Ulusaba Private Game Reserve

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve supports an exceptionally rich variety of wildlife, benefiting from its prime location within the Sabi Sand ecosystem. The reserve is home to all members of the Big Five, with particularly strong populations of lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Leopards are frequently encountered due to long-term habituation and expert tracking by experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers. Plains game such as impala, zebra, giraffe, and kudu are abundant, forming the foundation of a healthy predator population. Smaller mammals, nocturnal species, and diverse reptiles further enrich the reserve’s biodiversity.

Ulusaba is internationally celebrated for its leopard sightings, often considered among the best in Africa. Regular encounters with relaxed leopards during daylight hours provide extraordinary photographic opportunities. Predator interactions involving lions, hyenas, and occasional cheetah sightings add excitement to game drives, while elephant herds frequently move through riverbeds and open plains. Guided night drives reveal elusive nocturnal species rarely seen elsewhere.

The dry season from June to October offers the best wildlife viewing at Ulusaba. Sparse vegetation improves visibility, and animals congregate around permanent water sources. Cooler temperatures also allow for longer game drives, increasing the chances of extended predator sightings, particularly leopards and lions.

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities, with over 300 recorded bird species found across its varied habitats. Riverine woodlands attract kingfishers, bee-eaters, and herons, while open savannas host hornbills, rollers, and bustards. Raptors such as martial eagles and bateleurs are regularly seen soaring above the reserve, making Ulusaba appealing to both casual birders and serious enthusiasts.

The best time for birdwatching at Ulusaba is from November to March, when migratory bird species arrive and breeding season begins. Birds are more vocal and display bright breeding plumage, enhancing identification and photographic opportunities.

The dry season from June to October offers the best wildlife viewing at Ulusaba. Sparse vegetation improves visibility, and animals congregate around permanent water sources. Cooler temperatures also allow for longer game drives, increasing the chances of extended predator sightings, particularly leopards and lions.