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Arathusa Safari Lodge

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• Excellent 959
• Very Good 132
• All languages ( 1,144 )
• English ( 987 )
• German ( 52 )
• French ( 46 )

" Watering hole facing rooms have incredible views - the Jackalberry suite also has a plunge pool! "

" Don’t need binoculars or headlamps. "

" The terrain is undulating and very bushy in parts be prepared for a bumpy ride! "

" Go to every game drive - they are different every day. "

" Take advantage of all safari rides and bush walks. They really mean all inclusive. "

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ARATHUSA SAFARI LODGE: UPDATED 2024 Hotel Reviews and 1,978 Photos (Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa) - Tripadvisor

Arathusa Safari Lodge

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 959
• Very Good 132
• All languages ( 1,144 )
• English ( 987 )
• German ( 52 )
• French ( 46 )

" Watering hole facing rooms have incredible views - the Jackalberry suite also has a plunge pool! "

" Don’t need binoculars or headlamps. "

" The terrain is undulating and very bushy in parts be prepared for a bumpy ride! "

" Go to every game drive - they are different every day. "

" Take advantage of all safari rides and bush walks. They really mean all inclusive. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Arathusa Safari Lodge - UPDATED 2024 Reviews & Photos (South Africa/Sabi Sand Game Reserve) - Hotel - Tripadvisor

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Arathusa Safari Lodge

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Arathusa Safari Lodge is one of the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve's most enriching and romantic bush getaways. Located within close proximity of the impressive and unfenced Kruger National Park, Arathusa provides the ideal setting in which to engage with the untamed African bush and spend some time appreciating the regions incredible wildlife, including the famous 'Big 5'.

• Arathusa Safari Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples and families looking for a luxurious big 5 safari experience
• Family-run lodge, ensuring warm and personalised service
• Overlooks a large waterhole attracting game throughout the day
• Safari spa available for an invigorating treatments

You should know

Child policy.

Unless the camp is entirely and exclusively linked, Arathusa does not accommodate guests under the age of twelve years old.

Children of 12 years and over are welcome at the lodge and will be charged the full adult rates for the accommodation.

The Sabi Sands is renowned for Big Cat sightings and leopard are frequently seen on the reserve.

Arathusa Safari Lodge offers accommodation in thatch-roofed suites, all completed with en-suite bathrooms, verandahs, mini-bars, air conditioning, mosquito nets, electronic safes, hairdryers and coffee making stations.

There are nine Water-Facing Suites that overlook a waterhole that teems with resident hippo and other animals that come down to drink. Each suite is spacious and fresh in design. They each feature an en-suite bathroom with private indoor and outdoor showers, as well as a private verandah that overlooks the waterhole.

Arathusa has four Bush-Facing Suites that are remotely located away from the lodge, offering complete privacy. Each of the spacious open-plan suites feature a lounge area, en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, as well as a private verandah and plunge pool.  

The lodge facilities include a bar area, dining room and outdoor deck, a safety deposit box, reading lounge, infinity swimming pool, curio shop, internet connectivity in the main areas of the lodge, a traditional open-air boma, and a spa and wellness center with a treatment room that overlooks the lodge’s waterhole and the beautiful African bushveld.

Arathusa offers entertainment in the way of guided safari drives - open vehicle excursions into the park, one conducted in the morning, the other at dusk. These outings are coordinated, and the guests kept up to date by highly trained teams of experienced game rangers and local Shangaan trackers. Guided bush walks are also conducted during the moderate hours of the day, during which guests have the opportunity to get within arm's reach of the animals they spot, as well as engaging with theiShangaanrs on the topics of local bush types, bird habitats, and the area's history.

Arathusa is particularly well known for its leopard population, with regular sightings and a familiarity with the animals making for easy viewing. Additionally, the area plays host to large buffalo herds, elephant groups, and numerous lion prides, as well as the rest of the big five (in abundance), and lowveld game, including zebra, impala, giraffe, and warthog. The area is also home to an impressive array of birdlife.

Price Includes

Accommodation, meals, local brand beverages, teas & coffees, twice-daily game drives in an open safari vehicle, a guided bush walk and Wi-Fi.

Rate Excludes

Premium branded beverages, laundry, curio shop purchases, gratuities, items of a personal nature, Sabi Sand vehicle entrance fee and conservation levy.

A mandatory Sabi Sand Wildtuin Conservation Levy will be charged per guest per night. This contribution goes towards conservation initiatives within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, with a particular focus on the prevention of rhino poaching.

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What our guests say about Candis

March 26, 2024

This is the second trip we book with…

This is the second trip we book with Candis from safari.com. Candis is super knowledgable, is extremly customer service and experience focused and did everything possible to organize the trip as we wanted it. I can highly recommend booking a safari with Candis and safari.com

March 21, 2024

Booking with Candis was seamless

Booking with Candis was seamless. Thank you very much

March 19, 2024

Safari.com and Candis did a great job…

Safari.com and Candis did a great job creating the Safari our family had hoped for. Everything came off without any hitches- the flights , the transports and our safari. She even found us an extra night. Highly recommend their service.

Apr 11, 2024

It was easy

It was easy, it all worked as planned, our expectations were exceeded. Anja was easy to communicate with through Whatsapp and always responded promptly to any questions.

Apr 10, 2024

She made it so easy to book

She made it so easy to book - Leigh-Ann was great to deal with . She made it so easy and worked with the dates I gave her . I appreciate it so much and when I book my next safari - I hope to have the same experience - which was awesome !!!!

Botswana Experience

Anja, our agent, was very kind and helpful all the time to organize the perfect trip. She did it quickly and efficiently. The amount of days we spent in every place was perfect to really enjoy the hotels and the different activities they proposed (in general the hotels are very nice but we don’t have the time to really experience the place but here we did). Also the selections of hotels was very very nice. Nice infrastructure, excellent service (very professional) and outstanding places to visit (all the parks were great). We had a wonderful experience with the company in Botswana.

Thank you Heleen for great service and…

Thank you Heleen for great service and always very helpful with all the changes we made. highly recommended

Keith was extremely helpful during the…

Keith was extremely helpful during the booking process. He is the only reason I continued the booking process with your firm. There were issues with your website among other things that had me feeling uncomfortable. Keith has great energy which eased my concerns. I feel the package Keith put together is great and I expect to have a wonderful trip.

Apr 9, 2024

Creating a Trip of a Lifetime

Shann Shaw was extremely patient and very helpful with getting a trip of a lifetime put together. Thank you so much for making it possible!

Keith answered all of my questions…

Keith answered all of my questions without any issues. He addressed everything that I asked and was quite prompt in his responses.

Apr 6, 2024

great service

This is to thank Leigh-Ann for her wonderful help with my safari booking. She always answers my questions quickly and provide solutions. Although I finally didn't book the trip because of a few constraints on my side, I'm sure that she is a nice person and it was enjoyable to receive her service.

Apr 4, 2024

Heleen feedback

Heleen was an absolute pleasure to deal with and is the person that has made me pass on Safari as a have to use when booking trips and putting a plan together. Heleen has been super responsive, informative and was more than happy to change things as needed throughout the process. We are a large group so nothing was simple but Heleen ensured we got accommodation together (as much as possible) and provided options for set ups too. It has been a pleasure to deal with Heleen and she is has given the company a fantastic reputation! Thank you so much again Heleen!

Arathusa Safari Lodge - Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Arathusa Safari Lodge is known for its all inclusive safari experience, the location of Arathusa and the variety of wildlife which you can view while staying at Arathusa makes it in demand throughout the year. The lodge has two room types, bush facing suites which has a private plunge pool and a water facing suites which overlooks a seasonal waterhole. Safari vehicles head into the bush twice a day with professional rangers and trackers, the safari is not just about the Big Five.

The smaller creatures and the multitude of birds and different species are as important and amazing to watch! Being in the company of experienced guides & trackers makes game drives exciting and every minute can bring something special and valuable information. Time spent on game drives searching for the big five and the many different species of fauna & flora is the most exciting time of your day. Early morning and sunset times were selected for the high activity of animals as the heat during the day makes it difficult for animals to move around to find food. Arathusa safari lodge will offer you everything you expect and want from luxury, great food, amazing service and an incredible wildlife moments.  

Arathusa Safari Lodge - Image Gallery

Arathusa Safari Lodge lies on  an 868-hectare property. Traversing during game drives however takes place over an area of approximately 4000 hectares, due to reciprocal agreements with neighboring landowners. This does not affect the quality of the exclusive safari experience however, as there are very few vehicles to impact on the solitude enjoyed during game drives.

Arathusa’s shared traversing area includes land owned by Elephant Plains, Simbambili, Chitwa Chitwa, part of Djuma, as well as private land.  The landscape is rich and varied, comprising of open savannas, riverine thickets, river beds and lush bush vegetation ensure interesting sights around each corner. The perennial Manyeleti River meanders its way through the property.

Sabi Sands Reviews

Loved our time at Nkorho. Our guide, Matt, and tracker, David, were extremely professional and knowledgeable. The safari rides were

Loved our time at Nkorho. Our guide, Matt, and tracker, David, were extremely professional and knowledgeable. The safari rides were incredible and we certainly saw everything we came to see. The entire staff works hard to ensure a great experience for their guests. Our suite was great, very clean and comfortable . The swing was cozy on the front deck! Enjoyed our meals and evenings in the bar. Thanks to all for a great time!

This was a great experience overall. The resort was nice and homely. Our ranger Kelsey and tracker Bennett were very

This was a great experience overall. The resort was nice and homely. Our ranger Kelsey and tracker Bennett were very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions that we had. The game drives were exciting and the search for the leopard was one of the highlights of the trip. The rooms were spacious, and the food was almost unending. The only downside, and understandably so, was the inability to move from one room to another, after dark. While our sons were older and able to stay on their own, families with slightly younger children may have to stay in one chalet. Strongly recommend it!!

I can´t stop thinking about my visit at Arathusa. Just want to go back. It was so amazing in every

I can´t stop thinking about my visit at Arathusa. Just want to go back. It was so amazing in every way. The lodgin itself was so nice and luxury, the food excellent and you really had everything you could possible need.

We had a great overall experience at Mala Mala. We saw abundant animals and several exciting interactions between them. Our

We had a great overall experience at Mala Mala. We saw abundant animals and several exciting interactions between them. Our guide was knowledgeable and nice (the others in our group had a guide who had had incredible intuition for finding animals and we benefited from it). The rooms are nice, beautiful and comfortable. The food was good/okay... We were there for three nights and it seemed like there were a lot of repeats between the meals. The staff were all friendly and the customer service was great!

I don't usually write reviews however, I travelled to Lion Sands with my girlfriend in March 2017, it was her

I don't usually write reviews however, I travelled to Lion Sands with my girlfriend in March 2017, it was her birthday and I was planning to propose. From the moment the booking was made until the last minute we left the location the service was impecable.

Our family just spend 3 days in the Cottage. The safaris were outstanding led by our intelligent and passionate guide

Our family just spend 3 days in the Cottage. The safaris were outstanding led by our intelligent and passionate guide Michael. We saw so much and learnt so much in the "Land That Time Forgot". Leopard with Waterbuck kill, wild dogs, Lion and Elephant swimming and wrestling in a dam and so much more!! The camp manager Gary was so welcoming and friendly. His enthusiasm for the bush is infectious. Thanks for a wonderful time in a special place. Also thanks for arranging a truly unique bat sighting!!!! Stayed May 2017, travelled with family

I cannot express how great my experience was at Idube, I have a lifetime of memories from the 4 nights

I cannot express how great my experience was at Idube, I have a lifetime of memories from the 4 nights we stayed there. Highly recommended.

Fabulous three days at Idube Game Reserve. Lovely people. amazing food. So many highlights. But one stood out. When we

Fabulous three days at Idube Game Reserve. Lovely people. amazing food. So many highlights. But one stood out. When we surprised a rhino and it charged our Land Cruiser, leave it to our guide, Brogan, to take care of business. With a sharp, "OY!", the rhino stopped it charge, turn around and trotted back to its mate. Note that the wifi was only available in the office when we went, but it's due for an upgrade any date. Pro-tip: No cell coverage, but the office has a cell tower booster. Turn off your wifi, and your phone will pick up the cell booster if you have a local phone or international plan

It's hard to put into words what a wonderful place this is , even before you arrive the staff are

It's hard to put into words what a wonderful place this is , even before you arrive the staff are extremely helpful with information and when you arrive they make you feel part of the lodge community not just a guest (truly welcoming).

The staff are genuinely interested in your adventure and happiness joining in stories and experiences of each game drive .Be prepared for the early starts 5.30 am game drive however believe me this is the best time of the day to see the animals and is a magical time to see the bush. The lodge and rooms are to a very high standard with all rooms having great views and the best bit being no fences !!!! YOU REALLY ARE IN THE BUSH 🙂 . This is without doubt a luxury Safari

We just came back from our first ever safari trip. We went not knowing what to expect. After our first

We just came back from our first ever safari trip. We went not knowing what to expect. After our first game drive, we got to know why Sabi Sands Lodges are the best when it comes to big five game viewing. We managed to view all of the big five on one day.

The accommodation was perfect and the staff were exceptionally friendly. We are hooked, we will certainly visit Sabi Sabi again, very soon.

We absolutely loved this resort. The staff is so warm and welcoming, the rooms and public areas are beautifully and

We absolutely loved this resort. The staff is so warm and welcoming, the rooms and public areas are beautifully and comfortably decorated, the food was delicious (I'm a San Francisco foodie pescetarian and absolutely loved the food/presentation), and the game drives were unforgettable. Don't miss the bush walk--we walked through a field of butterflies, saw all kinds of animal tracks, and enjoyed a different view of the landscape we'd been driving through all week. I would also highly recommend visiting the Thornybush Community Project gardens with Gavin, where some of the beautiful food served in Sabi Sand resorts is grown by local women as part of a community collective. We also visited a school, which had an incredible impact on us. I loved Simbambili--a little piece of my heart is still there

A wonderful visit that was nothing short of perfect. Amazing game sightings, the best I've had (and it is always

A wonderful visit that was nothing short of perfect. Amazing game sightings, the best I've had (and it is always good), our Ranger and Tracker were great fun and very knowledgable, the staff were on the ball and the atmosphere and mood relaxed and attentive. My 6th visit, and great that Ulusaba is back to its best, thank you!

Highly recommended. Amazing in many ways. Great safari experience. Unsurpassed food. Kind staff. Two safaris a day for three days.

Highly recommended. Amazing in many ways. Great safari experience. Unsurpassed food. Kind staff. Two safaris a day for three days. One extra walking safari midday. Excellent game viewing. Night time star gazing by the fire. Trip to the village. Great amenities. Boma, Observation points. Nice little library. The staff will walk you to your cabin at night. Our first time here was 2006 but this is the place to come for the best safari lodge experience. This is the place to come back to.

My daughter and I spent 3 nights at Notten's in April 2017 and we loved everything about it! We loved

My daughter and I spent 3 nights at Notten's in April 2017 and we loved everything about it! We loved the fact that we were teamed up with the same driver/tracker/four other guests in the same car over the course of all the days - we had such fun together and really got involved in trying to spot the animals. And we were rewarded with multiple leopard sightings and the other big 5, as well as all the other beautiful animals - zebra, giraffes, kudu, impala etc - and many birds. The rooms - including outdoor shower, dining area, food, pool, gift shop, massage, the lovely candle light (and lack of electric lighting) and special sundowner by the river were all fabulous. We felt so relaxed and welcomed. The staff were professional and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. They went the extra mile to engage with my 9 year old daughter. This place suited us perfectly. It was top class without being pretentious. Worth every penny - and actually better value than some other lodges. Recommended without hesitation. We hope to return one day. Thank you to all - Dale, Suzie, Gift, Desmond, Tulani, Riddent, Joe and everyone else (sorry if names are miss-spelt).

Stayed April 2017, travelled with family

After spending 2 nights at the Dulini River Lodge we spent 2 nights at the Dulini Lodge. Even though both

After spending 2 nights at the Dulini River Lodge we spent 2 nights at the Dulini Lodge. Even though both Lodges are in the same Reserve and very close they offer a different athmosphere. The Dulini Lodge gives you a stronger "Africa feeling" in terms of decoration and setup in my view.

The bungalows are very spacious and well equipped.The welcome is kind and warm and the staff is amazing. They provided me with a special birthday dinner which made the stay even more memorable.

The game drives with the Ranger Fred and our tracker May where an experience. We saw a lot and as haveing been on Safari before we received so much more indepth information since we did not have to worry about seeing all the big 5 (which we saw anyway).

Will try to be back whenever possible

Everything wonderful, just come back from part of Titan Tour. We saw the big five and so much more. Couldn't

Everything wonderful, just come back from part of Titan Tour. We saw the big five and so much more. Couldn't fault it and would love to go back. You have to be there to believe how good it is, and how close you get to what is after all wild animals. I could have almost touched one of the lions we saw!!

This was a perfect place for a safari. We stayed in one of the two suites, and this was perfect.

This was a perfect place for a safari. We stayed in one of the two suites, and this was perfect. The game drives were so exiting. Of 8 game drives we saw leopards at 7 of them. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The food was nice. The skills of the tracker and ranger was fantastic. It was so nice to follow how they read the tracks in the sand and bushes. We saw the big 5 and a lot more. If would go back? YES

If you are planning a trip to S.A. And want to spend time in the bush, then Sabi Sands is

If you are planning a trip to S.A. And want to spend time in the bush, then Sabi Sands is a must. We have been travelling to to South Africa every year for the past 12 years and stayed at many game reserves including the Krugar many times. This year we saved up hard and achieved our dream, to stay in Sabi Sands. All that I can say it's Well Worth every penny, the reserve is just something else! It's the best and it's a must, forget the rest push the the boat out and and stay at in Sabi Sands.. We chose Elephant Plains due to our budget. It was wonderful food fantastic, staff brilliant, service first class. We saw the big five for the the first time in 12 years.... So if you are looking for a safari holiday then look no further this place is the best. Memories we will never forget.

Arathusa Safari Lodge - Video

Arathusa safari lodge – northern sabi sands game reserve – information.

• ACCOMMODATION
• CHILD POLICY

Arathusa Safari Lodge - Wildlife Gallery

Price Includes

* Luxury accommodation * Three meals per day * Teas & coffees * Selected local branded beer, housewine, spirits & soft drinks * Twice daily game drives * A guided bush walk * Wi-Fi

Price Excludes

* Flights & Transfers * Laundry * Conservation fees * Gratuities

Arathusa Reviews

Enquiry form - arathusa safari lodge.

Arrival Date: Departure Date: Dates Flexible: Yes No Adults: Children: (Below 12 years)

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CONTACT DETAILS

45 ANGLESEY STREET,   

CAPE TOWN  7780

SOUTH AFRICA

TELEPHONE: +27216969615  

MOBILE: + 27642831384 

AFTER HOURS: +27606191220

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2024 & 2025 rates

Arathusa Safari Lodge Rates are fully inclusive of:

Luxury, Airconditioned Accommodation

High Tea in the afternoon

2 Game drives daily in open safari vehicles (duration: 2.5 – 3 hours)

Guided bush walks

Good selection of local house wines, beers, and spirits

Free Wi-Fi in the Public Areas

Rate Excludes:

Premium branded Beverages

Curio Shop purchases

Spa Treatments

Road Transfers & Flights

Terms & Conditions

Arathusa Safari Lodge rates are fully inclusive of accommodation; meals; house wines, beers and spirits; teas & coffees; twice-daily game drives in open safari vehicles; a guided bush walk and Wi-Fi.

Rates exclude premium branded beverages; laundry; curio shop purchases; spa treatments and products. These charges are payable on departure as extras.

Rates are inclusive of 15% VAT

The following vehicle entrance fees are charged by the Sabi Sand Wildtuin on entrance into the reserve, and are excluded from the rates for accommodation:

Light vehicles: (under 3500kg GVM) R330.00 per entry (2025: R350)

PLUS a per person fee of R150.00 per entry  (2025: R160)

Heavy vehicles: (over 3500kg GVM) R540.00 per entry (2025: R620)

Effective 01 January 2024 the mandatory Sabi Sand Wildtuin Conservation Levy is R375 (inclusive of VAT) per person per night.

Effective 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 the mandatory Sabi Sand Wildtuin Conservation Levy is R410 per person per night (inclusive of 15% VAT, and subject to change as prescribed by the Sabi Sand Reserve)

This contribution goes towards conservation initiatives within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, with a particular focus on the prevention of rhino poaching. These costs are added to invoices for accommodation, although arrangements may be made to add the charges to extras payable by guests on departure from the reserve.

Guests will be required to sign an Indemnity Form on arrival at the lodge

Children of 12 and over are welcome at Arathusa’s suites and will be charged the full adult rate for accommodation. 

Suites can accommodate a maximum of two guests

All bookings must be confirmed in writing

Full prepayment is required before guests arrive at Arathusa Safari Lodge

A Tourism Levy does not apply at Arathusa Safari Lodge

More than 90 days prior to arrival: no cancellation fee

More than 60 days prior to arrival: 10% of the full accommodation charge

More than 30 days prior to arrival: 25% of the full accommodation charge

Less than 30 days prior to arrival: 50% of the full accommodation charge

Less than 7 days prior to arrival: 100% of the full accommodation charge

Provisional bookings

Reservations 61+ days prior to arrival may be provisionally held for 30 days. In the event that we receive a confirmed reservation against the space held, travellers will have the opportunity to either release or confirm the reservation within 48 hours Confirmed bookings

A deposit will be required to confirm a reservation.

Refunds will be processed in ZAR (South African Rand), less 3.5% for bank charges incurred. Prepaid refunds

All funds received will be held in a secure financial facility until the travel date. TRAVEL INSURANCE

Arathusa Safari Lodge urges all guests to take out comprehensive travel insurance – including “cancel for any reason” coverage – in order to cover the financial implications of Arathusa Safari Lodge’s Standard Cancellation Terms and Conditions.

*Arathusa Safari Lodge reserves the right to amend or withdraw the above conditions without prior notice

Any reservation of 8 or more people is considered a group.

A  10% deposit  is payable on confirmation of the reservation.

Two further deposits of 25% each are payable 150 days and 90 days respectively prior to arrival, and the full balance is required  no less than 30 days before arrival. Group Cancellation Policy

10% if cancelled more than 150 days prior to arrival

25% if cancelled less than 150 days prior to arrival

50% if cancelled 90 days prior to arrival

100% if cancelled less than 45 days prior to arrival

Banking details

Account name : Arathusa Safari Lodge Bank : Nedbank Branch Code : 166234 Account number : 1662063512 Proof of payment to be sent to: Email:  [email protected]  or  Fax: 086 206 1670

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Arathusa Safari Lodge

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

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Arathusa Safari Lodge is owner-operated and delivers a friendly, personalised service to its guests.

The small infinity swimming pool is perfect for cooling off in the heat of the day after a dusty game drive, while the comfortable lounge is the perfect place to while away some time with a book or chat with fellow guests over a pre- or post-dinner drink.

The lodge has an open-plan design and was built using natural materials that blend into its surroundings, while its comfortable rooms offer a touch of luxury in the African bush.

This small lodge offers a very comfortable, personal experience with exceptional game viewing possibilities.

OUR RATING: Medium

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our South Africa specialists

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Photos of Arathusa Safari Lodge

The spacious, thatched chalets all feature large en suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, air conditioning, minibars, safes, tea/coffee making facilities and mosquito nets. Rooms have comfy chairs, a high thatched roof and a bath in the corner of the room. Bush-facing rooms also have their own private plunge pool.

Arathusa is located in the northern part of Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park, and is therefore surrounded by some of the most varied and concentrated numbers of wildlife in South Africa.

Food and drink

Fresh local produce is the basis for meals at Arathusa. Continental breakfast is served after the morning game drive, consisting of a continental breakfast, with hot breakfast requests made to order. Lunch is a light table d’hôte option served prior to your afternoon game drive, while a high tea of cake and fruits is also served. Sundowner drinks are an integral part of any afternoon safari and while you’re out in the bush you can be served your favourite tipple with a series of snacks in a scenic spot. Dinner is a four course creative affair. Generally a social event, it may be held in a variety of places around the lodge, perhaps on the deck over the waterhole or in the boma.

Families are welcome at the lodge, but children under 12 are not permitted.

Facilities and activities

Game drives depart in the early evening and late afternoon in open vehicles with experienced and knowledgeable rangers. Photo opportunities and some close encounters are to be expected! The lodge also has a spa, which offers a wide range of treatments using locally sourced products.

Tour ideas in Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Arathusa Safari Lodge as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls

13 days from £7,755pp

Mpumalanga self-drive & Kruger safari

8 days from £3,415pp

South Africa & Victoria Falls family adventure

10 days from £6,800pp

Cape Town to Kruger: luxury South African rail journey

13 days from £10,595pp

Kruger safari & Mozambique explorer

12 days from £11,165pp

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map, alternative places to stay nearby.

Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.

&Beyond Kirkman's Kamp

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge

Dulini Leadwood Lodge

Dulini River Lodge

Sabi sands game reserve and nearby places.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

• Hazyview 32 miles away
• Kruger National Park 23 miles away
• Thornybush Reserve 28 miles away
• Timbavati Game Reserve 29 miles away
• Southern & Central Sectors Kruger National Park 43 miles away
• Kapama Private Game Reserve 36 miles away
• Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve 45 miles away
• The Escarpment 49 miles away
• Greater Makalali Game Reserve 69 miles away
• Eswatini 130 miles away

Arathusa Safari Lodge

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ARATHUSA SAFARI LODGE - Updated 2024 (South Africa/Sabi Sand Game Reserve)

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Tsaritsyno: The idyllic palace park where Muscovites escape the big city (PHOTOS)

Tsaritsyno Park offers one of the most impressive examples of Russian garden design from the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Located in southern Moscow, it is just a short walk from (you guessed it!) Tsaritsyno metro station .

Visitors often crowd around an enormous fountain near the park’s entrance, but you’ll find the palace towers a bit farther away among the trees.  

The estate originally belonged to Dimitrie Cantemir, a Moldavian prince allied with Imperial Russia. He built a church and a wooden palace on the site .

His French-style garden was designed according to the baroque architectural styles of that time and included pathways and flowerbeds that were made according to strict geometrical rules .

Catherine the Great fell in love with the estate so much that she decided to buy it. At the time, English-style gardens that artistically imitated natural landscapes were popular, and so two gardeners named John Munro and Francis Reid were brought over from England to work on the estate .

There’s nothing better than wandering through the forest along the winding cobblestone pathways, which are lined with antique statues and pavilions with huge pillars. As you walk, you hear the melodic singing of birds, which heightens the whole experience and takes you away from the chaos of the city center .

Monument to the architects Vasilii Bazhenov and Matvei Kazakov

Tsaritsyno’s construction began in 1779 under the supervision of architect Vasili Bazhenov. Unfortunately, just as construction work was almost complete, Catherine visited the palace and expressed dissatisfaction with its design. In 1785, she ordered the palace to be demolished and rebuilt. This time, she tasked Matvey Kazakov, one of Bazhenov’s students, with overseeing the project .

Main palace

Kazakov designed a three-story building that he hoped would capture the glory of Catherine’s reign. However, when work was suspended for three years due to a lack of funds, the empress ordered him to alter the plans, advising him to construct a two-story building and simplify the design of the roof .

Following Catherine’s death in 1796, work on the project came to a standstill once again, and the unfinished palace was left in ruins throughout the 19 th century. Local residents ransacked the place, removing window frames as well as stone walls .

Between 1950 and 1980, the ruins of the Grand Palace even became an unexpected rock-climbing site .

This finally changed between 2006 and 2007, when the city undertook a huge construction project to restore the park and architectural complex, bringing it back to its original beauty and splendor .

The main building still contains ornate reception rooms, but the annexes have been turned into a museum.

You might even stumble upon a ballroom scene in the middle of the forest, like something straight out of a movie, except with older people gathering to dance to electro or disco music .

These vast green spaces serve as a haven for Muscovites looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find respite in a tranquil, serene setting. A lot of people come here just to lounge on the grass, play badminton or take a peaceful stroll in the shade .

If you wander around the forest, you might even come across a strange sight under the treetops: a sacred site maintained by local followers of Shamanism. Here you’ll find totem poles decorated with ribbons, symbols and all sorts of offerings, such as pieces of bread, semolina or candy (which you can see being stolen from right under our noses by a squirrel in the picture above).

Read more: What to do in Kolomenskoye, one of Moscow's oldest parks

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Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 959
• Very Good 132
• All languages ( 1,144 )
• English ( 987 )
• German ( 52 )
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" Watering hole facing rooms have incredible views - the Jackalberry suite also has a plunge pool! "

" Don’t need binoculars or headlamps. "

" The terrain is undulating and very bushy in parts be prepared for a bumpy ride! "

" Go to every game drive - they are different every day. "

" Take advantage of all safari rides and bush walks. They really mean all inclusive. "

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ARATHUSA SAFARI LODGE: 2024 Reviews (Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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