Ulusaba Rock Lodge

Ulusaba Rock Lodge is perched high on the summit of a koppie (rocky hill). Here you will find spectacular panoramic views over miles of bush, all set against a backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountain range far in the distance. Inhale the earthy African air as you stand 800 feet above the wilderness while watching the Big 5 roam through open bush that stretches as far as the eye can see. Feel the dry wind brush your face as birds soar amid sun-drenched African skies. This is the true spirit of Africa.

Whether you choose to go on a luxury safari drive or enjoy a guided African safari game walk in the open bush, you'll have more than 10,000 acres of untouched, unspoilt African bush to enjoy virtually exclusively. Experienced and knowledgeable rangers and trackers will lead your twice daily game viewings as you discover Africa's Big 5. At the end of the day, relax at the Aroma Boma beauty treatment centre, enjoy a game of tennis, take a swim in the sparkling pool or workout in the fully equipped gym. Afterwards, savour an authentic meal under the African stars.

The view inside Rock Lodge is just as spectacular and the granite rock of the koppie is a key feature of the main lodge’s design and each room has a different design reflecting African tribal influences and style.

All 8 rooms and suites have air-conditioning and fans and include tea/coffee making facilities as well as a complimentary fully stocked mini bar.

Just a short walk from the main lodge is Cliff Lodge, a private 2 bedroomed suite which is ideal for families and friends seeking an exclusive getaway or couples wanting to enjoy those special occasions in pure privacy. Cliff Lodge includes a private chef as well as your own game drive vehicle, swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym and mini Aroma Boma Spa.

Rates Include

All meals; all beverages including a top quality wine list and fine champagne; the Guest Conservation Contribution; 2 daily shared game viewing drives; a daily walking safari (subject to favourable conditions); and a laundry service 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. A childrens programme is offered, but children 5 years and under are not allowed on game drives. Babysitting services are available.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Regardless of age, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Children of all ages are welcome at Rock Lodge and will be invited to take part in Ulusaba Cub's Club, which offers a range of safari activities for kids. As Rock Lodge is small and intimate, and because the lodge know each cub is different, they do not operate a set programme, rather they have a set welcome pack and range of great safari activities for kids that are available on request.

On arrival at Ulusaba all cubs will be given a Cub's Club Backpack which contains lots of little goodies to help keep them entertained and to help to educate them about the African Bush. In every cub's room there will be a special welcome letter and a list of phone numbers they can dial from their room so it is easy for them to get hold of other members of their pride as well as the Ulusaba staff. Also for their safety, the lodge has security guards on duty all night who will pay particular attention to rooms occupied by cubs.

Other Cub's Club Features include a treasure hunt to help familiarise themselves with their surroundings; story books in their rooms and in the lounge, which include old favourites and ones with an African or animal theme; educational books in their room and in the lounge that help them get the most out of their experience in Africa; a great range of new and classic children's DVDs and videos that they can watch in the lounge, along with music CDs.

The lodge also has lots of games up their sleeves and they always try to combine entertainment with some education.

Your ranger will be more than happy to spend time with your cubs to tell them all about the bush and the animals they see.

The lodge unfortunately regrets that very young cubs (under 6 years) cannot participate in the regular game viewing programme and due to safety, cubs are not able to participate in safari walks, but the lodge can arrange short excursions around Rock Lodge to spot birds, insects, lizards and so on. They can also arrange bedtime story telling in the lounge complete with milk and cookies, or whatever normally helps get your cubs ready for bed!

On departure, all cubs will be invited to become permanent members of Ulusaba Cub's Club and will receive a bi-annual newsletter and a birthday card.

In addition to these safari activities for kids the lodge can also arrange Cub's Cuisine if you wish, such as pizza, toasties, pasta etc. A free babysitting service is available, however please be aware that off-duty staff who have experience with children are used for this - due to the lodge's location they do not have professional child carers available, but with advance notice this could be arranged at an extra cost.

If you have a rather large pride with lots of cubs or if you'd just prefer it, the lodg can arrange a set programme of safari activities for kids provided they get advance notice - just let your Travel Butlers consultant know the ages and interests of the cubs concerned, and the lodge will come up with something to keep them entertained.

Lastly, the lodge understands that every cub is different so if you want anything specific provided for your particular cub then please let the lodge know and they will do everything they can to ensure your stay runs just how you want it to. Remember that all safari activities for kids from Ulusaba come at no extra cost unless specified. ::

Guest Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 based on 4 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction): Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.

Once on the R536, continue along this road for approximately 34.5 km and on the left-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube and Savanna. Turn left here onto the sand road (if the MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi signs are reached, or the Kruger Gate itself, you have gone too far and must turn back).

Once you have turned onto the sand road you will go through a cattle control gate. From this point the way is well signposted with the lodge signboards. The sand road has potholes and also goes past some villages, so please drive carefully. There is approximately 12 km of sand road, after which you will arrive at the Newington Gate entrance of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

From the Kruger Mpumalanga/Nelspruit International Airport: Turn right out of the airport onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River (Witrivier). Continue for approximately 12 km, until you reach the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn right here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway respectively 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). Keep on the N4 until you reach Nelspruit, where you will turn left onto the R40 to White River. In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself, turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right. Cross over the next set of traffic lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview (the R538, via the Numbi Gate, is a busy road and not recommended). After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria via Scenic Route: 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). Take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, follow the signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie, take the R536 to Hazyview. Just before Hazyview you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the R40 towards Hazyview. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Hoedspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport towards the R40. At the T-junction, turn left onto the R40 towards White River and Hazyview. Proceed on the R40 for approximately 88 km until you reach a set of traffic lights in Hazyview with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn left here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.  Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From the Paul Kruger Gate: Go through the gate, and follow the R536 to Hazyview. Continue along this road and on the right-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube and Savanna. Turn right here onto the sand road. Once you have turned onto the sand road you will go through a cattle control gate. From this point the way is well signposted with the lodge signboards. The sand road has potholes and also goes past some villages, so please drive carefully. There is approximately 12 km of sand road, after which you will arrive at the Newington Gate entrance of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

ONCE AT THE NEWINGTON 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). 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 through the reserve.

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.

General Information For Guests

There is an observatory for guests use, which is perfect for star-gazing.

Informative talks on flora, fauna and conservation can be done on request for both adults and children.

There is also a fully equipped gymnasium, Aroma Boma Spa, freshwater outdoor heated pool, 2 floodlit tennis courts with viewing pavilion (rackets and balls supplied), a variety of indoor and outdoor dining and relaxation areas, and complimentary Wi-Fi access in the lounge.

The main lounge is equipped with DVDs, videos, music and a book library, and children's books and games are also available on request.

The game drive vehicles seat a maximum of 6 people only (3 rows of 2).

Pride 'n Purpose is Ulusaba's charitable arm, committed to helping disadvantaged communities living adjacent to the reserve and working on a non-profit basis. For an authentic Shangaan experience, guests can visit the local villages surrounding the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on a Community Tour and support the project. If you would also like to volunteer any of your time to help with some of the ongoing projects during your stay at Ulusaba this can be arranged prior to arrival, and an itinerary on request can be tailor-made for you. Please let your Travel Butlers consultant know if you would like to do this.

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

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 5 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Regardless of age, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Popular Alternatives to Ulusaba Rock Lodge

These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Ulusaba Rock Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Ulusaba Rock Lodge 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.