Ulusaba Game Reserve (Richard Branson), Kruger area, South Africa
Jan 18, 09, 3:37 pm
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Ulusaba Game Reserve (Richard Branson), Kruger area, South Africa
Has anyone had any experience with Ulusaba, the Richard Branson reserve in South Africa?
I’m thinking of doing a 4 night stay in March. I’ll be traveling solo.
Thanks.
Jan 18, 09, 3:51 pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajinlondon 
I just had a fantastic honeymoon from Singita , Ulusaba, 12 Apostles and Birkenhead house.
Jan 19, 09, 3:31 pm
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Hi,
I did Ulusaba and then Singita, Obv there is a premium to Singita. Depends on what you are looking for. Just to see the big 5? Let me know your thoughts and I can give you a few answers
Ulusaba – encourages table sharing (which maybe of benefit for a solo traveler) You will most likely see 4 or 5 out of the big 5. Ulusaba shares traversing rights with about 6 other camps so you will not get a experience where you and the animals are alone, if it is a Leopard expect to queue up for a view with 3-4 other vehicles
Jan 19, 09, 3:45 pm
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have been to quite a few of the lodges in that area but not Ulusaba…cant definitly recommend mala mala main camp and ivory lodge…amazing game (even when it was v wet one year) and all levels of accomidation…depending on what you want ..plus you can fly in direct into mala mala on a saa flight from jnb; compare prices between the travel agent and direct with whatever lodge as the rand is quite weak so you may get value going direct…
Jan 19, 09, 5:21 pm
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I was at the CC Africa Exeter River Lodge in the Sabi Sands last July and had a great time. I mention this because CC Africa doesn’t charge a single supplement, which can be quite a savings. At meal times, they usually make sure you have company if you want it – either seating you with other guests or having one of the staff (usually the guide) sit with you. Also, at least one of the nights will be a Boma night, in which case, you’ll eat with your guide and everyone in your vehicle.
Jan 19, 09, 8:39 pm
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Thanks for the replies thus far.
One reason I’m looking at Ulusaba is that they’re offering a 4-for-3 special. For a 4 night stay, I’m looking at 27,600 Rand at Ulusaba, compared to 49.700
Rand at Singita.
I don’t know if Singita is worth that much of a premium. Maybe it is. I’m probably just looking for a safari-lite experience. A little bit of luxury with some great vistas and some animals thrown in for good measures. 
I’m not even a picture taker.
ajinlondon, since you’ve been to both, are the rooms and dining experience worth the extra for Singita? I don’t mind eating with others. As a solo traveler, I’ll probably enjoy that.
escog and irish mark, your options look interesting. I shall investigate…
Last edited by justforfun; Jan 19, 09 at 9:03 pm
Jan 20, 09, 1:22 am
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The food was better at Singita, but still very good at Ulusaba. On a few nights it is buffet style where as Singita is like a restaurant menu and you choose. So there is the difference. Drinks wise Singita was more premium. But where it really mattered was the safari drive itself and how many vehicles where at a sighting and how experienced the driver was. I think for that rate it is a good deal – I would choose the river camp as I found the rock lodge a bit too high up (you need to use binoculars to see the animals) whereas by the river you see elephants/ monkeys etc in the camp and they have another watering hole right down the end of the huts (a rope bridge walk) where hippos and other animals come to.
Have you looked at Leopard hills?
Jan 20, 09, 2:24 am
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Do you remember which type or room you stayed at? There’s Safari, Elephant and River.
Leopard Hills look very nice. And there’s no single supplement so is about the same price as Ulusaba.
Looks like it’s between an Ulusaba Elephant room and Leopard Hills right now.
Last edited by justforfun; Jan 20, 09 at 2:35 am
Jan 20, 09, 4:04 am
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ohh just to add i have always found 3 nights to be enough at a camp if you are under time/cost pressure…of course 4 nights would be great too…
Jan 20, 09, 12:17 pm
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River 2 (which is the best in that lodge) it faces the watering hole on one side and the bush on the other so is very private and has a plunge pool.
Jan 22, 09, 12:21 am
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Well, when word got out that I’m going on a safari, two cousins decided they had to join me! So now I need to find accommodations for 3 and am a little bit more cost restrained due to their budgets.
I’m thinking 2 rooms at Ulusaba because of the promo, one Safari room for the two of them, and one Elephant room for me.
It’s a moot point now, but I had decided on Leopard Hills(thanks ajinlondon) when it was just me.
Jan 22, 09, 1:09 am
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you might consider exclusive-use (private drives and chef) >
castleton camp @ singita – 31,000
zuka lodge @ phinda – 35,575
you would all have separate rooms/cottages.
ah, its still more of a difference than i thought, especially with just 2 additional people, sharing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by justforfun
I’m thinking 2 rooms at Ulusaba because of the promo, one Safari room for the two of them, and one Elephant room for me.
that would be only 18,400 (13,800 with 4th nt free)
hmm
http://www.mtbeds.com/mt_specials_all.html
Quote:
Lion Sands River Lodge
Lion Sands River Lodge situated in the big 5 Sabi Sand Game Reserve, has been built on the banks of the Sabie River. It faces due east, catching the sun as it rises over the Kruger National Park.
SPECIAL : R 2610.00 per person per night sharing – accommodation, all meals and safari activities. (Must book within 14 days of travelling). Single R 3920.00
Valid: 01/09/08 – 30/04/09
lion sands was mentioned in other recent thread
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jan 22, 09 at 1:39 am
Aug 10, 12, 7:29 pm SanDiego1K”,”description”:”Community Director”,”memberOf”:”Administrators”,”url”:”https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/sandiego1k.html”}]]>
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I’m considering Ulusaba and wondered about current thoughts on the property. They continue to offer 4 nights for the price of 3.
Aug 11, 12, 9:21 pm
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We stayed at Rock Lodge in June. Both lodges were well kept and the food and beverage choices were good. The game drives were awesome and all the staff were very friendly. You do eat dinner family style at one big table which we actually enjoyed. The views from Rock lodge are outstanding and we will return to Ulusaba in the future. The early mornings for game drives are very tiring but you can’t get enough.
Aug 13, 12, 8:52 pm SanDiego1K”,”description”:”Community Director”,”memberOf”:”Administrators”,”url”:”https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/sandiego1k.html”}]]>
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Which of the two lodges do folks prefer?
Which room type at that lodge do you recommend?
My desire is to be able to see animals from my own veranda (and of course on game drives).
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