A male lion resting on rocks, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Is Cheetah Plains a good company to book a safari with?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026
Cheetah Plains is in the Uncompromised Travel table of safari camp owners. Everything below is from its own website and its review listings, each line with the page it was read from: no score, no rank.
What do guests say about Cheetah Plains?
Cheetah Plains has 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve') from 73 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
- 4.9 out of 5 from 73 reviews. On the Google listing 'Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve' (lodge), Sabi Sand Game Reserve S36, South Africa. Camps with listings of their own are not added in.
- SafariBookings
- No SafariBookings listing in Cheetah Plains' name was found.
- Trustpilot
- No Trustpilot listing in Cheetah Plains' name was found.
Where are Cheetah Plains' camps?
South Africa only (Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga). One lodge with three private villas: Karula, Mapogo and Mvula.
- Countries
- South Africa only (Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga).
- Camps
- One lodge with three private villas: Karula, Mapogo and Mvula. Owned or managed status not stated.
- Where they are
- Cheetah Plains, in the north-east corner of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga), sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. Villas: Karula, Mapogo (on a productive waterhole) and Mvula (in a grove of Tamboti trees).
- Land and traversing
- Cheetah Plains lies within the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, which has an open border with Kruger. Exclusive traversing rights are not explicitly stated.
- Camp sizes
- Three villas, each with four private suites for up to 8 guests (12 suites in total; maximum two guests per suite). Villa size 640 sqm; suite size 130 sqm.
How much does Cheetah Plains cost?
Cheetah Plains publishes no rate per person per night, with its currency and year, that this page can show from its own website; ask it for a quote for your dates.
- Prices published
- The press centre fast facts also give 'Starting at $18,200 per villa, per night (4 pax)' in US dollars, with no year or season.
- Resident rates
- South African resident offers are available on enquiry and domestic rates 'under certain circumstances'. No resident, SADC or regional rate figures published.
What are Cheetah Plains' booking terms?
Cheetah Plains does not publish a deposit on its own website; ask for its booking terms in writing before you pay.
- Deposit
- Not stated on its own website.
- Balance due
- Full payment on confirmation, so there is no separate balance date. All bookings are final and non-adjustable.
- Cancellation charges
- For 1 Mar-31 May, 1 Sep-10 Dec and 11 Jan-28 Feb: 120-90 days before arrival 25%, 89-60 days 50%, 59 days or fewer 100%. For 1 Jun-31 Aug and 10 Dec-10 Jan: 150-120 days 25%, 119-90 days 50%, 89 days or fewer 100%. A change of date or name, or fewer rooms or nights, counts as a cancellation.
- How guest payments are protected
- Not stated on its own website.
Who is Cheetah Plains best for?
Best for: Sole-use villas in the Sabi Sand, on Cheetah Plains' own published facts; its terms for children, couples, solo travellers and private guiding are below.
- Children
- Children of all ages welcome. Interconnecting suites for families; the base rate covers the first 6 guests in Karula and Mvula and 8 in Mapogo. Per additional child under 12: ZAR 18 000 Green, 20 000 High, 22 000 Festive (2026/27).
- Teenagers and families
- Game drives of age-appropriate length and interpretive walks; each villa has its own private electric vehicle, so family groups drive alone. Villas have entertainment lounges and games.
- Honeymoon
- No named honeymoon offer. The early-bird offer (10% saving for booking 180 days or more ahead, 2026 High Season) is described as ideal for 'honeymoons, milestone celebrations or multi-generational travel'.
- Older travellers and limited mobility
- 'Inclusive by nature': each villa allows ease of movement for wheelchair users and has amenities for visual, neurodivergent and other accessibility needs. A Disability Awareness download is listed on the trade page.
- Private guide and vehicle
- Every villa has its own private electric game-viewing vehicle, field guide and tracker team at no extra charge, so private by design.
- Exclusive use
- Each villa is exclusive-use (four suites, up to 8 guests). Sole-use rate not published.
- Activities
- Twice-daily silent electric game drives, guided interpretive bush walks, outdoor and boma dining, tasting and pairings, wellness treatments, gym, art on safari (Goodman Gallery), Diamond Safari with a gemologist, Photographic Safari, children's activities, halaal and kosher dining. Night drives, boating, fishing and horseback are not stated.
What are the best alternatives to Cheetah Plains?
Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Kapama Private Game Reserve, Londolozi, MalaMala, MORE Family Collection and Nottens Bush Camp also own and run their own camps in South Africa only, each with the fact that it is best for.
- Elephant Plains Game Lodge: best for: Big Five game viewing in the northern Sabi Sand. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Elephant Plains Game Lodge') from 242 reviews.
- Kapama Private Game Reserve: best for: A large Greater Kruger private reserve. 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Kapama Private Game Reserve') from 870 reviews.
- Londolozi: best for: Five camps on the Sand River. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Londolozi Game Reserve') from 242 reviews and 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 1 review.
- MalaMala: best for: Owner-led lodges in the Sabi Sand. 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'MalaMala Game Reserve') from 560 reviews.
- MORE Family Collection: best for: South African safaris with Cape stays.
- Nottens Bush Camp: best for: An original, lamp-lit Sabi Sand camp. 5 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Notten') from 152 reviews.
Each is in the same table, read the same way. Alphabetical order; none paid to be listed.
Who owns Cheetah Plains?
Japie van Niekerk is named as owner (press release and wine and dine page; the villa pages quote him).
- Trading name
- Trading name 'Cheetah Plains' (also 'Cheetah Plains Lodge'). The privacy policy names the legal entity 'Cheetah Plains Lodge (Pty) Ltd'.
- Based in
- No head office named.
- Owner or parent
- Japie van Niekerk is named as owner (press release and wine and dine page; the villa pages quote him). No parent group or investors named.
- In its own words
- 'Africa's iconic safari villas'
- Conservation model
- Cheetah Plains Foundation: a registered charity in South Africa (Section 18A PBO), with US donations accepted (501(c)(3) via a third party). Projects: Lezagwa Utah Crèche (early childhood), The Beanie Project (local women artisans), Grass Roots Education.
How do you book Cheetah Plains?
Direct to guests (online booking, enquiry form, 'Book your safari') and through agents: a Trade Partners page with an STO application form, live availability, a fact sheet and a safari portal of images and videos.
- Where it sells
- Direct to guests (online booking, enquiry form, 'Book your safari') and through agents: a Trade Partners page with an STO application form, live availability, a fact sheet and a safari portal of images and videos. Rates are published in ZAR for South African residents too ('offers on enquiry').
- How it is paid
- Direct booking: 'Transparent Pricing: Receive the most competitive rates without any additional commissions.' The trade page has an STO (special offer) application form but gives no agent commission rate.
- Price against a planner
- No explicit parity statement.
- Planner partnerships
- Trade Partners page: STO application form, live availability, fact sheet, downloadable guides and a safari portal with images and videos. Sales representatives in Brazil, Russia and the USA.
Cheetah Plains: the questions people ask
How many camps does Cheetah Plains have?
One lodge with three private villas: Karula, Mapogo and Mvula.
What activities does Cheetah Plains offer?
Twice-daily silent electric game drives, guided interpretive bush walks, outdoor and boma dining, tasting and pairings, wellness treatments, gym, art on safari (Goodman Gallery), Diamond Safari with a gemologist, Photographic Safari, children's activities, halaal and kosher dining. Night drives, boating, fishing and horseback are not stated.
Does Cheetah Plains have honeymoon offers?
No named honeymoon offer. The early-bird offer (10% saving for booking 180 days or more ahead, 2026 High Season) is described as ideal for 'honeymoons, milestone celebrations or multi-generational travel'.
How does Cheetah Plains fund conservation?
Cheetah Plains Foundation: a registered charity in South Africa (Section 18A PBO), with US donations accepted (501(c)(3) via a third party). Projects: Lezagwa Utah Crèche (early childhood), The Beanie Project (local women artisans), Grass Roots Education.
What are Cheetah Plains' cancellation charges?
For 1 Mar-31 May, 1 Sep-10 Dec and 11 Jan-28 Feb: 120-90 days before arrival 25%, 89-60 days 50%, 59 days or fewer 100%. For 1 Jun-31 Aug and 10 Dec-10 Jan: 150-120 days 25%, 119-90 days 50%, 89 days or fewer 100%.
Does Cheetah Plains accept children?
Children of all ages welcome. Interconnecting suites for families; the base rate covers the first 6 guests in Karula and Mvula and 8 in Mapogo.
Does Cheetah Plains offer a private vehicle?
Every villa has its own private electric game-viewing vehicle, field guide and tracker team at no extra charge, so private by design.
Where are Cheetah Plains' camps?
Cheetah Plains, in the north-east corner of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga), sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. Villas: Karula, Mapogo (on a productive waterhole) and Mvula (in a grove of Tamboti trees).
Who owns Cheetah Plains?
Japie van Niekerk is named as owner (press release and wine and dine page; the villa pages quote him).
What are Cheetah Plains' reviews?
Cheetah Plains has 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve') from 73 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
Can I book Cheetah Plains through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Use Cheetah Plains' own enquiry page, www.cheetahplains.com, or a safari planner.
How current is this page?
Cheetah Plains' website and review listings were read on 19 and 20 October 2026. Rates and terms change, so confirm them with the company before you book.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts Cheetah Plains published on its own website and its review listings on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot, read on 19 and 20 October 2026, from the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table. No score and no rank. Cheetah Plains did not pay to be on this page and is not a partner of Uncompromised Travel. Photos are stock images from Pexels and do not show the company's camps. How this site earns · How we work.