Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Lion Sands River Lodge
Sabi Sand, South Africa · Private reserve
Photo: MORE Collection · Source ↗
Game package
All meals, Teas and coffees and 8 more
18 rooms
Luxury Room, Superior Luxury Room, River Suite and 1 more · Sleeps up to 36 guests
Children 10 and over
Family rooms available
By air
25 min from Skukuza Airport
Wi-Fi in rooms
Power around the clock
Overview
About Lion Sands River Lodge
Lion Sands River Lodge sits beside the Sabie River in Sabi Sand, with 18 rooms and suites facing the water. Private terraces offer a quieter place to watch the river, while the shared dining decks and firepit bring guests together between safaris. Two daily game drives and bush walks are included alongside meals, selected drinks and Skukuza Airport transfers. River Suites add private plunge pools, and the two-bedroom Family River Suite accommodates two adults and two children aged 10 to 15. A pool, spa, gym and Creative Lab provide options between wildlife outings.
“River-facing rooms, sociable decks and included game drives make this a strong choice for travellers who want time with wildlife without giving up a comfortable base.”
Best for
FamiliesBirdersLeisure
Known for
What you can expect to see
Big FiveLionLeopardElephantRhinoBuffaloWild dogHyenaGiraffeZebraHippoBirdlife
Big Five game viewing and frequent leopard sightings centre on the Sabie River and its surrounding woodland.
Your stay
What's included
Included
- All meals
- Teas and coffees
- In-room minibar and snacks
- Selected drinks
- Two game drives daily
- Bush walks
- Game drive refreshments
- Skukuza Airport transfers
- Creative Lab
- Private terrace
- Night drives
- Game drives
Not included
- Flights
- Transfers
- Park fees
Flights, park fees, guest conservation contributions, the Impact Levy and SANParks Levy are extra. Transfers other than the included Skukuza Airport service are charged separately.
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Gratuities
Treehouse nights, helicopter flights, golf, private vehicle hire, spa treatments, exclusive dining and community experiences cost extra. Premium beers, cellar wines, champagnes, gratuities, telephone calls, gallery purchases and tobacco are also extra.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Library
- Bar
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Mini bar
- Tea/coffee station
- In-room WiFi
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 36 guests
- Luxury Room8 at the property · King or twin beds, En-suite bathroom, Private terrace, River-facing
- Superior Luxury Room6 at the property · Private terrace, Outdoor shower, River-facing, Interleading rooms available
- River Suite3 at the property · Private terrace, Outdoor shower, Private pool, River-facing
- Family River Suite1 at the property · sleeps 2 adults and 2 children · Second bedroom; children aged 10 to 15 · Two bedrooms, Private deck, Private pool, Central en-suite
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Skukuza Airport
- 25 min transfer
- Lion Sands River Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · 25 min from Skukuza Airport
- Transfers
- Skukuza Airport transfers are included and take approximately 15 to 25 minutes. The drive from Johannesburg takes about five to six hours.
- Luggage
- 20 kg per person
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 14:00
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Children
- Ages 10 and over. Family rooms available
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Power
- Power around the clock
- Malaria
- Seasonal malaria risk. Ask your doctor about prevention.
- Minimum stay
- 2 nights
Before you travel
Australian Government travel advice
South Africa
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Last updated
Read the full advice on Smartraveller for South Africa (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Summarised and shortened by Explore Africa; read the full advice on Smartraveller.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Green season
- March: Green season
- April: Green season
- May: Good
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Good
- October: Green season
- November: Green season
- December: Green season
- Good
- Green season
Month-by-month notes
Feb
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Apr
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
May
GoodWildlife: Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Jun
GoodWildlife: Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Jul
GoodWildlife: Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Aug
GoodWildlife: Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Sep
GoodWildlife: Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Winter provides excellent game viewing with sparse vegetation.
Oct
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Nov
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn animals and birdlife.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
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Nearby
Other stays nearby
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa
under 1 km away
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa
3 km away
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa
6 km away
From about A$2,550 per person / night, sharing
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa
7 km away
From about A$3,790 per person / night, sharing
Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed by the lodge when you contact them.