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 Royal Livingstone is located on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, overlooking the Zambezi River and with direct access to the Victoria Falls. The hotel will appeal to the more discerning traveller who is in search of luxury, extravagance and sheer indulgence.

The hotel is named after the legendary explorer who named Zambia's iconic waterfall in honour of his queen. Paying tribute to this glorious era, the hotel evokes Victorian elegance and colonial traditions in impeccable style.

The sights and sounds of river life can be soaked up as you laze in a hammock, enjoy a massage in a waterfront gazebo, or cool off in the pool. Sip refreshments in a lounge that displays the paintings of Sir David Livingstone. Partake in charming high tea rituals, and later sundowners on a deck overlooking the Victoria Falls.

As a guest, you also enjoy the privilege of complimentary access to Victoria Falls via the hotel's private entrance.

After a full day of activities, guests can enjoy a fine dining experience, which is inspired by the mixed influences of Africa and the results are a culinary exploration garnered from the many different cultures that prevail in this diverse and delightful continent.

Every Friday evening, guests are invited to indulge in an important cultural tradition - a boma dinner beneath open African skies. Boma, or 'enclosure' in Swahili, comes from the days when tribesmen would cook and protect their communities. Sit by the fire and let your senses be invigorated with a decadent Zambian feast, from barbecue meat to spiced delicacies, with a live band and traditional dancing as entertainment.

For something really special, the Royal Livingstone Express is a classic ‘time travel’ back in history using beautiful steam locomotives and lovingly restored carriages. Relive the bygone era of Victorian elegance on ‘The Dinner Excursion’, which includes a train ride along the Cape to Cairo mainline, which runs parallel to the Zambezi River. Sunset will be enjoyed while travelling through the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Park followed by an impeccable 6 course dinner. This magical experience runs on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

The hotel stretches luxuriously along the banks of the Zambezi River, and consists of a sequence of thatch-roofed buildings, with deep verandas, set amidst indigenous trees and plants. The 173 rooms and suites all have private balconies or terraces with river views.

Address

Royal Livingstone,Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park, Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park

Directions

Directions from Livingstone airport:The Falls Resort (Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara and AVANI Victoria Falls Resort) are 10 km from Livingstone City Centre and 15 km from Livingstone Airport. It is built between the main road and on the banks of the famous Zambezi River.