In July 2026, Lion Sands Game Reserve — home to Ivory Lodge, where I recently stayed — was named the #1 Safari Lodge in Africa and the #4 Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure. In my opinion, these awards are well-deserved but there are some nuances to know when choosing between the lodges at Lion Sands Game Reserve.
Before I get into my full Lion Sands Ivory Lodge review, let me give you some background.
Lion Sands Game Reserve at a Glance
| Awards | #1 Safari Lodge in Africa, #4 Hotel in the World (Travel + Leisure, 2026) |
| Location | Located within Sabi Sands Nature Reserve (a private reserve, but not fenced in, open to Kruger National Park) |
| Best For | Couples/honeymooners, families with older children, multi-generational trips |
| Not For | Families with children under 10, budget travelers |
| Recommended Stay | 3-4 nights if you want to split your stay between lodges/reserves, 5+ for more perks |
| What’s Included | All meals, premium drinks, laundry, Wi-Fi, twice-daily game drives |
| Average Price | $$$$ (all-inclusive; from $3032 per person, per night based on double occupancy for Ivory Lodge. River Lodge starts at $1744 per person, Tinga Lodge starts at $1978 per person) |
| Stand Out Feature | Private plunge pool in every suite, “smoothie” window |
| Drawbacks | Monkeys may try to get into your villa (LOL, I actually loved that monkeys visited my patio) |
| Getting There | Fly into Skukuza Airstrip, ~20-min transfer |
About Lion Sands Game Reserve
Lion Sands Game Reserve sits within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a private reserve bordering the southern edge of Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, South Africa. To understand why that matters for your safari experience — and why properties here consistently rank among the world’s best — it helps to understand what a “private concession” means.
A private concession (sometimes called a private reserve or private game reserve) is a piece of land where a lodge operator holds exclusive traversing rights (meaning only vehicles from specific lodges are permitted to drive on it.) This is different from a public national park like Kruger, where people can self-drive and dozens of vehicles from different operators can converge on a single sighting.
On a private concession, game drives happen in small groups, guides can go off-road to follow animals rather than staying on marked tracks, and night drives are typically permitted — none of which is allowed in the public sections of Kruger. It’s a major part of what you’re paying for at a lodge like Ivory: fewer people, closer access, and a more flexible, personal experience.
Many people have the misconception that a private reserve is a fenced in area, like a glorified zoo. But that is not the case with Sabi Sand. Sabi Sand Game Reserve, including Lion Sands’ 12,400 hectares within it, isn’t separated from Kruger National Park by a fence. The two reserves share roughly 50 kilometers of unfenced boundary, which means animals move freely back and forth between them, following water, food, and seasonal patterns exactly as they would without any human boundary.
Practically, this means the animals that you see at Lion Sands aren’t confined to a fixed enclosure. Instead, you’re watching genuinely wild, free-ranging animals that happen to be moving through this particular stretch of bush that day. This means that no sightings can be “guaranteed,” but we had no problem finding bountiful wildlife.
Lion Sands, owned and operated by the More Collection, is made up of four lodges — River Lodge, Narina Lodge, Tinga Lodge, and Ivory Lodge, plus two private villas and three open-air treehouses, all sharing the same reserve and traversing rights but each with a different personality. Ivory Lodge, where I stayed, is known as the most secluded and sophisticated of the four — more on that in the next section!
Getting There
There are direct flights from either Capetown or Johannesburg (the international airport hubs in South Africa) to Skukuza Airport (SZK). Known as the gateway to the Kruger National Park, it is the only airport located within the park and it is just minutes outside of Sabi Sands. Since I started in Capetown, I flew on Airlink (about 2.5 hours) from Capetown to Skukuza on a regular Embraer E190 (no small bush plane for this leg of the trip!) The nice thing is that these have standard baggage rules, meaning you can bring a regular suitcase and carry on if you are only visiting Lion Sands.
At the airport, you will be greeted by your Lion Sands guide, who will be with you throughout your trip. It is only about a 20 minute drive from the airport to Ivory Lodge and River Lodge (even closer for Tinga Lodge), but that all depends on how often you stop for animal sightings. That’s right, your safari experience starts immediately! (Very true since we also saw bats high up in the ceiling of the airport!)
On our drive to the lodge, we were immediately greeted by impala, which are the most ubiquitous animals you will see during your stay. But soon we came around a bend and I spied my first giraffe. To be honest, I was so excited I couldn’t even get my words out but just stammered and pointed.
Lions Sands Ivory Lodge Review
I spent two nights at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (not nearly enough!) so that is the lodge that I will provide a detailed review for. However, I did also visit River Lodge and Tinga Lodge, which are all part of the Lions Sands Game Reserve family of lodges, and can offer some perspective of why some guests might prefer those options.
Relaxing Public Spaces at Ivory Lodge
Ivory Lodge’s design can be described as organic mid-century modern — clean architectural lines and glass-walls, paired with tribal-inspired textures. What strikes you is the open air design that puts you right in the destination. Especially the large deck overlooking the Sabie River, from which you can watch elephants coming to drink, hippos staying cool, and monkeys swinging through the trees.
This entire area has been rebuilt after a fire at Ivory Lodge back in 2024. The elevated design attracts those that enjoy a “bring the outside in”, contemporary aesthetic versus a more traditional feel of dark woods and animal prints.
When you arrive, you are warmly greeted and offered to use the elegant hand washing station with signature salt scrubs. You then proceed down a small boardwalk to the main building. The wildlife viewing continues, with small bushbuck grazing just inches away.
The spacious lodge area offers more than enough seating to accommodate the guests from just eight suites and one multi-room villa. Immediately, you are offered a welcome drink, and the staff and bartender will soon become your friend, learning your preferences and even creating custom drinks according to your preferences.
Your gaze is immediately pulled to the large deck and the Sabie River, and wildlife, that lies just beyond. It is hard to coral newly arriving guests for a proper check in when there are elephants and hippos RIGHT THERE. The outdoor area also includes a large fire pit area, the perfect gathering spot after an evening game drive. This is also where the staff share their local customs in song and dance with the guests one evening during the stay.
There are also multiple dining spaces, both indoor and outdoor, to provide different views and experiences depending on the day and the meal.
Lions Sands Ivory Lodge Accommodations
As I mentioned, there are eight suites at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, as well as the three-bedroom Fish Eagle Residence. The minimum age for Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is 10, except in the Fish Eagle Residence, which doesn’t have a minimum but five to eight is suggested for the best experience.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge Suites
Each of the eight suites generally sleep two people and feature a large living area, dining space, kitchenette, private terrace, plunge pool, and even an outdoor shower. These suites are enormous at 1561 square feet. I’m sure there are millions of people in Manhattan living full time in a much smaller space. It bummed me out that this was a work trip and I wasn’t able to share this magnificent experience with my loved ones (hopefully someday!)
The floor-to-ceiling windows frame the outdoors and provide an unobstructed view. All the suites are set along a winding boardwalk and positioned for privacy, although the window in the WC had me self-conscious that one day I’d be using the facilities and a monkey would be checking me out.
The suites are outfitted with everything you need and more for your stay. From a fully-stocked bar, impressive coffee and tea station, healthy nibbles, and fresh water to a handy tote that you can use to bring everything you need for the day on your game drives. There was also sunscreen, bug repellent, and other necessities.
The bedroom features a king-sized bed, which faces out, and is ensconced in mosquito netting that is closed at night. Just a note about mosquitoes — I visited in June, which is winter in South Africa, and didn’t encounter any mosquitoes. Given the low risk of malaria for that area, along with the season, I decided to forego any anti-malarial meds for this trip.
The bathroom is also immense, with two closet areas, a large double-sink vanity, a separate WC, and your choice of bathing options including a beautiful soaking tub, a large and powerful indoor shower, and an outdoor shower. Since I tended to shower after dark, upon returning from our afternoon game drives, I never tried my outdoor shower but others loved the experience.
If the size and design is not enough to impress you, it is the little touches that really wow you and win you over. For example, each night when I returned to my room there was a message waiting for me from the housekeeper on a little chalkboard. If I needed anything or wanted to respond, I could leave a note in return.
And the one thing I still can’t get over — the smoothie window! In the kitchen area, there was a small window that can be opened from the outside. I called it my wine window for smoothies. Each morning before my wake up call, a fresh fruit smoothie and healthy muffin was delivered through my window for a quick bite before heading out on a game drive. If you prefer coffee, that could be provided as well. It is like room service but better, because you don’t even need to answer the door.
Even the most discriminating luxury travelers will be impressed with their stay at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.
Fish Eagle Villa at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
For families, small groups, or couples traveling together, the Fish Eagle Villas is a good option. This residence, which has access to all the other amenities of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, also features three bedrooms, its own lap pool, a wine room, and an expensive fire deck for wildlife viewing. The Residence sleeps up to eight guests with six adults and two children across 6350 square feet.
Not only is the Villa an absolutely gorgeous space, it also comes with some terrific perks like a private safari vehicle, a private chef, villa concierge, kids’ activities, and a fully stocked pantry. This seems like an amazing option for a family / multi-gen trip celebrating something special.
Treehouses at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
In addition to the suites and villa, there are three open-air treehouses for those that want a fully immersive experience. The treehouses are generally just booked for one-night at an additional cost and a room at the Lodge is still required, should the guests decide that the open-air concept is a bit too exposed for their comfort. The treehouses feature a game-viewing deck, mosquito netting over the bed, a bathroom, lanterns, and a radio for communication and safety.
The experience begins at sunset, where guests are dropped off by a safari vehicle and provided with a gourmet picnic and chilled drinks. They are then picked up after sunrise with a hot coffee and taken for the morning game drive.
We got to experience sundowners at one of the treehouses to get to see it and get a feel for the experience. Personally, I don’t think I would be brave enough to stay out there but I’m sure it is a magical experience to be so close to nature with an unfettered view of the Southern sky for stargazing.
Dining at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
At Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, every meal, premium spirit, cellar wine, and champagne is included in the rate (along with soft drinks and laundry), so the only real decision each day is what to eat, not what it costs. Whether you enjoy your meals on the wooden deck, inside the restaurant, or on your own patio, the cuisine features fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Each meal features either an a la carte menu, with multiple options per course, or an extensive traditional boma barbecue, served family style. Trust me, you will never go hungry at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. Food is served often and plenty of it.
Here is what you can expect to eat on a typical day at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge:
- Early morning snack: a healthy smoothie and muffin will be delivered through your “smoothie window” between 5:30 and 6:00 am for you to enjoy before the morning game drive.
- Breakfast: upon your return from the game drive, you can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast served a la carte, along with a basket of pastries and toast and fresh fruit, along with coffee to order or freshly-squeezed juices.
- Lunch: you may want to squeeze in a workout in the fitness room between breakfast and lunch to make some space. To be honest, I had to skip lunch during my brief stay because I was too full from my other meals.
- Afternoon tea: if you are thinking about scones and finger sandwiches, think again. During my stay we were served “afternoon tea” before our afternoon game drive. We were served cocktails / mocktails and an assortment of savory and sweet treats from salami and mozzarella and crispy fried onions to the fudgiest chocolate cake. Pro tip: take it easy on the cocktails and use the loo before you leave unless you want to use the “bush toilet” with the animals later.
- Sundowners: as the sun starts to set, expect to make a stop in the bush for your guide and tracker to setup a spread to enjoy snacks and drinks (wine, cocktails, beer, soda, and the traditional gin and tonic) while you take in nature’s incredible show. Just keep in mind that this is dependent on wildlife viewing — your group may decide to forego the cocktails in lieu of pursuing an animal sighting.
- Dinner: when you return from your game drive, you can decide to go straight to dinner or take time to clean up first. But don’t feel any pressure to “dress” for dinner — dusty and in safari attire is just fine. Dinner has multiple options for appetizers, main course, and dessert. On my first night, I enjoyed a mushroom pasta. The second night of our stay was a traditional South African boma barbecue night with a multitude of meats (venison, lamb, steak, pork, and chicken) cooked over fire and hearty side dishes (highly recommend the cornbread with specialty butters!)
- Snacks: as if that all isn’t enough, there are snacks such as dried fruit and nuts in each suite and housekeeping leaves treats at turndown.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge can also accommodate dietary restrictions, including halal, vegan, and vegetarian diets, although it helps to provide this information in advance. One of the differentiators is that Ivory Lodge offers a fully accredited kosher kitchen, with Beth Din-certified ingredients and private Mashgiach supervision available on request. This is a level of kosher accommodation that’s rare at safari lodges.
Spa at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Even though the safari vehicles are pretty comfy, you will still be doing a lot of bumping around in the bush and nothing feels better than a nice massage. I should know, I fell asleep multiple times during mine! Lion Sands Ivory Lodge offers a small spa with two treatment rooms, a sauna, and a steam room. Just only ask for firm pressure if you really want to be worked over!
Service and Staff
At a five-star property like Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, you expect good service. But there is a warmth to the staff at Ivory Lodge that truly welcomes you and makes you feel at home. Everyone is a professional who serves with skill and a smile. From the joyful bar staff to the meticulous housekeeping team, the strong masseuse and the laundress who washes, folds and delivers your clothing (laundry service is complimentary), there are more staff than guests, showing the company’s dedication to service.
Of course, the guides and trackers are who really make or break the safari experience and ours were outstanding. What I love about Ivory Lodge is that you are paired with your guide/tracker team for the duration of your stay, which creates a comfort and camaraderie that enhances the experiences for guests and staff. And guides and trackers aren’t paired at random. They work as a team. When one is off, so is the other. This creates a synergy that shines through in the experience and the way they intuitively understand each other and the animals.
Game Drives and Wildlife Viewing
Here we get to the reason for the stay. Everyone goes in hoping for the Big Five, but I encourage you to be open to the experience and excited about whatever comes your way. I didn’t go with a checklist and was beyond thrilled about each new animal sighting. That said, in two days we saw:
- Leopards
- Lions
- Impala
- Kudu
- Bushbucks
- African Buffalo
- Vervet monkeys
- Hippopotamus
- Baboons
- Giraffe
- Elephants
- Warthogs
- Zebra
- Hyena
- Waterbuck
- Crocodile
- Hornbills and other birds
The only animal in the Big Five (the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African (Cape) buffalo), we didn’t see at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge was the rhinoceros, but we checked that one off on our first drive at Monwana in Thornybush Reserve (a sister property to Lion Sands).
In my opinion, the safari experience couldn’t have been better. First, the fact that we were on a private concession (see above to understand what that means), provided so much flexibility and incredible wildlife viewing. Next, the safari vehicle was decked out. I expected uncomfortable bench seats and maneuvering to avoid a middle seat. That is not a concern at Lion Sands.
Each vehicle has three rows of two seats each (no middle) for six passengers. The seats are positioned stadium seating style — so everyone gets a view. Plus, when within Lion Sands, the vehicle top can be removed for an open air experience, eliminating viewing obstacles. Each seat is comfy with plenty of legroom. In addition, between each set of seats is a console that offers a large storage space.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge gifts all guests a reusable water bottle, which fits into the provided cup holders. There are also binoculars to borrow and blankets to stay warm on chilly early mornings or evenings. Furthermore, each morning you will find a “bush baby” (aka as a covered hot water bottle) warming your seat, making an excellent lap warmer.
What impressed me so much was the skill and teamwork of Cruze, our guide and naturalist, and George, our tracker. I learned so much about the animals but in such a fun and entertaining way. Cruze has a way of making each day feel like a new adventure and that he is having as much fun as you are. Their ability to spot tracks and understand “that’s a male lion and he is walking that way and came by recently because it is on top of an elephant track and that herd passed here in the last hour…” Seriously impressive.
The guides at each lodge work together to find animals and share that info with other groups. Yet we still never had more than two vehicles at any animal viewing. I thought each outing would be a crap shoot of “you see what you see” and while that is somewhat true since we can’t control the animals, the guides go out with a goal in mind based on the information they have and what the guests most want to see.
The ability to go off road meant not only did we see more wildlife, but we also were able to get so much closer than I ever imagined. We could follow leopard tracks into the bush and thankfully those vehicles can get through even the thickest brush.
See wildlife on a safari is truly a magical experience. I know now why an African Safari is not a “one and done” trip. Don’t save it for your “bucket list” because you are going to leave wanting more.
Safety at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
If you are concerned about safety, don’t be! The actual lodge area does have a protective fence to keep out any dangerous predators. And a staff member will always walk you back to your room after dark. However, mischievous monkeys can still get inside if you leave your doors open so be sure to lock up and keep the sliding doors closed.
One day while I was enjoying my plunge pool, a bushbuck was grazing next to me and elephants were walking down the river below. Then, a troop of monkeys came to visit, one by one running across my roof. One little fellow even came up close to check me out. I didn’t mind, but one of my group had left a Diet Coke out on the patio and the monkeys threw the towels around, knocked over her drink, and then eagerly lapped it up and tried to open the sliding doors in a caffeine-fueled craze. She was less enthused about this wildlife encounter.
Lions Sands River Lodge
As I mentioned, I also visited Lion Sands River Lodge, which is located very close to Ivory Lodge. Sharing a similar location on the Sabie River, this is a larger property with 18 rooms and suites. Here there are two room categories, the river-facing luxury suite (581 square feet) and the larger superior luxury suite (840 square feet).
For even more space and a private plunge pool, you can choose the river suite (883 square feet) or the family river suite at 1342 square feet.
Beyond the size, River Lodge feels different in style — featuring rattan, thatch roofs, and other organic materials. But it offers the same level of service, safari, and amenities. The only difference is that your stay doesn’t include premium drinks. Guests from Ivory Lodge can utilize River Lodge, but not vice versa.
River Lodge also features a Creative Lab, with a photographer in residence to assist in capturing, editing, and printing your safari memories. In fact, as a Virtuoso perk, guests staying four or more nights receive a complimentary A4 Creative Lab canvas print of the image of their choice. This can be used by River Lodge or Ivory Lodge guests. And here is another little tip, River Lodge has a larger shop with a beautifully curated selection of locally-made products and branded safari gear for those who like to shop.
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
For families with children 6-10, Tinga Lodge is the best choice. Located just a couple of kilometers from the airport, Lion Sands Tinga Lodge features nine suites with plunge pools and private decks, along with the Hinkwenu Villa, which sleeps four adults and two children and comes with a private chef, private safari vehicle, and kids activities.
The decor is much more traditional, with dark wood and animal accents. My favorite thing about the Tinga Lodge is the Owl House, an adorable kids club where children can have some supervised fun between game drives. There are arts and crafts, books, and a climbing area into a small playhouse. Owl House even has a small fenced outdoor play area.
Before You Book
Some things to know before you book include:
- When to go: I visited in June during winter when the brush is thinner and drier (although it was a wet fall in 2026), which allows for easier wildlife viewing. But Lions Sands offers great wildlife viewing year-round thanks to the Sabie River and non-migratory Big Five populations. Summer (October-April) means newborn animals and lusher landscapes.
- What to bring: I’m going to write a whole safari packing list, but there is no need to dress up or overpack on safari. Laundry service is included and all you need are some comfortable hiking pants, sweat-wicking t-shirts, long sleeve hiking or linen shirts, a bathing suit, sun hat, sun glasses, a warm fleece or puffer jacket, and a knit hat and full gloves.
- How long to stay: I recommend spending at least three nights at Lion Sands. If you want to extend your stay with another safari experience for variety, you could pick Monwana, like we did, or even pair it with a visit to Victoria Falls. I started my trip in the Winelands, spent a couple of days in Capetown, and then four nights on safari. I would recommend putting something relaxing at the end of your trip, like time on the beach in Mauritius or a few nights in the Winelands.
- How to book: I recommend working with a travel advisor to book your trip. Not only will you have access to those great perks I mentioned, but you will get professional advice on designing your trip. I would be happy to help you find the right safari experience for your style and budget and craft your itinerary from start to finish.
Tamara Gruber is an award-winning travel writer and the founder of Your Time to Fly. With more than a decade of professional writing experience across two travel publications and hundreds of destination guides, she specializes in crafting practical, detailed itineraries that help travelers explore the world with confidence. Her work reflects years of on-the-ground research across the globe. Tamara is a member of SATW and serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association.
