Lion Sands River Lodge

Reviews

"The Lion Sands staff and service was excellent!! Derrick, Nyathi and Tony made our trip perfect!! The lodge is beautiful and well-maintained, and the food and beverage was second to none!! This is definitely not a weight-loss vacation - you will eat well. The daily game drives were phenomenal - we saw the big 5 plus giraffe, zebra, monkeys, etc on our first day! I would highly recommend Lion Sands for anyone interested in a safari. You will not be disappointed!! I look forward to going back! Thanks Lion Sands for such a wonderful trip for me and my family!"

- Kelly

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"We visited Lion Sands in September 2015 experiencing a great safari experience. Lions Sands set a much higher standard than other camps we visited. The guide, trackers and management were interesting, kind and caring people who worked together well. A trip to a local pre-school supported by the camp was a highlight along with all the game. We saw our only rhino there as well as lions and leopards galore."

- Norman

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"My husband and I just returned after an amazing 3 weeks in Africa. We spent 4 nights at our first Safari Lodge. Lions Sands River Lodge. They certainly set the bar high for the rest of our trip as the staff, property and game viewing were outstanding. As wonderful as the property is, it's the people that make the experience. The staff are warm, genuine and great ambassadors for South Africa. From the moment we arrived the front desk (Doc & Bella) made us feel welcomed. It only got better with our guide & tracker; the dynamic duo (Darren & Noel) who have a passion for the bush that is truly infectious. Thank you for making this truly a trip of a lifetime!"

- Rhonda

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"A really well organised and lovely lodge in a private game reserve. Nothing was too much trouble and any questions were answered. Food and drinks all included and in abundance. With a river outlook I also saw a lot of game from my room. 3-4 days is an ideal stay to make sure you see everything and also have the chance to have a massage or treatment of some sort. Drivers and trackers are expert and in contact with each other to ensure you see as much as you can. Almost too much food so you will need some will power."

- Cathy

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"We stayed here for four amazing days in late October and left with so many wonderful memories that we will have to return. Before you even get to the game drives, the accommodation is superb. Clean modern rooms with stunning views across to the other side of the river, so we saw elephants from our room. The site is open to wildlife as well so you often get impala or bushbucks wandering on to the patio. The service was excellent with a personal butler who looked after us at all meal times. But where this venue really stands out is the quality of its safari drives which is second to none. The Sabi Sands reserve really is a stunning location - unless you were heading to a particular sighting, you rarely came across other vehicles and so really felt at one with the wildlife. We had a great ranger, Liam, and tracker Million. My wife is registered blind and they went the extra mile throughout. Liam was always stopping and getting out to show us things like the huge sausage tree fruit, the weeping wattle (good for toilet paper) or the magic gwarri tree (for improvised toothbrushes). He also positioned us to get really close to the animals. From our very first game drive, when a huge rhino came out of the bushes right next to us, to being 30 feet from a couple of lions, to finding a leopard chilling out on a tree branch, the experiences went on and on. And we were extremely fortunate to see the very rare African giant rock chameleon, which according to local legend if you see one you will have good luck for the next year. Would massively recommend this to anyone - and if the giant rock chameleon does bring us good luck, hopefully we will be able to return soon."

- Chris

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"On our 8 night trip we received excellent service from all the staff. Our room was beautiful with views across the sand bank, where elephants walked and fed. The outside raised decking enabled us to have wonderful views while eating. Meals were superb, and in various locations on site and out in the bush. We had 2 game drives each day with a maximum of only 6 guests per vehicle and with the expertise of our driver and spotter we found the Big 5 within the first 2 drives. The land rovers were comfortable and each set of 2 seats were raised above the ones in front so everyone had great views. I can find nothing to make a negative comment on. If finances allowed we would book again for next year."

- John

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"I'm no stranger to safaris having been on number in South Africa and Zambia over the past 40 years and I can say without contradiction that this was the best ever by far. The moment my partner and I arrived early in September we were impressed by the five star treatment we received, and the excellent accommodation and facilities. The cuisine was of a particularly high standard too. Our ranger for the 3 day safari, Bianca, met us at Skukuza airport and drove us to River Lodge. Shortly after she introduced us to our tracker Ranios. We quickly found out that we were in the hands of experts who were not only very friendly and knowledgeable but also had a talent for making us feel that we were very special guests. On the first game drive we witnessed a leopard kill and on a later outing whilst tracking a pride of lions we watched as the lead lioness climbed into a tree and stole a leopard's kill, dispatching the leopard to the higher reaches of the tree. Watching the lionesses cumbersome efforts to climb down the tree with the stolen kill was priceless beyond words. All the drives were wonderfully unique experiences and we were given constant first rate information on both flora and fauna. Within the first 24 hours we had spotted the big five, including both black and white rhinos and several different lion groupings. There cannot be many holiday destinations in the world where both the guests and staff seem to be happy and enjoying themselves in equal measures. Lion Sands is one such place in its idyllic setting in the bush by the Sabie River. We hope to return to Lion Sands River Lodge again in the not too distant future to enjoy another perfect holiday and safari experience, and to reacquaint ourselves with those we now regard as friends."

- Clare

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"We wanted somewhere special and this truly was! The room was beautiful with its own deck overlooking the river. It felt private but not isolated. We loved seeing wildlife from our deck, including elephants across the river and nearer by, kudu and other antelope, as well as inquisitive Civet monkeys. We were extremely well looked after by all the staff who were welcoming and professional. Errol looked after us brilliantly in the restaurant where we were served delicious food. The setting of the restaurant overlooking the river is magical and at night, the whole scene it lit up with lanterns. We put on a few extra layers as it got cool in the evenings. The games drives were wonderful, going out at 6am and hearing and seeing the surroundings come to life, as well as the 4pm drive that lasted until it was dark when the stars came out. We have high praise indeed and respect for our guide, Anthony and our tracker Kruger who were so knowledgeable, respectful of the animals and passionate about what they did. We were thrilled with the close-up sightings of lions, buffalo, elephants, rhino, leopards, hippos, zebras, hyena. The bird life was active too in this Spring season and we really appreciated having the different species pointed out to us. We did both the hippo walk and the bush walk and would really recommend those. We managed to fit in a little sunbathing by the pool and even a quick dip in the pool. The three days went by very quickly and we were sad to leave but delighted to have done and seen so much. Memorable!"

- Gill