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We stayed here for 3 nights, early October. We had the most amazing time - we were taken care of from the moment we landed in Cape Town to being taken back to Skukuza airport. The staff are immense and very attentive. Every detail is carefully thought about. The safari drives were awesome - Mitch and Abraham were the best guide/tracker we could have asked for - we had some great lion and rhino encounters, saw elephants and hippos (both at the lodge by lunch/dinner and in the wild), leopards, giraffes and all the other stuff! We also stayed a night in the treehouse which is an unrivalled experience. Surreal! We were gutted to leave and have very fond memories that we will never forget.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From the well designed lodgings to the excellent food and the phenomenal staff, I highly recommend Lion Sands game reserve. We’ve gone out on safari several times, and our guides have found us everything we were hoping to find… Elephants, leopards, warthogs, hippos, etc. This afternoon I enjoyed the best massage. I think I’ve ever had! The prices are extremely reasonable for spa services. The attention you get from the staff staff is superb. If you have an opportunity to go, I recommend you do so!
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Beware of the velvet monkeys who can easily jump onto your large deck and even drink from your pool!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my very first safari. We stayed at the Lion Sands River lodge in July 2018 for 3 nights. Once we arrived from Skukuza airport from Capetown where we had started our safari adventure, all I can say is "WOW". I was totally blown away. The vista of the Sabi River alongside the Lodge and the open viewing rooms, bar, dining rooms were impeccably flawless in the decor. We walked into our rooms to an incredible den of luxury and comfort including a wet bar and snacks which were all included. Indoor and outdoor (weather permitting- it was the African wintertime in July) showers for each room, as well as a full tub to soak after a long dusty game drive. Laundry services are available for a nominal fee and returned the same day. WiFi was available in the lobby area. The day starts early where you have tea/coffee, muffins and some fruit, then off for the morning game drive. The drivers and trackers are polite and very informative. I didn't have any expectations for my very first safari, but if I had any, this place would have exceeded them. I heard about the Big 5 animals you have to see in Africa, and we saw all of them (Rhino, Elephants, Leopard, African Cape Buffalo, Lions). All of the drivers are in contact with other groups so they all help out with sightings so that all of the guests have a chance to see wildlife. The food was outstanding in quality and quantity. Presentation was flawless. I had the chance to also take in a spa treatment at the Ivory Lodge which was most relaxing and a short drive from the River Lodge where I was staying. The sundowners ( "happy hour" in the African bush) at the end of the afternoon game drives was outstanding. Offerings of wine, beer, water or soft drinks were available as well as gourmet styled snack foods to munch on while we all watched the African sunset. The staff was incredible and polite. The game drive vehicles are comfortable and well maintained. I would definitely want to come back again. Kudos to our driver Morne and Rector in getting the big 5 for us.
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Date of stay: July 2018
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I can't say enough positive about our experience! We spent 3 nights at the Lion Sands Narina lodge. The staff were amazing--friendly, helpful, accommodating of any request--and even anticipating some that we would never have though of on our own. The food was excellent and the service was perfect. Our game drives were extraordinary--we even saw all of the Big 5 on one day! We saw leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, nyalas, cape buffalo, impalas, kukus, hippos, plus many more species. I would be remiss if I didn't give a special "shout out" to Jabu and Welcome who were patient with our questions, relentless in their search for animals and impressive in their desire to provide an exceptional game drive experience every time, to Ollie and Frank for their attention to detail that calmly and professionally ensured a perfect vacation that addressed the needs off all the guests and our waitstaff Franchine and Lucienda (I know I have butchered the spelling but I think I am close) who listened carefully, always greeted us warmly and never failed to accommodate our requests. Kudos to all!
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Date of stay: February 2016
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â All rooms have a great view of the wildlife areas.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Been a number of times. What can I say... The best all round. From food to drives to staff. The game viewing is outstanding and the place will drop your jaw. Well worth a visit at least once in your life
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Date of stay: January 2018
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
True to its price, this lodge is the best I've ever stayed in. It was so luxurious and clean, and new of course. I enjoyed my stay here so much that I didn't want to leave. I wasn't so lucky in the safari though, didn't see many animals, but i love how attentive they were, they provided hand warmers for the morning drive, books about animal tracks (which actually was redundant because who has time to read books while doing game drive, but was thoughtful), and safari journal (this was really helpful). They also had a wide range of drink choices for the safari breaks. While other game reserve lodges normally limit the drinking water, you can never go thirsty here. If i remember correctly, they provided 4 bottles of drinking water in every room, and they have drinking water taps and coffee machines near the bar (i think it was in the lounge), plus everything in the mini bar was included. I didn't really like the dinner as it was outside while it was windy and so the dust got into my food, although the food was good. I really liked the breakfast though. I liked all the places there, too bad i didn't have much time to enjoy everything as i was there for 1 day only. The staffs were also very polite and professional.
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Date of stay: August 2018
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â some rooms have connecting door
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One life’s best experiences both from the safari experience and outstanding 5 star accomodation; the food was faultless as well. The professional guides gave us the full experience as well as sharing their knowledge.
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Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There can no better place for a luxury Reserve than Lion Sands. Set on the banks of the magnificant Sabi River, this private Game Reserve has a view accross the river (and a Lodge). Wonderfully one hears the noises of the Hipppo in the river. The whole atmosphere is pure luxury. Immediatly one is over-awed by the decorate of the Lodges (There is more than one) and the spacianiess is unsurpassed. The walls are high and all covered in thatch of the best quality. The rooms are magnificently done out and all overlook a verandah and then the River.Everything is impeccable. The food is a speciality and finely done...perfectly presented by Wonderful women. The Game sightings are very exciting from the morning until evening when the cats come out to hunt. The River makes it so special and one can see elephant, and on the plains, rhino, wilderbeest and all the Impala and girrafe, warthog, wilderbeest, zebra. And od course the lion One can also view a cheetah if one is luck, just as the same with Wild Dog. Altogether it is a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to anybody interested in wildlife and African Game.
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Date of stay: September 2016
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Choose one on the river
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
RÂ 40,040 - RÂ 59,824 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaMpumalangaSkukuza
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
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