Lion Sands River Lodge

Set along the Sabie River in Lion Sands Game Reserve, River Lodge stretches eighteen rooms and suites down the water's edge, at the point where the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve meets Kruger National Park. Wooden walkways link the main lodge to a pool, gym and spa, and the reserve itself covers 5,000 hectares of habitat shared by lion, leopard and rhino. The lodge is built low and open, with limited walls between inside and out, so a deck of connected water features gives the sense of sitting just above the river. It is the oldest of the Lion Sands lodges, recently renovated to bring in more light and space. Eight Luxury Rooms and six Superior Luxury Rooms open onto private river-view decks; the six Superior rooms are larger, with open-plan bathrooms and outdoor showers, and two are interleading for families. Three River Suites stand apart from the main lodge, each with its own deck and plunge pool for greater privacy. A two-bedroom Family River Suite adds a shared bath, deck and pool for groups travelling together. Days run around game drives and walks into the reserve, with birdwatching and Big Five sightings from the lodge itself. You can hear the river's current from the bar, restaurant and firepit lounge, all built to face the water. Check-in runs from 2pm.