About Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is situated in the Southern portion of the 65,000-hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve (southern Kruger National Park region), an area well known for its spectacular game viewing.

Lion Sands has exclusive access to the Sabie River. From its source high up in the Drakensburg mountain range where it passes through the famous Mac Mac falls, the river through Lion Sands teems with wildlife. It is the definitive safari experience. The relatively cool riverbanks offer a brief respite from the relentless African sun. Splendid parades of animals pass through to quench their thirst at the water’s edge. And eager predators wait patiently.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is a combination of Mother Natures’ greatest elements of earth and natural materials which enhance the surrounding bush environment. The lodge boasts a timeless design which incorporates steel, wood, thatch, glass water & sand. Sophistication & contemporary architectural components defines the interiors with bold furniture, edgy decor, ambient lighting, inferences of tribal design & highly textured finishes to make Lion Sands Ivory Lodge an utterly sensory experience.

The lodge comprises of 8 Luxury Suites & their two-bedroom Fish Eagle Villa which are peaceful refuges boasting a plunge pool & relaxation areas. The Fish Eagle Villa is in a league of its own with a spa & gym, a personal chef, field guide and other aspects that create a family/friend safari experience. A guest spa is also set away from the main lodge & rooms to ensure a privacy is maintained.

Luxury Suites

Each luxurious suite has been designed for privacy & optimum appreciation of the surrounding wilderness.

Suites are elevated and over look the perennial Sabi River providing guests with a spectacular view of nature allowing one a great game viewing experience from the privacy of their own suite.

Each unit boasts the following features:

• Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom
• Double volume wardrobe
• Outdoor shower situated in an indigenous garden forest
• Private lounge with a fireplace|Viewing deck comprising of a private pool & covered patio|Wi-Fi

The Fish Eagle Villa

If one is looking for the ultimate private safari experience for families & smaller groups of friends look no further than the Lion Sands Ivory Lodge Fish Eagle Villa which can accommodate up to six people (including four adults & two young children sleeping on single beds in their parents’ room). Guests have a completely private and intimate experience as the Villa comes with its own private chef who prepares all meals in the Villa’s kitchen as well as a dedicated field guide and private safari vehicle. Feel free to indulge in the Villas very own wellness centre with a double treatment room & private exercise facility. The Villa also has a lap pool & jetty overlooking the Sabie River. The Fish Eagle Villa can be booked in conjunction with an adjacent Ivory Lodge Luxury Suite, with up to 8 guests comprising the party enjoying the facilities at the Villa.

The Two-Bedroom Villa has the following features:|Private chef|Expansive deck & covered patio with lap pool|Private fire deck|A star jetty for private enjoyment of the natural environment & vivid Milky Way above|Private wellness area & exercise facility|Private safari vehicle|Field guide|Lounge|Study

Ballooning Safari

On a ballooning safari guests leave the lodge an hour before sunrise, arriving at the Sabie River valley launch site at sunrise. The flight is approximately 1 hour in duration and flies over the entire Sabie River valley. After the flight the guest is then taken to one of the small country lodges within the Sabie River valley for a full English breakfast. This is done outside of the reserve & is a unique way of experiencing another part of the region’s natural beauty.

Lion Sands Treehouses – Sleep Out in the Bush

Chalkley Treehouse (maximum two pax)
From R 3,950 per person, per night sharing
valid until 30 April 2022

Kingston Treehouse (maximum 4 pax; two adults & two children)
From R 3,950.00 per person, per night sharing (children aged 10 – 15 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate)
valid until 30 April 2022

In each Tree House, a bush bedroom is set up to accommodate a single/sharing guest/s for the night with secure access and as many of the room comforts as are practically possible, mosquito net, mattress, linen, bedside table, toilet & bush vanity table.

The guests are given the option to either go out at sunset or after dinner depending on their personal preference. For those leaving at sunset a delicious picnic dinner will be packed for them, having the opportunity to spend the hours of dusk, relaxing, absorbing the beauty of the African bushveld as it transforms from day to night.

The Tree Houses are completely private & secluded allowing the guest the unique experience of being completely alone in the wilderness – an experience that few places in the world can truly offer. After the ranger has taken the guests to the Tree House & ensured that they are perfectly safe he will return to the Lodge (15 minutes away). As dawn breaks the guests will either be able to call the Lodge with their radio or await their collection by the Ranger at the pre-arranged time.

Chalkley Tree House: With views extending onto an open plain where you can watch the sunset over the African bushveld. The Tree house is built around a 500 year-old Leadwood Tree where the stars are your only canopy…

These experiences will never be forgotten, guaranteed to touch the soul, a memory that will last forever. (maximum of 2 people per Tree House).

The Kingston Treehouse: constructed entirely from wood and glass, with contemporary décor in understated hues of greys, white, black and purple. No matter what the weather has in store, you will have a safe and luxurious setting with a unique window to enjoy the ever-changing views. In fact, we defy you to find two identical African sunsets The 60m2 Treehouse is situated about 5 minutes from the main lodge, and you will have radio contact with the rangers, should you choose to. You will also find some cellphone reception; but don’t expect any wi-fi in the bush. Kingston is equipped with full bathroom and shower facilities, and Africology products to complete your sensory experience.

Please note, this rate is charged as an extra activity over and above the daily rate for accommodation at the respective Lion Sands lodges.

About Sabi Sand Game Reserve

This reserve shares 50km of unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park and animals are at liberty to go wherever they wish – but they tend to stay right where they are! This is because the Sand River and Sabi River supply much needed water in the dry season and create an eco-system with one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations in Southern Africa. This is the reason why it is quite possible to see the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant) as well as numerous other animals and birds in a couple of days, or even a couple of hours in Sabi Sand.

The name ‘Sabie’ comes from the Zulu ‘eSaba’, meaning ‘afraid’. Both man and beast approach the river with care and respect. It is at once a sanctuary of life and a gripping display of survival. It is what visitors from all over the world come to experience: raw, untouched nature. In ancient days, the lush Sabie river basin was overrun by Africa’s largest reptile, the Nile crocodile. Today, they bask in the shallows in slightly less numbers, still snapping their deadly jaws at any creature wading in close enough.

Lodge Features