Lion Sands River Lodge (Sabi)

Safari Game Drives

Game drives, in open safari vehicles, head out each day at sunrise and again in the late afternoon. Lion Sand’s natural animal population includes the Big Five. The reserve is especially renowned for the quality of its leopard viewing. The most elusive of predators. Other signature species include the endangered pangolin and African painted wolf (wild dog). As well as lucky sightings of the African civet. Look skywards and birders will find themselves in paradise with 550 species to identify.

Being entirely private, Lion Sands offers you a very personal safari experience with only six guests to a safari vehicle. With exclusive traversing rights on both Lion Sands’ Sabi Sand and Kruger Park sections, guests are assured a truly intimate safari experience. While you’re out exploring, you’ll also by no means be roughing it. Your vehicle is kitted out with cushioned bucket seats, waterproof device holders, blankets and ponchos.  A maximum of 16 vehicles are allowed out on the reserve at any one time. And the number of vehicles per sighting is also limited. This ensures the animals feel at ease and guests are able to spend more time with them, observing their natural behavior.
Duration: ±3 hours
Includes: a hot beverage or sun downer stop in a scenic spot to purely appreciate being in the bush and in the moment
Children 10 years and older are welcome on the twice daily game drives

Bush Walks

After breakfast enjoy the bush walks on the wild side. Guests are immersed in the bush, rather than just observing it. All five senses are engaged. As you feel scrub crunch beneath your feet, touch the velvety acacia seed pod, hear the crack of a branch indicating you are not alone. And spot big game at eye level. Totally exhilarating! Expert guides will tailor walks to each guest’s area/s of interest. Focusing on mammals, birds, insects, plants, geology, etc.

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on guests’ fitness levels
Children under 16 years are not permitted on the bush walks
Guests should wear neutral colored clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Guests should bring along a lightweight dry mac jacket, camera/smartphone, and binoculars

Wildlife Lectures

At times when the weather is unsuitable for safari activities, our field guides and trackers present short nature talks. They cover a host of subjects, giving guests more insight into the animals they see on safari (e.g. elephant behavior) and the natural surrounds (e.g. the ecological impact of commercial lodges on the environment). The talks are informal presentations, largely guided by interactions with guests.

Local Community Experiences

More Community Trust’s (MCT’s) purpose is to empower people of local communities in which MORE Family Collection operates. It does this by providing access to early childhood development, skills development, and clean water. MCT has built close relationships with the people, and guests are encouraged to take Community Tours and take part in the Get Your Hands Dirty upliftment programs in place.

This gives guests the opportunity to experience a different and humbling way of living. Visit culturally and historically significant sites. And connect with local people, while positively impacting their lives. These extraordinary social experiences bring guests into the heart of Southern Africa. Making your visit that much more meaningful.

Duration: ±4 hours
Children of all ages are welcome to accompany their parents

Stargazing

During evening game drives or bush dinners (weather permitting), the field guides will share insights into the skies. The clear air and minimal light pollution of this remote African wilderness make it an ideal location for stargazing. Guests will see planets and stars they have never before noticed with the naked eye. The guides will point out the constellations that shift seasonally and those that are unique to the southern hemisphere, taking guests on an astral safari.

Photographic Safaris ($)

Nothing beats being in the bush, but photographs capture those very special moments spent on safari. For professional and novice wildlife photographers alike, the Creative Lab at River Lodge helps you transform your images into canvas artworks to create the ultimate keepsakes.

Photographic safaris are becoming so popular but you don’t need to buy all the equipment; and carry it around on your whole trip. Rent a Camera (or binoculars) for your safari through a third party company, Africa Photographic Services.

Spa and Wellness ($)

The hours between safaris are an ideal time to spend being pampered. Guests choose from massages, exfoliation, reflexology, and facials with skincare products and essential oils. All ethically formulated with the finest natural and organic ingredients. As well as manicures and pedicures.

Yogis will find no better place to stretch out any leftover tension than on their private decks overlooking the Sabie River, where the energy flows pure. For guests who wish to continue their fitness routines, River Lodge has a gym with the essential, state of the art equipment.

Spend a night in a Tree House ($)

There are two tree houses to choose from at River Lodge. Chalkley and Kingston Tree houses in the Sabi Sand are the ultimate bush bedrooms. Where romantics, adventurers and solitude seekers alike can discover the magic of a night out in Africa. In complete luxury. Lit only by the soft glow of lanterns and the absence of WiFi creates an Au-natural bush experience. The added creature comforts mean you won’t be roughing it.

Guests arrive at sunset to a picnic dinner. Spend the dusk hours watching animals wander past (at a safe distance). And fall asleep counting shooting stars. Rest easy knowing a field guide is always on radio call, should you feel you need assistance.

As you look out over the bush from your Tree house, the animals go about their business. Undisturbed by your presence. Birds flit by. You could spot anything from an antelope to a leopard wander past. As night falls, the sounds of the wild carry through the cool air. Fall asleep to an African lullaby of chirps, distant growls, and the rustle of the breeze through the leaves.

The animals aren’t the only thing you’ll spot out here… Through the dark night and crisp, clear air, stars by their millions appear. To help you identify the constellations, planets and even the odd passing satellite, a stargazing app can be loaded on your smartphone.

Chalkley Tree House (40m2/430ft2)

The Chalkley Tree House has a deluxe king sized bed, a double shower, double vanity, and a WC.  Solar lighting is along the balustrades of the Tree house. There is a safety door, secure stairway and two way radio contact for your peace of mind. It is 2.7mi/4.3km from the lodge.

Kingston Tree House (60m2/645ft2)

Built just beyond an outcrop of boulders, Kingston is a couple or family’s private vantage over the untamed and untainted. Its stillness punctuated only by animals’ whistles, huffs, growls. This large tree house sleeps 2 x adults and 2 x children between 10 – 14 years. There is a deluxe king sized bed and twin pullout beds. Guests savor this far faraway experience, in complete luxury. With a picnic dinner, feather beds, and full bathing facilities with a rain shower, double vanity, and a WC. Solar lighting is in the bedroom, bathroom, and along the balustrades. There is a safety door, drawbridge and two way radio contact for your peace of mind. It is 1mi/1.6km from the lodge.

A Tree house Experience is booked in conjunction with lodge accommodation
A Tree house stay is charged at a per person sharing per night rate. This is over and above the lodge accommodation rate
Guests pack an overnight bag with their essentials, leaving the rest of their belongings back in their lodge suite

Helicopter Flights ($)

Enjoy exhilarating helicopter flights over the gorges, rivers, waterfalls, and dramatic rock formations of the province’s escarpment and lowveld. From above, you have the best perspective to view (and photograph) some of the land’s natural wonders. Including but not limited to the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock, Lisbon Falls, and Hippo Hollow. There are 3 different flight experiences can be arranged.

Golf ($)

The nearby nine-hole Skukuza Golf Course is designed for all skill levels and is one of the world’s most unique, being surrounded by a wildlife rich sanctuary. Hippo, impala, warthog, and baboons often come out to spectate. There are no sand bunkers, although there are ‘aerial bunkers’ in the form of many trees on the course. Motorized golf carts and pull carts are available for hire, and there is a bar serving light meals and refreshments.

($) – at an additional cost

Children 10-15 years pay 50% of adult per person rate if sharing.

Mack & Madi Kids’ Program

Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers is not just a kids’ club. It’s an all round family experience that makes a family safari child’s play. This offering is inspired by owners Rob and Britt More’s firsthand experience of traveling with their twins, Mack and Madi. Along with the lodges’ options and flexibility around accommodations and meals, tailor-made activities give children a little extra freedom to explore and just be kids. And make family travel child’s play.

Activities keep young guests occupied with the wonders of the natural world. As well as with sports and crafts, during their stays. Just some of the fun includes:
Family morning game drives,
Bush orientation,
Bug CSI,
Dung tracking,
Spoor casting,
Scavenger hunts,
Pool games,
Rock painting;
Beading,
Pizza making in the bomas,
Cookie baking and cupcake decorating in the kitchens,
Stargazing.

Parents are welcome to join in, or sneak a few hours for themselves.

As anticipated as the experiences, mealtimes bring everyone to the table with delicious dishes that are familiar and many options for even the pickiest eaters. Chefs sneak in plenty of fresh fruit and veg – and treats, too. Like toasted marshmallow topped hot chocolates around the fire.

Rates include:

Luxurious accommodation
All meals, teas/coffees, minibar in room, inclusive drinks and selected snacks (all soft drinks, and selection of beers, spirits and house wines)
Two game drives daily with FGASA accredited field guide and tracker
Game drive refreshments and snacks
Specified inclusive safari activities*
Skukuza Airport transfers
WiFi

*Specialist activities included:
Game drives and bush walks
Stargazing
Wildlife lectures
Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and bush dinners
Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers experiences.

Rates exclude:

Laundry
Premium brand beers, spirits, cellar wines and champagnes
Cigars and cigarettes
All flights and transfers not specified
Gratuities
Any extras will be for the guests’ accounts
Tree house experiences
Private open safari vehicle hire
Park and Conservation Fees
Sustainability Levy
Exclusive use bush breakfasts & dinners