Lion Sands Game Reserve offers a superior safari experience, uniquely positioned within both the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. This exclusive positioning allows Lion Sands to provide access to private concessions, spanning a diverse array of landscapes and wildlife-rich areas. Lion Sands Game Reserve boasts a size of 12,400 hectares with 10.5 km of exclusive river frontage along the perennial Sabie River. Lion Sands is located in the southern region of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with Sabi Sabi and the &Beyond private game reserve.
Lion Sands is renowned for its luxury high end accommodation offerings, exceptional hospitality and world class game drives with close up sighting of the Big-5. Lion Sands also offers a range of exciting activities including treehouse sleep outs, walking safaris and outdoor dinning experiences under the stars in a traditional outdoor Boma, as well as a range of state of the art facilities in a range of luxury safari lodges. Lion Sands welcomes back return customers and gets glowing reviews from all corners of the world.
Lion Sands Accommodation Options
Lion Sands is well known for its luxury high standard luxury lodges. The reserve is home to four luxurious lodges: Ivory, River Lodge which are located on the Sabi Sands side of the reserv, and Tinga, and Narina Lodge. Which are both located in the Kruger National Park side of the reserve. Each Lion Sands lodge has unique features and offerings and all lodges are positioned along the riverbed offering direct views of the Sabie River, attracting a wide variety of wildlife for guests to observe from the comfort of the lodge and accommodation.
Lion Sands is also home to two luxury 2-bedroom villas; Fish Eagle Residence located in the Sabi Sands side of the reserve and Hinkwenu Residence in the Kruger National Park side. The residences offer a more exclusive experience aimed at families and small groups of friends. Villas are an exclusive experience with a private chef, exclusive dining experiences, dedicated safari vehicle and culinary team that caters for every need.
Lion Sands River Lodge
River Lodge offers a vibrant and social safari experience with 18 rooms designed to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. The lodge’s design includes a chic, contemporary aesthetic with wooden walkways connecting the main lodge to a spa, fitness center, and pool. Accommodations include eight Luxury Rooms, six Superior Luxury Rooms (with inter-leading options), and four spacious River Suites, each with private plunge pools. River Lodge also features the Creative Lab for turning wildlife photos into art, and kosher catering options.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Ivory Lodge is designed to foster deep connections with nature and between guests. This five-star lodge features eight one-bedroom suites, each offering a covered deck, a separate lounge with a fireplace, and a private plunge pool. The lodge’s architecture blends seamlessly with the riverscape, providing a tranquil environment. Additional amenities include a spa, fitness center, and the MORE Gallery with an Artist Residency program. Kosher catering is available for guests with specific dietary needs.
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Narina Lodge offers a secluded retreat perched on stilts beneath ancient trees, with panoramic views of the Sabie River. The lodge features nine private luxury suites and amenities like a spa and fitness centre. The Creative Lab is available for photographers to turn their images into artworks. Narina Lodge’s design emphasises natural beauty and tranquility, providing a serene safari experience.
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Tinga Lodge provides a classic safari experience with nine luxury suites set on a high bank overlooking the Sabie River. Each suite includes a private plunge pool and deck. The lodge features a main area with a bar lounge, library, guest pool, and boma. Tinga Lodge offers the Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure program, with activities and a dedicated playroom for children. Families can enjoy scavenger hunts, baking, and sundowner milkshakes or hot chocolate.
Fish Eagle Residence
Located at Ivory Lodge, Fish Eagle Residence offers an exclusive, self-contained experience with a personal chef, butler, field guide team, and private safari vehicle. The residence includes two private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers, an open living space with a fully equipped kitchen, and an expansive deck with a lap pool. A private fire deck and star jetty provide a tranquil setting by the Sabie River, along with a private spa and fitness center.
Hinkwenu Residence
Situated at Tinga Lodge, Hinkwenu Residence offers a secluded bush experience with its own hospitality and field guide teams, and a private safari vehicle. The residence features two spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers, a private pool, and a furnished deck. The Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure program is also available, making it ideal for families.
Whats included?
- Two game drives and guided bush walks
- Stargazing sessions and wildlife lectures
- Various outdoor dining experiences, such as bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, and bush or boma dinners (weather permitting)
- Luxurious accommodation
- All meals, soft drinks, select alcoholic beverages, and minibar
- Game drive snacks and refreshments
- Transfers from Skukuza Airport
- Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers activities
- Wi-Fi access
Lion Sands Treehouses
Lion Sands Game Reserve offers three unique treehouses: Chalkley, Kingston, and Tinyeleti treehouses. These treehouses provide an exceptional way to experience the African wilderness with luxury accommodations under the stars. Chalkley Treehouse offers panoramic views of open plains, Kingston Treehouse provides a luxurious escape above the treetops, and Tinyeleti Treehouse is a riverside retreat. All treehouses include bathroom facilities with hot running water. Guests arrive at sunset for sundowners and a picnic dinner, with the opportunity to watch wildlife and stargaze from their elevated vantage point. A field guide is available via radio for safety.
Good to know: The treehouse sleep out are an additional activity and guest will keep there room for the night. Therefore if there are any weather implications guest will still be accommodated.
Lion Sands Game Drives
Lion Sands offers game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours guided by highly qualified FGASA-accredited field guides and trackers. The vehicles are open roof modified land rovers with have been modified for both comfort for the passengers and toward the enhanced driving abilities and challenging terrian. Game Drives include a stop in a scenic location for coffee stops in the mornings and sundowners on the afternoon drives.
Game Drive vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife. Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting night drives and guided bush walk are permitted.
Optional guided walking safaris are offered after breakfast. These walking safaris are conducted by an armed ranger and take you through the reserve on foot, particular y concentrating on the smaller fauna and flora that often gets missed on the game drives.
Lion Sands Wildlife
Nestled between the Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park, Lion Sands Game Reserve shares an unfenced border with these iconic areas, creating a vast, interconnected habitat for wildlife. The reserve is known for its exceptional Big Five sightings; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, as well as 147 other mammal species and over 500 bird species. Particularly renowned for its leopard sightings, Lion Sands also offers remarkable viewing of African wild dogs, large lion prides, and high concentrations of elephant and buffalo herds. Other wildlife includes but is not limited too giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, cheetah, hyena, warthog, and various antelope species.
The reserve’s diverse landscapes support large herds of antelope, which in turn sustain the predator populations. Birdwatchers will delight in the variety of over 500 species found in the region, many of which can be seen near the river.
Good to know: The Sabie River runs through the Lion Sands Game Reserve. This is a perennial river, meaning it runs all year round. During the dry season when water sources are scare, wildlife travel from all corners of the greater region to the river to drink. This brings a lot of life into the reserve and makes wildlife viewing opportunities endless.
Families at Lion Sands
There lots for families to do at Lion Sands with eating families game drives and a ring of children activities called the Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorer experiences. These activities are fun and educational and tech kids about the animal and fundamentals of the reserve. Families are accommodated at Tinga Lodge, River Lodge and in both exclusive use residences. The child policy at Lion Sands is as follows:
- River lodge: Two bedroom suites and inter-leading rooms, and is aged restricted from 10 years old.
- Ivory lodge: No triple rooms or inter-leading rooms, and is aged restricted from 10 years old.
- Narina Lodge: No triple rooms or inter-leading rooms, and is aged restricted from 16 years old.
- Tinga Lodge: Triple rooms (no inter-leading rooms), and is age restricted from 6 years old.
- Fish Eagle & Hinkwenu Residence: Families of all ages and can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 children in both of the 2-bedroom villas.
Location and Accessibility
Lion Sands is located in the southern region of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares fenceless borders with the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sabi and the &Beyond private game reserves.
Lion Sands is easily accessible and the best way to get there is to fly into Skukuza Airport, which is a short drive away from the lodge. When you arrive at Skukuza Airport a guide from Lion Sands will be waiting for you to transfer you to the reserve in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. The GPS Coordinates are as follows:
- River Lodge: 24°58’16.9”S | 31°31’55.4”E
- Ivory Lodge: 24°58’24.1”S | 31°31’46.5”E
- Narina Lodge: 24°57’43.41”S | 31°33’46.51”E
- Tinga Lodge: 24°58’16.94”S | 31°35’0.54”E
Weather
The reserve enjoys a generally warm climate, with average maximum temperatures ranging from 24°C (75°F) in July to 33°C (90°F) in January. The lowest average minimum temperature occurs in July at 8°C (46°F). The annual rainfall averages 350mm (14in), mostly falling as brief thundershowers during midsummer (December to February).
Best Time to Travel
Although Lion Sands Game Reserve is an all year round safari destination, the months May to October are considered the best time to go. This is the dry season when the vegetation is sparse and the animals are drawn to the water sources making them easier to spot. There is also little to no rainfall during this time. Lion Sand is a year-round safari destination with non-migratory wildlife ensuring consistent safari experiences. The best period for birdwatching is from October to April.
Health Information: Malaria
The reserve is located in a moderate-risk malaria area. Guests are advised to consult with their healthcare providers about malaria prophylactics before their visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable safari experience.
Useful Links
If you are planning a safari to Lion Sands, we recommend reading these articles to find out when to go and where to stay.
- Lion Sands Lodge Details, Prices and Offers
- 14 Night Lion Sands & Cape Town holiday package
- Exclusive Lion Sands & Thornybush package
- Best time to go on Safari to the Sabi Sands
For personal planning assistance and advice contact out team.
