Situated in South Africa’s renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Lion Sands River, and Ivory Lodge offer the best of nature that guests can possibly experience.
Lion Sands River Lodge
The Amazing Lion Sands River Lodge The city of is situated in the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve The ideal location for families and friends looking to enjoy a safari with a lot of interaction. After a fire in 2017, the properties’ rebuild was designed to be open to natural light, embodying a traditional safari lodge, with contemporary décor, adding interesting and modern elements.
Clifford, my butler, is there to make sure I’m well looked after. He makes me a delicious latte. He enquires from the chef whether they are able to prepare an early lunch for me and informs me that I am welcome to choose a table – the tables all face the magnificent Sabie River. I am able to take in all the sounds and sights of my surroundings. An African Fish Eagle can be heard calling from the top of a tree and a single hippopotamus walks upstream along the river. The food at Lion Sands in Sabi Sand is excellent, and my lunch was no exception. I choose the perfectly cooked fillet of beef, thick hand-cut french fries and an egg.
I’m staying in the Suite 9, which is just a few minutes walk from the central area. My bedroom is spacious and airy, and I can enjoy the view of the river both from my bed and private terrace. The interiors were designed by Cape Town based interior designer Caline Wynn. Artichoke Interior DesignIt was a fantastic result. “Throughout the interiors of River Lodge, we used different mediums, such as tiles, string light pendants, leather, terrazzo, and clay bricks to create different sensory elements,” Caline tells me. “Guests move from one space to the other, experiencing oversized visual elements that create a theatrical feel. The colors used are earth tones that are all inspired by nature.”
Safari lodges offer twice-daily game drives. Today, Ozy, our field guide, and Tracker Heavy, are thrilled to show us around the bush. This private concession, which covers 30,600 acres, is home to a wide variety of animals. Our excitement grows when we discover the Southern pride of Lions relaxing in the shade. Three adorable cubs are eight-month-old and we spend some time with them before moving on to the next sighting.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Lion Sands is the undisputed crown jewel of the Lion Sands crown. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge A marvel of architectural design. The eight suites with one bedroom are far apart to ensure privacy and exclusivity. They also have views of the Sabie River. The lodge’s luxurious atmosphere inspires deep connections with nature and each other.
Mother Nature was the inspiration behind the exteriors of Ivory Lodge. The rawness of the bush was cleverly incorporated into the design. Marneweck Swart Architects. The combination of steel, wood and thatch with glass, water and sand created a stylish and timeless mid-century design.
For the interiors, bold furniture, edgy décor, ambient lighting, and interpretations of tribal design were used to reveal a uniquely tactile experience. Robert More, the CEO and Custodian of the Robert More Group, is actively involved in all aspects. MORE Family Collection Ivory Lodge was the first property I worked on. I was responsible for both the interior and exterior design.
“With Ivory Lodge being our flagship property, we brought glamor to the bush,” Robert says. “We used oversized photographic images of bird feathers to bring color into the lodge. The spaces were designed to be uncluttered and spacious.” It is easy to see how the Bateleur suite’s large photographs, floor-to-ceiling glass, and doors create a spacious feeling. My luxurious environment creates a real sense of space. I’m reluctant to leave.
A game drive is calling, and I’m always eager to see what the bush can offer. Our morning safari is rounded up by our field guide Syd, and our tracker Joyce. I can just decipher what Syd is saying on his two-way radio to another guide, and it’s clear that we’re on our way to something worthwhile. As he comes into view, I catch my breath as he is one of the most magnificent animals I’ve seen in a while. Hanyile is his name, which in Shangaan means survivor. He is also the dominant male at Lion Sands. A perfect conclusion to an extraordinary stay – seeing my favorite animal on safari while luxuriating in the best lodges in Sabi Sand!
How to get there
Airlink Privately owned and independent, this is the premier regional airline of Southern Africa. They offer the most extensive route network with connectivity to 45 destinations in 15 different countries.
With more than 60 regional jetliners in the fleet, Airlink has been ranked as South Africa’s most punctual airline, based on its 97% average on-time performance year to date. This shows their commitment and determination to be synonymous with punctuality, customer centricity and service excellence.
Select routes operated by our luxurious Embraer E-195 / E-190 / E-170 / E-jets.
Where to go: Airlink offers direct flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg, to the iconic Skukuza Airport located in the Kruger National Park.
Book directly online FlyAirlink or your travel agent.