Number 1 eco-tourism travel Agent 2022
Welcome to Cheetah Plains exclusive Plains Houses, home of the definitive exclusive-use luxury sustainable safari in South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife area, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Exclusively yours, the Plains Houses play host to your private safari experience of a lifetime.
A bold departure from its humble safari lodge beginnings, Cheetah Plains has undergone a complete metamorphosis. Today, it is a beacon to the eco-luxe safari set and a collaborative expression of South Africa’s rich heritage. Proud owner, Japie van Niekerk’s vision for the property is finally realised.
Each of the exclusive-use Plains Houses at Cheetah Plains accommodates a maximum of 8 guests per house, offering you and your safari companions the ultimate private safari experience in the splendid Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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'Karula' is a tribute to the most majestic of female leopards that ever roamed the northern quadrant of the Sabi Sands Reserve. Set along a drainage line that Karula would have favoured in her prime, the natural bush setting reflects her key qualities: tenacity and nurturing. Plains House 'Karula' comprises a shared space: a private sanctuary surrounded by nature housing the formal lounge, living room, expansive deck, heated lap pool, loggia, wine gallery, dining area and four adjacent private suites (two of which are inter-leading). Each suite is equipped with a separate WC, dressing room and full bathroom, replete with double rain shower, plus a deluxe freestanding bath set against floor-to-ceiling doors, opening directly on to its pristine bushveld setting. This, complemented by uplifting Africology amenities invites an immersive, invigorating bathing ritual.
Set on the bend of a drainage line culminating in a productive waterhole, 'Mapogo House' occupies a unique vantage point on the Cheetah Plains Private Reserve. The raw masculinity of the structure and its inherent appointments embody the power and purpose that characterised the Mapogo brotherhood: a coalition of lions that reigned supreme in this area for years. Mapogo comprises a shared space: a private sanctuary surrounded by nature housing the formal lounge, living room, expansive deck, lap pool, loggia, wine gallery, dining area, and four private suites, each with uninterrupted views of the bush, a patio with an expansive daybed, lounge, separate WC, dressing room and full bathroom, replete with double rain shower, plus a deluxe freestanding bath set against floor-to-ceiling doors opening directly on to pristine bushveld.
'Mvula' is dedicated to the once dominant majestic male leopard whose home range was central to the Cheetah Plains Private Reserve. Set in a grove of cathedral Tamboti trees, the aura of this residence exudes the force that was Mvula. Explore the formal lounge, living room, expansive deck, heated lap pool, loggia, wine gallery, dining room, and four suites (two of which are inter-leading), each with uninterrupted views and deep connection with the natural bushveld surrounds. Soak in the tranquility on the patio with its expansive daybed or opt for the sanctuary of the lounge. Each suite is equipped with a separate WC, dressing room and full bathroom, replete with double rain shower, plus a deluxe freestanding bath set against floor-to-ceiling doors, opening directly on to its pristine bushveld setting.
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Your dining expectations and requirements are an important element of your stay. Cheetah Plains has an 'open kitchen' policy; you're always welcome to pop in and see what is cooking! If you like, join in the culinary action or just observe while having a relaxed chat with your chef. Dining al fresco, preferably out in the bush, is always a highlight. Fresh, locally sourced produce is the lodge's preference and supports farm-to-table vision at Cheetah Plains.
Stop for coffee and breakfast treats at a viewing point during your game drives. Your Safari guides will set up a coffee and tea station.
Each Plains House hosts a fine wine gallery comprising a purely South African wine selection curated to reflect Japie's favourite estates and varietals. Only wines of the most discerning quality are stocked in your wine gallery. Your host will readily recommend a wine to pair with your beautiful meal. Explore the wonders of new world wines by embarking on a wine tasting hosted by the lodge's on-property Sommelier (available upon request). Cheetah Plains' accomplished culinary team delivers imaginative, soulful meals that, when paired with characteristic wines, resulting in an elevated dining experience you will savour.
All meals prepared by a private chef
A selection of vintage South African wines, Cap Classiques, Premium Spirits, beers & non-alcoholic beverages
Twice-daily game drives in your private game-viewing vehicle expertly led by world-class on-site field guide and tracker team
Use of a Nikon 0850 camera with complimentary memory card (One camera per Plains House)
Walking safaris
Sunrise / sunset stops & stargazing during your game drives
Coffee stops during your game drive
Wellness treatments by dedicated spa therapist
Use of on-site gym
Outdoor, fireside dining as often as possible
Transfers between Arathusa airstrip & Cheetah Plains are included when flying with FedAir / Airlink / Private Charter
Dedicated hospitality team comprising host, spa therapist and chef for the duration of your stay
Dining area
Outdoor boma for fire-side dining
Temperature controlled wine cellar
Swimming pool, daybed and private deck area
Private electric prototype Land Cruiser game viewer
Cub Club
Two lounges (a formal lounge and an entertainment lounge)
Indigenous gardens and spectacular views into the surrounding natural bushveld
Two iPhone 1 0's per suite are preloaded with the Roberts' bird app, Stuart's mammal app, an astronomy app and Cheetah Plains host's contact number
Sunrise / sunset stops & stargazing during your game drives
Coffee stops during your game drive
Wellness treatments by dedicated spa therapist
Use of on-site gym
Outdoor, fireside dining as often as possible
Transfers between Arathusa airstrip & Cheetah Plains are included when flying with FedAir / Airlink / Private Charter
Dedicated hospitality team comprising host, spa therapist and chef for the duration of your stay
The best time of day to explore the bush is early morning and late afternoon. Twice-daily game drives are led by best-in-class safari guides and trackers and taken in Cheetah Plains' prototype Land Cruiser Electric safari vehicles, a game-changing innovation pioneered by Japie van Niekerk, owner of Cheetah Plains. This bold advance toward zero-emission game drives is what drives the sustainability safari experience at Cheetah Plains.
For the ultimate in a connected, immersive experience embark on a guided interpretive bush walk on the plains that gave birth to its namesake, Cheetah Plains. There is no more tangible way than this to surround yourself with nature; senses are sharpened and a profound appreciation of one’s place within the ecosystem is deeply felt.
Children of all ages are most welcome at Cheetah Plains. The lodge's bespoke children’s safari program, Cheetah Cub Club, for children under 12 years old is wildly popular with younger guests. Educational, engaging and fun, each child receives a backpack stuffed with exciting activities to enjoy on safari. Highly qualified, relatable field guides and trackers are eager to share their bush lore with young, inquisitive minds. Bush bumbles (game drives of age appropriate duration), interpretive walks in the garden or simply chatting with the team about their way of life in the bushveld help your child to forge a deep connection with Africa’s wilderness.
The restorative quality of your safari is enhanced by personal pampering. We invite you to enjoy a selection of touch therapies or beauty treatments, all included in your stay. Africology is Cheetah Plains' chosen wellness amenity brand. Consult your in-room menu which offers an array of uplifting treatments including manicures, pedicures and facials. Alternatively, tailor your personal wellness journey with the help of your highly qualified in-house therapist. Enjoy your pampering in the privacy of your Private Suite, allowing the restorative experience to completely envelope you.
Sporting beautiful views out over neat rolling lawns and Tamboti grove beyond, the lodge's climate-controlled gym is fitted with the most modern equipment for your training pleasure.
We welcome you to visit the nearby village of Utah where many of the staff live with their families. Experience the many ways in which Cheetah Plains is a powerful catalyst for transformation in this area. Meet the people on your guided visit and observe local traditions of local Shangaan culture. Come away with a deeper understanding of South Africa as a nation and those who live out the Cheetah Plains dream on a day to day basis.
20-minute drive within the reserve (usually provided in an open game viewing vehicle)
1.5 hours drive to Cheetah Plains
3 hours drive to Cheetah Plains
Your dining expectations and requirements are an important element of your stay. Cheetah Plains has an 'open kitchen' policy; you're always welcome to pop in and see what is cooking! If you like, join in the culinary action or just observe while having a relaxed chat with your chef. Dining al fresco, preferably out in the bush, is always a highlight. Fresh, locally sourced produce is the lodge's preference and supports farm-to-table vision at Cheetah Plains.
Stop for coffee and breakfast treats at a viewing point during your game drives. Your Safari guides will set up a coffee and tea station.
Each Plains House hosts a fine wine gallery comprising a purely South African wine selection curated to reflect Japie's favourite estates and varietals. Only wines of the most discerning quality are stocked in your wine gallery. Your host will readily recommend a wine to pair with your beautiful meal. Explore the wonders of new world wines by embarking on a wine tasting hosted by the lodge's on-property Sommelier (available upon request). Cheetah Plains' accomplished culinary team delivers imaginative, soulful meals that, when paired with characteristic wines, resulting in an elevated dining experience you will savour.
'Karula' is a tribute to the most majestic of female leopards that ever roamed the northern quadrant of the Sabi Sands Reserve. Set along a drainage line that Karula would have favoured in her prime, the natural bush setting reflects her key qualities: tenacity and nurturing. Plains House 'Karula' comprises a shared space: a private sanctuary surrounded by nature housing the formal lounge, living room, expansive deck, heated lap pool, loggia, wine gallery, dining area and four adjacent private suites (two of which are inter-leading). Each suite is equipped with a separate WC, dressing room and full bathroom, replete with double rain shower, plus a deluxe freestanding bath set against floor-to-ceiling doors, opening directly on to its pristine bushveld setting. This, complemented by uplifting Africology amenities invites an immersive, invigorating bathing ritual.
Set on the bend of a drainage line culminating in a productive waterhole, 'Mapogo House' occupies a unique vantage point on the Cheetah Plains Private Reserve. The raw masculinity of the structure and its inherent appointments embody the power and purpose that characterised the Mapogo brotherhood: a coalition of lions that reigned supreme in this area for years. Mapogo comprises a shared space: a private sanctuary surrounded by nature housing the formal lounge, living room, expansive deck, lap pool, loggia, wine gallery, dining area, and four private suites, each with uninterrupted views of the bush, a patio with an expansive daybed, lounge, separate WC, dressing room and full bathroom, replete with double rain shower, plus a deluxe freestanding bath set against floor-to-ceiling doors opening directly on to pristine bushveld.
'Mvula' is dedicated to the once dominant majestic male leopard whose home range was central to the Cheetah Plains Private Reserve. Set in a grove of cathedral Tamboti trees, the aura of this residence exudes the force that was Mvula. Explore the formal lounge, living room, expansive deck, heated lap pool, loggia, wine gallery, dining room, and four suites (two of which are inter-leading), each with uninterrupted views and deep connection with the natural bushveld surrounds. Soak in the tranquility on the patio with its expansive daybed or opt for the sanctuary of the lounge. Each suite is equipped with a separate WC, dressing room and full bathroom, replete with double rain shower, plus a deluxe freestanding bath set against floor-to-ceiling doors, opening directly on to its pristine bushveld setting.
Welcome to Cheetah Plains exclusive Plains Houses, home of the definitive exclusive-use luxury sustainable safari in South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife area, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Exclusively yours, the Plains Houses play host to your private safari experience of a lifetime.
A bold departure from its humble safari lodge beginnings, Cheetah Plains has undergone a complete metamorphosis. Today, it is a beacon to the eco-luxe safari set and a collaborative expression of South Africa’s rich heritage. Proud owner, Japie van Niekerk’s vision for the property is finally realised.
Each of the exclusive-use Plains Houses at Cheetah Plains accommodates a maximum of 8 guests per house, offering you and your safari companions the ultimate private safari experience in the splendid Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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Meals are prepared by your personal chef according to your preferences and wishes and can be enjoyed indoors in your Bush House’s dining area or al fresco in the boma.
Dining area
Outdoor boma for fire-side dining
Temperature controlled wine cellar
Swimming pool, daybed and private deck area
Private electric prototype Land Cruiser game viewer
Cub Club
Two lounges (a formal lounge and an entertainment lounge)
Indigenous gardens and spectacular views into the surrounding natural bushveld
Two iPhone 1 0's per suite are preloaded with the Roberts' bird app, Stuart's mammal app, an astronomy app and Cheetah Plains host's contact number
Renowned for Big Five game viewing, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve lies adjacent to the South-West corner of The Kruger National Park, with which it shares a 50 km boundary. There are no fences between the two reserves, allowing game to move freely between the areas and, as a result, the reserve offers some of the most exceptional wildlife in Southern Africa. Two rivers cross Sabi Sand: The Sabi River on its boundary in the South and the Sand River that flows from North-West to South-East. This has resulted in an abundance of leopard, Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Cheetah, Zebra, Giraffe, Hyena and a wide variety of antelope and other species. To date 330 tree, 45 fish, 30 amphibian, 110 reptile, 500 bird and 145 mammal species have been noted in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. A number of endangered species have also made the reserve their home, and visitors to the area are often given a rare glimpse of Honey Badgers, Ground Hornbills and Wild Dogs. Cheetah Plains Private Reserve is situated within the magnificent Sabi Sand Game Reserve which lies in the North East of South Africa's Mpumalanga Province. On its Southern boundary is Maia Maia and to the East, the famous Kruger National Park.
20-minute drive within the reserve (usually provided in an open game viewing vehicle)
1.5 hours drive to Cheetah Plains
3 hours drive to Cheetah Plains
The best time of day to explore the bush is early morning and late afternoon. Twice-daily game drives are led by best-in-class safari guides and trackers and taken in Cheetah Plains' prototype Land Cruiser Electric safari vehicles, a game-changing innovation pioneered by Japie van Niekerk, owner of Cheetah Plains. This bold advance toward zero-emission game drives is what drives the sustainability safari experience at Cheetah Plains.
For the ultimate in a connected, immersive experience embark on a guided interpretive bush walk on the plains that gave birth to its namesake, Cheetah Plains. There is no more tangible way than this to surround yourself with nature; senses are sharpened and a profound appreciation of one’s place within the ecosystem is deeply felt.
Children of all ages are most welcome at Cheetah Plains. The lodge's bespoke children’s safari program, Cheetah Cub Club, for children under 12 years old is wildly popular with younger guests. Educational, engaging and fun, each child receives a backpack stuffed with exciting activities to enjoy on safari. Highly qualified, relatable field guides and trackers are eager to share their bush lore with young, inquisitive minds. Bush bumbles (game drives of age appropriate duration), interpretive walks in the garden or simply chatting with the team about their way of life in the bushveld help your child to forge a deep connection with Africa’s wilderness.
The restorative quality of your safari is enhanced by personal pampering. We invite you to enjoy a selection of touch therapies or beauty treatments, all included in your stay. Africology is Cheetah Plains' chosen wellness amenity brand. Consult your in-room menu which offers an array of uplifting treatments including manicures, pedicures and facials. Alternatively, tailor your personal wellness journey with the help of your highly qualified in-house therapist. Enjoy your pampering in the privacy of your Private Suite, allowing the restorative experience to completely envelope you.
Sporting beautiful views out over neat rolling lawns and Tamboti grove beyond, the lodge's climate-controlled gym is fitted with the most modern equipment for your training pleasure.
We welcome you to visit the nearby village of Utah where many of the staff live with their families. Experience the many ways in which Cheetah Plains is a powerful catalyst for transformation in this area. Meet the people on your guided visit and observe local traditions of local Shangaan culture. Come away with a deeper understanding of South Africa as a nation and those who live out the Cheetah Plains dream on a day to day basis.
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