Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

A Disappointing and Unsafe Experience

Our recent stay at Ulusaba was supposed to be an unforgettable adventure, but it turned into a distressing experience due to serious safety and emergency response issues.

Our Experience Before the Incident: I want to start by doing the following disclaimer. We did spend three magical days at the hotel before the incident. The staff were amazing and incredibly kind. Dinners at a shared table with all the guests led to some unforgettable conversations. Breakfast and drinks served by our guides after the game drives were amazing and created a special bond. We were thrilled to see all of the Big Five during our stay, with particularly incredible leopard sightings and wild dogs unlike any other place we visited. Our private pool was warm which is a rarity in safari lodges. And food was incredible.

The Incident: On the morning of our final game drive, my wife slipped and fell in the shower of our suite at the Rock Lodge. The lack of a shower curtain and the poor design of the bathroom left the floor wet and slippery, causing her to sustain a serious head injury. We immediately informed our guide, but the medical response was delayed and inadequate.

Emergency Response Issues: Upon checking in, we were assured that there was an onsite doctor available for emergencies. However, when the accident occurred, the doctor never arrived. Instead, we were left waiting for a prolonged period (3hrs) without proper medical assistance. There was no backup plan in place when the primary emergency responder was unavailable, leaving us without sufficient help. This lack of preparedness in a remote location is very concerning (we saw two black mambas the previous day very close to the hotel - imagine getting bitten).

Response from Ulusaba and Virgin: Despite acknowledging the issues, even going as far as saying that they will be remodeling the bathrooms, Ulusaba’s compensation offer does not cover our expenses or the distress we experienced (a ruined vacation). Even the involvement of Virgin, their parent company, has not led to a satisfactory resolution.

Final Thoughts: While the staff at Ulusaba were kind and tried their best to assist us, the management’s failure to address serious safety and emergency preparedness issues is disappointing. For a luxury resort, such oversight is unacceptable.

We hope that by sharing our story, Ulusaba and Virgin will take the necessary actions to ensure the safety and well-being of future guests. Until significant improvements are made, we advise potential visitors to consider these risks before booking their stay.

Incredible service, food, rangers and trackers. Saw all the Big 5 every day.

Same as above all close together . Very Good guides, and good comfortable vehicles to game view

Ulusaba has 2 lodges, Rock Lodge and the Safari Lodge. We visited both and stayed in the Safari Lodge, which for people who like to see Wildlife is the better place. This is a once in a lifetime dream lodge where you will find nothing to complain about. We would go back any minute. Thanks to Richard Branson for having created this fantastic hideaway.

A really nice & luxury lodge there and great games drives.

First class experience overall!

I had a fantastic experience with Ulusaba. The lodging is split into two sections. I stayed on the top of the hill which had amazing views. There is also the river lodging which would provide a different experience. Both provide unique experiences. The service inside the lodge was tops and can't say enough about the food and the staff. The guides were fun and very knowledgeable. There was an abundance of leopard at this particular reserve. However, there was a large pride of lions that had a kill the week we were there. Big five were all there and there was even a pack of wild dogs which was rare. I would recommend this game reserve to small groups or families. Best lodging I've experienced out of the three lodges I've stayed at.

Good for being pampered while seeing the animals in all cycles of life and routing. Quite Amazing

Ulusaba has great attention to detail and care. From the arrival with a cocktail to the lodges which have free laundry, stocked mini-bar (all part of the cost of the lodge), welcome gift, etc. The rooms are large and very comfortable while still feeling part of the environment. Food, wine, etc well prepared though for lunch good use with a few more selections. The snack breaks while on the Drive are something! Love that in the early AM drives; waiting for me on the seat was a hot water bottle and thick blanket. Enjoyed the breakfast out on the Reserve as well as the outdooor BBQ -- giving you more of a outdoor enjoyment. Simply staying at the lodge itself is a great experience.

But of course its about the animals while here. Our guide and trekker were exceptional -- in their knowledge and skills. They tried to be sensitive to the things we wanted to see and if we wanted to stay and watch a particular scene longer; they always accomodated. They taught us about the behaviour, imitiated the sounds and described, as they were happening, the chase of kill.

Just driving around the reserve was gorgeous; somehow the light and smell were different and just more clear and crisp. We were fortunate to see all the Big 5 and 2 rather gnarly feeds -- what doesnt come across in documentary footage is the smell and smaller sounds of the crunching of bones when being eaten. Lions, hyenas, lepards, elephants, zebras, rhinos, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, diakers, monkeys...we really got to see it all and in wonderful life scenes.

To be able to view such incredible wildlife from the brids, trees, landscape to the various large animals in itself is a once in a lifetime experience. To have the caring staff, exceptional guides and the Diva-attentioned lodges simply made it truly incredible.

So many great memories: from watching the cheetah eat his daiker kill to then bring it up a tree for later feeding, almost dropping it from the precarious branch. And once safelty held, cllimb down. Or the Lion eating, while his 2 borthers would slowly inch for want of some only to have the big brother "growl" back a negative. This Try and Decline of the lions for food and being angrily denied by its brother was such an interesting thing to watch - that it wasnt simply watching a lion eating its feed. Or coming in my lodge after lunch only to have a leopard on the balcony, slowly walking by!

Very special SA safari experience vacation

Ulusaba is hard to fault. Arriving at the reserve's own airstrip via light plane was very special. The location, the activities and the people were outstanding. We visited during the SA summer, but despite this the game spotting was plentiful and, for first time safari-goers, very exciting. Ulusaba offers a compelling mix of beautiful surroundings, luxury accommodation and F&B, and a genuinely engaged and knowledgeable staff and safari team. Highly recommended.

breathtaking location - unforgettable experience

We had our honeymoon in Ulusaba Rock Lodge. It was so phantastic. The rangers, the trackers and the general staff were extremly friendly and helpful 24h a day... It is the right place to relax and enjoy the game.
We will come back!

The perfect place to experience the bush first hand

We had some extraordinary experiences on safari as well as on the bush walks. The accommodation was top notch, the food delicious, the staff friendly and helpful. UluSaba is set in a beautiful corner of South Africa and well worth a visit.