Lion Sands River Lodge, in the southern portion of the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, is situated on a private area of prime game-viewing land which has been owned and managed by the More Family for 4 generations. The lodge is built on the banks of the Sabie River, facing due East so that it catches the sun as it rises over the Kruger National Park.

The philosophy of the safari experience at Lion Sands is to deliver a consistently professional and informative safari experience, ensuring that all spheres of the African bush, from the small insects to the mighty elephant, are covered in as much detail as the guest may require. With only 6 guests per game drive vehicle, the ranger and tracker teams are all FGASA-qualified and highly skilled at leading safaris in Big Five territories and tailoring them guests personal interests.

The main lodge facilities includes a Safari Lounge and bar, spa and gym, a main swimming pool area and a ‘Memory Lab’, where guests will be able to print their photographs on canvas. The dining experience includes a traditional Boma and signature riverbed dinners and deck dining in the shade of the trees overlooking the Sabie River.

Lion Sands River Lodge has 18 luxurious thatched chalets in total. The 8 Luxury Rooms have a lounge area with mini bar and wooden deck from which to appreciate the wilds beyond. The 6 Superior Luxury Suites are larger in size, and have ample open-plan bathrooms and outdoor showers. 4 of the 6 suites are inter-leading, and are therefore ideal for families. The 4 River Suites (each with its own plunge pool) have outdoor showers and linked to all the areas by raised wooden walkways. They are located further from the public areas and are therefore more private and have incredible river views, best appreciated from the expansive decks. One of the River Suites has 2 bedrooms.

For a truly memorable sleeping experience, spend a night at the Chalkley Tree House - an ultimate 'bush bedroom' on a secure platform with all the comforts of a 5* safari lodge yet surrounded by the African bush and open to the skies. You are taken to the Tree House at sunset, where drinks and a scrumptious picnic dinner have been set out for you. The hours of African dusk can be enjoyed relaxing and absorbing the vastness of the bushveld as it transforms from day to night, before turning in for slumber beneath the incredible night sky.

Address

Lion Sands River Lodge,Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand (via Shaw's Gate)

Directions

From Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction): Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.

Once on the R536, continue along this road for approximately 34.5 km and on the left-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube, Exeter and Savanna. Go past these, and approximately 3 km further on, on the left-hand side of the road, you will see signposts for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn left here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate. 

From the Kruger Mpumalanga/Nelspruit International Airport: Turn right out of the airport onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River (Witrivier). Continue for approximately 12 km, until you reach the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn right here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Keep on the N4 until you reach Nelspruit, where you will turn left onto the R40 to White River. In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself, turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right. Cross over the next set of traffic lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview (the R538, via the Numbi Gate, is a busy road and not recommended). After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Johannesburg/Pretoria via Scenic Route: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, follow the signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie, take the R536 to Hazyview. Just before Hazyview you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the R40 towards Hazyview. Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536. Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From Hoedspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport towards the R40. At the T-junction, turn left onto the R40 towards White River and Hazyview. Proceed on the R40 for approximately 88 km until you reach a set of traffic lights in Hazyview with a shopping centre/mall on the corner. Turn left here - the road is signposted to the Kruger Gate/R536.  Once on the R536, follow the directions as above from Hazyview (R40/R536 Junction).

From the Paul Kruger Gate: Go through the gate, and follow the R536 to Hazyview. Continue along this road for approximately 4.5 km and on the right-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn right here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw's Gate.

ONCE AT THE SHAW’S GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a R140 per person and a R310 per vehicle entrance fee, payable in cash at the entrance gate (subject to change). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit. Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge through the reserve.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

The 5* Summerfields Rose Retreat is located near Hazyview, just 10 km from Phabeni Gate of Kruger National Park, and right on the doorstep of the Panorama Route. It is the ultimate destination for relaxation and tranquility on a pristine working farm beside the Sabie River, which affords glimpses of crocodiles and an abundance of hippos. The birdlife is prolific with over 100 species already identified on the estate.

The Spa is surrounded by bush-clad mountains on the banks of the Sabie River  Facilities include a steam room, jacuzzi,  swimming pool and a Vichy shower.

The fully licensed River Café is open daily for breakfast and lunch, and the Summerfields Kitchen is open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only.  There is also a lounge and library area with views over the Sabie River.

There are 13 luxury tented suites, surrounded by the music of nature - the sounds of cascading water, amplified by a choir of bird calls and the occasional snort of a hippo. Attention to detail is evident in every rose-variety suite, with specially designed furniture, percale linen and the tantalising fragrance of fresh cut roses from the farm.

The Forest Room is a timber suite with a fully-opening front section onto a veranda and into the natural surrounding forest.

The Jackalberry Suite is a spacious tented suite which overlooks the Sabie River. The open plan bedroom and bathroom open onto a large veranda overlooking the bushveld. A sleeper couch is available for a young adult to use.

Address

Summerfields Rose Retreat and Spa,R536 (Sabie Road), Hazyview

Directions

From Johannesburg: Take the N4 to Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. From Nelspruit, take the R40 towards White River. Follow the R40 through White River towards Hazyview. Once you approach Hazyview, turn left at the Hazyview T-Junction to keep on the R40. Travel through Hazyview and turn left onto the R536 towards Sabie. Continue straight for 4.5 km and turn right at Summerfields Estate. Follow the signs to the reception which is 800 meters from the main entrance.

From KMIA Kruger Nelspruit Airport (45 minutes): Turn right out of the airport in the direction of White River/Witrivier on the R538. Continue on this road for 12 km (there is a quick left and immediately right turn at the Plaston intersection – do not turn right to Kabokweni!) to the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40 and follow the directions as above.

From Skukuza/Paul Kruger Gate/Southern Sabi Sand Reserve: Follow signs to the R536 and onto Hazyview. When you arrive into Hazyview, turn right and continue along this road until you turn left onto the R536 towards Sabie then follow the directions as above.

From Hoedspruit/Eastgate Airport (75 minutes): Take the R40 southwards towards Hazyview, turning left at Klaserie to stay on the R40. Be especially cautious about speeding on this road. Pass through the towns of Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge and Marite, following signs to White River and Hazyview. As you approach Hazyview, turn right onto the R536 towards Sabie then follow the directions as above.

You can also call the lodge on +27 (0) 82 611 6956 for any queries.

Fulfill your escapist dreams on the paradise private island of Bazaruto, in a jewel-like archipelago off the coast of Mozambique. With few distractions to interrupt your stay at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, you can completely lose yourself in dazzling natural beauty, peaceful island life and unforgettable experiences.

Stroll along powdery white sands, or canter along the beach on horseback. The balmy Indian Ocean waters are perfect to master windsurfing, water skiing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking or even wake boarding. Try your hand at big game fishing on a catch and release basis in waters renowned for sailfish, marlin, barracuda and yellowfin tuna. Explore some of the world's best scuba diving sites and spot elusive dugongs, playful dolphins, turtles and whales, or venture out on a snorkelling trip to one of the nearby reefs and discover a magnificent coral playground bursting with aquatic life.

Back at the resort, sunbathe around the swimming pool, head to the spa to enjoy one of the extensive range of treatments and specialist hydro facilities, or work out at the fitness centre. Then as a postcard perfect day draws to an end, step aboard a traditional dhow boat for a sunset cruise.

Relish a host of luxury comforts in the boutique collection of 44 villas. Constructed from indigenous materials such as reed, soft fringed thatch and wood, the villas feature elegant natural design that beautifully complements the unspoiled tropical surrounds. 

Wake up in a Beach Villa to the call of the ocean, sliding open floor-to-ceiling doors to step from your spacious bedroom and living space onto your beach facing veranda for a morning stroll on the beach. The Beach Pool Villas are seductively private with everything needed for a truly romantic haven. Choose where and when you want to swim, either in your plunge pool or just steps away or in the Indian Ocean. The Sea View Villa is the perfect choice for guests seeking intimacy and breath-taking views overlooking the bay.

The ideal choice for families and friends travelling together, the Deluxe Sea View Pool Villas feature two en-suite bedrooms. Both bedrooms have double doors opening onto a wooden deck, where you can share meals at the dining table and watch the sunset from the ocean facing cabana. The main resort also has a dedicated Family Pool for younger guests.