a note from sir richard branson The African Bush – just the thought of it conjures up some fascinating images of breathtaking wilderness, sunrise safaris, and a retreat far away from the city. Here your imagination becomes reality. At Ulusaba, we have set out to create the most beautiful game reserve in Africa – our two distinct lodges are both extraordinary in their own way, and I hope you get the chance to visit both of them during your stay. I hope you enjoy your experience at Ulusaba as much as I always do. Sir Richard Branson ma amukeriwa! (welcome in shangaan) Welcome to Ulusaba Private Game Reserve! On behalf of all the team, we’re delighted you’ve come to stay. Whether you’re staying in Rock Lodge, perched high on the summit of a koppie (small mountain) with amazing views over the bush, or in Safari Lodge, right in the heart of the action, we hope your experience with us will be unforgettable! Read on for more information about what there is to do at Ulusaba, and we’ll also tell you about our conservation efforts and all about the animals you can expect to ‘bump into’ during your visit. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay at Ulusaba more enjoyable just let us know! Llané and Karl Langdon Ulusaba General Managers where is everything? WHERE IS EVERYTHING? SHARING SPACES As you will already know, there are two lodges at Bush Observatory Ulusaba: Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge, and each has Computer corner DOING OUR BIT its own distinctive character. contents Gyms Conservation at Ulusaba Mobile phones How can you help? Pools Pride ‘n Purpose Tennis anyone? SWIMMING Virgin Unite POOL Viewing decks ROCK Did you know/Exclusive use ROCK LODGE SUITE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW MAKWELA LOWER SUITE GYM POOL DECK Babysitting AROMA BOMA SPA Cash and credit cards AROMA BOMA BREAKFAST Pride ‘n Purpose and Virgin Unite DECK Cigarettes and cigars CLIFF LODGE Cub pampering Cliff Lodge MASTER Cub’s Club SUITE Departure FOOD AND DRINK Do not disturb LOWER DECK What’s on the menu? MAIN HOUSE Fire evacuation routes Breakfast, lunch and dinner Foreign currency exchange Children’s meals ROCK CLIFF ROOMS Gift Shop Private dining Internet connection Room service Laundry and dry cleaning Safari Lodge wine cellar Library Lost or found something? SAFARI LODGE BOMA GIFT Medical assistance and pharmacy ULUSABA CUB’S CLUB GYM SHOP Malaria prevention ELEPHANT 3 Newspapers RECEPTION DECK ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS POOLS Safety and security at Ulusaba AROMA BRIDGE TO BOMA Treehouse Suite Elephant Whispers ENTRANCE SAFARI SAFARI SAFARI MAIN HOUSE Treehouse viewing deck Canyons, cultures and contrasts – 2 1 3 WINE ELEPHANT 2 RIVER 1 ELEPHANT 1 Tipping panorama discoverer CELLAR MABRAK RIVER Voltage Cascades and canyons spectacular (helicopter trip) Wake up calls Golf Water WATERING HOLE Additional information Wine cellar RIVER 3 RIVER 2 About Pride'n Purpose RIVER 4 XIKWENGA DAM YOUR ROOM ULUSABA COMMUNITY TOURS TREEHOUSE SUITE What’s in my room? Heating and air conditioning Getting a bit chilly? ULUSABA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE – A HISTORY Music The Sabi Sand Wildtuin Room amenities SAFARI LODGE There are things missing from Just over 500m away from Rock my room… or are there?? OUT AND ABOUT AT ULUSABA Lodge, Safari Lodge is built along the banks Computers of the dry Mabrak riverbed. You’re very likely to A little about Shangaan culture So how did we do? see elephants, bushbucks, lions, hippos and other ROCK LODGE A little about the Shangaan language local wildlife passing by, as the animals are especially Perched high on the summit of attracted to the watering hole in front of the main dining a koppie (small mountain), Rock SAFARI GAME DRIVES TELEPHONE DIRECTORY deck, and to Xikwenga Dam next to the Treehouse Lodge is set against the backdrop Suite. Safari Lodge is also built over a natural elephant Play it safe – safety and security of the Drakensberg Mountain WHAT TO DO IN AN path, so the swing bridges and raised platforms are on game drives Range. The views from up here are EMERGENCY designed to allow them to pass through to the Safari walks amazing, especially from the Cliff watering hole unhindered. Bush Telegraph WELCOME TO VIRGIN Lodge Suites, and there are plenty of What to wear on game drives LIMITED EDITION viewing decks to choose from! Many of the rooms at Rock Lodge have been designed with the colours of a different African tribe or region. doing our bit doing our bit We know just how important HOW CAN YOU HELP? it is to take care of the We’re constantly working on initiatives to reduce our environmental impact, which is where you come environment, and we are in! You can help us out by considering the following extremely sensitive to the during your stay at Ulusaba. impact our properties may • Does the air conditioning unit have to be on while you’re off have on the local communities on a game drive? It’s always within which we operate. nice to escape from the One of our proudest achievements at Ulusaba is the heat, but the units are quite continuing good work done by our charitable arm, We believe in environmentally sustainable tourism efficient, and we promise you Pride ‘n Purpose. Our efforts extend from upgrading and remain committed to making a difference won’t have to wait long for the facilities of the local primary schools all the way wherever we can. them to cool your room once to facilitating help and medical treatment for those For starters Virgin formed Virgin Unite, the you return. affected by HIV/AIDS. entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group to • Turn off all the lights as you The basic philosophy behind our work is founded on drive new and innovative approaches to tackle social leave the room. the principle of empowering people to help themselves and environmental issues. CONSERVATION AT ULUSABA • Help us save water by not while at the same time promoting sustainable One of the ways it is believed we can make the most In addition to the charitable work Ulusaba does in asking for your towels to development. the local community (more on our Pride ‘n Purpose impact on social issues is mobilising the pool of people be changed daily. You can charitable arm opposite), we’re committed to reducing Pride ‘n Purpose works on a non-profit basis, and we have within the Virgin Group and our extended do this by hanging them our environmental impact. We’ve been working with all the organisation’s expenses are fully funded by family of suppliers. Virgin Unite itself was motivated up once you’ve used them; a sustainable energy engineer to look into renewable Ulusaba and Virgin Unite, so 100% of donations can be by Virgin staff and will continue to be driven by their otherwise just leave them in energy technologies, and as a result the reception put into the much needed projects to improve living ideas and enthusiasm. the separate towel basket building at our airstrip is entirely solar powered! conditions for the local population. However, there was also a sense that we needed to and we’ll replace them. With the help of Ulusaba guests, Virgin Unite, and ‘get our house in order’ and lay the right foundations When it comes to game drives, our qualified Rangers supporters from around the globe, Pride 'n Purpose for launching more externally-facing projects. are sensitive to the environment and are committed to operating game drives with minimal impact to has been able to achieve the following: This combined effort can be considered as Virgin’s the surrounding terrain and animals. Extreme care answer to Corporate Social Responsibility. There are • Provision of clean drinking water to local is taken when off-road driving is required for game many facets to the project including supply chain communities tracking, and all our Rangers assess the environment management, fair trade policies, ethical dealings • Provision of health care through the opening of a and prevailing conditions before leaving the road. with employees and customers as well as the local new regional health care centre If you’re staying at Safari Lodge, you may well have community - and of course the environment! We • Training communities in the planting of organic been enjoying using the swing bridges that connect know that some changes can be made immediately food gardens while others may take a little more time. Virgin some of the rooms. As this lodge is built along the • Construction of new crèches and homes Limited Edition is proud to have taken steps at all banks of Mabrak riverbed, an established elephant for orphaned and vulnerable children our properties to reduce any negative environmental path, these bridges avoid any disturbance to the RHINO POACHING impact, and Ulusaba is no exception. animals that pass through the area. At the time of writing the phenomenon of rhino • Support for local entrepreneurs by providing poaching has been receiving a great deal of attention start-up funds and mentorship from the teams at the lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve For more about Pride ‘n Purpose, please visit our We at Virgin believe 100% that we owe it to our customers and our staff to as well as those tasked with wildlife conservation in the website at www.ulusaba.virgin.com/pridenpurpose greater Kruger National Park area. These animals are which will bring you up to speed on all the latest news ensure that our future economic growth is built on firm, ethically sustainable being targeted for their horns which are widely believed about our activities.