Description

So much more than a pretty view, it’s the heart of the lodge. A permanent, year-round water source, it supports a remarkable diversity of life: breeding herds of elephant, territorial hippo, plains game coming to drink, and the predators that follow them. Birdlife is constant and shifting; the soundtrack changes by season and by hour. The Sabi Sands is renowned for Big Cat sightings, and leopards are frequently seen on the reserve. Arathusa Safari Lodge offers accommodation in thatched-roofed suites, all equipped with en-suite bathrooms, verandahs, mini-bars, air conditioning, mosquito nets, electronic safes, hairdryers, and coffee-making stations. Arathusa offers entertainment in the form of guided safari drives – open-vehicle excursions into the park, one conducted in the morning and the other at dusk. These outings are coordinated and conducted by highly trained teams of experienced game rangers and local Shangaan trackers. Guided bush walks are also available during the cooler hours of the day, giving guests the opportunity to get closer to the animals they encounter and engage with the Shangaan team on topics such as local flora, bird habitats, and the area’s history. Arathusa is particularly well known for its leopard population, with regular sightings and familiarity with these animals making for excellent viewing opportunities. Additionally, the area hosts large buffalo herds, elephant groups, numerous lion prides, and other Big Five members. The area is also home to an impressive variety of lowveld game, including zebra, impala, giraffe, and warthog, along with a spectacular array of birdlife. Because the lodge is positioned right on the edge of the water, the experience is close, unforced, and continuous. You may watch a herd move in while you’re at breakfast, see buffalo settle in the heat of the afternoon, or spot a leopard drinking at dusk. Here you don’t have to chase the safari. Sit for long enough, and it will come to you…