Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

“Next level experience”

I wish I could give 10 stars instead of 5. I’m still in awe thinking back on it—the level of service, the warmth of the hospitality, and the thoughtful attention to EVERY detail. The cabins are nothing short of breathtaking. Incredible people, connect you to nature/ wildlife. I walked away refresh… more

I wish I could give 10 stars instead of 5. I’m still in awe thinking back on it—the level of service, the warmth of the hospitality, and the thoughtful attention to EVERY detail. The cabins are nothing short of breathtaking. Incredible people, connect you to nature/ wildlife. I walked away refreshed and inspired, and having learned so much. This place is next level.

less

“A Special Spot on Earth”

To say we loved our time at Ivory Lodge was an understatement. This was our 3rd trip to Lion Sands but first stay at Ivory Lodge. The problem with staying at a place like Ivory Lodge is that everything is so effortless and hassle free, you never want to leave. The biggest dilemma you face on a dail… more

To say we loved our time at Ivory Lodge was an understatement. This was our 3rd trip to Lion Sands but first stay at Ivory Lodge. The problem with staying at a place like Ivory Lodge is that everything is so effortless and hassle free, you never want to leave. The biggest dilemma you face on a daily basis is what meal to select for dinner and if the pictures you have taken from the extraordinary wildlife encounters have turned out! Two of the reasons we returned to Lion Sands is their focus on 'family' and their emphasis on environmental sustainability. The entire lodge staff treat you as part of their extended family, it was fantastic to see many familiar faces and meet new ones as well. Their service and interest in your stay is unfaultable. Lion Sands' continued focus on environmental sustainability, from land management to responsible wildlife encounters is also super important for us. There are way too many properties these days that over-crowd the animals or don't respect the land they work and operate on. This is not the case at Lion Sands. Visiting during the 'wet' season also brought a totally different experience from our previous trips in June and August. Wildlife sightings are just as amazing, although there are limits for off-roading due to the wet ground which is understable. The place is alive though with the Sabi River flowing well, different animals and lots of amazing insects and frogs. Our fantastic guide, Simon and tracker Joyce made a wonderful team together, providing lots of local knowledge and perfectly timed sightings. A massive thank you as well to the lodge team, from Solly our butler, Eliza in housekeeping, Roy and Bryce on the front desk and Darren / Elon with dining. Ivory Lodge differs from River Lodge in many different ways, the rooms at Ivory are basically self-contained lodges, massive, superbly fitted out, spotless and have everything you can wish for. Depending on your room, they can also be a fair distance from the main lodge area, although you can get a vehicle to assist if you are in Jacana or Bateleur. The overall vibe of Ivory is different to River as well, less guests (12 max really), much quieter, a more bespoke affair in many ways where basically everyone knows your name. The brand new reception, dining and bar area are stunningly integrated into the landscape. Designed exceptionally well, the only disappointment is that they are not DDA / wheelchair accessible which is a slight surprise. Food as always was a highlight of the trip and you never go hungry. The inspiration of a tapas style menu for lunch was a great idea. My only suggestion is that the portion sizes for the main meal at dinner could be smaller! Always so much fantastic food. The Boma dinner at Ivory was wonderful and something we preferred over our experience at River Lodge. Finally, our trip was booked on a very last minute basis and a special shoutout to Liesl for going out of her way to make this stay possible for us.

less

“Ivory Lodge is top notch”

My stay at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary. The owners have done an incredible job with the design and overall feel of the lodge—it is both luxurious and deeply connected to its surroundings. The food is truly a gastronomic dream, paired with an impressive wine selection. … more

My stay at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary. The owners have done an incredible job with the design and overall feel of the lodge—it is both luxurious and deeply connected to its surroundings. The food is truly a gastronomic dream, paired with an impressive wine selection. The sommelier adds such a special touch, guiding you to the perfect pairing for each meal and elevating the entire dining experience. One of my favorite details was the handwashing ritual upon returning from each game drive—using activated charcoal and elderflower scrubs. It’s these thoughtful touches that make the experience so memorable. The room is simply spectacular. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outdoors in, complemented by a private plunge pool, breathtaking views, and a beautiful outdoor shower. Every detail has been considered, from the luxurious amenities to little extras like the best lip balm and the nightly notes from housekeeping —small touches that truly make a difference. A huge highlight of the trip was our guide Mendrew and his brother Brian—they made every single game drive exhilarating, fun, and incredibly memorable. Do not miss a massage with Precious—you won’t regret it. She is absolutely amazing and one of the highlights of the stay. The newly upgraded game drive vehicles were fantastic, offering both comfort and excellent wildlife viewing. We were even lucky enough to see wild dogs, which is incredibly rare. You can book Lion Sands Ivory Lodge with complete confidence—this is a place that genuinely cares about every aspect of your experience.

less

“Heaven on earth”

This place is heaven on earth. Everything was utter perfection. The accommodation was the most outstanding place I have ever stayed in. World top class. The staff were outstanding. The game was insane. We saw EVERYTHING! Our guide Ozy and tracker Heaviness were beyond amazingly knowledgeable and be… more

This place is heaven on earth. Everything was utter perfection. The accommodation was the most outstanding place I have ever stayed in. World top class. The staff were outstanding. The game was insane. We saw EVERYTHING! Our guide Ozy and tracker Heaviness were beyond amazingly knowledgeable and beautiful humans. The food was superb. Justin, Gifford, Vuzi and all the other staff were just incredible. Hard to leave. Hope to be back!!!

less