Lion Sands Game Reserve

I can't speak highly enough. Lion Sands has thought of everything before you arrived. They are very thoughtful, down to the nightly messages they left for my wife and I on our honeymoon. Kim and Jabu are a dynamic pair. Request them as your tracker and guide. I would love to come back again with more friends. This was the highlight of my honeymoon. Thank you to every staff member who makes Lion Sands who they are!

Extraordinary people, Plentiful animals, Outstanding comfort.Review of Lion Sands River LodgePending reviewThe staff went above and beyond to make our stay amazing. When an uninvited 4 legged visitor ( just a friendly hyena!) came into our our lodging during a safari drive, ( a true testament that this is in a prime wildlife viewing location!) the staff made sure that everything that was damaged was replaced, including expensive medical equipment! We were then offered to stay at their ultra exclusive Ivory Lodge in a private villa, that is larger than an average NYC apartment, complete with huge private plunge pool that is deep, clean and refreshing. Lion Sands River Lodge and Lion Sands Ivory Lodge are located in close proximity, but are quite different. It is impossible to say which is better. Although Ivory Lodge is the super luxury option, with guest privacy a priority, the comradery at River Lodge is warm and welcoming. Also, at River Lodge, a fantastic photography center has resources to download photos and print them onto canvas. It is possible to rent a camera and lens, allowing guests to take professional pictures without lugging around heavy equipment or purchasing expensive zoom lenses. Plus there is the assistance of Fortune, the resident photography expert. He can help to edit the pictures, give you tips, and a run down on how to use the camera features, ensuring you will come home with National Geographic quality shots, printed on canvas. (This service is available at both lodges, but is accessible without needing a game vehicle from River Lodge) At the rustic but sophisticated bar at River Lodge, a sip of South African Gin, Inverroche Amber, concluded our first afternoon game drive. Thanks to OZ, our game drive guide, for also guiding us at the bar! During our 3 days of game drives we saw all the big 5. Plentiful lions, elephant, leopard, giraffe, zebra, crocodiles, and numerous bovidae and birds. On our second day, our incredibly observant tracker, Evans, and our determined driver and guide, Lee, put us at the scene of a fresh kill before the other vehicle arrived. Her driving finesse off road was as exciting as witnessing the lions feast on fresh zebra! Finally, perhaps the most unique feature of staying at either lodge, is the opportunity to stay under the stars, in the middle of the bush, in the safety of a treehouse! A packed gourmet dinner (and breakfast in the morning) was set up overlooking the sunset. It was an evening of lavish style in the wild. Off grid, the two treehouses available to rent, both have toilette facilities and running water. The bed and linens are crisp, clean and comfortable. It is was perfect merger of remoteness and luxury and the experience punctuated our extraordinary stay. I most definitely recommend staying here!

We stayed at Lion Sands in February 2023. 100% top notch! From our villa, our guide and tracker, our butler, the rest of the staff, the Safari vehicles…it was all outstanding! I can’t say enough good about everyone associated with our visit. Our concierge, Chanelle, took care of anything we needed prior and during our visit to South Africa. We would love to return to Lion Sands again. You would not be disappointed.

Great Rooms and Wildlife, but Disappointing Response to Theft IncidentI recently stayed at Lion Sands Game Reserve in Sabi Sands and had an overall good experience, but with one big caveat.The rooms were fantastic - clean, modern, and spacious. The highlight, of course, was the game drives where we got to see the big 5" animals. The reserve itself was breathtaking

Cruz and Lloyd were the best game guides ever! They made our honeymoon the most epic experience ever. We saw all the big 5 and went off-roading to see 3 lions on the hunt. They were so nice and fun to be around. If you book this, I highly recommend requesting them as your game guides.The Lodge itself was awesome too, fantastic food, amazing service, rooms were incredible, and they put on amazing events / dinners / New Year’s party.Definitely recommend coming here, you won’t regret it (but don’t forget to ask for Cruz and Lloyd) they were the best guide/tracker. Philly was our butler and did an AMAZING job. We can’t wait to go back!

I highly recommend Lion Sands. We have been to all the lodges and you really just cant go wrong. We enjoyed every minute of our stay. Game viewing was top notch. Food was delicious. Rooms are comfortable, spacious and luxurious. The staff are friendly and I really would not consider booking anywhere else. It's paradise at its best.

I am an Elopement Photographer in the area and recently photographed a very special marriage ceremony at Lion Sands. I really enjoyed my stay there so much. The staff are just so amazing and all the care and details they have infused i their venue is mind-blowing.The views, the food, the game drives, the room, everything was beautifully curated.

I loved our stay at Lion Sands . Our guide was Cruz, and our spotter was Bila. Cruz was an amazing, very talkative, and informative, very knowledgeable person, and Bila had the vision of an eagle . He spotted a chameleon in a tree at night amazing. Also, I recommend checking out the spa. I got a deep tissue massage, one of the best I've ever had . I most definitely recommend this place, and if you get Bila and Cruz for your tour, you're definitely in for a experience of a life time !!!!

of the 34 countries and hundreds of hotels/experiences i've stayed, this is the standout by far. would recommend again and again and again. it's a place of dreams, everything you could ever hope for. staff, food, safari, location, rooms, spa, everything, everything was perfect. felt like family being here. worth every penny. we stayed at giraffe manor on the same trip and did the underwater room in tanzania and this made those places pale in comparison. 100% recommend.

Absolutely amazing! All of the staff was wonderful- we left as friends. The safari tours did not disappoint-The trackers/guides are the best! They went over & beyond to track the animals.Anna did an amazing job as the chef.Not enough words!