The luxury Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is in greater Kruger National Park within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It’s a small reserve with three different lodges. The accommodation is all-inclusive, that is, food and safaris are part of the package.
Getting There
The reserve is just north of the main Kruger Park and sits on a bend in the Sabie River, 32km (20 miles) east of Paul Kruger Gate, although you won’t go through this gate to get to it.
Paul Kruger Gate is only for the main Kruger Park. Instead, you’ll go through Shaw’s Gate to Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where you’ll need to pay the game reserve entrance fee.
If you want to see more of South Africa, the private reserve offers combined packages to a range of destinations. They can also organise charter flights to Skukuza Airfield, a short distance away, from which they’ll pick you up in a shuttle bus and transfer you to your lodge.
Activities
Once you’re at the reserve, your normal daily safari activities, should you choose to do them all, will be a:
- Pre-breakfast dawn safari game drive
- Morning bush walk
- Evening game drive
There are no fences between the reserve and main Kruger National Park. The animals can therefore wander between the two reserves, and indeed all of greater Kruger National Park, without hindrance.
There are also some optional extras, such as scenic helicopter and hot air balloon rides.
Accommodation
There are three different lodges to choose from at the reserve:
- The 1933 Lodge
- The Ivory Lodge
- The River Lodge
All of them overlook the Sabie River with private viewing decks. The main Kruger National Park is just on the other side of the Sabie River.
If you have young children under 10 years old, only the 1933 Lodge can accommodate them.
All your meals and snacks are included in the accommodation. There’s also a gym if game viewing and bush walks aren’t enough activity for you!
For an extra special occasion, the enchanting Chalkley Treehouse is a secluded open air dining platform with a four-poster bed. What a place to enjoy a romantic evening, watching the sunset and then the stars as they come out. You’ll then be treated to all the night sounds of the bush as you lie down to sleep under the stars. How marvellous!
Functions
It’s popular to have your wedding in African paradise and the private reserve can cater for smaller weddings.
Bear in mind that if you do have your wedding here, the chances are that all your guests are going to have to travel to and stay at one of the lodges. Being a luxury reserve, the prices aren’t cheap.
If you wanted to stay on for your honeymoon, the reserve would be only too happy to accommodate you. You’ll feel amazingly special and even more so if you make use of the spa!