Lion Sands River Lodge

An awe-inspiring lodge on the banks of the Sabie river, with some of southern Africa's best game viewing, top rangers and finest gourmet cuisine

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve lies at the southern end of vast Sabi Sand reserve. This lodge and its twin Ivory are unique in that they alone have direct access to the mighty Sabie river, which has some of the world’s most spectacular game viewing along its sandy banks. Book a few nights here and you are guaranteed the safari experience of a lifetime.

Nick and Rob More, whose great-grandfather bought Lion Sands in the 1930s, recently gave it a complete makeover, and it now numbers amongst South Africa's most delectable camps. The decked, open-fronted lodge looks out across sandy reed beds to the river, with 18 guest suites fanning out to either side. The lodge's decoration is Afro-colonial chic at its spectacular best, the food is as good as you'll get anywhere in the country and the expertise of its rangers and trackers means that not only will you get to see masses of game, but you'll learn a whole lot about the bush, too.

Highs

• An exquisitely beautiful lodge set in an ancient stand of high bushveld with two drop-rim pools: the stuff of which safari dreams are made...
• You really do go gourmet in the bush; the food here just couldn't be bettered
• You're at the heart of one of the Kruger's best areas for big game viewing and will see masses of animals, thanks to the expertise of River Lodge’s rangers and trackers
• Every corner is design mag perfect, with a seamless mix of ethnic African elements and colonial memorabilia. We simply gasped when we first set eyes on the lodge

Lows

• A stay at the River Lodge is an expensive treat. But you'll be dining out on your stay here for the rest of your life
• The design of some of the suites, with bathrooms at the front rather than rear, cuts out a part of those incomparable river vistas