Where we are
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. We are close to Kruger National Park, in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
Getting here
Find your way to Ulusaba
Ulusaba is easily accessible whether you’re travelling by air or road. If travelling by air, land directly at Ulusaba’s Private Airstrip within the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
If things don’t go to plan, just give us a call so you don’t end up in the wrong watering hole: Reception / Airstrip: +27 (0)71 870 8764
How to find us
By plane
International Flights
The closest international airport to Ulusaba is O.R. Tambo International Airport (airport code: JNB) in Johannesburg, with daily direct flights from the main hubs: London, Paris, etc. Flights from Europe take around 11 hours, depending on your point of origin. From the US, there are direct flights from the East Coast, with flight times of roughly 18 hours.
There are also daily arrivals from hubs in the Middle East, including Dubai and Doha. For those connecting from any other USA hub, you will need to travel via one of the cities mentioned above.
Ulusaba’s private airstrip is approximately an hour and 20-minute flight from the international airport in Johannesburg. Don't worry if your flight is scheduled before our 2 pm check-in time; just let us know your flight details in advance, and we'll be there to collect you. Check out is at 11 am, but we can store luggage at the lodge if your flight isn't until later.
If you are connecting flights, we recommend leaving two hours between flights to start your holiday without any bumps.
Internal Flights
Federal Air offers daily shuttle flights from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), as well as private charters from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).
CessZani Aviation also provides private charters from KMIA or Skukuza Airport. Private charter companies are welcome to land at Ulusaba, as long as prior arrangements are made and our airstrip procedures are followed.
Federal Air
Flight times with Federal Air may change by up to one hour. They operate from a private terminal just a few minutes’ drive from the main terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The lounge is open daily from 07:30. A complimentary meet & greet service is available for flights landing after 07:30, where a Federal Air representative will meet you in the arrivals area and take you over to the transfer bus (advanced notice required).
Free transfers between the main terminal and Federal Air are available from 07:30, departing from the bus terminal behind the Intercontinental Hotel.
Luggage
Both checked and hand luggage must be soft-sided, like duffel bags, without rigid frames. The weight limit for checked luggage is 20kg (44lbs) and for hand luggage, it’s 5kg (11lbs). Maximum dimensions are 40cm (16in) wide, 30cm (12in) high, and 60cm (24in) long.
Chartered options
Daily chartered flights are offered from various airports:
• Hoedspruit Airport
• Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
• Skukuza Airport
• Ulusaba Airstrip
• Thornybush
• Timbavati
Contact our reservations team for rates and booking information.
Road transfers / Self drive
For those arriving by road, Ulusaba offers transfer services:
- O.R. Tambo International Airport to Ulusaba (6 - 7 hours)
- Hoedspruit Airport to Ulusaba (3 hours)
- Kruger Mpumalanga International to Ulusaba (2 hours)
- Skukuza Airport to Ulusaba (1 hour 45 minutes)
Contact our reservations team for rates and booking information.
By car from Johannesburg
Please allow approximately six hours for the drive (around 500km).
- Take the N4/N12 towards Nelspruit, then follow the R40 to Hazyview.
- At the t-junction in Hazyview, turn left and continue straight through the first set of traffic lights.
- At the second set of traffic lights, turn right towards Paul Kruger Gate (R536).
- After 32km, look for signposts on a tall wooden board listing the lodges’ names, and turn left onto the tarred road.
- Drive for approximately 8km until you reach a four-way crossing, then turn right onto a dirt road.
- After about 1.8km, turn left at ‘Happy Homes Primary School’ and continue for 1.5km to reach Newington Gate.
- Once inside the reserve, it’s about 17km to Ulusaba, and it’s well signposted.
Google Maps does not display the exact location for Ulusaba, so please do follow the instructions above, or you might end up at the wrong watering hole. If you use a GPS, it may misdirect you.
The speed limit within the reserve is 40km/h.
By car from Kruger National Park (Kruger Gate)
The drive takes approximately one and a half hours (about 35km) via R536 to Hazyview.
- Follow the R536 towards Hazyview. After approximately 7.5 km, look for signposts for Newington Gate on a tall wooden board listing the lodges’ names.
- Turn right onto the tarred road (Elephant Point will be on your left). This is the first right turn onto a tarred road.
- Drive for about 8 km until you reach a four-way crossing, then turn right onto a dirt road.
- After about 1.8 km, turn left at ‘Happy Homes Primary School’ and continue for 1.5 km to reach Newington Gate.
- Once inside the reserve, it’s about 17 km to Ulusaba, and it is well signposted.
Google Maps does not display the exact location for Ulusaba, so please do follow the instructions above, or you might end up at the wrong watering hole. If you use a GPS, it may misdirect you.
The speed limit within the reserve is 40km/h.
Sabi Sand Nature Reserve entrance fees
For updated Sabi Sand Nature Reserve entrance fees, including vehicle and passenger charges, please contact our reservations team. Debit and credit card (Visa and Mastercard) payments are accepted at Newington Gate. Your entrance fee contributes to vital conservation efforts, such as enhancing security operations to combat rhino poaching and maintaining perimeter fences to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Please contact Ulusaba’s reception on +27 11 325 4405 if you need any further information.