Arathusa Safari Lodge

Facing a permanent waterhole that draws elephant, hippo, buffalo, and predators throughout the day, Arathusa Safari Lodge is 12 suites in the north-east corner of the Sabi Sand reserve. The waterhole is year-round; herds arrive to drink at breakfast, settle in the afternoon heat, and leopards come at dusk. You can watch from the deck without leaving the lodge. Eight suites face the water directly. Four sit remotely in the bush, a short walk from the main areas. Each suite has an en-suite bathroom with an indoor shower, a private outdoor shower, air conditioning, a safe, mosquito netting, and a veranda. Mini-bars are stocked on request. The lodge is open-plan, with indoor and outdoor dining, lounges, an infinity pool, and a spa offering treatments between drives. The property is adults-only; families with children over 12 are welcome. Guided drives depart early morning and late afternoon with a professional guide and tracker. Most are over 40 and come from long lines of natural trackers. The reserve shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park, and animals move freely across both areas. Guides know the territories and lineage of the resident leopards and lion prides. Walking safaris track animals on foot through the concession. The lodge is family-owned. Laundry, Wi-Fi, and a selection of beverages are complimentary.