Educational, engaging and fun, each child receives a backpack stuffed with exciting activities to enjoy on safari, with our compliments.

The highly qualified, relatable field guides and trackers are eager to share their bush lore with young, inquisitive minds.

Bush bumbles (game drives of age appropriate duration), interpretive walks in the garden or simply chatting with the team about their way of life in the bushveld help your child to forge a deep connection with Africa’s wilderness.

The Plains Houses have great child-friendly features such as a set of inter-leading Private Suites, a living room with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, a games selection and Netflix.

Imaginative kiddies’ meals are the order of the day as are interactive cooking sessions with your Plains House chef.  Babysitting by qualified, caring nannies is complimentary and always on offer.

Guest Rating: 4.8 / 5.0 based on 5 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Hazyview: Take the R40 from Hazyview towards Bushbuckridge. Continue on this road for approximately 68 km from Hazyview (passing Bushbuckridge and Acornhoek), then turn right onto the Orpen Road/R531 then follow the directions as below once on the R531. Please call the lodge on +27 (0) 79 694 8430/60 at this point, and advise your estimated arrival time.

From Eastgate Airport/Hoedspruit: Take the R40 towards Bushbuckridge, and continue along this road for 2 km until you get to the Orpen Road/R531 then follow the directions as below once on the R531. Please call the lodge on +27 (0) 79 694 8430/60 at this point, and advise your estimated arrival time.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 and then take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. Follow the R36 to Ohrigstad, go through the Strydom Tunnel and take the R527 to Hoedspruit. Turn right onto the R40 towards Klaserie, and continue along this road until you get to the Orpen Road/R531 on your left, then follow the directions as below once on the R531. Please call the lodge on +27 (0) 79 694 8430/60 at this point, and advise your estimated arrival time.

Directions once on the R531: Continue straight for 30 km. Once you have passed the South African Wildlife College (on your left), after 100m turn right onto a gravel road. Follow this road for 3 km, then turn left (the turn is 50m past a soccer field on your right). Drive down a narrow road for 400m, turn right on to a wide sand road, and continue for another 7.8 km. Continue on this gravel road until you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction you will see the Hluvukani Viva petrol station in front of you. Turn left onto the tar road to Gottenberg/Manyeleti and follow the tar road for 6.1 km. Turn right onto a dirt road, and follow this for 6.4 km until you see the Uthar Clinic on your left. Turn left onto the gravel road (Utha Store will be on the right) – and travel 7.3 km to the Gowrie Gate.

From Kruger National Park/Orpen Gate: Exit the Park via the Orpen Gate and travel along the R531 towards the R40. About 10 km on the tar road, before the South African Wildlife College, you will see a gravel road to your left. Turn left (helpful hint – if you pass the South African Wildlife College, you have gone too far). Follow this road for 3 km, then turn left (the turn is 50m past a soccer field on your right). Drive down a narrow road for 400m, turn right on to a wide sand road, and continue for another 7.8 km.  Continue on this gravel road until you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction you will see the Hluvukani Viva petrol station in front of you. Turn left onto the tar road to Gottenberg/Manyeleti and follow the tar road for 6.1 km. Turn right onto a dirt road, and follow this for 6.4 km until you see the Uthar Clinic on your left. Turn left onto the gravel road (Utha Store will be on the right) – and travel 7.3 km to the Gowrie Gate.

ONCE AT THE GOWRIE GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change and please note that the gate opens at 06:00 and closes at 19:00). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit.

Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Please DO NOT follow your GPS 'quickest route' co-ordinates for the lodge. This route inevitably leads guests through the incorrect entry gates (Kruger National Park and into the Sabi Sand Reserve) which do not service the lodge. Furthermore, many of the prescribed roads are not navigable in a normal vehicle. Following GPS co-ordinates can result in getting lost in the middle of the bush, or un-necessary delays of up to 3 hours.

General Information For Guests

The private suites feature double rain showers and a bath overlooking the bushveld. They also have a lounge, dressing room, private deck with a daybed,  a private mini bar and coffee station.

The house features 2 lounges, a dining area, outdoor boma, wine cellar, heated swimming pool, private deck area and day-bed and gardens with views into the surrounding area. The interlinking suite at Karula is disabled- friendly.

A Guest Conservation Contribution has been included in your rate. The proceeds go towards the Sabi Sand Wildtuin anti-poaching efforts, the community and ecology.

Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve is situated in a natural wildlife Big 5 game reserve and as such, animals move freely through the camp during the day as well as night. Do not walk outside the demarcated perimeter of the camp without the assistance of a guide, or anywhere in camp at night unless accompanied by a night-watchman, guide or manager. Please be aware at all times.

Cheetah Plains is actively involved in the surrounding local communities of Utah and Dixie. A visit to these neighbouring villages will give you insight into the rural South African way of life, allowing you to meet the village elders and share in the exuberance and enthusiasm of the villagers.

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 30 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Popular Alternatives to Cheetah Plains

These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Cheetah Plains, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Cheetah Plains was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.

If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.