Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

Description

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge was awarded third best hotel in the world by Tatler Magazine in 2006 and has been included in their “101 Best Hotels in the World” 2006 & 2007 listings. Ivory Lodge is also a proud member of Virtuoso, the largest exclusive by invitation only travel network group in the world.

The public areas at Ivory Lodge offers guests the following: a private bar with fireplace, a library lounge , well stocked wine cellar, wooden viewing decks, a magnificent River Island Deck built on the river, Lalamuka Health Spa & gymnasium, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.

Accommodation
Lodge Bedrooms
The Lodge comprises six generously sized privately situated villas, each with a separate living room, heated swimming pool and an open plan en-suite bathroom with an enclosure for the outdoor shower – 6-star luxury in the middle of the bush. The colour scheme of ebony and ivory is interpreted in a modern style, while selected African accessories blend the old world with the new to create Afro-Euro chic. Breathtaking views of the Sabie River, which has flowing water all year around, can be viewed through the oversized windows of your villa or from your private viewing terrace. Baby elephants bathing in the river, zebra, gnu and the large Nile crocodile are the only neighbours you shall see.

Contact Details Lion Sands River Lodge +27 (0) 11 484 9911 Enquire now View Rates View Directions

Attractions

Astronomy
This is done during the evening game drive and is kept as a surprise for those guests who have a keen interest in our solar system and the associated African folklore. Lie back under the African sky & be taken on a journey through our ancient galaxy.

Bush Breakfast
Guests are driven to either the river hide or one of the open plains where breakfast is served. A full table is set and the guests are invited to join the animals, which can often be viewed from the breakfast venue, whilst savouring a full continental breakfast.

Bush Dinner
Guests are driven to either a dry riverbed or under the African sky on an open plain. Lit by only paraffin lamps and a big open campfire, this dining experience makes for one of the most unforgettable memories of a visit to Africa. Listen to the night sounds and enjoy a sumptuous meal cooked on the open-coals of the bush fire.

Bush Walk
Prior to departing the ranger will assess the guest's fitness level and will structure the walk accordingly. During the summer months the walks are done in the early mornings and form part of the morning game drive. In winter the walk is done after breakfast but to ensure the best walking areas are accessed, the guest will leave the lodge in a Land Rover until the optimal walking route is reached. Once everyone (maximum 8 guests) has settled into the walk the ranger will start to talk on a wide variety of subjects ranging from the medicinal uses of certain plants to the basic skills of tracking animals. On returning to the vehicle light refreshments are served. This is a highly recommended activity in both summer & winter.

Game Drive
Guests are taken on early morning and evening open land rover game drives.

Hippo Tour
Often the guests do not get the chance to see the hippopotamus during either their morning & evening game drive as the Land Rover's traverse the interior of the reserve, focusing on the inland animals. This tour offers the guest a chance to observe this amazing creature in its natural habitat. There is also a good chance of seeing the enormous African Nile crocodiles (12/14ft), which inhabit the Sabie River.

Safari Lunch
Guests can request for a picnic lunch at either one of the River hides or Waterhole hide. This activity is only offered during the winter, dry season months, as this is the time when wildlife are seen to congregate around these points.

Wildlife Lectures
These lectures cover a variety of wildlife subjects. Our Senior Ecologist & Head Ranger will ensure that the subject content is not only interesting but very site specific. The lectures will take place every alternate day. The venue, content & spokesperson details will be available at reception desk.

* All outdoor activities are weather dependent and therefore remain optional.

The following actvities are available at an additional charge:

Ballooning
Guests leave the Lodge an hour before sunrise, arriving at the Sabie River valley launch site at sunrise. The flight is approximately 1 hour in duration and flies over the entire Sabie River valley. After the flight the guest is then taken to one of the small country lodges within the Sabie River valley for a full English breakfast. This is done outside of the reserve & is a unique way of experiencing another part of the region's natural beauty.

Clay Pigeon Shooting
Guests are taken to an open-plain were a shooting range has been set-up (25 minutes drive from River Lodge). A qualified ranger will accompany the guests to ensure that the correct safety measures are adhered to and that the shoot is correctly managed. The guest is given 4 sets of five shots each. The shots are scored and results recorded for the guest. Shooting of other calibre rifles can be arranged but only by special requests.

Golf
Skukuza Golf Course, Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park has a very unique 9-hole golf course at Skukuza main camp. The course is unfenced, open to the reserve and it is not uncommon to have ones round interrupted by a herd of zebra or a wandering giraffe; even the occasional lion has been sited resting in the cool shade of a tree. Transfers to and from Skukuza Golf Course is included in our Golf Rate. Guests are transferred in open land rovers from Lion Sands through the Sabi Sands Reserve to the Kruger National Park. The transfer distance is 15 kilometres and takes approximately 45 minutes.

Health Spa
"Lalamuka" means unwind in Shangaan and that is exactly what it is all about. An array of body, facial & hydrotherapy treatments are available to guests to assist in getting rid of those urban stresses.

Helicopter
Blyde River Canyon & Gods Window
This must be the most spectacular way of viewing the northern Drakensburg, which is host to some of South Africa's most well known geographical landmarks.  Guests are collected from & returned to the Lion Sands helicopter pad. The helicopter flies due west towards the Drakensburg arriving at the Blyde River Canyon were one gets a close-up view of the Three Rondawels & the Blydepoort Dam. Rising out of the canyon the helicopter passes over the Berlin & Lisbon falls on route to a secluded picnic spot next to the Pinnacle. Here our guests will enjoy a delicious picnic with breath taking views stretching out as far as the Kruger National Park in the east. After lunch the helicopter flies past God's Window, Wonder View, Panorama Falls and over the town of Graskop before heading east back to Lion Sands.

Private Game Drives
The exclusive use of a private Land Rover can be arranged. Subject to availability.

Cultural Village Experience
The vibrant and friendly Shangaans are descendants of Chief Soshangana, who was sent by his brother, King Shaka Zulu to conquer the Tsonga people in the area now known as Mozambique. This tribe is now bordering the famous Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve. The extremely proud elders of the Shangaan nation, who are intent on maintaining their rich heritage and traditions, have passed their knowledge on to the younger generations, who in turn openly share their cultural heritage with our visitors to Lion Sands Private Game Reserve.

Your cultural village experience begins with guests being collected from the lodge by a professionally qualified Shangaan guide. On your way to the local village of Huntington, your guide will explain his history and customs, as well as some of the basic greeting words. Your first stop is to visit the Huntington Home-Based Care Organization, where the volunteers will welcome you and teach you their traditional dances, followed by an explanation of where the dances originated. You will also be able to watch the community act out various dramatic HIV/AIDS plays, which are based on the community creating an awareness of the disease.

Along route there is also a stop to visit Henna Pre-School, where you will get to spend some time to socialize with the children and listen to some of their rhymes. This school is a community based initiative and is sponsored by Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. For the adventurous, there is also the opportunity to eat some of the local cuisine and upon request, you can visit the craft market and purchase curios made by the community. After experiencing every aspect of the Huntington community, your guide will transfer you back to Lion Sands.

The cultural experience is approximately three hours and you will be transferred in a closed vehicle.

* All outdoor activities are weather dependent and therefore remain optional

Accolades

:Tourism Council of SA Star Grading

TGCSA Star Grading

Facilities

Room Amenities:

• King size bed with mosquito netting (can be made up as twin bed)
• En-suite bathroom
• Inside and outside shower
• Free standing bath and double vanity basin
• Private Viewing Deck
• Individual heated plunge pool
• Lounge with fireplace
• Air-conditioning and overhead fan
• Maxi-bar
• Safe and telephone