Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa

November 8, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters at all times characteristic a resort or flight assessment.

Final summer season, I loved an exceptional safari & seashore vacation in South Africa and Mozambique, most likely my finest vacation ever. You’ll be able to learn my opinions right here:

At present: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa

Set alongside the banks of the Sabie River and attracting plentiful “large 5” wildlife from Sabi Sand and Kruger Nationwide Park, the Lion Sands Sport Reserve – owned by the Extra household – has 4 luxurious lodges: River Lodge, Ivory Lodge, Tinga Lodge, and Narina Lodge. Ivory Lodge is the understated jewel within the Lion Sands crown and essentially the most unique safari lodge of South Africa. The ultra-luxe lodge is all about magnificence, with an aura of sophistication but simplicity, boldness but steadiness, ebony and ivory, good concord, exclusivity, sensitivity and full privateness. The eight one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom villa have their very own personal rim circulation plunge swimming pools with magnificent views over the Sabie River, permitting company to chill down from the new African solar whereas watching animals as they quench their thirst a mere stone’s throw away.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge options in my high 10 record of the finest safari lodges in South Africa.

Have you ever ever stayed at Lion Sands ? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this assessment (extra data and pictures beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Lion Sands is the one personal reserve rooted in each the Kruger Nationwide Park and the adjoining Sabi Sand Sport Reserve (the oldest personal sport reserve in South Africa). The Sabie River varieties a pure boundary between its two sides, and 4 waterside lodges present the final word luxurious safari bases. Ivory Lodge and River Lodge are situated on the Sabi aspect, and over on Kruger are Narina Lodge and Tinga Lodge. The animals roam freely between them, and irrespective of which aspect company select to remain on, they’ll have distinctive game-viewing alternatives. Lion Sands conserves 12 400ha (30 600ac) of a habitat that’s dwelling to the very best and most various focus of wildlife within the southern hemisphere. Pure animal populations embrace all the Large 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo), and the reserve is famend for the standard of its leopard viewing – essentially the most elusive of predators.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge boasts magnificent views of the Sabie River, extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger Nationwide Park. Nestled on the plush banks, the lodge is completely positioned to soak up the infinite procession of animals that arrives to slake their thirst on the water’s edge, in addition to the hungry predators who come to hunt them. The low-slung construction consists of eight one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom set round a communal lodge and linked by raised walkways. The primary visitor space incorporates a magnificent reception space – a beautiful, open house with a water characteristic and bronze animal sculptures within the backyard. From right here, a staircase descends to the opposite public areas, which embrace wood viewing decks, a wine cellar, an indoor personal lounge with bar, and each an indoor and an open-air (‘boma’) eating space. There’s additionally an artwork gallery, the place company can have a chat with visiting African artists.

The designers of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge – Paul and Karen Wygners of City Options – have taken a cue from Mom Nature to create an distinctive lodge constructed of the earth, with pure supplies that improve the encircling bush atmosphere. The lodge’s timeless design incorporates metal, wooden, thatch, glass, water and sand. A classy mid-century architectural modern theme defines the lodge’s ethereal interiors, which had been utterly refurbished in 2017 by inside designer Paula Hattingh. Daring furnishings and an edgy décor are blended with ambient lighting, influences of tribal design and extremely textured finishes. A chic steadiness between understated design and an natural expression of the earth is mirrored all through, with monumental home windows and open partitions framing the beautiful vistas exterior. Mild, sound, circulation, wooden, water and air weave into the golden thread of the lodges architectural inspiration.

The eight one-bedroom villas have been designed for privateness and optimum appreciation of the encircling wilderness. Every villa takes its identify from an indigenous hen . That includes clean-lined furnishings and an ebony-and-ivory shade scheme, every villa consists of three interconnected areas: an entrance space flanked on both aspect by a bed room and front room. The main bedroom incorporates a capony kingsize mattress and en suite open-plan toilet with two basin, a standalone bathtub, an indoor walk-in bathe, and an out of doors bathe in an indigenous backyard forest. The lounge contains a sitting and eating space centered round a hearth and comes with clean-lined furnishings and an ebony-and-ivory shade scheme. Massive sliding glass doorways give approach to an expansive viewing deck with a plunge pool and a lounge space. As soon as behind the big carved mahogany doorways to their unit, company can select the right way to spend their time: sport viewing from their plunge pool, reclining on the canopied mattress, or cozying up across the giant fire.

The unique Fish Eagle Villa is the ‘pièce de résistance’ of Ivory Lodge. Booked on an unique foundation, the huge villa comes with its personal Chef, in addition to devoted Subject Information and personal safari car. Though privateness and exclusivity are assured, guests are welcome to make use of the amenities inside Ivory Lodge for his or her enjoyment. The double-suite Fish Eagle Villa is comprised of two personal single suites, linked by an entrance corridor, lounge and school room. There may be additionally an expansive deck and lined patio with lap pool, a personal fireplace deck, a star jetty for personal enjoyment of the pure atmosphere and vivid Milky Method above, a personal wellness space (with double remedy rooms) and train facility. Welcoming kids 10 years and older are welcome, the Fish Eagle Villa can accommodate 4 adults or a most of six company for households (two younger kids on single beds, sharing of their dad and mom’ room).

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge has its personal intimate spa providing a variety of remedies with pure and ethically formulated Africology product. Africology is one in every of South Africa’s main pure, eco-friendly and holistic spa and skincare corporations, specializing in pure substances which are bio-identical to the human biology. Positioned subsequent to the principle lodge, the small spa is accessed through a path that breaks away from a raised timber public walkway, and options one remedy room and an open-sided rest space. Extremely expert therapists create an individually tailor-made wellness expertise that goals to calm down the physique, quiet the thoughts and rejuvenate the spirit. Yoga fanatics also can apply their self-discipline on this tranquil and serene house. Those that like to work up a sweat and spent some extra vitality can accomplish that within the totally geared up gymnasium whereas having fun with views of the encircling bush.

Company won’t ever go hungry or thirsty at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, the place all meals and drinks (together with premium wines) are included within the room price. From the luxurious breakfasts and tapas-style lunches to delectable three-course dinners served in quite a lot of eating areas, the lodge’s cooks are masters of their craft, and share a ardour for making a refined delicacies that appeals to all palates, whether or not for the candy tooth, vegetarian, well being aware or meat lover. The lodge’s in style bush dinners, arrange within the wild or within the boma subsequent to the principle lodge, are assured to thrill and create lasting reminiscences. Moreover lunch, dinner and breakfast, company also can sit up for a espresso cease whereas out on morning sport drive, afternoon tea with a beautiful number of snacks, and a sundowner cease through the afternoon sport drive. Within the occasion of unhealthy or chilly climate, meals are served within the lodge’s eating areas with fireplace place.

All stays at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge embrace twice every day, sport viewing safaris in consolation and with beautifully educated guides. Sport drives are performed in open 4×4 safari autos and accompanied by a two-man staff (of which the tracker will sit on the entrance of the car). All safari autos are geared up with binoculars and seat a most of six company. Morning sport drives have a definite character than late afternoon sport drives permitting company to identify totally different species of wildlife in an ever altering pure setting. Sizzling-water bottles and blankets preserve away the chilly through the chilly mornings within the winter months (June to September). Probabilities of recognizing all Large 5 animals are exceptionally excessive on this a part of the Sabi Sand Sport Reserve and the wilderness space round Lion Sands is known for its unimaginable variety of leopard sightings. A most of three autos at a time are permitted on a single sighting in Lion Sands, leading to a extra intimate wildlife expertise and improbable photographic alternatives.

The sport drives at daybreak and nightfall – when the wildlife is most energetic and the temperature extra reasonable – kind the fundamental rhythm of the day at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. To have interaction with the panorama much more intimately, company also can discover the bush on foot with the lodge’s armed skilled guides and trackers at their aspect. Heading out into the bush on foot reveals an entire new dimension of the African wilderness, as your senses will probably be on excessive alert with the anticipation of a potential sighting across the subsequent bush. Feeling the grass brush your fingers, listening to the crunch of scrub close by, and recognizing sport seem simply meters off is an exhilarating expertise that you’ll always remember! Bush walks are usually performed after breakfast earlier than the warmth units in, and final roughly 90 to 120 minutes, relying on the health stage of the individuals.

Really distinctive is the choice to sleep out below the celebs in one of many personal reserve’s treehouses (optionally available and at an extra value). Ultimate for the hopeless romantic or for anybody who merely needs to reconnect with the earth, the insanely stunning treehouses present panoramic views of the bush, in addition to a protected and opulent vantage level from which to look at twilight slowly flip to nighttime. All treehouses are securely constructed above the bottom, so animals stay at a protected and cozy distance. The treehouses are booked – for an additional charge – along side your lodging at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge: you pack an in a single day bag together with your necessities, whereas leaving your different belongings again in your room at camp (so that you’re nonetheless secured a room if the climate circumstances don’t enable an in a single day sleep below the African stars). You get a full orientation when you’re dropped off earlier than sundown, and can stay on name through the radio left behind till it’s time to depart the next morning after dawn.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is located inside a low-risk malaria space. The chance is sort of zero through the the dry winter months (Could to September) however the sickness is extra prevalent within the moist summer season season (October to April). Medicines can be utilized to forestall the possibilities of contracting malaria, particularly through the moist season. For recommendation on the usage of any malaria prophylaxis, it is advisable contact the well being authorities or your native journey clinic previous to your travels. Along with any prophylactics, the next mitigation measures are really useful: cowl your arms, legs and toes within the evenings and apply a mosquito repellent containing DEET.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is just partially fenced off, so company are required to be vigilant always. Leopards, lions, buffalos, and elephants, in addition to venomous snakes and scorpions are current within the Sabi Sand Sport Reserve, though it’s uncommon for them to be inside the space of the lodge itself. Nonetheless, not at all are company allowed to stroll across the lodge at night time, until accompanied by a employees member. Don’t worry although because it’s all a part of the joy of being immersed in a real African safari.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is an ultra-luxury lodge the place company calm down at their personal villa in between sport drives. Though the lodge does have a good looking communal space (with lounge, bar, eating room, viewing deck, spa and gymnasium), there’s no communal pool space. For many company, that gained’t be an issue although since they’ll want to spend time inside the full privateness of their very own villa compound, which is provided with a pool anyway (though the villa swimming pools are fairly small, very chilly and never appropriate to swim laps).

Throughout my keep at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, I used to be a bit unfortunate with the climate. Regardless of it being the dry season, it rained so much, making wildlife fairly tough to identify through the sport drives. In fact, that’s not the fault of the lodge. Nonetheless, it felt just like the unhealthy climate additionally affected a bit the motivation of our information (which is essential to search out the animals and to maintain up the spirit). Sadly, the information and tracker usually appeared to disagree on what route to observe, and they didn’t give the impression of being actually engaged through the sport drives, so it typically felt as if we had been simply being pushed round (though we did get to see the Large 5). That stated, I’m certain that the expertise would have been completely totally different when the climate would have been good (because it has at all times been throughout my earlier visits at Lions Sands).

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 7/10 (personal plunge swimming pools solely)
Rooms: 10/10
Meals: 9/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Wow issue: 10/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
General expertise: distinctive 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the most effective deal at a luxurious resort like Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The very best time to go to Lion Sands Ivory Lodge actually depends upon your private preferences – nature has one thing to supply all year long. Unbelievable sport viewing could be skilled at any time and there’s not likely a ‘finest time of 12 months for sport viewing’. The Sabi Sand Sport Reserve enjoys excessive temperatures, frequent rains and dramatic thunder storms in the summertime months (October to April). The vegetation is lush and verdant attracting unimaginable hen life whereas many new borns seem right now of 12 months. The winter months (Could to September) are drier and cooler – the vegetation is sparser leading to improved visibility for sport viewing because the animals make their approach to the watering holes for hydration.

HOW TO GET THERE

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is definitely accessible by highway from Johannesburg in below 5 hours. Most company although will want to journey by air, by making use of a business flight to one of many two close by airports:

The tiny Skukuza Airport – the one business airport inside Kruger Nationwide Park – is situated about 20 minutes from the lode and gives every day flights from Cape City, Johannesburg and Durban.
The space to the opposite airport within the space, Kruger Mpumalanga Worldwide Airport close to Nelspruit, is roughly 110 kilometers (68 miles) and it takes round 1 hour and half-hour to get to the lodge

PHOTOS

Under is a number of my pictures of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in Sabi Sand, South Africa. To view extra pictures (together with meals and sport drives), click on right here.