Words by Kenneth A. Panton
One of Africa’s most iconic safari lodges is entering a remarkable new chapter. Nestled within the heart of South Africa’s renowned Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Ulusaba is undergoing a complete transformation that will redefine one of the continent’s most celebrated safari experiences.
A decade ago, I spent a week at Ulusaba. The memories of sunrise game drives, evenings beneath impossibly clear skies, and the quiet rhythm of the bush have stayed with me ever since. That is why the announcement of this ambitious reconstruction feels especially significant.
Virgin Limited Edition, the award-winning collection of extraordinary retreats within the Virgin Hotels Collection is completely reimagining Ulusaba from the ground up. When it reopens on April 1, 2027, the property will feature just 20 luxurious suites, each designed to immerse guests more deeply in the surrounding wilderness while introducing elevated wellness, contemporary design, and an even greater sense of privacy.
Both Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge closed in January 2026, with construction now well underway.
At the heart of the redesign is a new wellness program created in partnership with South African spa brand Africology. Drawing on ethically sourced African botanicals and the natural rhythms of the bush, the new facilities will include multiple treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, cold plunge pools, Himalayan salt saunas, rasul mud experiences, a reflexology walkway, and a yoga deck overlooking the wilderness. A new pickleball court will join the property’s existing tennis courts, creating what may be one of the world’s most remarkable places to play racquet sports.
Rock Lodge, dramatically perched atop the granite koppie that gives Ulusaba—meaning “place of little fear”—its name, will feature nine accommodations. Two interconnecting Makwela Suites will join five newly designed Rock Suites, while the two Cliff Lodge suites remain available as an exclusive-use retreat. Families continue to be warmly welcomed at Rock Lodge, where children under 12 can enjoy the personalized Cubs Club program. Activities include learning bush survival skills, tracking wildlife with experienced guides, and even Africology spa treatments created specifically for younger guests.
The architectural transformation of Rock Lodge is being led by South African firm Orbic, whose redesign carefully integrates the new structures into the granite hillside while increasing privacy and opening even more spectacular views across the reserve.
Positioned along a dry riverbed, Safari Lodge has been completely redesigned by Luxury Frontiers and will offer 11 accommodations. Eight elegant Elephant Suites will feature soaring vaulted ceilings and expansive floor-to-ceiling glass, while a new elevated enclave overlooking Xikwenga Dam introduces three additional suites surrounding a shared living pavilion with a large viewing deck and traditional boma fire pit. Known as The Hide, this exclusive retreat is designed for families or groups traveling together while preserving the intimate atmosphere that has always defined Ulusaba.
Every stay continues to include gourmet dining, premium beverages, and twice-daily game drives through the legendary Sabi Sand, where sightings of the Big Five remain among the finest anywhere in Africa.
The new Ulusaba promises not simply a renovation, but the thoughtful reinvention of one of safari’s enduring icons.
Hotel Manapany St. Barths
Luxury Retreat
