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📍 Sabi Sand Nature Reserve / Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga · Kruger Gateway · South Africa
The only private reserve spanning both the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park, on 13 miles of the Sabie River.
About the Property
Lion Sands sits on Kingston Farm, land bought by Guy Aubrey Chalkley along the Sabie River in 1933 and a founding member of the Sabi Sand Wildtuin conservation area since 1948. The Chalkley family's descendants, brothers Nick and Robert More, opened River Lodge in 2001 under the Lion Sands brand, turning the family property into the reserve now run as part of the MORE Collection, alongside sister properties Marataba and Monwana.
The reserve markets itself as the only private concession spanning both the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park, giving guests unfenced Big Five access across roughly 12,400 hectares and 13 miles of river frontage. Four lodges sit along or above the Sabie River — River Lodge, Narina Lodge, Tinga Lodge and Ivory Lodge — each with its own age policy, from family-friendly Tinga Lodge (children from 6) to the adults-oriented Narina Lodge (16 and up), alongside two fully exclusive-use villas, Fish Eagle and Hinkwenu, that welcome children of all ages.
Beyond twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks, Lion Sands is known for its open-air treehouses, where guests sleep out under the stars, and for extras like helicopter flights over the escarpment, an artist-in-residence programme and photography workshops through its Creative Lab.
Rooms & Pricing
Prices are approximate and vary by season and booking platform. Check the current rate with the stay.
Sleeps 2, ages 10+
Sleeps 2, ages 10+
Sleeps 2, ages 10+
Sleeps 4, ages 10+
Sleeps 2, ages 16+ (9 suites)
Sleeps 2, ages 6+ (9 suites)
Sleeps 2, ages 10+ (8 suites)
3 en-suite bedrooms, sleeps 8 (6 adults, 2 children)
2 bedrooms, sleeps 6 (4 adults, 2 children), children of all ages welcome
Meeting hall for corporate events, training, birthday parties and baby showers. Tailor-made packages available.
Meals move around the reserve rather than staying in one dining room: breakfast beside the river after the morning game drive, private lunches on each suite's own deck, boma barbecues around the fire at night, bush breakfasts in the wilderness, riverside picnic surprises during game drives, and lantern-lit dinners beneath ancient trees. The kitchen builds its menus around South African flavours and seasonal ingredients, with a wine list drawn from Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, sourced through direct relationships with local winemakers. River Lodge and Ivory Lodge each run a dedicated, Beth Din-accredited kosher kitchen with optional Mashgiach supervision.
Facilities
Tours & Activities
Guided Big Five game drives across the reserve
Guided walking safaris; minimum age 16
Ages 16+
A night in an elevated open-air treehouse
Flights over the reserve and Mpumalanga escarpment, including a private mountaintop picnic experience
Extra cost
Wildlife photography workshops with resident creatives
Guest visits connecting with neighbouring local communities
Spa treatments available at the lodges
Extra cost
Getting Here
GPS COORDINATES
Plus Code: 2GHJ+3F Kruger National Park, Sabie Park, 1260, South Africa
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Johannesburg / Nelspruit (Mbombela): Reached by scheduled flights to Skukuza Airport (SZK) or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), by private charter to Skukuza or Sabi Sand's private airstrips, or by helicopter transfer from Johannesburg or Nelspruit — three of the lodges have their own helipads.
By road: Self-drive access is available through the reserve's own road network; the official site does not publish specific road distances or drive times.
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