Appreciate the wilderness!

The lodge’s eight Luxury Rooms, six Superior Luxury Rooms and four River Suites are spaced along a path to reveal splendid river views and make for a very personal safari stay. This is where couples, families and friends come together to reconnect with one another and Mother Nature.

The River Suites, each fronted by a plunge pool and set further away from the main lodge, are the most spacious and private – and also include a Family Suite. It’s for you to choose which accommodation best suits you – but the extraordinary view comes standard. Beyond your retreat, relax at the guest pool or in the spa, get active in the gym, or browse the MORE Gallery. You can also turn your safari photos into artful souvenirs in the Creative Lab.

River Lodge offers a chic design interpretation of the traditional safari lodge, with contemporary décor and limited walls allowing a flow between interior and exterior. Its individual 8 Luxury Rooms, 6 Superior Luxury Rooms, and 4 River Suites (including 1 Family River Suite, and each with a private plunge pool) are set along a path to reveal splendid Sabie River views, and make for an intimate safari experience.

• Main lodge bar lounge, dining area, boma, and viewing deck
• Kosher cuisine, freshly prepared on-site to ensure our Jewish guests can enjoy every treat a stay here has to offer
• Wine cellar – private tastings and dinners can be arranged
• Firepit lounge for evening drinks and gatherings under the stars
• Complimentary Wi-Fi – but we recommend a digital detox
• Serviced guest pool and furnished pool deck
• Guest spa, offering a spa and beauty treatments by expert therapists
• Guest gym, with all essential, state-of-the-art equipment
• MORE Gallery, with Creative Lab where guests can professionally edit and print their photos onto canvas, turning them into personal artworks
• Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers programme surprises and delights young explorers – and keeps them out of mischief

River Lodge is located on the Sabi Sands side of Lion Sands Game Reserve, which protects 6 400ha/15 800ac of, arguably, Africa’s most pristine Big Five territory.

GPS co-ordinates: 24°58’16.9”S | 31°31’55.4”E

The average maximum temperatures range from 24°C/75°F in July to 33°C/90°F in January, with the lowest average minimum occurring in July at 8°C/46°F

The average annual rainfall is 350mm (14in), most of which occurs during midsummer (December – February)

Rain is usually in the form of thundershowers, where a downpour is experienced, very seldom lasting longer than a few hours.

A year-round safari destination. The animals in Lion Sands Game Reserve are non-migratory, and variation in the safari experience is season-, rather than location-, related. The best period for birdwatching is from October to April.

River Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve is located in a moderate-risk malaria area, and we urge guests to consult their doctors about malarial prophylactics before visiting.

• Family
• Children Activities
• Double Bed Converted To Twins
• Mosquito Nets
• Air Conditioning
• Room Fans
• Indoor Shower
• Personal Bar
• In-Room Safe
• In-Room Telephone
• Hairdryers
• Free Wifi
• Central Guest Pool
• Conference Facilities
• Spa Facilities
• Gym Facilities
• Suitable For Disabled Guests
• Mastercard Visa Amex Diners
• Kosher Dining

Access:

The driving time from Johannesburg to Ivory Lodge and River Lodge is approximately 5 hours. Should you choose to drive, we recommend staying over a night at any of the mountain or country lodges along the Panorama Route to ensure you arrive at us fresh the next morning and ready for a spectacular safari experience.

Driving Directions: The recommended route from Johannesburg to Ivory Lodge and River Lodge (±5 hours)

On departure, please contact your lodge so that we can keep track of your journey and ensure you arrive safely

• Take the N12 or N4 highway to eMalahleni (formerly Witbank)
• From eMalahleni, follow the N4 highway past Middleburg and continue on to Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit)
• From Mbombela, take the R40 past White River and on to Hazyview
• At the T-junction between Kiepersol and Hazyview, turn left onto the R538 to Hazyview
• At the second set of traffic lights (there will be a shopping centre on your right), turn right onto the R536 towards Paul Kruger Gate (Kruger National Park)
• After following the road for 38km, turn left onto a gravel road signposted Lion Sands Sabi Sand
• Drive for 4km, then turn right at the T-junction, and drive for a further 4km to Shaw’s Gate – the entrance to Sabi Sand Game Reserve – where an entrance fee is payable (credit cards accepted)
• Follow the signposted route on to Lion Sands Sabi Sand
• After 2km, turn right at the Lion Sands Sabi Sand sign
• Follow the signposted route on to either Ivory Lodge or River Lodge
• You will come to a control gate closer to the lodge – please sign in and enjoy our unique welcome

Please Note:

• This route is safe to drive; you will pass through rural areas where the locals are friendly
• Please drive carefully, and be aware of village pedestrians, children and domestic animals
• The gate into Sabi Sand Game Reserve opens at 05h00 and closes at 22h00; please let us know if you will be arriving outside of these hours so we can make the necessary arrangements for your entrance
• Once in the reserve, please strictly adhere to the speed limits and afford the animals right of way
• In winter (May to September) afternoon game drives depart at 16h00 and in summer (October to April) at 16h30; should you arrive after a departure, we can organise a link up for you.