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Lion Sands Private Game Reserve has been family owned and managed since 1933 and was one of the founding members of the world-renowned Sabi Sand Reserve. It is located in the Southern territory of this world famous Reserve, stretching for miles along the perennial Sabie River which forms its natural boundary with the Kruger National Park. The land is a place of rarity and carries with it a passion which can only be instilled by a great family history.
The Safari experience at Lion Sands takes place on an area which is exclusive to Lion Sands guests only. This allows for a highly personalized and tailored safari where the Field Rangers & Trackers take the guests on unforgettable open-landrover safaris into some of the most beautiful landscapes to observe mammals both big and small in their natural unspoilt surrounds.
Nicholas and Robert More, brothers & fourth generation owners of the land, opened Lion Sands Private Game Reserve to guests in April 2001 with Lion Sands River Lodge & Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. Their passion to deliver a world class luxury safari experience is equaled by their complete commitment in ensuring a pure balance between the preservation of this pristine "bushveld" (wilderness area), allowing access for guests to observe some of Africa's greatest mammals in their natural habitat and ensuring the benefits are shared with local communities.
Ivory Lodge
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, is ultra luxurious yet simple and uncluttered, the interiors achieving a contemporary, Afro-European elegance. The Lodge is about overriding exclusivity with complete privacy where each suite is operated as a private villa. Private dining, in-suite spa treatments and complete relaxation is the norm. Neither word nor photograph can capture the sense of the pure beauty which is breathed in when opening the carved wooden doors leading into this private recluse.
River Lodge
Lion Sands River Lodge, which is downstream of Ivory Lodge, is nestled under a canopy of ancient trees dating back almost 800 years. The Lodge is about spirit, warmth, nature, relaxation and is hosted by a family of staff that will make it feel like home from home. Relax, enjoy and get to experience genuine African hospitality at its best.
Insider's Guide:
- The incredible spirit of the Sabie River flows through all the Lodges
- Game Viewing is exclusive to guests
- Passion of a Family Owned and Managed Lodge can be felt
- Overall, an unforgettable, sincere and truly magical African Safari experience
There are three different Lodges that make up Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. The three lodges are Ivory Lodge, River Lodge, and 1933. 1933 is rented exclusively to one party at a time.
Ivory Lodge
The Lodge has also been built on the banks of the Sabie River with magnificent views, extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger National Park. The Lodge faces due South and is approximately 900 feet upstream of River Lodge.
Suites
There are 6 ultra luxurious suites with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower, courtyard, lounge with fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio & private plunge pool. The bedroom & bathroom area are air-conditioned and overhead fans cool the bedrooms and lounges. All rooms have telephone and internet access. The suites are 1,776 square feet in size and are positioned at least 80 feet apart, being linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways. They all have breathtaking views over the Sabie River, a setting where game viewing can be done from the luxury of one’s private suite.
Lodge
The entrance area is separate from the main lodge in order to ensure that guests arriving and departing have no impact on other overnight guests. The public areas comprise of a private lounge, library, wooden viewing decks, wine cellar, gymnasium & health spa, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.
Experience
Ivory Lodge is about African Euro elegance, sophistication yet simplicity, boldness yet balance, ebony & ivory, perfect harmony, exclusivity, sensitivity & complete privacy.
River Lodge
The Lodge has been built on the banks of the Sabie River. It faces due East catching the sun as it rises over the Kruger National Park and is approximately 900 feet downstream of Ivory Lodge.
Rooms
There are 18 luxurious thatched bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower & wooden viewing deck. The bedroom area is air-conditioned with an over-head fan. All rooms have mini-bar & telephone access. The rooms are linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways.
Lodge
The lodge comprises the following: a private lounge and bar, an outdoor safari lounge, 2 swimming pools, wooden viewing decks, a secluded bird hide, a river island deck, conference room, gymnasium & health spa, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.
Experience
River Lodge is the Soul of Lion Sands. Positioned on a site, which has trees dating back almost 800 years, the lodge is about spirit, warmth, nature & relaxation. It is hosted by a family of Staff that will make it feel like home from home, relax, enjoy and get to experience African hospitality at its best.
At all the three Lodges the meals are a highlight of the experience where the Chefs vary them in ingredients and venue to ensure the guest is given a unique culinary experience through out their stay at Lion Sands. The dinners will vary between a "Bush Dinner" (weather dependent) under African stars, a formal plated meal on the viewing deck at the Lodge, an "African Boma" dinner (weather dependent) or a dinner in the dry river bed (weather dependent). Each experience is filled with light, mood, flavors, both traditional and customary and have been host to some of the worlds most renowned Chef's. An emphasis is on freshness, non preservative and perfection of simplicity.
SAMPLE DAILY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Below is a sample of what to expect - Daily wildlife sightings can easily change the schedule as the viewing is unpredictable. The times will also change based on season but the format is similar. Note that each day, although based on an ideal safari experience, can be tailored to accommodate each guests requirements with the option of a private safari vehicle.
5:30 - Wake up
6:00 - Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate served at the Lodge before Safari Drive
6:30 - Morning Safari Drives depart. This includes a refreshment stop which happens on the Reserve.
9:30 - Return from Safari Drive for breakfast.
10:30 - Time at leisure or to get involved in some of the unique activities on offer:
- Health Spa & Gym
- Hippo Tour
- Bush Walks
- Community Tours
1:00 - Lunch served at the Lodge
- Safari Picnic lunches can be arranged at the Warthog Wallow Hide (recommend during Winter (dry season) as one can do game viewing while lunching!)
2:00 - Time to rest after the early morning start or chose to be involved in further activities
- Health Spa & Gym
- Wildlife Lectures
4:00 - Afternoon Tea, Coffee and refreshments served at the Lodge before evening Game Safari departs.
5:00 - Field Ranger to break with guests to watch the sun going down over one of the open plains.
- Astronomy
8:00 - Dinner served at the Lodge in one of the breathtaking venues.
All the above activities are included in the Tariff excluding Health Spa.
Activities Excluded from Tariff
Private Land Rover hire (Exclusivity, Specialist Photography, Bird watching); Health Spa; Clay Pigeon Shooting;
Tree House Experience
The two unique treehouses, Chalkley Treehouse and Jackalberry Treehouse, were built on the original sites where our grandfather, decades earlier, had climbed into trees to set up camp to escape from the predators for the night. He also used the open area which stretches out infront of the Chalkley Treehouse to capture some of the wilderness on film.
Each treehouse has been created with the essence of experience formed around trying to capture what it would have been like all those years ago, spending a night out, under the stars listening to the night sounds. The Tree Houses have been equipped with a few of the modern comforts to ensure an experience which will not only be raw in setting but...
Guests are taken to the treehouse at sunset, where champagne and a delicious picnic dinner awaits them. They are then afforded the opportunity of spending the hours of dusk relaxing and absorbing the beauty of the African bushveld as it transforms from day to night, before turning in for a night under the stars. As dawn breaks, guests are collected by their ranger for a morning game drive, followed by a bush breakfast at one of the many animal and bird hides.
The privacy and seclusion of Chalkley and Jackalberry Treehouse allows guests to be completely alone in the wilderness - a unique experience that few places in the world can truly offer.
Chalkley Treehouse
Built around a 500 year-old Leadwood Tree, with secure access and views extending over the open plains, Chalkley Treehouse consists of the following:
- Double bed with mattress and linen
- Mosquito net
- Bedside tables
- Toilet
- Bush vanity table
- Viewing deck with chairs
- Gowns & slippers
Jackalberry Treehouse
This bush bedroom has been constructed high up in the top of a 100 year-old Jackalberry tree, overlooking the Msutu dry-river bed. Your camouflaged hideaway consists of the following:
- Double bed with mattress and linen
- Mosquito net
- Bedside tables
- Toilet
- Bush vanity table
- Viewing deck with chairs
- Gowns & slippers
Online Brochures
Brochures
If you would like a copy of one of our brochures mailed to you, simply email us at info@linaratravel.com and include your name, address, and phone number along with the destinations you are interested in so we can provide you with the relevant brochures.
Sales, Information, Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, Anniversaries, and Reservations
Inside the USA: (800) 335-6033
Other countries: +1 818 292-8915
Fax: (818) 936-0807
Email: sales@linaratravel.com
If You are a Travel Agent:
Inside the USA: (800) 335-6033
Other countries: +1 818 292-8915
Fax: (818) 936-0807
Email: travelagent@linaratravel.com
