Lodge · Lion Sands
Lion Sands River Lodge
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Lion Sands River Lodge
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Lion Sands River Lodge
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About the lodge
An overview of Lion Sands River Lodge.
Lion Sands River Lodge located in the stunning and private Lion Sands Game Reserve. Set on the Sabie River, the luxurious and intimate Lion Sands River Lodge offers spectacular riverside views from the comfort of your room and in the main area of the lodge.
Highlights
- Sophisticated traditional safari lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve
- Light and bright contemporary décor
- Lion Sands River Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families looking for a luxury Big 5 safari adventure.
You Should Know
- Children aged 10 years and older are welcome at the lodge and are permitted on game drives.
- Children's activities and childminding services are available.
The Detail
Lion Sands River Lodge, set along the Sabie River, provides a picturesque backdrop with stunning views from the lodge rooms. Guests can watch a variety of animals that are drawn to the riverbanks. The private Lion Sands Game Reserve is an ideal location for close-up encounters with exceptional wildlife, including the Big Five.
The lodge features eight luxury rooms, six superior luxury rooms, three standalone river suites, and a two-bedroom family suite. Each accommodation is designed in a contemporary African style and equipped with modern amenities. The suites include private decks with stunning views of the river or the bush, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.
Offering a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation, the lodge features a spa with a range of treatments and a swimming pool where guests can unwind while observing wildlife at the river. With a focus on personalized service, Lion Sands River Lodge tailors each guest's experience to their preferences, whether it’s arranging special meals, private game drives, or unique bush experiences.
Price Includes
- Luxury accommodation, all meals, teas/coffees, Skukuza airport road transfers, local branded beverages, and safari activities.
The same as booking direct
Rates and pricing.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 3 Jan 2027
Why book through us
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup. What you get on top is a specialist who knows Lion Sands River Lodge personally, looks after every detail of the trip, and stays reachable on WhatsApp from the moment you enquire to the day you come home.
By season
Low season
4 Jan 2026 – 31 May 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, drinks, daily game drives, specified activities and transfers
Special offer
R 19 840
Normally R 26 460
Peak / migration
1 Jun 2026 – 30 Sept 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, drinks, daily game drives, specified activities and transfers
Special offer
R 22 520
Normally R 30 020
Shoulder
1 Oct 2026 – 19 Dec 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, drinks, daily game drives, specified activities and transfers
Special offer
R 21 430
Normally R 28 570
Festive
20 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
R 30 020
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Exclusive offer
Already reflected in the rates above.
The reduced rates shown in the table apply for the periods listed. Here is what is running and why.
Stay & Pay
Pay 3 Nights and Stay 1 Night FREE: Book between 1 January to 30 April 2027. Block-Out Dates: 20 December - 3 January | Terms and Conditions Apply
Honeymoon
For newlyweds on their honeymoon! Spend Three Nights at Lion Sands Lodge and ONE of the happy couple gets 50% OFF of their accommodation. Honeymoon offer is valid for a year after the date of marriage (marriage certificate to be provided)
Family policies
Travelling with children.
Audited child policies for Lion Sands River Lodge. Minimum ages, activities, family accommodation, and child rates, taken from our specialist audit of the operator's published policies, last reviewed May 2026. See our Safari child policies guide for the broader context.
Minimum ages
- Stay
- 10+
- Game drives
- 10+
- Walking safari
- Not offered+
All ages
Programmes & care
No dedicated kids' programme.
Babysitting , On request
Accommodation
Family unit available. Family River Suite (2-bedroom, max 2 adults + 2 children, min 3 adult rates charged); 2 sets of interleading Superior Luxury Rooms
Child rates
- 0–2 yrs
- not_permitted
- 3–5 yrs
- not_permitted
- 6–11 yrs
- not_permitted
- 12–17 yrs
- 50%
Under-10s are not permitted at the lodge. Children 10-15 sharing with an adult are charged at 50% of the full adult per person sharing rate (so the 6_11 band only applies to ages 10-11). Children 16+ pay the full adult rate. If two children under 16 share a room on their own (including interleading rooms), one is charged at the full adult per person sharing rate. The Family River Suite carries a minimum 3 adult per person sharing charges regardless of party mix.
Notable exceptions
Sleep-outs
Under the stars.
Star beds, sleep-out hides, walking sleep-outs and overnight platforms documented at Lion Sands River Lodge.
Star bed
Chalkley Treehouse
The Chalkley Treehouse is a dedicated overnight sleep-out experience available exclusively to guests staying at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge or River Lodge. It accommodates a maximum of 2 adults (no children), is weather dependent, and is classed as a bookable activity separate from the room rate. Advance reservation is essential and must be confirmed at time of booking.
Maximum 2 adults, no children. Must be staying at Ivory Lodge or River Lodge. Weather dependent. Advance booking required; cancellations less than 24 hours prior are non-refundable. rate (pppn sharing): R3,615 (1 Dec–31 Dec 2024); published rate pppn sharing R4,820. Rates valid through 31 May 2026 per contract period.
- Cost
- rate from R3,615 pppn sharing; Published rate from R4,820 pppn sharing
- Availability
- Advance booking required; weather dependent; subject to availability; guests must be staying at Ivory Lodge or River Lodge
Star bed
Kingston Treehouse
The Kingston Treehouse is a dedicated overnight sleep-out experience available exclusively to guests staying at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge or River Lodge. It accommodates 2 adults and 2 children aged 10–15 years. The experience is weather dependent, classed as a bookable activity, and requires an accommodation booking at an MFC property. Advance reservation is essential.
2 adults and 2 children aged 10–15 years. Must be staying at Ivory Lodge or River Lodge. Weather dependent. Advance booking required; cancellations less than 24 hours prior are non-refundable. rate (pppn sharing): R3,615 (1 Dec–31 Dec 2024); published rate pppn sharing R4,820.
- Cost
- rate from R3,615 pppn sharing; Published rate from R4,820 pppn sharing
- Availability
- Advance booking required; weather dependent; subject to availability; guests must be staying at Ivory Lodge or River Lodge
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Imagery
A closer look.
18 photographs · click any image to expand
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your dream safari at Lion Sands River Lodge.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Lion Sands River Lodge: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Ready when you are
Let's design your stay.
Your specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours with availability, exact pricing, and suggestions for what to combine it with.