Lion Sands Game Reserve
Game ReserveBig Five

Lion Sands Game Reserve

South Africa 120 km² (46 mi²) Est. 1933

About Lion Sands Game Reserve

Lion Sands Game Reserve is a family-owned concession within the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, renowned for its innovative Treehouses — open-air sleeping platforms elevated in the canopy where guests spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the African bush with nothing between them and the stars. With traversing rights across 12,000 hectares of prime Sabi Sand bushveld along the Sabie River, Lion Sands offers the world-class Big Five game viewing that defines this iconic reserve. The Sabie River frontage is one of the most productive wildlife corridors in the Sabi Sand, attracting leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The reserve operates multiple lodges from the classic River Lodge to the ultra-luxury 1933 Lodge, plus three standalone treehouses.

0

Safari Tours

4.2

Avg Rating

5/5

Big Five

93

Years Protected

Highlights

  • Iconic Treehouses — sleep under the stars in the bush canopy
  • Sabie River frontage attracts exceptional wildlife
  • Family-owned since 1933 — deep bush heritage
  • Lodges from classic to ultra-luxury
  • Traversing across 12,000 hectares of prime Sabi Sand

Considerations

  • Premium Sabi Sand pricing
  • Treehouses fully exposed to weather and insects
  • Malaria area
  • Popular treehouses book out far in advance

Wildlife

Big Five Status

🦁

Lion

common

🐆

Leopard

common

🐘

Elephant

common

🦬

Buffalo

common

🦏

Rhino

common

Notable Species

Lion

Common

Leopard

Common

Elephant

Common

Cape Buffalo

Common

White Rhino

Common

Giraffe

Common

Hippo

Common

Impala

Common

Hyena

Common

Common Occasional Rare

Best Time to Visit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal

Climate Overview

Getting There

Lion Sands is accessed via Skukuza Airport within Kruger or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, with road transfers arranged by the lodge. By road approximately 500 km (5.5 hours) from Johannesburg.

Nearest Airport

Skukuza Airport (SZK)

Nearest City

Hazyview

Drive Time

5.5 hours