Lion Sands

Accommodation

Ivory Lodge

The international award winning Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is ultra luxurious, yet simple and uncluttered. The lodge is about overriding exclusivity with complete privacy, where each suite is operated as a private villa. 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 – arguably the worlds finest suite.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge was awarded third best hotel in the world by Tatler Magazine in 2006 and has been included in their “101 Best Hotels in the World” 2006 & 2007 listings. Ivory Lodge is also a proud member of Virtuoso, the largest exclusive by invitation only travel network group in the world.

The public areas at Ivory Lodge offers guests the following: a private bar with fireplace, a library lounge , well stocked wine cellar, wooden viewing decks, a magnificent River Island Deck built on the river, Lalamuka Health Spa & gymnasium, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.

Location
The Lodge has 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 100 meters 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 165 m2 in size and are positioned at least 20 meters 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 – Africa’s finest bedrooms!

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.

Ivory Lodge

The Lodge comprises six generously sized privately situated villas, each with a separate living room, heated swimming pool and an open plan en-suite bathroom with an enclosure for the outdoor shower – 6-star luxury in the middle of the bush. The colour scheme of ebony and ivory is interpreted in a modern style, while selected African accessories blend the old world with the new to create Afro-Euro chic. Breathtaking views of the Sabie River, which has flowing water all year around, can be viewed through the oversized windows of your villa or from your private viewing terrace. Baby elephants bathing in the river, zebra, gnu and the large Nile crocodile are the only neighbours you shall see.

Room Amenities:

• King size bed with mosquito netting (can be made up as twin bed)
• En-suite bathroom
• Inside and outside shower
• Free standing bath and double vanity basin
• Private Viewing Deck
• Individual heated plunge pool
• Lounge with fireplace
• Air-conditioning and overhead fan
• Maxi-bar
• Safe and telephone

Ivory Lodge::Daily Programme

A Day at Ivory Lodge
5:30 am, Morning Game Drive: Guests are waking up for their morning game drive.
7:45 am, Coffee & tea: Guests are enjoying coffee and tea in the bush.
9:00 am, Breakfast: Guests are returning from their game drive for a hearty breakfast.
11:00 am, Activities: Guests are enjoying an interpretive bush walk.
13:00 pm, Lunch: Lunch is served on the wooden viewing deck.
14:30 pm, Rest & Relaxation: Enjoy a massage on the deck of your suite or relax in your private pool.
16:00 pm, Evening Game Drive: Guests are enjoying high tea before evening game drive.
17:30 pm, Sundowners: Guests are sipping cocktails in the bush and watching the sun set.
20:00 pm, Dinner: The fires are lit in the boma for dinner under the African stars.

River Lodge::Daily Programme

A Day at River Lodge
5:30 am, Morning Game Drive: Guests are waking up for their morning game drive.
7:45 am, Coffee & tea: Guests are enjoying coffee and tea in the bush.
9:00 am, Breakfast: Guests are returning from their game drive for a hearty breakfast.
11:00 am, Activities: Guests are enjoying an interpretive bush walk.
13:00 pm, Lunch: Lunch is served on the wooden viewing deck.
14:30 pm, Rest & Relaxation: Enjoy a massage at the spa or relax at River Island Deck.
16:00 pm, Evening Game Drive: Guests are enjoying high tea before evening game drive.
17:30 pm, Sundowners: Guests are sipping cocktails in the bush and watching the sun set.
20:00 pm, Dinner: The fires are lit in the boma for dinner under the African stars.

River Lodge

The rooms at River Lodge offer respite and protection from the Lowveld heat. The interior is a tranquil cream and beige haven, cool in the summer, cosy in the winter. The bathroom, with its tranquil look and pebble-inlaid floors complements the bushveld well. There are 18 luxurious thatched bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower & wooden viewing deck. The bedroom area is air-conditioned with an overhead fan. All rooms have mini-bar & telephone access. The rooms are linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways.

Room Amenities:

• King size bed with mosquito netting (can be made up as twin bed)
• En-suite bathroom
• Inside and outside shower
• Bath and vanity basin
• Private Viewing Deck
• Air-conditioning and overhead fans
• Mini-bars
• Safe and telephone

1933 Lodge

“You have to know your roots in order to find your wings!” This is exactly how Guy Aubrey Chalkley felt when he first discovered the raw beauty and ancient spirit of the Kingstown Game Reserve, near the Kruger National Park, back in 1933. As a tribute to their predecessor’s pioneering spirit, Nicholas and Robert More, the great grandsons of Guy Chalkley and present-day owners of Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, have undertaken to build their own private camp.

Opened in October 2007 and aptly named 1933, this lodge will welcome local guests, families and friends the world over. Since 1933 has been designed by the family and for the More family, it encapsulates both the warm, personal ambience associated with a family owned lodge and a world class luxury safari experience.

The lodge’s large windows, sliding doors and muted colours mirror the surrounding landscape and create a seamless, indoor-outdoor flow. Timber, thatch and screed flooring add earthy charm to the interior, where the decor is classic-contemporary. Take the lounge, for instance, with its natural fibres, oversized chairs and open fireplace that together create a haven for relaxation. The kitchen is ideal as it opens onto a dining area that’s equally suited to informal family meals or a banquet affair. All of these public areas open onto a large, wraparound wooden deck and 13.5m (15 yard) lap-size swimming pool.

1933 Lodge

Nestling on the banks of the Sabie River, 1933 represents a secluded environment where comfort and relaxation are the order of the day. There are four spacious suites, each with their own private view of the Sabie River. The bathrooms are just as inviting, courtesy of their double vanity units, elegant bath and outdoor showers. There is also a childrens dormitory, able to sleep up to 8 children, with his and hers bathroom and an interleading bedroom for an au-pair.

If this sounds like your dream home, that’s exactly what 1933 at Lion Sands strives to be: a gracious home away from home – with a few added luxuries, including your own private chef and ranger, with the exclusive use of a 4x4 Landrover for safari game drives.

What really sets 1933 at Lion Sands apart from any other safari lodge, is its prime setting on the canopied banks of the Sabie River – the very place where Guy Chalkley spent hours writing his storybook, Desert Pool, telling of the myriad adventures his two children, Tony and Louise, enjoyed while growing up on the Reserve.

Accommodation and Facilities

Main Lodge

• Reception Lounge
• Main Kitchen
• Laundry Room
• Presentation Kitchen
• Dining Room
• Lounge with Fireplace
• Outdoor Living Room
• Open Dining Area on Wooden Deck
• Guest Bathroom
• Wine Cellar
• Gym & Sauna
• Additional lounge/Playroom with satellite television
• Library
• Internet connectivity
• Lap swimming pool
• Wooden wrap-around decks
• Air conditioning & overhead fans
Childrens Dormitory

• Childrens dormitory, sleeping max 8 children
• Interleading Au-pair/security bedroom
• Two bathrooms (one with bath & shower, one with shower only)
Suites

• 4 Luxurious Suites (Sleeping max 8 adults)
• 1 Adjoining main public area
• 3 Free standing suites joined by raised wooden walkways
• Double bed (or twins)
• Lobby reception
• En-suite bathroom
• Indoor & Outdoor shower (3 free standing suites)
• Floating bath
• Double vanity with dressing table
• Air-conditioning & overhead fan
• Electronic safe
• Personal bars
• Hairdryer
• Private wooden viewing deck

River Lodge

River Lodge is the soul of Lion Sands and has been built on the banks of the Sabie River, positioned on a site with trees dating back 800 years. Facing due east, the lodge catches the sun as it rises over the Kruger National Park. Hosted by a family of staff that make it feel like home away from home, the lodge is about spirit, warmth and nature. Here you are invited to relax and experience African hospitality at its finest.

The public areas at River Lodge offers guests the following: a private lounge and bar with fireplace, an outdoor safari lounge, 2 swimming pools (heated in winter), wooden viewing decks, a secluded bird hide, a magnificent River Island Deck built on the river, a conference room, Lalamuka Health Spa & gymnasium, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.

Location
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 100 meters 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.

Activities

The Experience

A Safari Introduction

The Lion Sands reserve, which has been owned and managed by the More Family for four generations, is a place of rarity and carries with it a passion which can only be instilled by a great family history.

The families 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.

Lion Sands is the only reserve in the Sabi Sand which employs a full time ecologist, who is responsible for ensuring the preservation of the land for another four generations to come.

The Lion Sands Game Reserve is private and exclusive to Lion Sands guests only, which ensures the safari experience is highly personalised, allowing guests the time and flexibility to savour the natural beauty which abounds. Come to Lion Sands, spend a little time with us, man and animal, and you will experience a feeling of belonging and at the same time a sense of freedom that comes from those who believe in sharing instead of possessing.

Safari Activities

Included in Rate

Astronomy
This is done during the evening game drive and is kept as a surprise for those guests who have a keen interest in our solar system and the associated African folklore. Lie back under the African sky & be taken on a journey through our ancient galaxy.

Bush Breakfast
Guests are driven to either the river hide or one of the open plains where breakfast is served. A full table is set and the guests are invited to join the animals, which can often be viewed from the breakfast venue, whilst savouring a full continental breakfast.

Bush Dinner
Guests are driven to either a dry riverbed or under the African sky on an open plain. Lit by only paraffin lamps and a big open campfire, this dining experience makes for one of the most unforgettable memories of a visit to Africa. Listen to the night sounds and enjoy a sumptuous meal cooked on the open-coals of the bush fire.

Bush Walk
Prior to departing the ranger will assess the guest's fitness level and will structure the walk accordingly. During the summer months the walks are done in the early mornings and form part of the morning game drive. In winter the walk is done after breakfast but to ensure the best walking areas are accessed, the guest will leave the lodge in a Land Rover until the optimal walking route is reached. Once everyone (maximum 8 guests) has settled into the walk the ranger will start to talk on a wide variety of subjects ranging from the medicinal uses of certain plants to the basic skills of tracking animals. On returning to the vehicle light refreshments are served. This is a highly recommended activity in both summer & winter.

Game Drive
Guests are taken on early morning and evening open land rover game drives.

Hippo Tour
Often the guests do not get the chance to see the hippopotamus during either their morning & evening game drive as the Land Rover's traverse the interior of the reserve, focusing on the inland animals. This tour offers the guest a chance to observe this amazing creature in its natural habitat. There is also a good chance of seeing the enormous African Nile crocodiles (12/14ft), which inhabit the Sabie River.

Safari Lunch
Guests can request for a picnic lunch at either one of the River hides or Waterhole hide. This activity is only offered during the winter, dry season months, as this is the time when wildlife are seen to congregate around these points.

Wildlife Lectures
These lectures cover a variety of wildlife subjects. Our Senior Ecologist & Head Ranger will ensure that the subject content is not only interesting but very site specific. The lectures will take place every alternate day. The venue, content & spokesperson details will be available at reception desk.

• All outdoor activities are weather dependent and therefore remain optional.
Excluded from Tariff

Ballooning
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.

Clay Pigeon Shooting
Guests are taken to an open-plain were a shooting range has been set-up (25 minutes drive from River Lodge). A qualified ranger will accompany the guests to ensure that the correct safety measures are adhered to and that the shoot is correctly managed. The guest is given 4 sets of five shots each. The shots are scored and results recorded for the guest. Shooting of other calibre rifles can be arranged but only by special requests.

GOLF
Skukuza Golf Course, Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park has a very unique 9-hole golf course at Skukuza main camp. The course is unfenced, open to the reserve and it is not uncommon to have ones round interrupted by a herd of zebra or a wandering giraffe; even the occasional lion has been sited resting in the cool shade of a tree. Transfers to and from Skukuza Golf Course is included in our Golf Rate. Guests are transferred in open land rovers from Lion Sands through the Sabi Sands Reserve to the Kruger National Park. The transfer distance is 15 kilometres and takes approximately 45 minutes.

Health Spa
"Lalamuka" means unwind in Shangaan and that is exactly what it is all about. An array of body, facial & hydrotherapy treatments are available to guests to assist in getting rid of those urban stresses.

Helicopter Blyde River Canyon & Gods Window
This must be the most spectacular way of viewing the northern Drakensburg, which is host to some of South Africa's most well known geographical landmarks. Guests are collected from & returned to the Lion Sands helicopter pad. The helicopter flies due west towards the Drakensburg arriving at the Blyde River Canyon were one gets a close-up view of the Three Rondawels & the Blydepoort Dam. Rising out of the canyon the helicopter passes over the Berlin & Lisbon falls on route to a secluded picnic spot next to the Pinnacle. Here our guests will enjoy a delicious picnic with breath taking views stretching out as far as the Kruger National Park in the east. After lunch the helicopter flies past God's Window, Wonder View, Panorama Falls and over the town of Graskop before heading east back to Lion Sands.

Private Game Drives
The exclusive use of a private Land Rover can be arranged. Subject to availability.

Cultural Village Experience
The vibrant and friendly Shangaans are descendants of Chief Soshangana, who was sent by his brother, King Shaka Zulu to conquer the Tsonga people in the area now known as Mozambique. This tribe is now bordering the famous Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve. The extremely proud elders of the Shangaan nation, who are intent on maintaining their rich heritage and traditions, have passed their knowledge on to the younger generations, who in turn openly share their cultural heritage with our visitors to Lion Sands Private Game Reserve.

Your cultural village experience begins with guests being collected from the lodge by a professionally qualified Shangaan guide. On your way to the local village of Huntington, your guide will explain his history and customs, as well as some of the basic greeting words. Your first stop is to visit the Huntington Home-Based Care Organization, where the volunteers will welcome you and teach you their traditional dances, followed by an explanation of where the dances originated. You will also be able to watch the community act out various dramatic HIV/AIDS plays, which are based on the community creating an awareness of the disease.

Along route there is also a stop to visit Henna Pre-School, where you will get to spend some time to socialize with the children and listen to some of their rhymes. This school is a community based initiative and is sponsored by Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. For the adventurous, there is also the opportunity to eat some of the local cuisine and upon request, you can visit the craft market and purchase curios made by the community. After experiencing every aspect of the Huntington community, your guide will transfer you back to Lion Sands.

The cultural experience is approximately three hours and you will be transferred in a closed vehicle.

• All outdoor activities are weather dependent and therefore remain optional

Chalkley Treehouse

A unique treehouse was built at the original site where Guy Aubrey Chalkley had climbed into the trees and set up camp to escape from predators roaming the plains below. The treehouse is a secure bush bedroom under the African stars, with all the comforts that a guest can experience at a five star safari lodge.

Guests are taken to the treehouse at sunset, where drinks and a delicious picnic dinner await them. They then enjoy the hours of African dusk relaxing and absorbing the beauty and sounds of the bushveld as it transforms from day to night, before turning in for slumber beneath the stars. As dawn breaks, guests are collected by their ranger for a morning game drive, followed by a delicious bush breakfast at one of the many animal and bird hides.

The privacy and seclusion of Chalkley Treehouse allows guests to be completely alone in the wilderness - a unique experience that few places in the world can truly offer. Chalkley Treehouse is built around a majestic 500 year-old Leadwood Tree, with secure access and beautiful views extending over the plains.

In the treehouse, 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.

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

• All outdoor activities are weather dependent and therefore remain optional. There is an additional surcharge for this activity.

Directions

How To Get There

BY ROAD

Recommended route from Johannesburg or Pretoria

Take the N12/N4 highway to Nelspruit. R40 from Nelspruit to Hazyview. At Hazyview turn right onto R536 towards Paul Kruger Gate. After 38km
turn left onto gravel road which is signposted to Lion Sands. Drive along dirt road for 4km. At Tjunction turn right and drive for 4km to Sabi Sand Gate (entrance fee R80 per vehicle). Drive straight as signposted to Lion Sands. After 2km turn right at sign. Drive straight following signs to either River Lodge or Ivory Lodge.

Distance Chart (Approximate):
Johannesburg/Lion Sands (5 hours) – 520 km.
Skukuza Airport/Lion Sands (25min) – 12 km.
Hoedspruit Airport/Lion Sands (2h15min)– 160km
KMIA Airport/Lion Sands (1h45min) – 110 km
Hazyview/Lion Sands (1 hour) – 67 km
Paul Kruger Gate/Lion Sands (45 min) – 32 km

BY RAIL

A recommended option is the romantic Rovos Rail Safari from Pretoria to Komatipoort, with transfers to Skukuza by bus.
Our open Land Rovers will collect and transfer the guests from
Skukuza airport to Lion Sands.

BY AIR

Scheduled Flights:
There is one flight daily from Johannesburg International Airport with Airlink to Mala Mala Airstrip where transfers to the lodge in our open
Land Rovers are available. The transfer time is 45 minutes and the approximate flying time is 1h05min.
There are also three flights daily from Johannesburg International Airport with Federal Air to Skukuza Airport where transfers to the
lodge in our open Land Rovers are available.
The transfer time is 25 minutes and the approximate flying time is 1h30min.
Alternatively fly on Airlink to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport from Cape Town or Johannesburg International Airports. Lion Sands can organize road transfers from KMI Airport to Lion Sands or hire a car and follow the above directions to Lion Sands.

Charters:
Private air charters service the Skukuza airport and are available on request from reservations.

Map / GPS

General Information

Introduction

Our family is one of the most fortunate in the world to have the privilege of being the custodians of one of Africa's truly unspoiled wilderness areas.
Lion Sands will excite your spirit, revive your soul, and leave you with memories full of unforgettable experiences. We welcome you to our little jewel on the banks of this African River.

Lion Sands was established in 1933 by Guy Aubrey Chalkley. Guy Aubrey Chalkley, great grandfather of Nick and Robert More, wrote his novel, The Desert Pool, whilst sitting on the banks of the Sabie River.

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is located in the finest territory of the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Forming part of the greater Kruger National Park, the reserve has no fences and the wildlife is able to traverse freely between Lion Sands and the Kruger National Park.

Rates

Pricing

Rates

Tariffs are quoted in South African Rands and are subject to change without prior notice. Tariffs include government taxes where applicable. If taxes increase, we reserve the right to increase the tariff accordingly.

Ivory Lodge Tariffs Include

• Luxury accommodation
• Two game drives in open Landrovers
• Three meals daily
• Game drive refreshments
• Teas/Coffees
• Laundry
• All local beverages including soft drinks, wine and spirits, Maxi bar
• Skukuza airport transfers
• Specified gaming activities
Ivory Lodge Tariffs Exclude

• Curio shop purchases
• Health spa treatments
• Premium brand and import beverages
• Telephone calls
• Reserve entrance fees
• Airport taxes
• Staff gratuities
River Lodge Tariffs Include

• Luxury accommodation
• Two game drives per day in open Land Rovers
• Three meals daily
• Game drive refreshments
• Teas/Coffees
• Skukuza airport transfers
• Specified gaming activities
River Lodge Tariffs Exclude

• Curio shop purchases
• Health spa treatments
• Telephone calls
• Reserve entrance fees
• Airport taxes
• All beverages & Mini bar
• Staff gratuities
• Laundry
1933 Lodge Tariffs Include

• Luxury accommodation
• Private chef preparing 3 delicious meals daily
• House wines, local brand spirits and beers, soft drinks, bottled water and teas/coffees
• Exclusive use of a Landrover for safari game drives - flexible times and durations
• Game drive refreshments
• Specified gaming activities
• Laundry service
• Skukuza airport transfers
1933 Lodge Tariffs Exclude

• Curio shop purchases
• Health spa treatments
• Premium brand, import beverages, champagnes and private collection in wine cellar
• Telephone calls
• Reserve entrance fees
• Airport
• Staff gratuities
Tariffs for children
Ivory Lodge and River Lodge
We regret that we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 10 years unless the lodge is block booked by the same family or group. A child aged 10 or 11 years and sharing a suite at Lion Sands River Lodge with two full paying adults, will pay 50% of the per person sharing rate. Children in their own suite will pay the standard adult rates.

Children 12 years and older pay the standard per person rates in their own suite at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.

Please note that should you wish to book 2 adults and a child into a suite at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, it will be compulsory to hire a private landrover, at the standard daily rate, for the duration of their stay.

1933 Lodge
Children of all ages are welcome. Regretfully children aged 3 years and younger, cannot participate in game drives for safety reasons.

Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard & Visa Cards are accepted at the lodge.

Special Occasions

Special Occasions

Weddings
Where better to celebrate the union of two soul mates than under an ancient Marula Tree on the banks of the meandering Sabie River?

The exclusive Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is able to tailor make a wedding celebration which is completely unique and in true African custom. The couple will be able to pledge their vows in the company of close friends, relatives and the African wilderness.

A wedding package is available from the Lion Sands reservations team, so please send your enquiry through to them.

Honeymoon, Anniversary & Birthday
Are you planning to celebrate a special occasion in the bush? The Lion Sands family love celebrations and offer a variety of special surprises to ensure your celebration is a memorable one. Please be sure to advise our reservations team of any special requirements.