From: USD 435 pps

Arathusa Safari Lodge

Intimate & romantic Arathusa Safari Lodge has a well-earned reputation for delivering value-for-money Big 5 safaris in the legendary Sabi Sands Reserve.

Prime location and value for money go hand in hand at award-winning Arathusa Safari Lodge. Set adjoining the Kruger Park in the legendary Sabi Sands Private Reserve, Arathusa offers peerless Big 5 game viewing in an unspoilt and exclusive-use environment.

Thatched roofs lying under sprawling acacia trees give this lodge an unmistakable African ambience – especially when you sit on the viewing deck and watch elephants at the waterhole below. Privately owned and run, Arathusa is a small and intimate lodge. Although not overly luxurious, it boasts an indulgent safari spa and swimming pool. It is also a great choice for honeymooners and privacy-seeking couples: as well as waterhole-facing suites, Arathusa also offers more secluded accommodation complete with private plunge pool.

Sabi Sands is a destination most popular in the long dry winter when animals stay close to water. Arathusa has a healthy reputation for leopards with sightings of lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino almost guaranteed on a 2 or 3 day stay during this time. The summer rainy season brings a wealth of birdlife and new-born animals – great for photography as well as opportunities for predators. Accessible by air or road, Arathusa Safari Lodge makes a great combination with Cape Town or even as an add-on to a Botswana safari – ask us how.

Lodge Highlights:

  • Private Sabi Sands setting
  • Excellent Big 5 game viewing
  • Small & intimate, spa & private pools
  • Genuine value for money

About Arathusa Safari Lodge

Luxury Chalets

  • Air-Conditioned & Fully En Suite
  • Outdoor Shower & Veranda
  • Mini Bar, Tea & Coffee Station
  • Suites with Plunge Pools Available

Arathusa has a total of 13 Luxury Suites on offer: nine overlook the in-house waterhole while the other four are set deeper into the bush, without a waterhole view but enjoying a more remote and private setting and they come with their own plunge pool.

All suites at Arathusa are elegant in design with an appealing decor of canvas, stone and thatch. As well as a veranda and lounge area, suites offer the convenience of an en suite bath and shower as well as an outside shower for that quintessential shower under the stars. Air conditioning keeps the temperature perfect, a mini bar, tea and coffee station, safe, hair dryer and netted double bed ensure every comfort. Twin beds are available on request.

Lodge Facilities

  • Swimming Pool
  • Wellness Spa
  • Lounge & Bar
  • Dining Room & Outdoor Boma
  • Viewing Deck & Waterhole

An open-plan design lets cool breezes flow through Arathusa’s main lodge, home to a comfortable lounge and friendly bar. Order a drink and take it down to the viewing deck, located above the ‘in-house’ waterhole, views of which can also be enjoyed from the swimming pool and wellness spa. Meals at Arathusa are served on the deck or in the fire-lit boma, accompanied by a carefully chosen wine list.

Activities at Arathusa Safari Lodge

  • Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
  • Guided Nature Walks
  • Bird Watching
  • Waterhole Game Viewing

With a frequently visited waterhole lying in front of camp, Arathusa Safari Lodge offers game viewing from the comfort of its own viewing deck. But the lodge lies in prime Big 5 country and expert guides and trackers take you into the wilderness in search of big cats, wild dogs and the heavyweights – rhino, buffalo, elephant, hippo and giraffe.

Morning game drives leave early to catch predators on the move; afternoon drives end with a spot-lit evening drive, your guide picking out nocturnal creatures such as bush babies and genets. With over 300 recorded bird species, Arathusa is a birding paradise and those who want to experience Africa under foot can arrange for nature walks with armed guides.

On The Map

Lodge Rates

These rates are purely for informational purposes and do not reflect the actual cost in those currencies.

Water facing & Bush facing Rooms

Season & Year
Per person sharing
01 January 2019 - 31 December 2019
USD 435
Included in your stay
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • House wines, beers and spirits; teas and coffees
  • Two game drives a day in open safari vehicles
  • A guided bush walk
  • Wi-fi
Excluded in your stay
  • Premium branded beverages
  • Laundry
  • Spa treatments and products
  • Curio shop purchases
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Conservation Levy
Enquire about:
Arathusa Safari Lodge Enquire Now

Hands-on Expertise

  • We’re based in Africa
  • Visit our destinations regularly
  • Exceptionally knowledgeable team
  • Expect unrivaled customer service

Accredited & Bonded

  • SATSA – Bonded Membership (2061)
  • ATTA Membership (204387)
  • Fully Independent & Owner Run
  • 24/7 Travel Support

Reviews

Faultless service, attention to detail and quality of accomodations.

The communications and service from Walter was excellent, and we were continuously fully informed. The information package and book received on arrival were excellent. We felt that we had been allocated carefully selected lodges at each camp and every detail met or exceeded our expectations.
The safari tour was wonderful, and a particular feature was the variety offered at each location which combined perfectly

Carolyn (AU)
Exceptional service ensuring a wonderful holiday. Highly recommended

Attention to detail & service provided was first class, from our very first email to the last day of our trip. Walter went above and beyond to ensure that we were notified of any changes, even up to our last day with a change to our flight time, at short notice. The safari was so much more than expected, from the rustic to the exceptional, every camp was different in it’s own way and our highlights are hard to single out just one as each camp was great.

Cyndi and Dave (AU)
Best experience ever!!

They provide us the most taylored and customized honeymoon possible! everything was much better than we expected. We loved the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere and everyone made us feeling so incredibly special and gave us a unique insight. Over our game drives we managed to see all the big five plus some!!

Salvatore (IT)
Karina was absolutely instrumental to our safari success.

Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver. She responded to our requests promptly and gave us several options with links to each option; we ultimately chose Lukimbi. She then coordinated our flights to and from the property, arranged the drivers necessary to get us from the airport to the lodge and back again, and sent the appropriate paperwork to each of us to verify each step of the process. We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Chris (USA)
Trip of a lifetime: Five countries, six camps, Vic Falls, Big Five plus more game

In June/July 2016 we undertook a trip to Southern Africa to fulfill a lifelong intention. We stayed at six camps, safari style, and had a great time. All of our expectations were met or even exceeded. For example, we never expected to see honey badgers or sitatunga, given the secretive nature of those species, but we did! All travel arrangements and connections worked smoothly, which is astonishing since we had several dozen transfers and meeting points; all of the connecting personnel were prompt, professional, and welcoming.

Michael (USA)
We had a wonderful holiday with no hitches, perfectly planned for us and so professional.

Though we live in Australia, Safari online made planning for our family holiday so easy. Walter understood our requirements and nothing was too much trouble. The holiday was everything we wanted it to be and so much more. Every camp was ideally suited for our family and we loved each day, every early morning and evening game drive. Thank you to Walter for his attention to detail and his friendly, professional and caring manner. It was a trip of a lifetime and one that we will talk about forever.

Mary (AU)
Absolutely Perfect

I was already last year in South Africa and Zambia organized by Safari Online. It was a absolutely gorgeous trip. Everything was perfect. This was the reason I booked this year in May and June an new trip to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. I got everything I expected. It was a dream again. I know I´m coming back.

Bernard (DE)
The trip was sensational and tailored to our needs. Simply fantastic!

The care by Walter was great from planning to leaving Johannesburg. The accommodations were perfectly chosen. If after a few days you thought it could not be better, you were told otherwise. It was an increase every day, with the 3 days safari in the Kruger, including overnight in tree house, the grand finale.
I would book a trip anytime again at Safari Online.

Ulrike (DE)
Outstanding experience!

We have booked at the Elephant Plains Lodge. We stayed there for a few nights and went on safaris. The lodge, the guide, the food and all the animals we have seen were fantastic. Really an outstanding experience. We can recommend Elephant Plains to everybody. Maybe you will not be as lucky as we were, becaucse we have seen the Big 5! But however you will not forget your stay at Elephant Plains.

Silvio (CH)
Experience of a lifetime and wonderful service!!

Our extended family (16 travellers, including 8 children under ten years of age!) went on a wonderful safari adventure curated and organised by Walter Kohrs of Safari Online. It could not have been any better than we experienced. From our time in Cape Town, to visiting Victoria Falls, all the way through Zimbabwe and finally wrapping up at the amazing Chobe Safari Lodge, all the locations chosen by Walter were amazing.

His attention to detail, willingness to fine-tune and excellent responsiveness (over a period of several months!) could not have been better. He took time to visit us personally upon our arrival in South Africa, with lovely gift-packs and shared a wealth of advice, recommendations and tips. I cannot recommend Safari Online (and Walter Kohrs in particular) any higher. Absolutely amazing.

Oisin (AU)