Lion Sands River Lodge

Lion Sands River Lodge, in the southern portion of the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, is situated on a private area of prime game-viewing land which has been owned and managed by the More Family for 4 generations. The lodge is built on the banks of the Sabie River, facing due East so that it catches the sun as it rises over the Kruger National Park.

The philosophy of the safari experience at Lion Sands is to deliver a consistently professional and informative safari experience, ensuring that all spheres of the African bush, from the small insects to the mighty elephant, are covered in as much detail as the guest may require. With only 6 guests per game drive vehicle, the ranger and tracker teams are all FGASA-qualified and highly skilled at leading safaris in Big Five territories and tailoring them guests personal interests.

The main lodge facilities includes a Safari Lounge and bar, spa and gym, a main swimming pool area and a ‘Memory Lab’, where guests will be able to print their photographs on canvas. The dining experience includes a traditional Boma and signature riverbed dinners and deck dining in the shade of the trees overlooking the Sabie River.

Lion Sands River Lodge has 18 luxurious thatched chalets in total. The 8 Luxury Rooms have a lounge area with mini bar and wooden deck from which to appreciate the wilds beyond. The 6 Superior Luxury Suites are larger in size, and have ample open-plan bathrooms and outdoor showers. 4 of the 6 suites are inter-leading, and are therefore ideal for families. The 4 River Suites (each with its own plunge pool) have outdoor showers and linked to all the areas by raised wooden walkways. They are located further from the public areas and are therefore more private and have incredible river views, best appreciated from the expansive decks. One of the River Suites has 2 bedrooms.

For a truly memorable sleeping experience, spend a night at the Chalkley Tree House - an ultimate 'bush bedroom' on a secure platform with all the comforts of a 5* safari lodge yet surrounded by the African bush and open to the skies. You are taken to the Tree House at sunset, where drinks and a scrumptious picnic dinner have been set out for you. The hours of African dusk can be enjoyed relaxing and absorbing the vastness of the bushveld as it transforms from day to night, before turning in for slumber beneath the incredible night sky.

Rates Include

3 meals per day; tea/coffee; minibar in room; all soft drinks, a selection of local brand beers, spirits and house wines; 2 shared game drives daily; game drive refreshments/snacks; Skukuza airport transfers (and associated Kruger Park entry fees); Recovery/Rebuilding Levy; and the Guest Conservation Contribution are included. IN ADDITION: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person entry and R310 per vehicle entry fee (subject to change), payable in cash at the entrance gate.

Children Policy

Children aged 10 years and older are welcome. Rates available on request. Children under 10 can only be accommodated IF the entire lodge is block-booked by the same group or family - rates available on request. Children under 16 years old are not allowed on bush walks.

All of the holidays we prepare are tailor-made, but this might give you an idea of how Lion Sands River Lodge can be included in you own dream holiday.

Big 5 Safari and Tropical Island Honeymoon

10 nights

5 Star Accommodation

Lion Sands River Lodge

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Anantara Bazaruto

Bazaruto Archipelago

Summerfields

Hazyview

Destination: South Africa and Mozambique.

10 night itinerary including Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Bazaruto Archipelago and Hazyview.

Price Per Person From GBP 5,631USD 7,321ZAR 126,988EUR 6,758

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Southern Africa Luxury

7 nights

5 Star Accommodation

Lion Sands River Lodge

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Royal Livingstone

Victoria Falls - Zambia

Destination: South Africa and Zambia.

7 night itinerary including Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Victoria Falls - Zambia.

Price Per Person From GBP 5,853USD 7,609ZAR 131,994EUR 7,024

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*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.

Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.

Guest Rating: 4.9 / 5.0 based on 15 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction): Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.

Once on the R536, continue along this road for approximately 34.5 km and on the left-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube, Exeter and Savanna. Go past these, and approximately 3 km further on, on the left-hand side of the road, you will see signposts for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn left here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate. 

From the Kruger Mpumalanga/Nelspruit International Airport: Turn right out of the airport onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River (Witrivier). Continue for approximately 12 km, until you reach the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn right here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Keep on the N4 until you reach Nelspruit, where you will turn left onto the R40 to White River. In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself, turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right. Cross over the next set of traffic lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview (the R538, via the Numbi Gate, is a busy road and not recommended). After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria via Scenic Route: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, follow the signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie, take the R536 to Hazyview. Just before Hazyview you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the R40 towards Hazyview. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Hoedspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport towards the R40. At the T-junction, turn left onto the R40 towards White River and Hazyview. Proceed on the R40 for approximately 88 km until you reach a set of traffic lights in Hazyview with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn left here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.  Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From the Paul Kruger Gate: Go through the gate, and follow the R536 to Hazyview. Continue along this road for approximately 4.5 km and on the right-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn right here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate.

ONCE AT THE SHAW’S GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit. Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge through the reserve.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have air conditioning, a room fan, mosquito nets, a safe, a mini bar, telephone and a hair dryer. Superior Luxury and River Suites have outdoor showers. In addition, the River Suites also have private plunge pools.

Activities available at the lodge during your stay include morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles (6 guests per vehicle), bush walks, bird watching, astronomy, bush breakfasts, bush dinners, river walks, hippo tours, safari lunches, wildlife lectures, treehouse, boma dinners, wellness treatments and local village experiences.

A Guest Conservation Contribution has been included within your rate. The proceeds go towards the Sabi Sand Wildtuin anti-poaching efforts, the community and ecology.

The facilities at the lodge include a restaurant, bar, spa and gym, a ‘Memory Lab’ where guests will be able to print their photographs on canvas and a firepit for sociable nocturnal gatherings beneath the stars. There are is also a swimming pool.

Wi-Fi is available in the main guest areas.

Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express credit cards are accepted. Please note that American Express and Diners Club are only accepted by prior arrangement and a service fee is applicable.

Babysitting and laundry services are available (additional cost).

Please be advised that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), terrestrial UAVs, as well as aerial UAVs (or drones) is prohibited for the following reasons:-

1. The lodge is committed to ensuring that all guests and wildlife are not disturbed, where practically possible, by artificial mechanisms of any kind;
2. Security concerns around rhino poaching;
3. The use of recreational drones is prohibited in terms of Section101 of SA Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.

This policy includes their own staff as well as professional photographers.

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If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.