Lion Sands private game reserve lies at the southern end of the vast Sabi Sand Reserve, which borders the Kruger National Park. When you book a few nights at one of the Lion Sands lodges, you are guaranteed the safari experience of a lifetime. Lion Sands is the only private reserve rooted in both the Kruger National Park and the adjoining Sabi Sand Game Reserve (the oldest private game reserve in South Africa). The animals roam freely between them, and no matter which side guests choose to stay on, they will have exceptional game-viewing opportunities.
The Lion Sands private game reserve is easily accessible by road from Johannesburg in under 5 hours. Most guests though will prefer to travel by air, by making use of a commercial flight to one of the nearby airports. The Skukuza Airport is located about 20 minutes from the reserve and offers daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg (flights from Durban will follow in the near future).
The reserve is owned by the 4th generation More Family. Their grandfather was one of the founding members of the Sabi Sand Wildtuin in 1948 instilling a long history of community and conservation. They are the only business with a foot in both the Sabi Sand Reserve and the Kruger National Park managing four lodges in total, each one of them unique in respect of style and decor.
Lion Sands conserves 12 400ha (30 600ac) of a habitat that is home to the highest and most diverse concentration of wildlife in the southern hemisphere.
Lion Sands Lodges
Set along the banks of the Sabie River and attracting abundant “big five” wildlife from Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, the Lion Sands Game Reserve - owned by the More family - has four luxurious lodges: River Lodge, Ivory Lodge, Tinga Lodge, and Narina Lodge. River Lodge and Ivory Lodge are located on the Sabi side, and over on Kruger are Narina Lodge and Tinga Lodge. Both Tinga Lodge and Narina Lodge afford exclusive accommodations with private plunge pools and are set within the Kruger National Park.
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Lion Sands also operates two lodges within the Kruger National Park itself, in addition to a couple of stunning treehouses where guests are able to spend a night under the stars in lavish style.
Ivory Lodge
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is an award-winning luxury hideaway set on the banks of the Sabie River in the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Ivory Lodge is the understated jewel in the Lion Sands crown and the most exclusive safari lodge of South Africa. The ultra-luxe lodge is all about elegance, with an aura of sophistication yet simplicity, boldness yet balance, ebony and ivory, perfect harmony, exclusivity, sensitivity and complete privacy. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge boasts magnificent views of the Sabie River, extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger National Park. Nestled on the lush banks, the lodge is perfectly positioned to take in the endless procession of animals that arrives to slake their thirst at the water’s edge, as well as the hungry predators who come to hunt them.
The low-slung structure consists of eight one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom set around a communal lodge and linked by raised walkways. The main guest area features a magnificent reception area - a lovely, open space with a water feature and bronze animal sculptures in the garden. From here, a staircase descends to the other public areas, which include wooden viewing decks, a wine cellar, an indoor private lounge with bar, and both an indoor and an open-air (‘boma’) dining area.
The designers of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge - Paul and Karen Wygners of Urban Solutions - have taken a cue from Mother Nature to create an exceptional lodge built of the earth, with natural materials that enhance the surrounding bush environment. The lodge’s timeless design incorporates steel, wood, thatch, glass, water and sand. A sophisticated mid-century architectural contemporary theme defines the lodge’s airy interiors, which were completely refurbished in 2017 by interior designer Paula Hattingh. Bold furniture and an edgy décor are mixed with ambient lighting, influences of tribal design and highly textured finishes. An elegant balance between understated design and an organic expression of the earth is reflected throughout, with enormous windows and open walls framing the stunning vistas outside.
Ivory Lodge rooms, done in ebony and ivory, have African artifacts and views of the reserve and its animals from private terraces with plunge pools.
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Accommodation
Ivory Lodge comprises single-suite villas and one double-suite villa (Fish Eagle Villa). The luxurious villas have been designed for privacy and optimum appreciation of the surrounding wilderness.
The eight one-bedroom villas have been designed for privacy and optimum appreciation of the surrounding wilderness. Each villa takes its name from an indigenous bird . Featuring clean-lined furniture and an ebony-and-ivory color scheme, each villa consists of three interconnected areas: an entrance area flanked on either side by a bedroom and living room. The master bedroom features a capony kingsize bed and en suite open-plan bathroom with two basin, a standalone bathtub, an indoor walk-in shower, and an outdoor shower in an indigenous garden forest. The living room comprises a sitting and dining area centered around a fireplace and comes with clean-lined furniture and an ebony-and-ivory color scheme. Large sliding glass doors give way to an expansive viewing deck with a plunge pool and a lounge area.
Each single unit has a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a double-volume wardrobe area with outdoor shower. Guests also have their own private lounge area with fireplace. Spend evenings on the expansive deck and covered patio with private pool and fire pit.
The exclusive Fish Eagle Villa is the ‘pièce de résistance’ of Ivory Lodge. Booked on an exclusive basis, the massive villa comes with its own Chef, as well as dedicated Field Guide and private safari vehicle. Although privacy and exclusivity are assured, visitors are welcome to use the facilities within Ivory Lodge for their enjoyment. The double-suite Fish Eagle Villa is comprised of two private single suites, connected by an entrance hall, lounge and study room. There is also an expansive deck and covered patio with lap pool, a private fire deck, a star jetty for private enjoyment of the natural environment and vivid Milky Way above, a private wellness area (with double treatment rooms) and exercise facility.
Dining
Enjoy delicious meals at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge with a unique African twist. Meals can be served out on the large wooden decks under the shade of the mahogany trees, in the intimate dining room, or under the stars in the boma area. The contemporary rooms are amazing and amongst the largest in the Sabi Sands.
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Guests will never go hungry or thirsty at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, where all meals and beverages (including premium wines) are included in the room rate. From the sumptuous breakfasts and tapas-style lunches to delectable three-course dinners served in a variety of dining spaces, the lodge’s chefs are masters of their craft, and share a passion for creating a sophisticated cuisine that appeals to all palates, whether for the sweet tooth, vegetarian, health conscious or meat lover.
The lodge’s popular bush dinners, set up in the wild or in the boma next to the main lodge, are guaranteed to delight and create lasting memories. Besides lunch, dinner and breakfast, guests can also look forward to a coffee stop while out on morning game drive, afternoon tea with a lovely variety of snacks, and a sundowner stop during the afternoon game drive.
Spa and Wellness
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge has its own intimate spa offering a range of treatments with natural and ethically formulated Africology product. Africology is one of South Africa’s leading natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa and skincare companies, specializing in natural ingredients that are bio-identical to the human biology. Located next to the main lodge, the small spa is accessed via a path that breaks away from a raised timber public walkway, and features one treatment room and an open-sided relaxation area. Highly skilled therapists create an individually tailored wellness experience that aims to relax the body, quiet the mind and rejuvenate the spirit. Yoga enthusiasts can also practice their discipline in this tranquil and serene space. There is also a private spa with double treatment room and thoughtfully equipped gym facility.
Game Viewing
All stays at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge include twice daily, game viewing safaris in comfort and with superbly knowledgeable guides. Game drives are conducted in open 4×4 safari vehicles and accompanied by a two-man team (of which the tracker will sit on the front of the vehicle). All safari vehicles are equipped with binoculars and seat a maximum of six guests. Morning game drives have a distinct character than late afternoon game drives allowing guests to spot different species of wildlife in an ever changing natural setting. Hot-water bottles and blankets keep away the cold during the chilly mornings in the winter months (June to September). Chances of spotting all Big Five animals are exceptionally high in this part of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the wilderness area around Lion Sands is famous for its incredible number of leopard sightings.
The game drives at dawn and dusk - when the wildlife is most active and the temperature more moderate - form the basic rhythm of the day at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. To engage with the landscape even more intimately, guests can also explore the bush on foot with the lodge’s armed expert guides and trackers at their side. Heading out into the bush on foot reveals a whole new dimension of the African wilderness, as your senses will be on high alert with the anticipation of a possible sighting around the next bush. Feeling the grass brush your hands, hearing the crunch of scrub nearby, and spotting game appear just meters off is an exhilarating experience that you will never forget!
Treehouse Experience
Truly unique is the option to sleep out under the stars in one of the private reserve’s treehouses (optional and at an additional cost). Ideal for the hopeless romantic or for anyone who simply wishes to reconnect with the earth, the insanely beautiful treehouses provide panoramic views of the bush, as well as a safe and luxurious vantage point from which to watch twilight slowly turn to night. All treehouses are securely constructed above the ground, so animals remain at a safe and comfortable distance.
The treehouses are booked - for an extra fee - in conjunction with your accommodation at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge: you pack an overnight bag with your essentials, while leaving your other belongings back in your room at camp (so you’re still secured a room if the weather conditions don’t allow an overnight sleep under the African stars).
CHALKLEY TREEHOUSE: No roof. No walls. Just a starlit sky. On your bucket list? It should be.
Health and Safety
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is situated within a low-risk malaria area. The risk is almost zero during the the dry winter months (May to September) but the illness is more prevalent in the wet summer season (October to April). Medications can be used to prevent the chances of contracting malaria, especially during the wet season. For advice on the use of any malaria prophylaxis, you need to contact the health authorities or your local travel clinic prior to your travels.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is only partially fenced off, so guests are required to be vigilant at all times. Leopards, lions, buffalos, and elephants, as well as venomous snakes and scorpions are present in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, although it’s rare for them to be within the area of the lodge itself. However, under no circumstances are guests allowed to walk around the lodge at night, unless accompanied by a staff member.
Overall Experience
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is an ultra-luxury lodge where guests relax at their private villa in between game drives. Although the lodge does have a beautiful communal area (with lounge, bar, dining room, viewing deck, spa and gym), there is no communal pool area.
The best time to visit Lion Sands Ivory Lodge really depends on your personal preferences - nature has something to offer throughout the year. Incredible game viewing can be experienced at any time and there is not really a ‘best time of year for game viewing’. The Sabi Sand Game Reserve enjoys high temperatures, frequent rains and dramatic thunder storms in the summer months (October to April). The vegetation is lush and verdant attracting incredible bird life while many new borns appear at this time of year.
Community and Conservation
More Community Foundation* (MCF) is a non-profit organisation and the Foundation for the MORE Family Collection group, supporting sustainable social development and environmental conservation in Southern Africa. All community projects for social development are self-sustainable, as they believe that by supporting communities to contribute their own efforts and skills, projects are kept alive into the future. Socially inclusive conservation is critical to biological diversity and MCF strives to achieve community collaboration and custodianship within all conservation projects.
Awards and Recognition
Recognised by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and the World Travel Awards, we take pride in being among the world's best.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Readers Choice Awards | 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
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