Central Kruger
This lodge is currently closed until further notice. Luxurious and perfectly intimate, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge might be small, but it certainly packs a punch. Positioned right on the banks of the Sabie River (it’s one of the few in the area with direct river access) in the private Lion Sands Reserve, the views stretch all the way to the Kruger, and its inhabitants can often be seen trotting past the glass-walled suites and ambling alongside the pool. Interiors are modern, contemporary and elegant (think soothing colour palettes and the highest-spec finishing touches), but most importantly, the lodge is in an area with particularly high numbers of game and birds, including the Big Five – the animals that top everyone’s safari bucket list.
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Ivory Lodge's communal area lies at one end of the camp. This stylish thatched structure, built to overlook the river, comprises an indoor dining area arranged imaginatively around a white-painted tree and a selection of seating areas with soft. contemporary sofas in which to relax or chat. There's a well-stocked library (with a TV for current-event fans), a curio shop, a gym and a spa. Outside, the large deck's furnishings are comfortable Afrochic, the infinity pool is surrounded by recliners and the open-sided boma is perfect for starlit meals.
The six superb suites are dotted along the water’s edge, leading away from the communal facilities. Essentially self-contained, the suites are very well equipped with a fireplace, indoor and outdoor seating areas, minibar, air-conditioning and a "Bulawayo club hatch" (compartment in the wall) into which room service orders and morning coffee are "posted" before your game drive. The en-suite bathroom has twin sinks, indoor and outdoor showers and a tub. There's an infinity plunge pool and recliners on the raised deck.
The accomplished guides make any activity at Ivory Lodge worthwhile. Take morning and afternoon game drives, with an optional night drive, for optimal sightings of the wildlife,especially the Big Five. Walking safaris are a high-intensity experience often combined with tracking big game. Bush walks are more relaxed, allowing you to look for birds, reptiles, insects and other small creatures. Try a picnic, or even dinner, in the bush, or be brave and spend the night in the tree house "star bed" – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sipping champagne whilst taking a dip in your private plunge pool and watching the happenings in the river below you. Yep, this is all-out, unashamedly-fabulous indulgence!
Add an extra night to your trip and spend it in one of the treehouses. Built on raised platforms, big beasties can prowl underneath whilst glass walls and roof hatches allow you to cuddle down and stargaze from the comfort of your pillows...
Ivory Lodge is all about intimacy and romance. If you're looking for more of a family-friendly, buzzy environment with plenty of people to chat to, consider the sister property, River Lodge.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is owned by the MORE family collection which are Committed to regenerative tourism. They prioritises sustainability to safeguard the environment and communities for future generations. Their ethos revolves around living and working sustainably, recognising that our actions impact all life on Earth. MORE believes in fostering harmony between humans, plants, and animals for the well-being of present and future generations. For MORE, sustainability is ensuring the continuity of life on our planet.
In the very heart of the Kruger National Park, you’ll find wildlife galore and guides who know the bush like their own backyard.
