Rialto
Mpumalanga Province

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

A Virgin hotel. Book this hotel direct through Rialto at the VIP rate for benefits that can include priority room upgrades, hotel credits, and more.

As do all of Sir Richard Branson's retreats, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, with 20 rooms and suites, prides itself on offering a completely personal and exclusive experience. Here on the edge of the vast Kruger National Park, you'll track the "big five" in open vehicles while knowledgeable guides educate you about the animals and their habitats. And although you're deep in the African bush, you'll experience the five-star luxury you would expect at a fine boutique hotel – from world-class spa treatments in the Aroma Boma Spa to remarkable cuisine and fine wines shared with other fortunate guests.

Po Box 2220, Hazyview, 01242 Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
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About Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Insider tip

While on a game drive in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, request that the ranger cross the river – it is a fantastic experience! –Flavio Géo Belo Horizonte, Brazil

In the hotel’s own words

Taste the spoils of a safari in South Africa in the peace and tranquillity of the unspoilt African Bushveld. Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is the ultimate destination for spotting the ‘Big Five’!

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Ulusaba is located in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve bordering Kruger National Park. At Ulusaba our emphasis is on exceptional personal service. Our attentive staff and superb facilities will ensure that being in the middle of the African Bush does not need to mean foregoing creature comforts. You'll have the unique sights, sounds and smells of Africa on your doorstep, while still enjoying the kind of style and luxury you'd expect from a five star boutique hotel.

Because Ulusaba is privately owned, you'll be able to enjoy over 13,500 hectares (about 33,000 acres) of unspoilt, game-rich Bush in near solitude. Experienced Trackers and Game Rangers will accompany you on game drives in open Land Rovers, tracking the ‘Big Five’ and sharing with you their vast knowledge of the surrounding wildlife.

Location – Ulusaba is approximately a 1 hour 20 minute flight by twin-engine aircraft to the Ulusaba airstrip from Johannesburg International Airport (also known as O.R. Tambo Airport) and 30 minutes from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit.

Guest accommodation - Retreat in style and comfort at our two lodges; Rock Lodge is perched high on the summit of a koppie (rocky hill) and includes Ulusaba’s newest addition Cliff Lodge, whilst 0.5km away Safari Lodge is built along the banks of the dry Mabrak riverbed. Many guests choose to split their stay between both lodges and have the advantage of keeping the same Ranger and Tracker.

Rock Lodge - Set against the backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountain range, each room has been designed with the colours of a different African tribe or region. Rock Lodge can accommodate a total of 20–25 guests in its 10 rooms and welcomes children of all ages to the Ulusaba Cub’s Club.

Cliff Lodge – Cliff Lodge has two luxurious suites which are perfect for smaller groups and families. Located just a short stroll away from the Main House at Rock Lodge, Cliff Lodge can accommodate a maximum of 5 adults and 4 children when booked exclusively.

Safari Lodge - Guests will love the sense of adventure as they cross the swing bridges between exquisite tree house rooms, created and inspired by local and natural materials, with elephants, bushbucks, lions and other local wildlife passing by. Safari Lodge can accommodate 20 guests in its 10 rooms.

Treehouse Suite – The Treehouse Suite is about a 15 minute walk along the elevated walkway from Safari Lodge. It’s a great place to get up close and personal with hippos and elephants when they come to bathe in the nearby dam. When you stay here it’s almost as if the game comes to you rather than the other way round!

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VIP Hotel Program · Invitation-only

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A direct booking with the hotel, confirmed instantly on Rialto — no contact form or middleman. Hotel loyalty points and elite status apply where applicable.

Virgin Hotels has preferred partner VIP rates available to select luxury travel agencies. VIP rates generally meet or beat the hotel's website rates and include the amenities below. The booking is a direct reservation with the hotel, so it earns I Prefer points and elite-night credit, and I Prefer elite status benefits apply.

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • $100 hotel credit per stay
  • Room upgrade on arrival, based on availability
  • Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability
  • Welcome amenity
  • I Prefer points, elite nights and status benefits, as this is a direct hotel booking

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Rooms and suites

16 room types, as described by the hotel.
Rooms
Size
1Safari Room
Safari Rooms x 1: adjoining, close to Main Lodge, no swing bridge access, large viewing decks. Smallest room at Safari Lodge. Ensuite bathrooms with great views.
323 ft²
2Elephant Room
Elephant Rooms x 3: built tree house style high above the Bush but still quite close to the Main House. Rooms are spacious and en-suite bathrooms have views. Large viewing decks.
646 ft²
3River Room
River Rooms x 2: built tree house style – very private. River 1 is not accessed by swing bridge and is quite close to communal areas. Rest are accessed by swing bridges, All are very spacious and ensure privacy. All en-suite bathrooms have views.
Members only
4River Room w/ plunge pool
River Rooms x 2: built tree house style – very private. Accessed by swing bridges, with River 4 being a good 4-5 minute walk from the Main Lodge. All are very spacious and ensure privacy. All en-suite bathrooms have views. River 2 and 4 have heated infinity plunge pools.
Members only
5Rock Cliff Room
Rock Cliff Rooms x 4: adjoining, south-facing views, rooms are spacious and en-suite bathrooms have views. 2 of these rooms are built on split levels with a spiral staircase connecting the bedroom and bathroom.
Members only
Suites
Size
6Treehouse Suite
Treehouse Suite x 1: spacious very private suite featuring deck with view directly over Xikwenga Dam. Situated a 10-15 minute walk along swing bridges and raised walkways from the Main Lodge. Also has large viewing deck adjacent to room perfect for breakfasts and receptions for groups of up to 16.
Members only
7Rock Suite (two-bedroom)
Rock Suite x 1: spacious 2 bedroom suite with living area and iPod docking station. Master Bedroom has full en-suite, 2nd bedroom has queen bed that cannot split into twin and smaller en-suite bathroom without bath. 2nd bedroom does not have a Bush view.
Members only
8Master Suite with plunge pool
Master Suite x 1: built on 3 levels with beautiful views, en-suite bathroom, private balconies with heated infinity plunge pool, living area and iPod docking station
Members only
9Makwela Suite with plunge pool
Makwela Suites x 2: built on 2 levels with private balconies, full en-suite bathrooms as well as outdoor showers, heated infinity plunge pool, fireplace, living area and separate study/library. Each has a separate day bed in the lounge suitable for children.
Members only
10Rock Suite
Members only
11Safari Suite
Safari Suite: size: TBA, a brand new suite beginning June 2018, following a period of of refurbishment.
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Villas
Size
12Cliff Lodge exclusive use
—
13Cliff Lodge 1
Cliff Lodge Suite 1: spacious 2 bedroom suite with one large bedroom (with two small pull out beds) and a second smaller bedroom which can accommodate one adult or two small children. Features private swimming pool, spa, gym, satellite TV, Wii and fireplace as well as an outdoor barbecue.
Members only
14Cliff Lodge 2
Cliff Lodge Suite 2: spacious one bedroom suite with two small pull out beds that can accommodate two small children. Includes large lounge area with satellite TV, fireplace and a Jacuzzi on the viewing deck. Access via a raised walkway from the Main House. Available individually 4 months prior to guest arrival.
Members only
15Safari Lodge Exclusive Use
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16Rock Lodge Exclusive Use
—

Room type data is subject to change and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does booking through Rialto cost more than booking with the hotel?

No - VIP rates under Virgin Hotels - Preferred Partner always meet or beat hotel's public, flexible rate, and provide valuable amenities and possible upgrades. Rialto also provides the hotel's non-VIP and corporate rates, so you can compare with full transparency.

Can my AI assistant book this hotel?

Yes. Connect Rialto to Claude or ChatGPT with our AI hotel booking MCP server and ask for rates. You finish the booking instantly on a secure Rialto page, direct with the hotel. Card details are not sent through the AI chat, so either you would approve the final checkout step and reconfirm all the information, or if you authorize your agent with Computer-Use permissions, it can fill out the checkout form as well.

What is the value of the VIP benefits?

Daily breakfast for two plus the $100 hotel credit come with every stay at this hotel - adding $100-200/day in value. A room upgrade could also be worth a substantial amount, in addition to early check-in / late check-out benefits when available.

Do I earn I Prefer points and keep my elite benefits? Is this considered a direct booking or a third-party booking?

Yes. The booking is a direct reservation with the hotel, so it earns I Prefer points and elite-night credit, and I Prefer elite status benefits apply.

What room types does Ulusaba Private Game Reserve offer?

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve lists Safari Room, Elephant Room, River Room, River Room w/ plunge pool, Rock Cliff Room, Treehouse Suite and 10 more. Sizes and bed options for each are in the rooms table above.

How does this compare to other programs, like through AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts, or Chase Edit?

Using a hotel's own VIP program may provide higher upgrade priority, additional VIP benefits and promotional rate offers, and a direct relationship with the hotel for special requests. Rialto offers more VIP hotels than any credit card program. In addition, Chase Edit rates can be substantially more expensive as they rarely run promotions whereas AMEX rates are often comparable but do not offer programs such as Upgrade at Booking.

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