​Overview – Lion Sands GR

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many Africa guidebooks, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip is the author of many Africa guidebooks, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip is author of ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Lion Sands is one of the private reserves within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Open borders with world-renowned Kruger National Park make it a prime wildlife viewing destination with an authentic wilderness ambiance. All of the Big Five and cheetah are present, and sightings are common – including of the normally secretive leopard.

Lion Sands has been family owned and managed since the early 1930s. Four 5-star lodges display style and sophistication while excellent food and service are part of the package. River Lodge offers a conventional bush experience while Ivory Lodge comprises of nine ultra-luxurious villas, awarded by Tatler magazine as 'Best Hotel in the World'. Tinga and Narina lodges are the newest additions and offer a different kind of style and luxury. Lion Sands owns a reasonable chunk of the Sabi Sands property and only offers limited traversing rights, which prevents over-crowding at wildlife sightings.

 
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Best Time To Go May to September (Dry season)
High Season October to March (It can get a bit busy)
Size Sabi Sands* 650km² / 251mi²
Altitude Sabi Sands* 272-479m / 892-1,572ft
+16 Photos

Pros & Cons

  • Wildlife viewing is superb, Big Five animals are easily found
  • Off-road driving allows up-close animal encounters
  • Quality guides
  • Activities include day and night drives and walking safaris
  • Four lodges with different style and budget
  • Located in a less crowded part of Sabi Sands
  • Safari packages include only expensive, fully inclusive options
  • During game drives, the focus lies mainly on flagship species

Lion Sands GR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

The wildlife viewing here is excellent. All high-profile safari animals are present and readily seen. This includes the leopard, which is usually difficult to find. Leopard are relaxed throughout the area, and you are almost guaranteed a sighting. Other wildlife you can expect to see includes giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and several antelope species. Night drives offer a chance to see some nocturnal species such as porcupine.

Scenery

Lion Sands' terrain is primarily woodland savannah. The vegetation is quite thick, but this rarely affects animal sightings since the highly skilled guides and trackers are allowed to drive off-road.

See Sabi Sand Game Reserve for more info

Lion Sands is part of the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. See the links below for more info about Sabi Sands.

Want To Visit Lion Sands GR?

Lion Sands Safaris

Lion Sands GR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Emma Gregg  –  
United Kingdom UK

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.

Feel instantly at home in this family-run reserve
5/5

In the far south of the Sabi Sands Reserve, with access to the Sabie River, Lion Sands is an exclusive concession in which your fellow guests are the only other wildlife-watchers you’ll see. The main place to stay, River Lodge, is...

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Latest User Review
Kevin  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Mar 4, 2016
Awesome
5/5

Visited Tinga Lodge, it was magical. The guides, Simon and Isaac were so knowledgeable and tracked and found all manner of wildlife. Highly recommend, the accommodation and wildlife

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