Overview–southafrica

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Ulusaba offers a superb wilderness experience. It is one of the private reserves within the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve and shares open borders with the widely acclaimed Kruger National Park. Wildlife viewing is excellent and seeing the Big Five is emphasized. All big cats are commonly spotted, including the notoriously shy leopard.

Ulusaba is owned by Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group. The reserve has two 5-star lodges different in style and with different rates. Ulusaba is relatively small but has traversing rights with seven other properties in the west of Sabi Sands. It is possible to travel freely between them, but it can get crowded at wildlife sightings. This can cause congestion and time pressure since only three vehicles are allowed at any given time.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sabi Sands is during winter, which is also considered the ‘low season’. This is the Dry season which lasts from May to September. Animals are easy to spot during the dry months as foliage becomes less abundant and they gather around rivers and waterholes. September is a lovely month to visit. It is also the least cold of the winter months.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Animals are easier to spot as they concentrate around water sources
It is low season
Virtually no rain and lots of sunshine
Mild daytime temperatures and low humidity
Very little risk of malaria
The air is dusty and dry
It is necessary to wear warm clothing for morning and evening game drives

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

The scenery is lush and green
There are many newborn animals around
Birding is excellent, and migratory birds are present
The Dry season is the best time for wildlife viewing
It can be crowded since it is high season
Days are hot and humid
Antimalarial drugs are necessary

Scenery

Ulusaba’s terrain is comprised of woodland savannah. Thick foliage is present but seldom interferes with wildlife viewing. Rangers with great tracking skills and the ability to drive off-road, make the foliage an easy obstacle to overcome.

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Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: October to March (It can get a bit busy)

Size

From: 650km² / 251mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers excellent wildlife viewing. This is especially true of the big cats. All of the Big Five are usually seen in a two to three-day visit. Off-road driving assures quality sightings, particularly of the habituated resident predators. Sabi Sand is part of the vast Greater Kruger ecosystem, which makes for a very authentic wildlife experience.

Wildlife Highlights

Sabi Sands is possibly the best place in Africa to see leopards. Both the quantity and quality of sightings are superb. This is a place where you can see leopard behavior such as males marking and patrolling their territory or females interacting with their cubs. Wild dog sightings are less common, but if they are denning in the area, it is often possible to spend time with these social pack animals.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in Sabi Sands is very good throughout the year but perhaps at its best during the Dry season (June to September). August and September are particularly nice since it is warmer than in mid-winter and animals tend to gather at water sources, making them easier to spot.

General Wheather

Ulusaba is part of the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Sabi Sand Game Reserve experiences winter and summer at opposite times to those seasons in Europe and North America. October to April are the hot, wet summer months while the mild, dry winter occurs from May to September. Although winter days are pleasant, it is cold in the mornings, so warm clothes are advisable for game drives.

Dry Season –May to September – Winter

For the most part, it doesn’t rain during the winter, and humidity is low. Permanent water sources become a place for animals to gather, making them easier to spot.

May – May marks the end of summer. Temperatures are around 11°C/52°F in the morning and 28°C/82°F in the afternoon as the weather cools.
June, July & August – Due to the cold mornings (10°C/50°F), it is wise to bring along warm clothing for morning game drives. There will be cloudless skies in the afternoon and temperatures will be pleasant at around 24°C/75°F.
September – The first rains bring relief and alleviate the dry conditions. The heat rises to an average afternoon temperature of 27°C/81°F. Mornings are mild with average temperatures around 15°C/59°F.

Wet Season –October to April – Summer

Summer can be hot and humid, sometimes to an uncomfortable level. Temperatures often reach 40°C/104°F, but the daytime average is around 32°C/90°F with high humidity. Afternoon storms are normal, yet all-day rainfall is rare.

October & November – Temperatures increase and afternoon rains become more frequent. Typical temperatures range from 18°C/64°F in the morning to 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These months have the most rainfall and highest temperatures, coupled with intense humidity. The average afternoon temperature is 33°C/91°F, but it is not unusual for it to reach an unbearable 40°C/104°F.
March & April – The rain decreases, and it gradually cools. This trend continues into April, which is the most pleasant month with little rain, less humidity, and sunny skies. Nighttime temperatures fall to 15°C/59°F and daytime temperatures of 32°C/90°F are typical.

Prons

Superb wildlife viewing with good sightings of the Big Five
Good guides and trackers take you out on two drives a day
Off-road driving allows close viewing of animals
Excellent high-end luxury safari lodges

Cons

Mostly expensive, fully-inclusive safari packages are available
Emphasis on Big Five animals and ticking off flagship species

How To Get There

Ulusaba is part of the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Coming from abroad, you’ll arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. From there, you can take the twice-daily scheduled flight to Sabi Sand Game Reserve, run by Federal Airlines.

It is also possible to fly directly from Germany or to take a connecting flight from Johannesburg to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), near Mbombela. Alternatively, you can take a connecting flight from Johannesburg to Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park. A transfer from Mbombela or Skukuza to your Sabi Sands accommodation can be arranged and takes about 2 hours.

It is also possible to hire a car in Johannesburg and drive to the park via the N4 to Mbombela. The reserve has three entrance gates for access to different lodges. The distance is about 500km/310mi, and the drive takes about 5½ hours*.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.