Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is situated in the Southern portion of the 65,000-hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, an area well known for its spectacular game viewing. It has exclusive access to the Sabie River. The source of the River includes the famous Mac Mac falls flowing from its source high up in the Drakensburg mountain range. This River is central to why Lion Sands delivers an incomparable safari experience in Africa. Where there is water there is life, coolness, sanctuary from the heat of the African sun, a place where the wildlife travel great distances to quench their thirsts, rejuvenation and so much more. This is the natural wonder which can be experienced at Lion Sands. The name 'Sabie' is derived from the Zulu term 'eSaba', meaning 'afraid'! Ironically the River is not only the provider of life but also the taker! It is said that in days of old that this River was the most dangerous in the region due to the fact that it was inhabited by a abnormally high amount of Africa's largest reptile, the Nile crocodile. These prehistoric creatures can still be seen basking in the sun or quietly watching from the shallows of the River, ever the opportunist. Yet another key aspect to the Lion Sands experience lies within its Safari. The philosophy of the safari experience at Lion Sands is to deliver a consistently professional, informative & holistic safari experience, ensuring that all spheres of the eco-system, from the small insects to the mighty African elephant, are covered in as much detail as the Guest may require. The Senior Ecologist, Ranger & Tracker teams have been carefully selected to make certain that your Safari Experience will not only meet but exceed your highest expectations.

Location - The Lodge has been built on the banks of the Sabie River with magnificent views, extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger National Park. The Lodge faces due South and is approximately 100 meters upstream of River Lodge.

Suites - There are 6 ultra luxurious suites with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower, courtyard, lounge with fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio & private plunge pool. The bedroom & bathroom area are air-conditioned and overhead fans cool the bedrooms and lounges. All rooms have telephone and internet access. The suites are 165 m2 in size and are positioned at least 20 meters apart, being linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways. They all have breathtaking views over the Sabie River, a setting where game viewing can be done from the luxury of one's private suite - Africa's finest bedrooms!

Lodge - The entrance area is separate from the main lodge in order to ensure that guests arriving and departing have no impact on other overnight guests. The main and entrance area comprise a private lounge, wooden viewing decks, board room, wine cellar, gymnasium & health spa, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.

Experience - Ivory Lodge is about African Euro elegance, sophistication yet simplicity, boldness yet balance, ebony & ivory, perfect harmony, exclusivity, sensitivity & complete privacy.

“…The Camp at a Glance …”

• 6 ultra luxurious roomss
• Private plunge pools (heated)
• Private & communal lounge with fireplace
• Air-conditioning & Overhead fans
• Wine Cellar
• Gymnasium & Health Spa
• 6 guests per Land Rover (private Land Rover*)
• Curio shop
• Indoor & outside dining areas incl. Boma
• Executive Board room
• Internet & telephone access

Accommodation: - There are 6 ultra luxurious suites with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower, courtyard, lounge with fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio & private plunge pool. The bedroom & bathroom areas are air-conditioned and also are provided with overhead fans. All rooms have telephone and internet access. The suites are 165 m2 in size and are positioned at least 20 meters apart, being linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways. All accommodation units have breathtaking views over the Sabie River, a setting where game viewing can be done from the luxury of one's private suite, Africa's finest.

Facilities: - The main lodge and entrance building comprise a private lounge and bar, wooden viewing decks, board-room, wine cellar, gymnasium & health spa, curio shop and both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.
Simple and uncluttered, the interiors achieve a contemporary, Afro-European elegance. It's a bold, yet balanced ambience that juxtaposes colour, texture and form. There's an overriding exclusivity, with complete privacy.

Private Land Rovers: - The sole use of a Land Rover can be arranged upon request, subject to availability and will be at an additional charge (contact Reservations for the detailed costings)

Activities: - The activities programme has been developed to enhance the guest's safari experience by enabling the guest to tailor-make their stay with us. The activities are all offered in a flexible and convenient environment. The activities programme is uniquely exclusive to Lion Sands guest's only.
Activities Included in Tariff: - Open Land Rover game drives; Bush Breakfasts; Bush Walks; Wildlife Lectures; Picnic lunches; Hippopotamus Tour; Bush Dinners & Astronomy.
Activities Excluded from Tariff: - Private Land Rover hire (Exclusivity, Specialist Photography, Bird watching); Health Spa & Gymnasium; Clay pigeon Shooting; Tree House experience. By Arrangement visits to: Kruger National Park (KNP) Golf Course; Helicopter flights to the Blyde River Canyon, Ballooning Safari, Hazyview; Shangana Cultural Village.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Astronomy; Bush breakfast / dinner; Bush walks; Hippopotamus tour; Picnic lunches; Wildlife lectures

Child policy: - We regret that we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 10 years unless the lodge is block booked by the same family or group.

Communication: - The lodge has telephone, email and facsimile facilities.

Power Supply: - The lodge is powered by ESCOM and power points are available in the rooms for chargers, electrical shavers and hairdryers.

Tariffs: - Tariffs are quoted in South African Rands and are subject to change without prior notice, although tariffs quoted for confirmed bookings will be honoured. Tariffs include government taxes where applicable. If taxes increase the costs we reserve the right to increase the tariff accordingly.
Tariffs Include :-

• Luxury accommodation
• Two game drives in open Landrovers
• Three meals daily
• Game drive refreshments
• Teas/Coffees
• Laundry
• Beverages excluding premium brands and imports
• Skukuza airport transfers

Tariffs Exclude: -

• Curio shop purchases
• Health spa treatments
• Gymnasium
• Laundry
• Premium brand and import beverages
• Telephone calls
• Reserve entrance fees
• Airport taxes
• Gratuities for staff

Tariffs Children & Extra Beds: - We regret that we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 10 years unless the lodge is block booked by the same family or group. Children of 12 or under in the accompany of 2 adults: less 50% of tariff. Extra beds in the rooms cannot be provided.

Characteristic Species: - Lion, elephant, white rhino, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, Wild Dog giraffe, zebra, hyena, waterbuck, hippopotamus, crocodile, wildebeest, kudu and many other mammal & bird species.

Check Out Times: - Guests are recommended to arrive any time from noon, and rooms are to be vacated by 11h00.

Dietary Requirements / Liquor Licence:- Please inform the Reservations of any dietary requirements and we will do our utmost to oblige. Both Ivory & River Lodge are fully licensed.

Health Spa & Gymnasium: - The Lalamuka Health Spa… "Lalamuka" means unwind in Shangaan and that is exactly what it is all about. An array of body and facial treatments are available to guests to assist in getting rid of those urban stresses.There is also a selection of modern gym equipment to cater for guests' requirements.

How to get there
By Road…
Recommended route from Johannesburg or Pretoria:
Take the N12/N4 highway to Nelspruit.
R40 from Nelspruit to Hazyview.
At Hazyview turn right onto R536 towards Paul Kruger Gate.
After 38km turn left onto gravel road which is signposted to Lion Sands.
Drive along dirt road for 2km.
At T-junction turn right and drive for 5km to Sabi Sand Gate (entrance fee R50 per vehicle).
Drive straight as signposted to Lion Sands.
After 2km turn right at sign.
Drive straight following signs to either Ivory or River Lodge.

Distance Chart (Approximate):
Johannesburg / Lion Sands (5 hours) - 520 km.
Skukuza Airport / Lion Sands (25min) - 12 km.
Phalaborwa Airport / Lion Sands (3 hours) - 243 km.
Hoedspruit Airport / Lion Sands (2h15min) -160 km.
KMI Airport / Lion Sands (1h45min) - 110 km.
Hazyview / Lion Sands (1 hour) - 67 km.
Paul Kruger Gate / Lion Sands (45 min) - 32 km.

By Rail…
A recommended option is the romantic Rovos Rail Safari from Pretoria to Komatipoort, with transfers to Skukuza by bus.
Our open Land Rovers will collect and transfer the guests from Skukuza airport to Lion Sands.

By Air…
Scheduled Flights:
SA Airlink operated by South African Airways, has one flight daily from Johannesburg to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve (Mala Mala Airfield).
The flight details are as follows:
SA 8126 JIA - AAM Depart 11h10 Arrive 12h10
SA 8127 AAM - JIA Depart 12h35 Arrive 13h35

Alternatively there are two airlines that service the KMI Airport namely: SA Airlink, and Nationwide Airlines.
Direct flights are available from Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Should you require a land transfer from KMI Airport to Lion Sands this can be booked and arranged through Lion Sands Reservations.

Charters:There is a charter flight (Federal Air) available direct from Johannesburg International Airport to Skukuza Airport.
The estimated time of this transfer is 1h15min.
These charter flights can be booked through Lion Sands Reservations.

Flight Times:
DEP JNB 09h30 / ARR SZK 11h00
DEP JNB 11h30 / ARR SZK 13h00
DEP JNB 13h30 / ARR SZK 15h00
DEP SZK 09h30 / ARR JNB 11h00
DEP SZK 11h30 / ARR JNB 13h00
DEP SZK 13h30 / ARR JNB 15h00

Type of Aircraft:
Cessna Grand Caravan (maximum of 12 passengers)
Baggage Allowance: 20kg's (Secure excess baggage storage facilities are available at JIA)
Should you use a commercial airline and fly to KMI Airport near Nelspruit, there is a charter flight (Federal Air) to Skukuza.
The estimated time of this air transfer is 0h25min.

Transfers:
Skukuza airport…
Return transfers between Skukuza airport and the Lodge/Camp in our open Land Rovers are available. The transfer fee is included in the tariff and takes approximately 25 minutes

KMI Airport…
Guests will be meet at the airport and transferred in an air-conditioned microbus. The distance is approximately 110 kilometres and is estimated to take 1h50 hours and is excluded from the rate.

Mala Mala airfield…
Guest will be collected from the airstrip by open land rovers and transported to the lodge. The transfer time is approximately 45 minutes and is excluded from the rate.

Other areas…
We suggest you contact the Lodge Reservations to get detailed information on the best possible options.

What to Take
(The following is a handy checklist)

• Anti-malaria precautions (Please consult your doctor / pharmacist)
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sun Block
• Sturdy comfortable ankle length thick-soled walking boots or track shoes
• Cameras & binoculars
• video cameras & spare batteries
• lip cream
• contact lens solutions and spare glasses
• personal medications.

Winter Months (May to September, +- 3?C - 22?C)
Very warm insulated parkas or bush jackets for the night safaris
Scarves to keep the neck warm
Jeans & shorts for everyday wear
Light sweaters for the midday period

Summer Months (October to April, +- 15?C - 38?C)
Cool cotton clothing, T-shirts & shirts (preferably in neutral colours)
Shorts for everyday wear.
Jeans & trousers for evening wear (temperatures can drop to around 18?C)
Swimwear
Sandals to wear at the lodge (not essential but more comfortable)