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Lion Sands Game Reserve

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Four stunning lodges straddling the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve and Kruger National Park.

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Property Overview

Lion Sands sits within both the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve – the oldest private nature reserve in South Africa – and Kruger National Park, one of only seven private concessions within the park. The reserve covers thirty thousand, six hundred acres of private traversing land, ensuring game drives without the crowds, and six and a half miles of frontage on the Sabie River drawing a remarkable diversity of wildlife. Four lodges are spread across the reserve, sitting lightly within the landscape and providing every comfort for a personalized safari experience.

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SmartFlyer Exclusives

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (at River Lodge only)
  • Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (already included in property rates)
  • When staying at River, Tinga, or Narina lodge, guests receive a 45-minute Aroma Bush massage per person, once per stay
  • When staying at Ivory Lodge, guests will instead receive a 60-minute massage per person, once per stay
  • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

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Agent Tips

  • Make sure to check out the treehouses at the lodges, romantic spaces with views of the starry skies above backdropped by the sounds of the bush below.
  • Lion Sands hosts an Artist in Residence program – browse the gallery and pick up an original piece inspired by the reserve and its wildlife for a unique souvenir.
  • The Creative Lab can print your safari photos onto canvas, a far better souvenir than a fridge magnet.
Accommodations

A distinctive African safari experience.

Lion Sands' four lodges each offer a distinct experience within the same reserve. Ivory Lodge's eight river suites are designed for those who want total immersion – game drives, bush walks, and spa treatments, with wildlife visible from the bed, deck, or plunge pool. River Lodge, the original Lion Sands property, has eighteen rooms shaded by age-old trees, with sundowner decks, a safari lounge, a fire deck, and a pool; it's the most social of the four, with a nostalgic charm that keeps guests coming back across generations.

Narina Lodge takes its name from the Narina Trogon bird and shares something of its character, with nine suites perched on stilts under century-old trees and a spa offering a strong sense of seclusion. Tinga Lodge leans into classic safari atmosphere: nine suites on a high bank above the Sabie River, fireside dining, a star-gazing deck, and a dedicated playroom for younger guests. Children aged six and up are welcome at Tinga; Lion Sands as a whole welcomes guests aged ten and up.
Pool + Gym

The spot for downtime between game drives.

Ivory, Narina, and Tinga suites each come with a private plunge pool, and Tinga guests also have access to the main lodge pool. At River Lodge, the deck's connected water features create the feeling of floating out over the river thanks to the deck's clever design. River Lodge also has a main pool, and guests looking for more privacy can request a River Suite, which comes with its own plunge pool.

Ivory, River, and Narina lodges each have an on-site fitness center with treadmills and gym equipment – everything you need to stay fit on your safari.
Spa

A spa for every lodge.

Each of Lion Sands' four lodges has its own spa. Between treatments, the reserve has a natural way of doing the rest, the long days leading to deep sleeps, wholesome food served at the restaurants, yoga on the deck, and walks among ancient trees all come with the territory.
Restaurant + Bar

Fresh ingredients in the heart of Africa.

Dining at Lion Sands is as much about the setting as the food, with meals moving between the bush, the boma, and under the stars depending on the evening. The kitchen focuses on fresh, sustainable, and ethically sourced ingredients, and dietary requirements are well catered for across the board: vegan, vegetarian, reducetarian, halaal, and more. Ivory Lodge and River Lodge also offer kosher catering options.

Each of Lion Sands' four lodges has its own bar, the natural gathering point after a game drive, where the day's sightings get debated over a glass of wine or a well-earned cocktail.
  • Vibe
    Remote, elegant, and wild, with a timeless safari atmosphere and a strong connection to the landscapes outside.
  • Who's it for?
    Lion Sands works well for honeymooners and couples, particularly at Ivory or Narina for those after seclusion, as well as multigenerational families, who will find Tinga's playroom and the private-use residences at Ivory (Fish Eagle) and Tinga (Hinkwenu) well suited to larger groups traveling together. Nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers are well catered for across all four lodges. Children aged six and up are welcome at Tinga; the minimum age across the other lodges is ten.
  • Location
    Lion Sands spans two distinct territories. Ivory and River Lodges sit within the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, while Narina and Tinga Lodges are within Kruger National Park, one of only seven private concessions in the park. All four lodges overlook the Sabie River and are within a twenty-minute drive of each other, across thirty thousand, six hundred acres of private traversing land.

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