Ulusaba at Sunset Photo provided by Ulusaba

One place that specializes in close encounters with Africa's wild cats is Ulusaba, a luxurious lodge and game park owned by Britain's Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Airlines.

Ulusaba amounts to an elegant spa and retreat occupying high ground in the midst of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Sabi Sand abuts vast Kruger National Park, which extends for two hundred miles or more along South Africa's eastern border with Mozambique. The area boasts the world's greatest concentration of wild species and it teams with Africa's Big Five game animals - lion, leopard, cheetah, rhinoceros and the cape buffalo.

Tanya and I spent four nights at Ulusaba and discovered an uncommon safari resort in the wilderness that caters to adventurous travelers wanting to get extremely close to African wildlife.

Now this isn't camping in the bush in the manner of Hemmingway or Jungle Jim - tents pitched around a fire pit and lions at bay just beyond the light of the fire. Rather, accommodations at Ulusaba more closely resemble a five-star hotel, only it's located within Africa's largest preserve of wild animals.

Facilities consist of two different fortified encampments - Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge - each a cluster of thatched-roof bungalows surrounding a spacious lodge house and gourmet restaurant with adjoining swimming pool and sun decks. Each compound has a well-stocked kitchen staffed by chefs trained in fine cuisine as well as indigenous African fare. Also, even in such a remote outpost there are telephone and internet connections, a fitness center rigged with top-notch equipment, plus the Aroma Boma Spa, even a tennis court and nearby private landing strip hacked from dense brush.

Elephant sighting duriing a morning safari. Photo provided by Ulusaba

Daily routines at Ulusaba revolve around the wildlife, with early morning and late afternoon forays in convertible Land Rovers to view the game. Between these sunup and sundown safaris there's leisure time for brunch and lounging by the swimming pool or working out at the gym followed by an indulging massage at the spa. (CONTINUED...)