Description
A five-star lodge in a five-star reserve. Bordering Kruger National Park, Lion Sands delivers premier game-viewing – and this, its original accommodation, provides the guest experience to match. Friendly and relaxed, River Lodge, together with Lion Sands’ three other camps, enjoys exclusive access to the animal-rich Sabie River, on whose banks it sits. Factor in spa treatments, super service and truly exceptional food, and it’s certain: you’ve entered once-in-a-lifetime territory.
Accommodation
A tasteful blend of traveller curios and African art, the 20 thatched rooms are divided into Luxury, Superior Luxury and River Suite categories. The Superiors enjoy more space, while River Suites benefit from extra seclusion, outdoor showers, lounge areas and the best views. Spread along the waterside, each unit comes with king-size beds and mosquito netting, air-conditioning, freestanding bathtubs and private decks.
Facilities
Intimate and beckoning, the public areas include a fire-warmed lounge and bar, a deck cantilevered over the Sabie and multiple dining areas, one of them a traditional, open-air boma. Not to mention two heated pools, a bird hide, game-viewing hammocks, a spa and a gym. Oh, and the nearby Chalkley Treehouse (additional charge), essentially a 10m-high outdoor deck for five-star overnight stays. The gourmet, modern-focused food is as good it gets on South African safaris.
Activities
That Sabie River access lets you get closer to the Big Five than anywhere else in Africa during morning and sunset game drives. In between, embark on interpretative game walks with experienced rangers and trackers, or take a devoted hippo tour. Those are included in the board, along with astronomy lessons. Hot-air ballooning and helicopter rides cost extra.
Child Policy
Children aged 10 and over are welcome, with tailored family programmes suited to teenagers – tracking animals via spoor identification, bush survival and treasure hunts. Superior Luxury rooms can interconnect.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
