Photos: Cheetah Plains
About this place
Cheetah Plains is a private reserve in the north-east of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, which shares an open, unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park. There are only three villas, Karula, Mvula and Mapogo, and each is booked by one party of up to eight guests, so nothing is shared: not the house, the vehicle or the staff.
Each villa has four guest suites and a large shared house with a formal and an entertainment lounge, a dining room, a wine gallery, a chef’s kitchen, a pool deck and a boma for dinners by the fire. A dedicated team looks after each party: a host, a butler, a chef, a spa therapist, and a field guide and tracker who run twice-daily game drives in the villa’s own silent, fully electric Land Cruiser.
The stay is fully inclusive. All meals, South African wines, beers and spirits, game drives, guided bush walks, select spa treatments in your suite, the fitness pavilion, laundry, child minding and the use of a Nikon camera and lenses are part of the rate, and transfers from Arathusa Airstrip are included when you fly in with Federal Air or by charter. The reserve is known for its leopard, and the wider Sabi Sand for lion, elephant, buffalo and wild dog, though sightings in the wild can never be promised.
The villas run off-grid on solar power with battery storage, which also charges the safari vehicles. The Cheetah Plains Foundation supports the nearby Utah community, from the Lezagwa Utah crèche to the Beanie Project, which employs local women. Children of all ages are welcome.
Amenities
Lounge
Wifi
Fireplace
En-Suite Bathrooms
Swimming pool
Children of all ages welcome
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Where you'll sleep
Choose a room type. We confirm availability with Cheetah Plains once you send your dates.
640 m² · King · 8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 bathrooms
An exclusive-use villa for up to eight guests, named after a female leopard who raised ten cubs in this part of the reserve and set along a drainage line she would have favoured. The shared house has a formal lounge, an entertainment lounge with a TV, a dining room, a wine gallery and tasting room, a chef’s kitchen, a pool deck with an outdoor shower and daybeds, and a boma for fireside dinners. Each of the four guest suites (130 m²) has a king bed that can be split into twins, an open-plan bedroom and lounge with a fireplace, a walk-in dressing room with a double vanity, a bath and a double rain shower looking into the bush, a separate WC, a minibar, a coffee station, air conditioning and a private deck with a daybed. Suites three and four interleave for families. The villa covers 640 m² and comes with its own host, butler, chef, spa therapist, guide and tracker, and an electric game-drive vehicle.
640 m² · King · 8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 bathrooms
An exclusive-use villa for up to eight guests, set in a grove of tamboti trees and named after the male leopard whose territory once covered the reserve. The shared house has a formal lounge, an entertainment lounge with a TV, a dining room, a wine gallery and tasting room, a chef’s kitchen, a pool deck with an outdoor shower and daybeds, and a boma for fireside dinners. Each of the four guest suites (130 m²) has a king bed that can be split into twins, an open-plan bedroom and lounge with a fireplace, a walk-in dressing room with a double vanity, a bath and a double rain shower looking into the bush, a separate WC, a minibar, a coffee station, air conditioning and a private deck with a daybed. Suites three and four interleave for families. The villa covers 640 m² and comes with its own host, butler, chef, spa therapist, guide and tracker, and an electric game-drive vehicle.
640 m² · King · 8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 bathrooms
An exclusive-use villa for up to eight guests, built over a busy waterhole and named after the Mapogo coalition of lions that once ruled this part of the Sabi Sand. The shared house has a formal lounge, an entertainment lounge with a TV, a dining room, a wine gallery and tasting room, a chef’s kitchen, a pool deck with an outdoor shower and daybeds, and a boma for fireside dinners. Each of the four guest suites (130 m²) has a king bed that can be split into twins, an open-plan bedroom and lounge with a fireplace, a walk-in dressing room with a double vanity, a bath and a double rain shower looking into the bush, a separate WC, a minibar, a coffee station, air conditioning and a private deck with a daybed. Suites three and four interleave for families. The villa covers 640 m² and comes with its own host, butler, chef, spa therapist, guide and tracker, and an electric game-drive vehicle.
About Bushbuckridge
Important information
Check-in and check-outIn 14:00 · Out 11:00
Check-in Time
14:00 - 18:00
Please arrange your arrival within this time window. If you need to arrive outside these hours, please contact the host in advance.
Check-out Time
By 11:00
Please ensure you check out by this time to allow for cleaning and preparation for the next guests.
Cancellation and changesFree cancellation 151+ days
Refund schedule
- Full refundcancel 151+ days before check-in
- 75% refundcancel 120+ days before check-in
- 50% refundcancel 90+ days before check-in
- No refundcancel any time before check-in
Please note that some accommodations may have their own specific cancellation policies that differ from our standard policy. These will be clearly indicated on the accommodation's page or during the booking process.
For any questions regarding cancellations or to request a cancellation, please contact our customer support team.
Pet policyNo pets
Pet policy
Pets are not allowed
Child PolicyFamily friendly
Child Policy
Children of all ages are welcome
Children of all ages are welcome. They go on game drives of a suitable length at the guide’s discretion, child minding is included, and suites three and four interleave for families. Cots on request.
Travel insuranceInformation only
Spekboom does not advise on, recommend, or sell insurance.
For information only: Expatriate Group provides travel, health and life cover for international travellers and can generate a quote online. Any policy is arranged and managed entirely by Expatriate Group.
See travel insurance quotesSpekboom Tree (Pty) Ltd is not a financial services provider and does not provide, recommend, or arrange financial or insurance products or advice. Expatriate Group (ref 30286D) is authorised and regulated to provide any quote, advice, or policy. Spekboom introduces interested customers to Expatriate Group and may receive a commission if cover is taken out through this link.
Before you book
Payment terms
Payment is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation.
Cancellation Policy
- Full refundcancel 151+ days before check-in
- 75% refundcancel 120+ days before check-in
- 50% refundcancel 90+ days before check-in
- No refundcancel any time before check-in
Note: The 2.5% conservation contribution, payment processing fees, and any applicable referral commissions are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. Conservation contribution fees (2.5%) support conservation and community projects in the destinations you visit. Payment processing fees are absorbed by Spekboom for completed bookings, but cannot be recovered once a booking is cancelled. Referral commissions, where applicable, are paid to the referring party upon booking confirmation.
Payout Protection: Guest payments are held until the free cancellation window passes. This protects guests who cancel within their cancellation window and ensures hosts receive guaranteed payouts after the cancellation period ends.
House rules
Guests are expected to respect the house rules of each accommodation. These rules will be provided upon booking confirmation.
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in from 14:00 • Check-out by 11:00
Liability
Spekboom acts as an intermediary between guests and accommodation providers. While we strive to ensure accurate information, we cannot be held liable for any discrepancies or issues arising from the accommodation itself.
By making a booking through Spekboom, you agree to our Terms of Service (Version 3.5). You acknowledge that: (1) the 2.5% conservation contribution and payment processing fees are non-refundable in the event of cancellation (Spekboom absorbs payment processing fees for completed bookings); (2) Spekboom acts as an intermediary platform governed by South African law. For the complete terms and conditions, please visit our full Terms of Service page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cheetah Plains located?
Cheetah Plains is in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The map on this page shows the area.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Cheetah Plains?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00. Contact the camp directly if you need to arrange early check-in or late check-out.
How many guests can Cheetah Plains accommodate?
Karula Villa sleeps 8, Mvula Villa sleeps 8 and Mapogo Villa sleeps 8.
How do I book Cheetah Plains?
Pick dates on this Spekboom page and request availability. We confirm with Cheetah Plains, they assign the unit, then you pay on Spekboom.
Enquire about a stay
Request to book. Send your dates and we will confirm availability with Cheetah Plains.
Nothing is charged until the host says yes
Want to find out more?
Ask Dassie anything about this place or the area.