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The Top 10 Safari Lodges in Africa in 2021

Lila Harron Battis is a freelance writer and editor. She was previously a senior editor at Travel + Leisure .

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite safari lodges in Africa.

This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

The Western idea of Africa as a vast unknowable expanse of wilderness — rather than a living, breathing place with as much diversity and unique regionality as any other continent — has endured with stubborn longevity. Perhaps quintessential images like silverbacks in a lush mountain forest, giraffes and acacia trees silhouetted against a savannah sunset, and herds of elephants in the floodplains along a winding river stick with travelers because they are so unlike the nature scenes of the U.S., where centuries of human interference have left little trace of true wilderness or of the animals that once roamed freely.

Africa's rarefied natural spaces have compelled generations of adventurers to seek them out — and the hospitality world has kept pace. Today's safari-goers have little more to worry about than checking off the Big Five and whether to order red or white with dinner. And for the ultimate in service, comfort, and indulgence, they can't go wrong with the places that T+L readers voted onto this year's list of the best safari lodges in Africa.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city hotel, resort, or safari lodge based on their locations and amenities.

The spots on the list are brimming with opulent touches and spectacular scenery. At No. 4 Angama Mara, in Kenya's Masai Mara , two 15-tent camps dot the edge of an escarpment about 300 yards above the game reserve. The views of the Great Rift Valley are so cinematic it's tempting to stay on property and just gawk at the scenery. Don't miss a visit to the on-site craft workshop, where Masai women teach guests the techniques and meaning behind their beading traditions, or the photography studio, where you can test out pro gear and polish up your safari snapshots with cutting-edge photo-editing software.

At No. 6 Singita Grumeti, in Tanzania , the lodging options offer something for every style: crystal chandeliers and gilded frames at Sasakwa Lodge, rattan chairs and campaign tables at Sabora Tented Camp, and breezy furnishings and basketry-inspired light fixtures at Faru Faru Lodge, among others. In South Africa, andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge (No. 9) has 20 cottages that blend light details — wide-slate bathroom floors, ceramic stools, pale patterned loveseats, high thatched ceilings — with the gravitas of deep-hued wood furnishings, muted flat-weave rugs, and antique-inspired wildlife illustrations. Overall, it feels grounded and traditional, but never stuffy. The property is situated on Ngala Private Game Reserve, which — thanks to the success of andBeyond's conservation work — is now part of Kruger National Park.

Many of the properties on this list held an emotional resonance for our readers, one that lingered long after returning home. Of the Bushcamp Company's Mfuwe Lodge, in Zambia, which came in No. 8, one reader wrote, "I dream about Mfuwe, the people, and the sounds of the animals at night. The experience I had was beyond everything I imagined." Another put it simply: "You truly connect with raw life." A reader who spent time at No. 5 Gibb's Farm, in Tanzania, called it "the most magical place I've ever stayed!" And at Sasaab, in Kenya, the property's do-good efforts made a mark just as much as the luxe environment: "Sasaab's culture is fabulous," a reader wrote of the No. 10 property, adding that "the hotel has an innate sustainable ethos."

But the best safari lodge in Africa, the Richard Branson–owned Mahali Mzuri, brings together every element readers expect in their experience, then amplifies it all tenfold. Read on to find out why it's so beloved and which other lodges join it on this year's list.

1. Mahali Mzuri, Masai Mara, Kenya

The 12-suite Mahali Mzuri sits on the edge of a lush bowl, and there's not a bad seat in the house: over breakfast, you can watch monkeys scrabble in the trees and grass; from the pool you'll spot giraffes wandering through to snack on the acacias; sitting on your private terrace you may catch a glimpse of a cat stopping to drink from the rocky stream that runs through. And the property's location is ideal for maximizing both wildlife spotting and privacy. It's set within the private, 33,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, which is part of the Masai Mara ecosystem but beyond the bounds of the national park. That means all the richness of big game, but no other cars in sight—you can get within feet of a lion pride and have the moment all to yourself, with no jockeying for position or tuning out the chatter of other safari-goers. "Mahali Mzuri is the best luxurious camp to visit on the African continent," declared one reader; "just perfect," wrote another. The team is small and familial, with the kind of warm, relaxed — yet flawless — service that gives guests the easy sense of being among friends; the guides are among the best in the business, many having worked at the property for years to develop intimate knowledge of the land and its wildlife. One reader put it best: "The hospitality at Mahali Mzuri resembles its name," he wrote, noting the translation of the Swahili: "the Beautiful Place."

Score: 99.73 More information: virginlimitededition.com

2. Savute Elephant Lodge, a Belmond Safari, Chobe National Park, Botswana

Score: 98.75 More information: belmond.com

3. andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge, Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Score: 98.50 More information: andbeyond.com

4. Angama Mara, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Score: 97.73 More information: angama.com

5. Gibb's Farm, Karatu, Tanzania

Score: 97.63 More information: gibbsfarm.com

6. Singita Grumeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Score: 97.60 More information: singita.com

7. Khwai River Lodge, a Belmond Safari, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Score: 97.47 More information: belmond.com

8. The Bushcamp Company's Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Score: 97.33 More information: bushcampcompany.com

9. (tie) andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

Score: 97.26 More information: andbeyond.com

9. (tie) Sasaab, Samburu, Kenya

Score: 97.26 More information: thesafaricollection.com

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021 .

No matter the destination, Travel + Leisure GO can turn your vacation dreams into reality. With nearly endless reservation options to fly or stay, book your next getaway — near or far — at Travel + Leisure GO .

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Lion Ridge

Meet our extraordinary African lions at their new habitat, home to four brothers born in 2019 – Hodge, Harabi, Havoc and Hercules. Watch these impressive cats roar and explore their enriched environment, featuring scented planting and dens.

Lions, known for their iconic manes, use roars to assert dominance and scare off other prides - audible up to five miles away! Our state-of-the-art housing ensures 24-hour access to indoor and outdoor spaces, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Location: African Village

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Experience lions in the most unique way

Lion Lodge is the most luxurious overnight accommodation at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent. This fully immersing experience gives guests the chance to sleep with lions! These unique lodges, named Kikuyu and Jibana, offer guests the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the lives of Kamari and Hasani, our truly majestic African lions. 

The first of its kind worldwide, the Lion Lodges are timber clad, Manhattan loft style buildings, set within the lion’s natural and spacious habitat. Featuring picture windows in both the master bedroom and the open plan living area, guests will be just a breath away from magnificent lions.

For the chance to sleep with the lions   call 01303 234112 and book now .

Wake up with nature

Gift vouchers.

Give the gift of an overnight stay at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, where choices of short breaks range from seasonal glamping to luxury lodges and can include the opportunity to wake up in a tiger’s world at Tiger Lodge or come face to face with a magnificent lion at Lion Lodge.

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A unique and immersive overnight stay, where you can wake up to a lion at your window! Enjoy stunning views of the Kent coast from your private balcony and explore the Reserve by golf buggy.

The beautiful living area features a huge open fire place, underfloor heating, and bespoke furniture. Designed to sleep four, the king-size master bedroom has a prime view of the lions, whilst a comfy mezzanine level, accessed via a spiral staircase, offers an additional two single beds. An industrial-chic wet room with monsoon shower is complimented with Bamford organic toiletries. 

For a truly unique experience, guests can relax in the Scandinavian outdoor baths built on raised, secluded platforms, overlooking the lions. The perfect Instagram shot!

Partially set within the lion habitat, floor to ceiling windows offer an incredible view into the lion’s world, whilst the open plan living area doors lead to your private garden overlooking the 600-acre wildlife reserve with stunning sea views.

Guests can explore the reserve via golf buggy in their own time, spend an afternoon on safari, or simply relax in the lodge’s private gardens. 

You will have exclusive access to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve during and outside of normal visitor hours from the day of your arrival to the day of your departure. The check-in time for your stay is at 2pm and the check-out time is at 12pm. You can visit both wildlife parks - Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve - from 9.30am to closure. You can use a golf buggy for the whole duration of your stay to explore the Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve (with a valid driving licence).

All of our short breaks guests have a safari included in the cost of their stay. Your safari will take you on an adventure through our South American, Asian and African Experience zones where you will see spectacled bears, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, camels and more.

Choose from a variety of home cooked dishes, using local produce and ingredients grown in our kitchen gardens at our onsite restaurants and cafes. Enjoy gluten friendly pizza and authentic Italian dishes at Babydoll’s Wood Fired Pizza, or bistro style dishes at Port Lympne Hotel Restaurant. Alternatively, relax in the tranquillity of the unique Moroccan Courtyard at  (open spring & summer) Port Lympne Hotel, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Prices from £1,450.  For more information, you can book online , call 01303 234112 Monday to Sunday between 9am to 5pm, or fill in our simple online form at the end of the page and one of our team will be in touch.

safari lodges lion

Lion Lodge includes all your basic necessities as well as completely unique amenities such as a living room view of our pride and an outdoor bath, meaning you can relax, recover, and settle in for an unforgettable break.

lion lodge amenities

What's Included

  • Stay at Lion Lodge for up to 4 people (one king size, two single beds)
  • Full English breakfast
  • Entrance to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park (from 9.30am on the day of arrival until closure on the day of departure)
  • Access to the park's   restaurants
  • Welcome drinks 
  • Golf buggy (from check-in on day of arrival until check-out on day of departure. Valid driving licence required)
  • Use of the outdoor Scandinavian bath
  • Nespresso machine
  • Games & books
  • Complimentary Bamford organic toiletries
  • Bathrobes, slippers & hairdryer
  • Free on site parking

Meet the animals

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is home to amazing wildlife and incredible views. See over 900 animals and over 75 species at this award winning park. As well as the lions who live just a whisker away, you'll also discover gorillas, bears, cheetahs, giraffes and many more as you explore the rest of the Reserve.

Western Lowland Gorilla baby at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent

Explore the reserve

There's so much to see and do at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve that you'll want to stay longer! Enjoy our amazing animals, visit our landscaped gardens, take in the views from the Trojan stairs and even visit Dinosaur Forest. There's plenty to keep you entertained during your stay.

Stay at Kent Hotel, Port Lympne Hotel, near Ashford

You may also like

With 14 different ways to stay, we're certain we have the perfect accommodation for you at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. Don't forget that our unique accommodations can be booked as part of your conference or private event.

Leopard Creek

Leopard Creek offers luxury accommodation with stunning views of our expertly-designed Amur leopard enclosure.

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Tiger Lodge

Wake up in a tiger’s world, then head out in your own personal golf buggy to meet the rest of the animals in the 600 acre reserve.

safari lodges lion

Enjoy stunning views from your award winning self-catering treehouse suite and explore the 600 acre reserve on your own personal golf buggy.

safari lodges lion

Back to the Wild!

With your visit and stay you contribute to our greatest mission, getting the animals 'Back to the Wild'. This initiative has already seen an impressive number of animals born at Howletts and Port Lympne returned to their natural habitats. Your help is vital for our worldwide conservation projects.

Book online

For more information   or to enquire about gift vouchers for our short breaks , you can call 01303 234112 Monday to Sunday between 9am to 5pm, or fill in our simple online form and one of our team will be in touch.

Check availability and prices here .

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Splash Travels

Splash Travels

20 Luxurious Safari Lodges We Can’t Wait To Visit

Posted: February 29, 2024 | Last updated: February 29, 2024

<p>Gone are the days where going on safari meant roughing it in tents and rugged terrain. These days, the best way to see incredible African wildlife is with a stay at a safari lodge. </p>  <p>With<strong> a focus on luxury and sustainability</strong>, these are the best safari destinations on the continent.</p>

The Best Safari Lodges On The Planet

Gone are the days where going on safari meant roughing it in tents and rugged terrain. These days, the best way to see incredible African wildlife is with a stay at a safari lodge. 

With  a focus on luxury and sustainability , these are the best safari destinations on the continent.

<p>This family-owned property gets its name for the majestic Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site that’s only 25 miles upstream. Guests can choose to stay in one of the 18 suites or the four-bedroom River House villa. </p>  <p>Either way, you’ll get<strong> your own private pool,</strong> and can rest easy knowing that proceeds from the lodge help fund efforts in the Matetsi conservation area.</p>

Matetsi Victoria Falls—Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe

This family-owned property gets its name for the majestic Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site that’s only 25 miles upstream. Guests can choose to stay in one of the 18 suites or the four-bedroom River House villa. 

Either way, you’ll get  your own private pool, and can rest easy knowing that proceeds from the lodge help fund efforts in the Matetsi conservation area.

<p>When it comes to safaris, Matetsi pulls out all the stops. <strong>Led by local guides</strong>, visitors can take boat cruises, drives, and hikes through the wilderness, offering a chance to safely view incredible wildlife like elephants, buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles. </p>  <p>When you get back from your safari, Matetsi’s chefs and spa experts are ready to show you the lodge’s luxurious side.</p>

Matetsi Victoria Falls—Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe (cont’d)

When it comes to safaris, Matetsi pulls out all the stops. Led by local guides , visitors can take boat cruises, drives, and hikes through the wilderness, offering a chance to safely view incredible wildlife like elephants, buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles. 

When you get back from your safari, Matetsi’s chefs and spa experts are ready to show you the lodge’s luxurious side.

<p>This luxurious safari lodge provides incredible views of <strong>ancient forests and natural sandstone structures</strong>. </p>  <p>But the real draw of this property is the private access that visitors get to the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, which is home to big cats, wild dogs, and herds of elephants. Drives and cruises are an excellent way to explore the reserve and visitors can take part in a number of cool activities, including tag-and-release fishing.</p>

Singita Pamushana—Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe

This luxurious safari lodge provides incredible views of ancient forests and natural sandstone structures . 

But the real draw of this property is the private access that visitors get to the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, which is home to big cats, wild dogs, and herds of elephants. Drives and cruises are an excellent way to explore the reserve and visitors can take part in a number of cool activities, including tag-and-release fishing.

<p>Singita Pamushana is the perfect combination of sustainability and luxury. Guests have their choice of one of the eight suites or private villa, each with their own <strong>outdoor shower</strong> and views of the Malilangwe Dam. </p>  <p>Visitors can rest easy with the lodge’s elite spa treatments and knowing that the property funds conservation efforts. The staff at the lodge are also 100% local.</p>

Singita Pamushana—Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe (cont’d)

Singita Pamushana is the perfect combination of sustainability and luxury. Guests have their choice of one of the eight suites or private villa, each with their own outdoor shower and views of the Malilangwe Dam. 

Visitors can rest easy with the lodge’s elite spa treatments and knowing that the property funds conservation efforts. The staff at the lodge are also 100% local.

<p>A visit at Wilderness DumaTau means staying right in <strong>the middle of lion territory</strong>. </p>  <p>In Botswana’s dry season, animals migrate to the reserve, which provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to see wildlife like hippos, elephants, antelope, and wild dogs.</p>

Wilderness DumaTau—Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana

A visit at Wilderness DumaTau means staying right in the middle of lion territory . 

In Botswana’s dry season, animals migrate to the reserve, which provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to see wildlife like hippos, elephants, antelope, and wild dogs.

<p>At Wilderness DumaTau, visitors have their choice of eight private suites, which all have <strong>private pools and outdoor showers</strong> that overlook the beautiful Osprey Lagoon. </p>  <p>Proceeds from the lodge fund conservation efforts in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which supports research on endangered species.</p>

Wilderness DumaTau—Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana (cont’d)

At Wilderness DumaTau, visitors have their choice of eight private suites, which all have private pools and outdoor showers that overlook the beautiful Osprey Lagoon. 

Proceeds from the lodge fund conservation efforts in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which supports research on endangered species.

<p>At Jack’s Camp, visitors get the unique experience of staying in tents near the shimmering Makgadikgadi salt pans. </p>  <p>Activities here cater to the more adventurous side, with game drives, <strong>rides on quad-bikes</strong>, and unforgettable encounters with meerkats.</p>

Jack’s Camp—Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

At Jack’s Camp, visitors get the unique experience of staying in tents near the shimmering Makgadikgadi salt pans. 

Activities here cater to the more adventurous side, with game drives, rides on quad-bikes , and unforgettable encounters with meerkats.

<p>After roughing it, guests can head back to one of nine spacious suites, which feature large four-poster beds and rich burgundy trim. </p>  <p><strong>Candlelit dinner</strong><strong>s</strong> are held at the property’s communal tent, which is decorated with art that has been collected by the Bousfield family for generations.</p>

Jack’s Camp—Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana (cont’d)

After roughing it, guests can head back to one of nine spacious suites, which feature large four-poster beds and rich burgundy trim. 

Candlelit dinner s are held at the property’s communal tent, which is decorated with art that has been collected by the Bousfield family for generations.

<p>The eight suites at Jabali Ridge are nestled among huge boulders, and provide incredible views of the baobab forest below. </p>  <p><strong>J</strong><strong>une to November is the best time to visit </strong>as that’s when you can see packs of wild dogs, cheetahs, and the elusive kudu.</p>

Jabali Ridge—Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

The eight suites at Jabali Ridge are nestled among huge boulders, and provide incredible views of the baobab forest below. 

J une to November is the best time to visit  as that’s when you can see packs of wild dogs, cheetahs, and the elusive kudu.

<p>This safari lodge is also one of the best places to see lions—<strong>10% of all the lions in Africa </strong>call this area home. </p>  <p>Guests can also see leopards and pangolin before heading back to the comforts of their private viewing deck and the lodges infinity pool.</p>

Jabali Ridge—Ruaha National Park, Tanzania (cont’d)

This safari lodge is also one of the best places to see lions— 10% of all the lions in Africa  call this area home. 

Guests can also see leopards and pangolin before heading back to the comforts of their private viewing deck and the lodges infinity pool.

<p>Singita prioritizes nature-based tourism, which has restored the Grumeti Reserve to a thriving home for wildlife. </p>  <p>All year-round, visitors are guaranteed to see wildebeest, elephants, and buffalo. The camp has also contributed to reintroducing<strong> the eastern black rhino </strong>to the area.</p>

Singita Sabora Tented Camp—Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

Singita prioritizes nature-based tourism, which has restored the Grumeti Reserve to a thriving home for wildlife. 

All year-round, visitors are guaranteed to see wildebeest, elephants, and buffalo. The camp has also contributed to reintroducing  the eastern black rhino  to the area.

<p>There are five different retreats at the reserve but Singita Sabora is one of the most luxurious. </p>  <p>The property features a<strong> chic, minimalist aesthetic </strong>and guests can relax and recharge at the camp’s library, spa, fitness center, and winetasting rooms.</p>

Singita Sabora Tented Camp—Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania (cont’d)

There are five different retreats at the reserve but Singita Sabora is one of the most luxurious. 

The property features a  chic, minimalist aesthetic  and guests can relax and recharge at the camp’s library, spa, fitness center, and winetasting rooms.

<p>At Mwiba Lodge, guests are given private vehicles and <strong>exclusive access to the 125,000 acres</strong> that make up the Mwiba concession. The area serves as migration corridor for animals. </p>  <p>December to March is one of the better times to go as the area will be home to newborn wildebeests and influx of predators like lions and hyenas.</p>

Mwiba Lodge—Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Tanzania

At Mwiba Lodge, guests are given private vehicles and exclusive access to the 125,000 acres that make up the Mwiba concession. The area serves as migration corridor for animals. 

December to March is one of the better times to go as the area will be home to newborn wildebeests and influx of predators like lions and hyenas.

<p>Visitors at Mwiba can check into one of the lodges 10<strong> glass and canvas suites</strong>, and relax at the spa and infinity pool. </p>  <p>Helicopter tours, camping in the wilderness, and bush walks with Hadza hunters are some of the unique activities that await travelers.</p>

Mwiba Lodge—Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Tanzania (cont’d)

Visitors at Mwiba can check into one of the lodges 10  glass and canvas suites , and relax at the spa and infinity pool. 

Helicopter tours, camping in the wilderness, and bush walks with Hadza hunters are some of the unique activities that await travelers.

<p>Perched 1,000 feet above the Mara triangle in Kenya’s Rift Valley is where you’ll find Angama Mara. </p>  <p>In addition to its stylish design, the lodge is beloved by travelers for <strong>its support of conservation, healthcare, and education</strong> throughout the region.</p>

Angama Mara—Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Perched 1,000 feet above the Mara triangle in Kenya’s Rift Valley is where you’ll find Angama Mara. 

In addition to its stylish design, the lodge is beloved by travelers for its support of conservation, healthcare, and education throughout the region.

<p>The property is separated into two sections, each with 15 suites that feature glass fronts and vibrant colors inspired by the Maasai Mara people. </p>  <p><strong>Big cats and large herds of elephants</strong> come to the Mara River, which make for incredible views for guests. The camp also has four tents for guests who want a closer view of the wildlife.</p>

Angama Mara—Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (cont’d)

The property is separated into two sections, each with 15 suites that feature glass fronts and vibrant colors inspired by the Maasai Mara people. 

Big cats and large herds of elephants come to the Mara River, which make for incredible views for guests. The camp also has four tents for guests who want a closer view of the wildlife.

<p>Guests are bound to relax the moment they step onto the luxurious, grassy grounds of Segera Retreat, located on the beautiful Laikipia plateau. </p>  <p>The area is home to <strong>a large elephant population </strong>and is one of the last places to see the endangered black rhino.</p>

Segera Retreat—Laikipia, Kenya

Guests are bound to relax the moment they step onto the luxurious, grassy grounds of Segera Retreat, located on the beautiful Laikipia plateau. 

The area is home to a large elephant population  and is one of the last places to see the endangered black rhino.

<p>Guests at the retreat have their choice of one of six one-bedroom suites or two villas for those traveling with family. </p>  <p>Many people are content to stay on the retreat grounds and indulge in the <strong>specialty spa treatments</strong>, but some daring travelers take a helicopter ride to explore the northern frontier of Kenya.</p>

Segera Retreat—Laikipia, Kenya (cont’d)

Guests at the retreat have their choice of one of six one-bedroom suites or two villas for those traveling with family. 

Many people are content to stay on the retreat grounds and indulge in the specialty spa treatments , but some daring travelers take a helicopter ride to explore the northern frontier of Kenya.

<p>ol Donyo features nine suites, which each feature their own <strong>private plunge pool and outdoor star beds</strong>. It’s perfect for listening to lions and hyenas prowling in the night while relaxing beneath the stars.</p>

ol Donyo Lodge—Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya

ol Donyo features nine suites, which each feature their own private plunge pool and outdoor star beds . It’s perfect for listening to lions and hyenas prowling in the night while relaxing beneath the stars.

<p>Incredible views aside, travelers are drawn to ol Donyo for the cool activities here. From horseback riding to mountain biking and <strong>unparalleled views of Mount Kilimanjaro</strong>, a visit at this lodge makes for unforgettable memories.</p>

ol Donyo Lodge—Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya (cont’d)

Incredible views aside, travelers are drawn to ol Donyo for the cool activities here. From horseback riding to mountain biking and unparalleled views of Mount Kilimanjaro , a visit at this lodge makes for unforgettable memories.

<p>This super sustainable lodge is on the edge of the world’s oldest living desert, in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. </p>  <p>The ten suites here feature glass walls and are<strong> fully solar-powered</strong>. They create enough electricity to power everything in the lodge, from the swimming pools to the air conditioning and recycling systems.</p>

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge—NamibRand Reserve, Namibia

This super sustainable lodge is on the edge of the world’s oldest living desert, in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. 

The ten suites here feature glass walls and are  fully solar-powered . They create enough electricity to power everything in the lodge, from the swimming pools to the air conditioning and recycling systems.

<p>Guests at the lodge can indulge in foods that are inspired by the local culture, like fresh seafood from the ocean and Kalahari truffles. </p>  <p>There’s also no shortage of activities at the lodge, including <strong>e-biking to see ancient rock art</strong>, climbing the world’s highest sand dunes, and take advantage of the opportunity to see stars in one of the world’s best dark sky locations.</p>

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge—NamibRand Reserve, Namibia (cont’d)

Guests at the lodge can indulge in foods that are inspired by the local culture, like fresh seafood from the ocean and Kalahari truffles. 

There’s also no shortage of activities at the lodge, including e-biking to see ancient rock art , climbing the world’s highest sand dunes, and take advantage of the opportunity to see stars in one of the world’s best dark sky locations.

<p>Located in one of <strong>the most remote wilderness destinations in Africa,</strong> this lodge is inspired by the broken, marooned ships that are scattered along the coastline. </p>  <p>The ten suites here are made of wood and glass, and look like they, too, were washed ashore.</p>

Shipwreck Lodge—Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia

Located in one of the most remote wilderness destinations in Africa, this lodge is inspired by the broken, marooned ships that are scattered along the coastline. 

The ten suites here are made of wood and glass, and look like they, too, were washed ashore.

<p>When visiting this luxurious retreat, guests can take advantage of <strong>300 miles of pristine beach</strong>, which is the perfect place for walks along the dunes, quad-bike rides, and game drives. </p>  <p>The sea life here is incredible, though all the seal colonies get quite loud.</p>

Shipwreck Lodge—Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia (cont’d)

When visiting this luxurious retreat, guests can take advantage of 300 miles of pristine beach , which is the perfect place for walks along the dunes, quad-bike rides, and game drives. 

The sea life here is incredible, though all the seal colonies get quite loud.

<p>This safari lodge is one of the best place to view diverse African wildlife, and is home to huge lion prides and herds of buffalo with <strong>up to 400 animals</strong>. </p>  <p>Visitors can also check out the nearby conservation center or spend the morning with an antipoaching team.</p>

Waterside at Royal Malewane—Thornybush Private Reserve, South Africa

This safari lodge is one of the best place to view diverse African wildlife, and is home to huge lion prides and herds of buffalo with up to 400 animals . 

Visitors can also check out the nearby conservation center or spend the morning with an antipoaching team.

<p>This one’s for the seniors out there. Road Scholar is a not-for-profit tour group that caters to <strong>adults aged 50 and up</strong>—though the average for participants is 72. 100,000 people take part in Road Scholar retreats each year, and they’re particularly popular with the older ladies.</p>  <p>The company hosts <strong>six health and wellness retreats in four different states</strong>. The most popular program is the six-day 8 Limbs of yoga retreat, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.</p>

Waterside at Royal Malewane—Thornybush Private Reserve, South Africa (cont’d)

Waterside at Royal Malewane features seven grand suites, some with room for the whole family. The property has lot of amenities for guests to enjoy, including a lap pool , yoga studio, spa, and games room.

<p>Located in South Africa’s largest privately protected wildlife reserve, each of the six villas at Loapi is its own private campsite. </p>  <p>To get around, visitors get their own <strong>private safari jeep and guide</strong>.</p>

Loapi Tented Camp—Kalahari, South Africa

Located in South Africa’s largest privately protected wildlife reserve, each of the six villas at Loapi is its own private campsite. 

To get around, visitors get their own private safari jeep and guide .

<p>Loapi specializes in giving people a customized vacation experience, so you can safari the way you want. </p>  <p>Each villa has its own<strong> private butler and chef</strong> so in between thrilling activities, you can indulge in your favorite snacks and the pampered life.</p>

Loapi Tented Camp—Kalahari, South Africa (cont’d)

Loapi specializes in giving people a customized vacation experience, so you can safari the way you want. 

Each villa has its own  private butler and chef so in between thrilling activities, you can indulge in your favorite snacks and the pampered life.

<p>Phinda has some of the greatest biodiversity in South Africa, and any guests staying here are guaranteed to see buffalo herds, cheetahs, endangered rhinos, and <strong>two </strong><strong>rare species of antelope</strong>, the suni and red duiker.</p>

andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge—KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Phinda has some of the greatest biodiversity in South Africa, and any guests staying here are guaranteed to see buffalo herds, cheetahs, endangered rhinos, and two  rare species of antelope , the suni and red duiker.

<p>The lodge was recently renovated, making the suites bigger and introducing a new family suite. </p>  <p>Guests can also enjoy the property’s state-of-the-art fitness center and participate in<strong> on-site ranger training</strong>.</p>

andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge—KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (cont’d)

The lodge was recently renovated, making the suites bigger and introducing a new family suite. 

Guests can also enjoy the property’s state-of-the-art fitness center and participate in  on-site ranger training .

<p>This carbon negative property is located in the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, home to about 6,000 acres of Indigenous flora. </p>  <p>There are over 900 plant species in the reserve including <strong>a 2,000-year-old milkwood forest </strong>where guests can have lantern-lit dinners.</p>

Garden and Forest Lodges—Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

This carbon negative property is located in the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, home to about 6,000 acres of Indigenous flora. 

There are over 900 plant species in the reserve including a 2,000-year-old milkwood forest  where guests can have lantern-lit dinners.

<p>Guests can also enjoy a number of fun activities, like horseback riding, driving tours, and a chance to visit <strong>ancient sea caves</strong> at nearby Walker Bay. </p>  <p>And they can take in all the beauty of the area knowing that the lodge sponsors botany projects in over 50 different community-led programs.</p>

Garden and Forest Lodges—Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa (cont’d)

Guests can also enjoy a number of fun activities, like horseback riding, driving tours, and a chance to visit ancient sea caves at nearby Walker Bay. 

And they can take in all the beauty of the area knowing that the lodge sponsors botany projects in over 50 different community-led programs.

<p>This luxurious safari lodge is located on the eastern boundary of the Volcanoes National Park, which is<strong> important habitat for mountain gorillas</strong>. </p>  <p>In addition to providing one-in-a-lifetime views of these mighty creatures, the lodge also prioritizes relaxation with spa days, local ginger tea, and your choice of vintages from the wine cellar.</p>

Singita Kwitonda Lodge—Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

This luxurious safari lodge is located on the eastern boundary of the Volcanoes National Park, which is  important habitat for mountain gorillas . 

In addition to providing one-in-a-lifetime views of these mighty creatures, the lodge also prioritizes relaxation with spa days, local ginger tea, and your choice of vintages from the wine cellar.

<p>Sustainability is built into the building with <strong>sustainably sourced materials</strong> such as bamboo, river stones, volcanic rock, and handcrafted clay bricks. </p>  <p>Guests have their choice of eight cozy suites or a private villa, and it’s easy to let worries slip away near the properties indoor and outdoor fireplaces and private, heated pools.</p>

Singita Kwitonda Lodge—Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (cont’d)

Sustainability is built into the building with sustainably sourced materials such as bamboo, river stones, volcanic rock, and handcrafted clay bricks. 

Guests have their choice of eight cozy suites or a private villa, and it’s easy to let worries slip away near the properties indoor and outdoor fireplaces and private, heated pools.

<p>This beautiful retreat overlooks an incredible landscape filled with ebony and mahogany trees, waterfalls, and swamps. </p>  <p>It’s also where you can find <strong>more than 300 different species of birds</strong>, including giant hornbills and blue turacos, as well as 13 different species of primates.</p>

One&Only Nyungwe House—Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

This beautiful retreat overlooks an incredible landscape filled with ebony and mahogany trees, waterfalls, and swamps. 

It’s also where you can find more than 300 different species of birds , including giant hornbills and blue turacos, as well as 13 different species of primates.

<p>The retreat has 22 suites with cool <strong>Geometric Imigongo designs</strong> and a striking black-white-and-red color scheme. </p>  <p>The king-size four-poster beds in the suites face huge floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of the jungle below.</p>

One&Only Nyungwe House—Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda (cont’d)

The retreat has 22 suites with cool Geometric Imigongo designs and a striking black-white-and-red color scheme. 

The king-size four-poster beds in the suites face huge floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of the jungle below.

<p>Located on a private concession right next to the Zambezi River, <strong>Lolebezi has set the standard for luxury</strong> in Zambia’s wilderness. </p>  <p>The private suites here feature green, earthy themes and there are two family villas for those traveling with a larger group.</p>

Lolebezi—Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

Located on a private concession right next to the Zambezi River, Lolebezi has set the standard for luxury in Zambia’s wilderness. 

The private suites here feature green, earthy themes and there are two family villas for those traveling with a larger group.

<p>This area is full of game, which has earned it the nickname of “Discovery Channel”. Twice a day, guests can go on a driving tour to see the animals. </p>  <p>Canoeing and walking are great ways to see more elusive creatures, like leopards, and there’s also <strong>a river cruise</strong> that offers stunning views of the channel.</p>

Lolebezi—Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia (cont’d)

This area is full of game, which has earned it the nickname of “Discovery Channel”. Twice a day, guests can go on a driving tour to see the animals. 

Canoeing and walking are great ways to see more elusive creatures, like leopards, and there’s also a river cruise that offers stunning views of the channel.

<p>The Omo Valley is <strong>home to many of Ethiopia’s Indigenous communities</strong>, and there are lots of tour companies that will take you to meet some of these incredible people. </p>  <p>Many travelers don’t mind roughing it with fly camping, but Lale’s Camp is the perfect place for those who want a few more creature comforts, like hot, running water.</p>

Lale’s Camp—Omo Valley, Ethiopia

The Omo Valley is home to many of Ethiopia’s Indigenous communities , and there are lots of tour companies that will take you to meet some of these incredible people. 

Many travelers don’t mind roughing it with fly camping, but Lale’s Camp is the perfect place for those who want a few more creature comforts, like hot, running water.

<p>When it comes to sleeping, the men and women both sleep on the ground. They may use available cloths for added comfort, and the men use their headdress as pillows.</p>  <p>Aside from those two huts, there’s another family hut of importance.</p>

Lale’s Camp—Omo Valley, Ethiopia (cont’d)

Lale’s Camp is made up of seven tents and the only way to get there is by taking a boat ride with the camp’s owner, Lale Biwa. Lale is a remarkable storyteller and will tell you about some of the local legends. 

In addition to hikes with the local Indigenous tribes, visitors can also take in the stunning wildlife in the Omo River Delta. All in all, a visit to Lale’s Camp makes for a great combination of rustic luxury.

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  • Lion Sands River Lodge Review: What to Really Expect

by Nichole | Last updated Mar 29, 2024 | Hotel Reviews Africa , South Africa

Lion Sands River Lodge has won numerous awards over the years for its top-notch safari experience including Top 100 Hotels in the WORLD by T&L (#88) . More recently readers of Condé Nast Traveller ranked it #4 in the Top 10 Resorts in South Africa in 2023 .

Clearly, Lion Sands River Lodge is doing something right. Read on about our firsthand experience and why we chose this lodge to see if it’s right for you.

* Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are from first-hand experience that I feel will deliver value to you! Thank you for your continued support.

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The Location + Arrival

The first three impressions, the food & drink, the amenities, the safari drives , 5 am: wake up call, 5:30 am: morning safari drive, 8:30 am: breakfast time, 1 pm: lunch time, 4:30 pm: afternoon safari drive, 7:30 pm: dinner time, safari outfit & what to pack , 7 reasons for choosing this lodge, 01- decent size traversing area, 02- max of 6 to a safari jeep, 03- high likelihood of seeing the big 5, 04- well-known for food, drink, & service, 05- great reputation of the more family, 06- chance to sleep in a treehouse, 07- only 30 minutes from the airport, other safari lodges we considered , final thoughts, related content.

Sabi Sand Reserve Map

Lion Sands River Lodge is located in the southern portion of the Sabi Sand Reserve in the Greater Kruger area.

It shares traversing rights with neighboring Kirkman’s Kamp, which gives it a sizeable area for safari drives.

Skukuza Airport

The easiest way to access Lion Sands River Lodge in Sabi Sand is to fly into Skukuza Airport from Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Since we booked our safari experience at the end of our 2-week trip to Africa , it was a quick and easy 2.5 hours flight from Cape Town.

Arriving at Skukuza Airport was an experience in itself. I was expecting something small and rustic with meager facilities.

Instead, we arrived at a beautifully designed African chic airport with very modern facilities. It was like entering a luxury spa.

The airport was inviting, warm, and decorated in calm neutral colors. In fact, Forbes named it “ The Prettiest Airport in the World .”

They have the flights conveniently timed where you land in the morning and actually get to experience your first safari that same afternoon.

Just a quick 25-minute jeep drive from Skukuza Airport, and you will soon be enjoying one of the most epic experiences … the African safari!

Transfers to/from the airport are included in the room rate.

1. Modern but traditional with eclectic African decor.

2. Glass walls are everywhere you look. “Inside-outside” living at its finest.

3. Bright, airy, and contemporary.

Want a sneak peek of what a luxury room is like at Lion Sands River Lodge?

Check out our video below.

Lion Sands Room Preview

With just 18 rooms, our stay at Lion Sands River Lodge felt very private and relaxed.

The lodge has 3 room types to choose from: 8 Luxury Rooms, 6 Superior Luxury Rooms, and 4 River Suites (which have a private plunge pool).

We stayed in Luxury Room 18, which was beautiful.

When you enter the lodge, the dining area, bar, and firepit are central to the property. The rooms then veer off to the left and right (see the map below).

If you are facing the lodge, our room was located about halfway down on the right side near the pool and gym, which worked out great. It was close enough to the action but far enough away to eliminate any excess noise.

Lion Sands River Lodge Property Layout

By the way, you never know what you are going to see on the way to and from your room.

Check out our visitor below while walking back to our room after our morning safari drive!

Stare-off with a male Nyala … he won.

Male Nyala crossing along our walkway back to our room

Our well air-conditioned room was incredibly spacious and included a canopied king-sized bed (a must for us when we travel!), a dressing table, and a private deck.

The decor is definitely a contemporary take on the traditional safari lodge.

Lion Sands River Lodge Luxury Room #18

Lion Sands River Lodge Luxury Room sitting area facing the private deck

Oh, and it also has probably one of the most well-stocked minibars I have ever seen.

All complimentary of course!

Your options ranged from a selection of spirits (whisky, brandy, vodka, and gin), beer, champagne, soda, high-quality tonic water (Fitch & Leedes) for your gin & tonics, Amarula for a nightcap, and even fresh milk for your coffee!

Lion Sands River Lodge selection of spirits from the minibar

Have you tried Amarula cream?

It is a creamy South African liqueur made from marula fruit, similar to Bailey’s Irish cream.

Delicious as a nightcap!

If you travel around Africa, you will hear a lot about the marula tree which produces delicious fruit. Wildlife loves it! The marula fruit ferments to create alcohol when it falls to the ground.

Locals like to joke that it’s the elephant’s booze because it can make them drunk. Scientists have now debunked this myth, but it is still a fun story to tell!

Amarula cream, the perfect nightcap! 

Alright, on to the bathrooms!

Think luxury and spa-like.

The calm and neutral bathrooms have a double sink, a rain shower, and a bathtub that faces a window overlooking your private deck. The window can be opened, truly allowing for inside-outside living!

Lion Sands River Lodge luxury room bathroom

The bathrooms come fully stocked with luxurious Africology skincare products and two plush, super-soft robes.

After all of the hard work of getting up early and being carted around on a safari jeep and witnessing some of the most amazing wildlife, you can come back and relax in your own spa-like accommodation.

It’s a hard life.

Relax in your plush robes 

You can watch the wildlife right from your bathtub from your floor-to-ceiling window!

Lion Sands River Lodge indoor dining room

Either they are well known for their high-quality wildlife sightings, or they have a great reputation for their 5-star ambiance, food, and service.

What makes Lion Sands River Lodge unique is they are known for both categories! This is quite evident in their gushing reviews on Tripadvisor and booking.com!

I will discuss the amazing wildlife we saw later in this article, but first let’s talk about the food and drink!

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served on-site in the main dining room. You can sit indoors or outdoors.

We typically ate breakfast outside since the mornings were cool and comfortable and lunch and dinner inside to avoid the heat.

Meals are included in your room rate. My husband and I consider ourselves foodies and often plan vacations around a gastronomic experience .

We ate at all of the best res taurants in Cape Town and Franschhoek restaurants in the Cape Winelands, and I can tell you Lion Sands River Lodge delivers incredibly mouth-watering food that is bursting with flavor!

Eating breakfast at the outdoor dining area

All meals are a la carte and truly gourmet.

No lukewarm buffets here!

The menu offers classic European and African-fusion dishes. You get assigned to your personal butler for the entirety of your stay.

Johannes was our butler, and he was incredibly warm and friendly and had the biggest smile. He truly made our stay very enjoyable and personalized. 

Breakfast/brunch is one of my favorite meals of the day, and the wide variety of options did not disappoint! We personally tried the following items, which were served hot and cooked to perfection:  

  • Poached eggs benedict : poached eggs served on an English muffin with hickory ham and hollandaise 
  • Breakfast toast:  French toast, roast pineapple and pepperdew salsa, crispy bacon, and maple syrup 

We had a surprise visitor one morning during breakfast.

We were munching on some fresh fruit before our main meal was served, and a ninja vervet monkey ran along the railing up to our table and stole a piece of pineapple before we could even blink.

Watch your food! They are quick! 

Lion Sands River Lodge breakfast menu

French toast and bacon for breakfast

Poached eggs benedict 

The culprit who stole our breakfast

We normally do not eat 3 meals a day when we travel.

Usually, we eat a big breakfast and then dinner later in the evening after our activities for the day.

Lunch is skipped.

However, we did make an exception at Lion Sands River Lodge even though we were so stuffed from breakfast! The food is just that good! Thank goodness the lodge has a gym.

You are going to need it. 

One of the lunchtime meals we really enjoyed was the … 

  • Butternut soup with sesame crisp
  • Peanut chicken bowl with chicken breast, green beans, cucumber, cherry tomato, boiled egg, and peanut satay sauce 

Butternut soup 

Peanut chicken bowl

The ever-changing menu is based on what is in season.

I love the fact that Lion Sands River Lodge incorporates both foods you are familiar with and also foods and flavors that are unique to Africa.

For example, I had not had a lot of game meat prior to arriving in Africa.

One surprise for me was how delicious ostrich fillet tastes! It is like a leaner (lower fat content!) steak.

Not gamey at all.

If you are interested and want to learn more about unique African foods, check out my article on the top 10 Sou th African food and drink . 

Here is an example of what you can expect for dinner:

  • Tuna tartar with garlic aioli and apple fennel remoulade
  • Ostrich fillet with bean cassoulet, butterbean puree, beetroot, fine beans, savoy cabbage, and port jus
  • Butternut risotto with toasted pumpkin seeds, marinated feta, and roasted pumpkin

Apple crumble with blueberry frozen yogurt

Tuna tartar 

Butternut risotto 

Ostrich fillet 

My husband and I do a lot of wine vacations around the world . And let me say Lion Sands River Lodges proves a solid premium wine list.

They include most of the top local South African wines including Hamilton Russell, which we visited during our Hemel-en-Aarde wine tour .

They also serve some of the classic favorites like Veuve Clicquot champagne, which they served us during our amazing experience at the Chalkey Treehouse.

More on that later!

Hamilton Russell wine, one of the top South African pinot noir producers

Why doesn’t love being served Veuve Clicquot champagne in a treehouse?

Where do I start?

The bar at Lion Sands River Lodge is simply breathtaking! First of all, the whole bar is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. This feature floods the area with natural light, so you can take in the natural surroundings at all times.  

The decor is a mix of industrial metal and wood accents with soft neutral colors. It is a beautiful contemporary space! 

We enjoyed quite a few nightcaps here with the other guests after dinner. My go-to favorites were the gin & tonic (you are in Africa, this is a must!) and the martini. 

Lion Sands River Lodge bar

One more martini on our last day

Lion Sands River Lodge bartop

Pool at Lion Sands River Lodge 

It was a little too cold to swim when we were there, but it sure was tempting! Cushioned loungers surround the pool.

The pool itself faces the Sabie River, which is great for wildlife sightings!

Enjoying my floor to ceiling glass view while getting a massage

In between the morning and afternoon safaris, you have quite a few hours in between at your leisure.

Taking advantage of a few spa services is the perfect way to spend those hours.

The spa offers a host of services including facials, massages, and even cupping! I enjoyed two massages while I was there.

Ask for Kayleigh. She is awesome.

The whole safari lodge is designed to enjoy the inside-outside view. They accomplish this goal by incorporating glass walls and windows everywhere. With floor-to-ceiling windows in the spa, you feel like you are right outside in the African bush.

Incredible.

During my second massage, I was greeted by a rare visitor, the African civet .

Almost looks like a fuzzy raccoon.

You never know what you are going to see in the African bush, even while getting a massage!

I came across a rare visitor at the spa, the African civet!

African civet

2 Treadmills + 2 Stationary Bikes

Free weights

The gym is actually quite impressive, especially for a safari lodge out in the remote African bush. They have 2 treadmills, 2 stationary bikes, exercise balls, and free weights.

All the essentials for a good workout. You will need it after eating all of that delicious gourmet food they serve!

Gotta love the “people watching”

All the main buildings at the property have floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which makes it really unique.

No matter where you are, you can see the wildlife.

At the gym, you can get a bike ride and a Nyala sighting all in one session!

This is the reason you are here! Home to the Big 5 and quality leopard sightings, Lion Sands River Lodge surpasses expectations.

Our Safari Guide IP and Tracker Alfred made our safari experience unforgettable.

You will have 2 drives a day, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. I will walk you through one of our safari days.

This was our daily schedule:

Lion Sands River Lodge daily program

You are going to be hating life when you get that early phone call from your safari guide, but trust me it will be worth crawling out of those warm covers.

The excitement of the safari drive quickly overcame my grogginess. We climbed up in the safari jeep with two other couples, and off we went.

For the next 3 hours, be prepared to be blown away by this incredible experience that really requires your presence to fully understand it.

By the way, Lion Sands River Lodge only takes 6 guests per jeep ; some lodges will have 9 per jeep.

Having 6 people in a jeep is critical because that means no one is ever in the middle seat!

Can you imagine trying to lean over someone as you try to take that awesome photo of that leopard that just swaggered by?

If interested, I have written an article on what other things you should consider when selecting a safari lodge.

Here is what to expect from a morning safari drive at Lion Sands:

6 to a jeep is a must! One day we lucked out (a couple missed their flight to join us), and we only had 4 to a jeep! No middle seat = much better experience.

One of my favorite leopard photos we took … love that pink tongue. The leopard by far is my favorite animal.

Two lionesses chowing on some giraffe takeout. I am amazed at how much these animals blend into their surroundings. 

Zebra striking a pose in Sabi Sand, South Africa

Giraffes showing off their good side

Wild dogs on a hunt

All food is ordered a la carte and cooked fresh to order.

If you are a fan of brunch, you do not want to skip this meal. See the section titled FOOD & DRINK discussed earlier in this article for all of the options.

We just ate.

We usually skipped lunch because we loaded up on a big breakfast, but we did try lunch on one of the days. As expected, it was delicious. Lion Sands River Lodge is really known for its top-notch cuisine.

Back in the safari jeep for another amazing 3-hour adventure!

Sometimes the afternoon safari drive will extend past sunset. During one of our drives, we stayed out past our usual time to witness a leopard finishing off an impala in a tree.

There were a few hyenas clearly trying to get in on the action, but the leopard made it clear to back off. Moments like these are mesmerizing to witness!

Leopard finishing off a kill near a tree in Sabi Sand, South Africa

Lion snuggling with his brother

Mother and baby rhino stopping for a drink at the local waterhole

Turtle hitching a ride on a hippo

At the end of the afternoon safari drive, the classic way to celebrate another amazing day in the African bush is the sundowner . Lion Sands River Lodge provides several options including wine, beer, Amarula, and gin & tonics along with several snacks including biltong.

Enjoying a sundowner at the end of the afternoon safari drive

The 2 guys pictured below blew us away with the safari experience they delivered. So many animals. They also provided us a wealth of information along the way. Their expertise made our safari experience truly unforgettable. Thank you IP and Alfred!

My husband and I with Tracker Alfred and Safari Guide IP

Get ready to enjoy yet another 5-star meal!

Photographing a rhino (amazing how it blends into the bush!) in my safari outfit while out on a drive 

If you have never done a safari drive, I am sure you will ask yourself what do I wear and what do I pack?

I know I did!

To answer this question, check out my articles below.

Best Safari Clothes for Women: Outfit Examples + Where to Buy 

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We went in September. Rates for 2024 start from R 23,800 per person per night (~$1276 USD per person)

* Rates include all meals, minibar, 2 safari drives a day, transfers to/from Skukuza Airport, and Wi-Fi.

There are a lot of questions that you will come across when trying to plan this out, which may feel overwhelming.

If you are still in the planning stage, I highly advise checking out my detailed article on planning a South Africa safari . I go through all the common decision points a DIY traveler will come across before hitting that “book button.”

Now, why did we ultimately choose Lion Sands River Lodge for our South African safari experience?

Larger traversing area = more biodiversity.

The property sits on 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres). Lion Sands River Lodge shares traversing rights with Kirkman’s Kamp, which increases the game viewing potential. I included a map at the beginning of this article, which shows you the size of each private game reserve.

Lion Sands River Lodge is unique in that it is the only private game reserve that sits in BOTH Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park.

In my opinion, this is critical!

Some safari lodges carry 9 people per jeep, which means someone sits in the middle of 2 people.

Having 6 to a jeep was a non-negotiable for me and contributed to my decision-making process in choosing a safari lodge.

We saw all the Big 5 at Lion Sands River Lodge: elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and lion

Safari lodges are expensive!

It was important for us to pick a safari lodge that is known for its high-quality sightings.

This was our first safari, so selecting a lodge that had a high probability of seeing the Big 5 was important to us. Lion Sands River Lodge delivered and then some.

The staff decorated our bed with rose petals for our wedding anniversary

Surprise bottle of champagne to celebrate

Your rate will typically include all meals, so it is best to pick one known for great food since you are paying for it anyway.

Lion Sands River Lodge has a stellar reputation for their gourmet a-la-carte meals. No buffets, which we preferred.

The service is top-notch and incredibly personalized. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.

On our last night, we found this surprise in our room (see photo above).

The More family, which operates Lion Sands, has a great reputation.

We stayed in one of their other properties, Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel in Zimbabwe at the beginning of our trip, which was an amazing experience (read our full resort review here ). They clearly care about their guests and staff.

Lion Sands has been owned by the More family for many decades and is now currently being operated by 4th generation More family members.

Landowners formed the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in 1948. At least six families of these original landowners still own land in Sabi Sand. The More family is one of them.

Chalkley Treehouse at sunrise

This is one of the most amazing experiences I HAVE EVER DONE.

My husband and I have done quite a few incredible couples bucket list items like shark cage diving with great whites, swimming in Devil’s Pool on top of the world’s largest waterfall, and snorkeling in the Maldives and Bora Bora.

This treehouse experience is right up there on that list!

Sleeping under the stars in a canopied bed open to the elements and listening to the animals in the African bush easily tops that list.

If you want to know more, check out our experience at the Chalkley Treehouse below.

Your safari lodge could be anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours away from the airport you fly into.

The advantage of staying at Lion Sands River Lodge is the ability to fly in and out of Skukuza Airport, which is only 25 minutes away from the lodge. The transfers are included in the rate.

Typically, you fly into the airport in the morning and then experience your first safari drive that afternoon. They waste no time.

There were two other South Africa safari lodges we considered.

One was MalaMala Main Camp / MalaMala Sable Camp because of the property’s huge traversing area (refer to the map at the beginning of this article),  its high-quality wildlife sightings (which may include the cheetah!), and its top notch safari guides.

The second option we considered was &Beyond   Ngala Safari Lodge , which is actually located in neighboring Timbavati and not in Sabi Sands. The reason we considered this option was the possibility of seeing a white lion (they do exist!) and also the chance of seeing elephants visit your infinity pool at the lodge.

If you are considering staying in a lodge in Kruger National Park and doing a self-drive, don’t miss my comparison article on Kruger vs. Sabi Sands.

This review was one of the easiest ones for me to write. Amazing staff and safari experience run by an ethical, good-hearted family.

You will not regret it.

And yes, it is possible for a safari lodge to provide both a luxury experience + mind-blowing wildlife sightings (if you book with Lion Sands River Lodge)!

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Questions about our Lion Sands River Lodge experience?

Let me know in the comments below!

24 Comments

Alan

The kudu you show in the lodge area is not a kudu. It’s an Nyala bull. Otherwise a very informative article.

Nichole

Thanks for the correction. I updated the blog post.

Elyse

We’re staying at the River Lodge next month and I just want to thank you for this incredibly detailed review. This is the best write up of the River Lodge I’ve found and very helpful to us as we were deciding where to book! Huge thanks!

I’m so glad the review helped! We loved our stay! The staff takes great care of you. This was our first safari, and now we’re hooked. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach back out. Happy to help.

Sy

This has been such a helpful site – I am overwhelmed by the choice in SA for Safaris and will be our first one! I was looking at this and one in Eastern Cape – Shamwari but think this may be the one we will go with – your review is so helpful

Thank you so much for the feedback. I agree, the choices are overwhelming! We researched for months before deciding on Lion Sands. I have never been to Shamwari, but it looks like it has amazing reviews too.

Joanne

Hi Nichole, may I ask how you booked a room in Lion Sands River Lodge? Would you happen to know if this is their direct website?

https://www.more.co.za/lionsands/river-lodge/

Just want to make sure to book at the correct website! Thank you for your help.

I booked through booking.com when they had free cancellation, but it doesn’t look like they are offering that anymore. Yes, that is the official website. You won’t be disappointed. Lion Sands really is an incredible lodge. Happy to answer any other questions that might come up.

Amie

Thank you for sharing a super detailed review!!…probably the best and most comprehensive review…incredibly helpful and confusing perhaps for us.(see below)

I have some specific questions regarding why you chose Lion Sands.We are about to book at another expensive lodge (not one that you write that you considered) in the area and your review is making us reconsider and perhaps change to Lion Sands.

I was wondering whether I or my partner could call you or email you

Many many thanks

I am happy to hear the review was helpful. I emailed you directly if you have further questions.

Elizabeth Vega

Hello! First of all I would like to thank you for your informative review. We plan to arrive at the River Lodge in 10 days and don’t really know what the tip situation is. Did you tip cash or at the end with your hotel invoice ? Thank you in advance for your response. Looking forward to our adventure and hope we have as wonderful a time as you did!

Great question! This is something my husband and I always stress about before a trip. It’s a very sensitive subject in the travel community because tipping cultures differ widely based on your home country.

Of course, tipping in Africa is appreciated but not mandatory and at your own discretion.

I’m not sure if this is the “correct” way, but my husband and I left a “general tip” for housekeeping and back-of-house staff (gardeners, cooks, etc) on the hotel bill. We left it up to the lodge manager to distribute the tip appropriately among staff.

At Lion Sands River Lodge, we had our own 1) waiter for all our meals, 2) safari guide, and 3) safari tracker for our entire stay that we developed a great personal relationship. Our expectations were surpassed, and we had such a great experience. We chose to leave a cash tip in envelopes separately for these three individuals.

Have a wonderful time! It’s a special place. 😊

Jessica

Hi! Thank you for your thorough review and I’ve been scouring your other South Africa safari articles. You mentioned that Mala Mala was one of the others you strongly considered, and was just curious what ended up being the deciding factor against it? Lion Sands River Lodge looks amazing, definitely high on my list. Thank you!

Thanks for reaching out! This was a very difficult decision. We ultimately chose Lion Sands over MalaMala because at that time it was slightly less expensive, and we liked the aesthetics of the Lion Sands River Lodge more (contemporary with some traditional African decor). Plus, we had the unique experience of sleeping in a treehouse at Lion Sands. I believe they have renovated MalaMala now.

Happy to answer any other questions.

Mona

Hi! Thank you for the detailed info. We are in the planning stages of booking and are looking at either Kirkman’s Kamp or Lions Sands. Would you have any info on that. Also do you know if Lions Sands offers food service in the bush like Kirkman’s does during a game drive? Thank you again!

We have not stayed at Kirkman’s Kamp, so I cannot comment directly on that lodge. They certainly have incredible reviews though!

After one morning safari drive, we did have breakfast off-site in the bush on an open platform.

If you look at the TA reviews, one guest in May 2022 stated “Ask for an evening with dinner prepared in the bush.” I was not aware Lion Sands provided that experience when we went. You may want to confirm that’s still on offer.

We also enjoyed some lovely sundowners out in the bush on our evening game drives.

Happy planning and enjoy your trip!

Luiz G Gama

Thanks for the review, Nichole! Have you considered staying in Lion Sand Narina Lodge? Does Narina Lodge also share the same game drive area with the Lion Sand River Lodge and Kirkman’s Kamp? I thought all the lodges/hotels in the Sabi Sand private game reserve could do game drives through all the areas of the reserve, but what you said about River Lodge and Kirkman’s sharing areas caught my attention. Can’t they use all the Sabi Sand’s reserve areas? Thanks in advance for your attention.

Thank you for the kind feedback.

Lion Sands Narina Lodge is also very beautiful and highly-rated, and I believe all the suites have personal plunge pools. It looks like they also offer a “treehouse experience,” which is a lot of fun. We did the Chalkley Treehouse at the River Lodge, and it was one of the highlights of our trip.

Narina Lodge is a little more expensive than River Lodge. We were doing a multi-week trip in Africa, so we went with the River Lodge to stretch our budget.

I would assume all the Lion Sands properties share the same game drive area including Kirkman’s Kamp. You may want to reach out to them though to confirm.

Each lodge has their own designated game drive area within Sabi Sands, but some lodges will allow traversing rights with each other. To give you a sense of the size of each lodge’s game drive area, check out the map I posted under “The Location + Arrival.”

Hope this helps. We really enjoyed our South Africa safari experience. 🦁🦓🐘🦒 Enjoy your trip!

Kristine

Hi Nichole! Thank you so much for this very detailed and wonderful review! It’s truly helpful, especially as someone planning our safari trip! You mentioned that &Beyond Ngala is another option you were also looking into, it is actually one of our top choices as well. May I know why you decided to stay with Lion Sands instead?

Do you also know if &Beyond does private trips on the Safari Jeep or if it is also a max of 6 per trip?

Thank you so much!

Thanks for reaching out!

When my husband and I were going through all the safari lodges, it was overwhelming. So many good choices and reviews.

Ultimately, I decided I wanted to be in Sabi Sands for my first safari experience.

When I read reviews from safari travel companies like Cedarberg Africa and Extraordinary Journeys, it seemed like there may be a better chance of seeing leopards and lions in Sabi Sands over Timbavati (but only a sight edge). Of course animals are wild and roam freely, so you never know what you are going to see. Each day is completely different.

This was enough for me to pick Lion Sands (located in Sabi Sands) over &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge (located in Timbavati).

However, I rarely repeat places twice since I like to see “all the things.” On a future safari, I would probably try out Timbavati to see something different (and a chance to see a white lion!).

We haven’t stayed at &Beyond Ngala, so I would contact them directly about their jeep arrangement.

Enjoy South Africa! It really is incredible.

Terry

Hi Nichole! Wow! What a wonderful trip and such an amazing blog, very informative!

Just wanted to clarify since you mentioned that you considered booking through a travel agent, so did you end up booking your trip on your own?

Planning my trip and noticed that most travel partners in SA say that they do not add on to the price given by the lodges but actually get their earnings from the suppliers/lodge partners. Not so sure how accurate this is, so curious to know what you found out through your experience planning. Is it still cheaper to book on your own or is booking through a travel agency really priced similarly?

Thanks, Terry!

Thank you for the kind feedback. 😊

I booked the trip on our own. I crafted our itinerary ahead of time and reached out to several travel agents with our dates and how many nights we were looking to book in each place (Sabi Sands, Cape Town, Franschhoek).

I had done all the leg work. All I was looking from the travel agent was to see if they were able to provide any cost savings or unique perks. All the quotes I received were more than what I could book on my own (ranging from around $300-$1000).

Now, that was several years. Maybe things have changed. You could always reach out to a few agents and compare prices to confirm you are getting good value.

The safari is a pretty amazing experience! Enjoy your trip!

Dan

Hi Nichole. Great website. We are strongly considering LS River Lodge Spring 2025. How do i decide between 3 nights vs 4 nights? My wife and I and 3 adult children. (Note we are prefacing the safaris with 3 or 4 night in Cape Town and wine region.) Thanks, Dan

I’m so sorry for the delayed response. My husband and I just got back from vacation.

Thank you so much for reaching out. If you have the budget and PTO days, I would strongly recommend 4 nights.

Lion Sands was our first safari experience, and we had no idea what to expect. My husband and I very active, and I wasn’t sure if I would get bored sitting in a Jeep doing two safari drives a day.

Much to our surprise … it was a thrilling experience and blew our expectations! The time flew by. Of course, animals are wild, and you never know what you are going to see. Each day was a completely new experience.

Three nights would be the minimum I would recommend for a safari experience. Four nights though will give you a good chance of seeing the Big 5 and a variety of animal experiences.

If you are doing 5+ nights, then I would split the time between two lodges.

I am so happy to hear you are including the Cape Winelands. It is BEAUTIFUL. We are not wine experts but are avid wine travelers and love planning vacations around wine regions. We loved staying in Franschhoek and did an organized wine tour and a DIY wine tour. There’s also a wine tram.

Feel free to reach out with any more questions about Lion Sands! Happy planning and enjoy your trip!

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I went on a 2-week safari in South Africa's famous Kruger National Park for just $50 a day

  • I went on an epic two-week safari in South Africa's famous Kruger National Park for about $50 a day.
  • I camped beneath the stars and saw elephants right from my tent.
  • Driving our own car, camping, and preparing our own food saved us money. 

Insider Today

The idea of a South African safari often conjures up images of five-star lodges and luxury game drives — but a holiday in the bush doesn't have to be out of reach for travelers on a tighter budget.

According to a data analysis from Go2Africa , the average traveler heads on South African safaris with a medium-high budget, meaning they spend $5,500 to $6,000 on a trip, an increase from last year.

But, on a recent trip, I found that I was able to have an incredible two-week safari trip in Kruger National Park for about $50 a day.

Here's how I did it and how travelers can save money when planning their safari.

I saved by buying an annual pass

The biggest savings at Kruger National Park can come from buying a Wild Card, an annual pass that gives you a year of access to 80+ parks in southern Africa, including Kruger.

The Wild Card is discounted for South Africans but it cost me 3,780 rands, or about $200, as a foreigner.

Without a Wild Card, I would've had to pay over 486 rands a day to visit Kruger, meaning this pass pays for itself in just over a week.

Overall, my pass came to about 270 rands a day for the two-week trip.

We also stayed in one of Kruger's many rest camps

One of the most immersive ways to experience Kruger is by camping in the South African bush. We saw elephants near our camp and woke up to the sounds of warthogs and hyenas in the distance.

We live in South Africa , so it was easy enough to bring our own camping gear, though travelers can rent a tent, sleeping bags, chairs, and cooking basics from nearby rental companies for a few thousand rands for two weeks.

Kruger National Park has a range of rest camps for different budgets and preferences, whether you prefer to use your own tent or stay in a bungalow with your own kitchen and bathroom.

Related stories

Prices also vary depending on the season, so it's wise to avoid really busy months, like September and December. I found that around mid-January to mid-March, two people can camp at Punda Maria, one of Kruger's cheapest camping options, for just 285 rands a night. During high season, prices go up by about 100 rands per night.

My husband and I visited during a less busy season. We camped at Maroela Satellite Camp and Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp for 331 to 349 rands a night.

Cooking our own food saved us money …

We chose to prepare our own meals and braai (a type of South African barbecue) beneath the stars.

Fortunately, most campsites have plug points, braai stands, shared bathrooms, shared kitchens, and shops selling everything you need to braai.

The park also has restaurants and coffee shops scattered throughout it, which is helpful for anyone who wants to purchase food and drinks without leaving the property.

But there's nothing quite like braaiing beneath the stars, watching for the occasional hyena along the fence line.

… and so did doing a self-driving safari

If you don't have your own car, you can rent a sedan for just over 4,000 rands for two weeks. Fortunately, though, there are enough tarred roads in Kruger that you don't need a special 4x4 to enjoy the park.

We ended up self-driving our own car in Kruger National Park, which allowed us to choose our own adventure and be our own guide.

Rest camps have sighting boards on which visitors pin their major animal sightings from that day and the previous day. This makes it easy to follow trends and choose where to search first. There's also an app where visitors post their sightings.

On our last self-drive safari in Kruger, we saw cheetahs and all the Big Five (leopard, elephant, rhino, lion, and African buffalo).

Overall, our trip was affordable and dreamy

We saved money throughout our trip and managed to go on a two-week safari in Kruger National Park for just under $50 a day per person.

This price includes two Wild Cards, petrol for our vehicle, and our camping fees and expenses — and our trip was well worth it.

Watch: A single trail takes hikers to 10 waterfalls near Portland, Oregon — and you can walk it in less than a day

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Hi! Overwhelmed by the amount of information available, so figured I’d see if anyone has specific input on our options. My fiance and I are planning a South Africa trip next May for our honeymoon (first time!) and are looking to do a 3-4 night safari (also first time safari-goers!). We would like to take advantage of the honeymoon discount (timing won’t be a problem, we plan to leave right after our wedding), but are looking at ~$1000-$2000/person/night pre-discount.

Looking for a balance of luxury accommodations, good game viewing, and good food. Our “short list” below, but would love to hear your feedback on these or any others you’d recommend instead. THANK YOU!!

- &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

- &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp

- &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp (Tengile looks amazing, but probably a bit out of our price range unless it’s really THAT much better… could reconsider)

- Dulini (mostly looking at River, but open to any of their lodges)

- Lion Sands (similarly, open to any lodges though Ivory is a bit above our ideal price point)

- Mala Mala (any lodge)

So appreciate any intel you are willing to share! We are about exactly a year out, so unsure if availability will be an issue at this point but would like to book sooner than later to avoid places already being booked.

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Create magical memories during your stay

A stay at safari lodges… .

…includes access to West Midlands Safari Park’s four-mile Drive-through, the walk-through exhibits and Adventure Theme Park*.

Take a look at our example itinerary below to help plan your visit.

*Summer season only. Generally from mid-February to end of October. Please see wmsp.co.uk for exact dates.

cheetah

Example Arrival Day Itinerary

10.00am – Arrive at the Safari Park and head to the Lodges Reception to collect your Safari Drive-through entry ticket and Ride Wristbands* and be advised of your check-in time.

You can either visit our walk-through areas first, or head straight out on the four-mile Safari Drive-through in your own vehicle. Please ensure you check the last entry to the Safari Drive-through here , as on some off-peak days it closes at 12.30pm.

Afternoon  – If you have finished using your vehicle for the day, park your car in our designated Lodges parking area . Your exact check-in time to your Lodge will be allocated when you are at the Park and is usually around 2.00pm. You can check into your Lod ge as soon as it’s ready or enjoy the rest of the walk-through areas and Theme Park Rides* at your leisure.

You can view the Lodges map here .

Evening – Your evening meal will already be ready for you in separate jars in your Lodge fridge, for you to heat and enjoy at a time that suits you.

safari lodges lion

Example Departure Day

Watch our wildlife wake up right outside your window as you enjoy an in-lodge dining breakfast.

10.00am – Check out of your Lodge and we invite you to join us at our special training preview show with our sea lions at 10:15am. You are then free to enjoy the Park at your leisure for a second day! Use your multi-ride wristbands in our Adventure Theme Park* and check out our walk-through animal exhibits such as Tiger Tropics, Hippo Lakes, Lion Ridge or Lemur Woods!

If you didn’t get a chance to do the Safari Drive-through on your arrival day, you are welcome to do this, or do it again if you enjoyed it the first time!

* Theme Park rides are open during the summer season only . Generally from mid-February to end of October. Please see wmsp.co.uk for exact dates.

BOOK NOW TO RESERVE YOUR STAY

safari lodges lion

Enjoy breath-taking views of our cheetahs

An overnight stay which cannot be experienced anywhere else in the UK.

The two exquisite, one-storey lodges are authentically themed and can sleep up to six guests.

Panoramic views of the cheetahs’ new habitat can be witnessed through the large, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the lodge.

In the bedroom, you will find a king-sized bed with twin single bunkbeds above, perfect for young adults or children.

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Lion Sands Narina Lodge

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A visit to Lion Sands can completely restore your energy and allow you to truly relax. When you’re right on the Sabie River, watching the animals, surrounded by bush and sky, you really feel like you’ve escaped from the world.

  • 5-Star Lodge situated along the Sabie River within the Kruger National Park
  • The Suites at Narina Lodge is a reflection of Lion Sands' five-star signature interiors, unique experiences and service excellence.
  • Lion Sands Narina Lodge is ideal for couples looking for a truly luxurious safari experience.

You should know

  • Guests 16 years and older are welcome at the lodge

With 5 000ha of wilderness in this private concession within the world-renowned Kruger National Park, you can go exploring off-road, follow in the footsteps of a leopard, track down a herd of elephant, or simply wait for them to come to you.

Lion Sands' Narina Lodge has a wonderful sense of remoteness and peace. Its nine luxury Suites perch on stilts among 100-year-old trees just up from the Sabie River, and link to a spa sala and intimate lodge via elevated walkways. This shared space is enhanced by natural décor and open design, extending out to generously furnished decks. From here there are views of animals feeding on the opposite bank, and you can engage in the social chatter this inevitably stirs or meditate on the rustle of the leaves.

The Suites are built to afford complete privacy in a wilderness where you can watch the animals come down to the river from your pool and deck, as well as bed and bath. Glass sliding doors and windows open up your sanctuary to the outside, while a romantic canopy bed, sink-into-me couches, an egg bath you can wallow in up to your chin, and a personal bar all add to the delight of being in Africa – in style.

Price includes

  • Luxury accommodation, all meals, teas & coffees, selected local brand beverages, mini bar, wifi (guest areas), safari activities, game drive refreshments and snacks and Skukuza Airport road transfers.
  • Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently.
  • Single supplements may apply.
  • Request a quote or speak to one of our Agents for the best, most current rates available.

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What our guests say about Dolan

May 31, 2024
An Adventure Of A Lifetime
In planning our South Africa vacation last year, I went online looking for a safari adventure. There were many companies but eventually returned to Safari.Com’s website which offered many itineraries. Luckily, their agent, Dolan quickly contacted me and planned the perfect trip to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge. I liked his quick responses to my many, many questions. Dolan handled all reservations not only the lodge but hotels, airlines and private transportation. It was an amazing vacation. Our daughter and her family decided on a vacation to South Africa so we are all headed back again this year and Safari.Com and Dolan have again done the planning even our trip insurance. I highly recommend Dolan and Safari.Com for an amazing adventure!
May 22, 2024
Thanks to Dolan for making this last minute booking such a success. We stayed in Kapama River Lodge recently
Food, staff members from the restaurant to the tour guides. Lastly, seeing 4 out of 5 of The Big 5
May 19, 2024
Brilliant service with tailor made…
Brilliant service with tailor made offerings. Flexibility to accommodate bookings for a large group and sorting out details such as baby courts. Very well organised.

safari lodges lion

Jun 5, 2024
Mel was amazing. She shred with us the her large experience and knowledge about SA. Unfortunately we had to change our plans. But otherwise, we would close deal with her.
Professional and organised
Thank you Mel Du Toit you have helped create my dream adventure in Africa.Your customer service and attention to detail with no judgment of budget has made booking with you a breeze.Very Informative, Professional and organised.
Jun 4, 2024
Tanya Lomas from Safari.com really went…
Tanya Lomas from Safari.com really went above and beyond to assist us in finding a camping site in southern Kruger.
Jun 3, 2024
Leche was very responsive, professional and helpful
Leche was very responsive and was always there to answer my questions and gave me alternatives based on my needs, even during holidays times and evenings. I actually changes my plan several times, Leche was very patient. She is professional and persistent. I look forward to the trip that Leche helped to book.
Catherine Jacobs was the best advisor
Catherine Jacobs was the best advisor. She was always willing to understand and help us with the many changes we had to do to our trip due to Covid and else.
Jayson was so helpful!
Jayson was so helpful! I gave Jayson my safari wishlist, and he made me the perfect itinerary; he was quick, communicative, and very knowledgeable. I am looking forward to my trip!
A wonderful experience
We visit South Africa with an international team at least once a year and organizing a memorable time for our team is time-consuming and challenging at times. Leigh-Ann is efficient, prompt and focussed on details. She booked our team trip in no time and made sure everything was satifactory. We will not hesitate to contact her for our future safari needs.
Helen Cotzee has been very helpful with…
Helen Cotzee has been very helpful with all my request, very professional a wonderful experience finding such a great person.

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Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

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Coordinates of Elektrostal in decimal degrees

Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

WGS 84 coordinate reference system is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30 .

Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia

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COMMENTS

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    Safari Lodges short breaks include dinner and breakfast, spectacular views of the animals, admission to the Park during the day and Theme Park ride wristbands*. ... The Lion Lodges will feature open-plan living and luxury interiors, with breathtaking views from every room into the new lion habitat, through floor-to-ceiling windows.

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    andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge - South Africa. Dramatically set into a cliffside overlooking Leopard Rock, andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge is one of six enchanting retreats nestled within a 70,000 acre private game reserve spanning seven distinct habitats. Though all six are worth visiting, Rock Lodge is truly unique.

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    Lion Ridge. Meet our extraordinary African lions at their new habitat, home to four brothers born in 2019 - Hodge, Harabi, Havoc and Hercules. Watch these impressive cats roar and explore their enriched environment, featuring scented planting and dens. Lions, known for their iconic manes, use roars to assert dominance and scare off other ...

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  10. Lion Sands Game Reserve

    Why. The Lion Sands Game Reserve is a world renowned Big 5 safari reserve, known firstly for unforgettable wildlife sightings and secondly for the level of quality of the luxury lodges on the reserve.. This private game reserve has 4 luxury lodges situated on the reserve. Whilst the 5 star rating is common amongst the lodges, the experiences at each are unique.

  11. Lion Sands River Lodge

    Lion Sands Game Reserve is family owned and managed, with each lodge providing a "home away from home" ambiance. It is also unique because it is the only reserve in South Africa to offer a safari in both the Sabie and Sand River ecosystems. Accommodation at River Lodge is provided in 8 Luxury Rooms, 6 Superior Luxury Rooms, and 4 River Suites.

  12. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

    The detail. Ivory Lodge is the understated jewel in the Lion Sands' crown. Here, hospitality is designed entirely around YOU (from customised spa therapies and private dining, to safaris with surprise refreshment stops) and luxury - much more than a sophisticated room in an exotic location - has substance. The lodge's eight one-bedroom ...

  13. Lion Lodge Short Breaks

    Location Partially set within the lion habitat, floor to ceiling windows offer an incredible view into the lion's world, whilst the open plan living area doors lead to your private garden overlooking the 600-acre wildlife reserve with stunning sea views.. Guests can explore the reserve via golf buggy in their own time, spend an afternoon on safari, or simply relax in the lodge's private ...

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    Jabali Ridge—Ruaha National Park, Tanzania (cont'd) This safari lodge is also one of the best places to see lions— 10% of all the lions in Africa call this area home. Guests can also see ...

  15. Lion Sands River Lodge Review: What to Really Expect

    Lion Sands River Lodge has won numerous awards over the years for its top-notch safari experience including Top 100 Hotels in the WORLD by T&L (#88).More recently readers of Condé Nast Traveller ranked it #4 in the Top 10 Resorts in South Africa in 2023.. Clearly, Lion Sands River Lodge is doing something right. Read on about our firsthand experience and why we chose this lodge to see if it ...

  16. and so did doing a self-driving safari

    Megan Gilbert. I went on an epic two-week safari in South Africa's famous Kruger National Park for about $50 a day. I camped beneath the stars and saw elephants right from my tent. Driving our own ...

  17. Safari Intel

    Kruger National Park forums. Samantha K. 1 post. June 2025 Honeymoon - Safari Intel. Jun 2, 2024, 9:59 PM. Hi! Overwhelmed by the amount of information available, so figured I'd see if anyone has specific input on our options. My fiance and I are planning a South Africa trip next May for our honeymoon (first time!) and are looking to do a 3-4 ...

  18. Safari Lodges

    10.00am - Arrive at the Safari Park and head to the Lodges Reception to collect your Safari Drive-through entry ticket and Ride Wristbands* and be advised of your check-in time.. You can either visit our walk-through areas first, or head straight out on the four-mile Safari Drive-through in your own vehicle. Please ensure you check the last entry to the Safari Drive-through here, as on some ...

  19. Elektrostal

    In 1938, it was granted town status. [citation needed]Administrative and municipal status. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Elektrostal Urban Okrug.

  20. List of Postal / ZIP Codes in Moscow oblast

    Contact us. We collect postal code lists from 241 Countries and Regions. If you have any questions, please contact us

  21. Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

    Elektrostal Geography. Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal. Elektrostal Geographical coordinates. Latitude: 55.8, Longitude: 38.45. 55° 48′ 0″ North, 38° 27′ 0″ East. Elektrostal Area. 4,951 hectares. 49.51 km² (19.12 sq mi) Elektrostal Altitude.

  22. Lion Sands Narina Lodge

    3 Nights at the 5-Star Lion Sands Narina Lodge. Private plunge pool. Located on the Sabie River with amazing views from all suites. 2x safari activites, daily. BIG 5 off-road game viewing. View safari to see all inclusions.. $ 1200 USD. $ 950 USD. Per person per night.

  23. Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

    Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia in WGS 84 coordinate system which is a standard in cartography, geodesy, and navigation, including Global Positioning System (GPS). Latitude of Elektrostal, longitude of Elektrostal, elevation above sea level of Elektrostal.