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Founded in the early 1930’s by my grandfather, Guy Aubrey Chalkley, MORE – as we are now known – is led by its 4th generation.
Founding our inspiration from the numerous blessings we were so fortunate to enjoy during our childhood, Nick, Britt and I worked ceaselessly to develop a unique and life-enriching collection of bush experiences to enjoy in one of the most breath-taking regions of Southern Africa.
We are a small family-owned and -managed company. The fact that we are human makes us open to learning more every day. We are completely committed to – and appreciative of – our guests and the many other exceptional people who help create our incredible story.
Robert More
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Our mission is to create – through our actions – opportunities and extraordinary experiences for our visitors which will enrich their lives. This not only applies to our guests, clients and partners, but also to our own staff and workforce.
We do this by:
• Being aware of people, the environment and ourselves
• Improving lives through learning, growing, creating, building and strengthening ties. We strive to positively influence our environment and its people.
• Living in harmony with nature, being inclusive, and by embracing diversity.
• Responding generously to and being fully present and available whenever our people need support.
WHAT WE DO
Our experiences with our valued guests have taught us that, while creating superior facilities and aesthetics are important, it is the once-in-a-lifetime life-changing experiences which strengthen bonds within families and help them to reconnect with their inner selves.
We have designed and developed extraordinary opportunities to enable our guest to get close and personal with Mother Nature, the greatest teacher about the earth and its secrets. Whether enjoying the tranquil seclusion of a Treehouse in the wild; watching hippo and elephant at play in the river, or hiking through a gorge, these experiences are truly life-changing in their essence. Watching intently as a whole new world opens up to your children or savouring the age-old silence of the bush from the riverbank – THESE are the moments that define life.
We also understand that no two people are the same, and our teams on the ground are committed to stellar personalised service, making every visitor to our reserve feel special, valued and completely pampered.
We treat the environment with respect at all times, and always strive to give back to both the environment and surrounding communities. These passions are shared by all of our guests.
Taking our cue from Mother Nature we have created a lodge in perfect harmony with the earth. The use of natural materials enhances the essence of the surrounding bush. Its timeless design incorporates steel, wood, thatch, glass, water and sand. The rich interiors create a sophisticated, yet contemporary, mid-century charm. The bold furniture and edgy décor, ambient lighting, together with the tribal design reflected in the exquisitely textured finishes – all combine to make Lion Sands Ivory Lodge an utter feast for the senses.
Ivory Lodge’s interiors reflect an elegant fusion of design that is a true organic expression of the earth’s essence. Light, sound, flow, wood, water and air weave a golden thread in its inspirational architectural design.
Despite being well grounded, there is an ‘other-worldly’ quality to Ivory Lodge, symbolized by the feather. The Villas are all named after an indigenous bird, and bold prints find pride of place throughout the lodge.
THE LODGE: QUICK FACTS
Ivory Lodge comprises of 8 Single Villas, and 1 Double-Suite Villa.
All the Villas are elevated, providing for stunning views of the Sabie River.
Facilities include a lounge, dining and relaxation area, with an expansive wooden deck overlooking the Sabie River. There are also an art gallery and an Africology luxury spa and gym.
THE VILLAS: QUICK FACTS
Each of the 8 Villas has been designed for complete privacy and with optimum appreciation of the surrounding wilderness.
Each Single Unit has:
• a master bedroom with bathroom en-suite
• a double-volume wardrobe area
• an outdoor shower in an indigenous garden forest
• a private lounge area with fireplace
• a private pool and expansive viewing deck, as well as a covered patio
• free Wi-Fi.
Children 10 years and older are welcome and the lodge caters for all dietary preferences.
Experience has taught us that one of the most special ways in which to appreciate an African safari is with the family, and we love nothing more than watching families bond, creating lasting memories and having an incredible time with us on luxury Kruger Safaris.
As parents ourselves, we understand that children seldom fit into a schedule, and that each of their personalities is/are unique. The new Hi’Nkweni (pronounced Hing Kweni) Family Villa at Tinga Lodge was launched in August 2017. Not only does the lodge lend itself – in both architecture and ambience, to the enjoyment of the family traveller (specifically those with younger children), but this exclusive and self-contained Villa also has its own Safari Vehicle and designated Field Guide, which enable guests to create their own unique experiences.
Children’s safety is a priority at this family villa. Uninterrupted, yet subtle fencing creates a safe environment for the young ones, and the absence of dangerous walkways give parents extra peace of mind.
QUICK FACTS
• Accommodates a maximum of 6 people in two bedrooms (4 adults and 2 children)
• Children 6 years and older are welcome
• Children 6 – 15 pay 50% of adult rates
• Minimum charge for three (3) adults in standard period
• Minimum charge for four (4) adults in peak period
• Private safari vehicle
• Private pool.
“Lion Sands has been our home for four generations and is therefore deeply ingrained in our DNA. With this in mind, we redesigned the Ivory Lodge experience. We took our cue from the passion and appreciation we have for the environment, and how we have been fortunate enough to savour it in the comfort of our own private lodge,1933. We want our guest to regard the new Ivory Lodge as their own private safari home.”
– Robert More
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge’s Fish Eagle Villa offers the Ultimate Private Safari Experience to families and smaller groups of friends. The villa has its own designated Private Chef who prepares scrumptious meals in the Villa’s kitchen. It also has its own dedicated Field Guide and Private Safari Vehicle. It also boasts a wellness facility (with double-treatment room), as well as a private exercise facility, not forgetting the lap pool and jetty overlooking the Sabie River.
The Fish Eagle Villa can accommodate up to 6 people sharing (including 4 adults and 2 young children sleeping on single beds in their parents’ room). Each of the two Suites has an en-suite open-plan bathroom, as well as an outdoor shower area.
The Fish Eagle Villa can be booked together with the adjacent Ivory Lodge Villa, which can accommodate another 8 guests. These guests are welcome to utilise the facilities at Fish Eagle Villa.
Although privacy and exclusivity are guaranteed, visitors also have full access to the lounge and dinging and relaxation areas. They can also view the exquisite art pieces by celebrated South African artists in the Gallery, or lounge on the wooden deck overlooking the Sabie River.
The Double-Suite Fish Eagle Villa comprises of two private Single Suites, connected by an entrance hall, lounge and study.
The Fish Eagle Villa also has:
• its own Chef (meals are prepared in the Villa’s kitchen)
• an expansive deck and covered patio, with lap pool
• a private fire deck
• a star jetty for private enjoyment of the natural environment and vivid Milky Way above
• a private wellness area (with double treatment rooms) and exercise facility
• free Wi-Fi.
Children 10 years and older are welcome and the Villa can accommodate a maximum of 6 people (4 adults and 2 children on single beds in the master suite). The Chef also caters for all dietary preferences.
Perched in a canopy of century-old trees overlooking the Sabie River, this luxurious Treehouse, comprises 9 Luxury Suites, all connected by elevated wooden walkways from the main lodge area. Here the thick green foliage of trees creates a unique sensory experience.
These Private Suites each offer complete privacy, and whether you choose to laze in your own private plunge pool overlooking the river, or relax on the couch in the lounge, the breathtakingly panoramic views are guaranteed to revive your spirit. Whether curling up with a good book, or soaking in a bubble bath, you will experience an unrivalled sense of peace and tranquillity.
NARINA LODGE, QUICK FACTS
• 9 Suites for 18 guests
• Family rooms
• Private plunge pools
• Open-plan lounge and dining area
• Not suitable for disabled guests
• Free Wi-Fi (in guest areas).
Children 10 years and older are welcome as children’s activities are available, but regrettably, no babysitting service. The Chef caters for all dietary preferences.
River Lodge is where the authentic Lion Sands safari experience has its origin. At this Traditional Safari Lodge the emphasis is on sophistication. Clean and simple lines, ample natural light and contemporary decor fuse perfectly to create an ambience of pure opulence.
Living spaces include a Safari Lounge and Bar; a Barista Station with artisanal coffees; a Gallery (showcasing the works of renowned local artists); and the OneLife boutique.
A range of dining experiences are on offer to suit al pallets. Guests can enjoy traditional cuisine in the Boma (‘with a twist’) or sit down to signature Riverbed dinners. There is also the option of dining on the deck in the shade of the trees while enjoying incredible views of the Sabie River. The delicious breakfast will appeal to all palates.
Facilities include a main swimming pool area, a Memory Lab, where guests can print their photographs onto canvas; and a Firepit, perfect for those sociable nocturnal gatherings under the stars. River Lodge’s accommodation comprises 8 Luxury Rooms, 6 Superior Luxury Rooms and 4 River Suites (each with its own plunge pool). One of the River Suites has 2 bedrooms.
Guests are continuously surprised by how swiftly a visit to Tinga Lodge can restore the soul and re-energize the body. Situated right on the Sabie River, the tranquillity of the surrounding bush creates a sense of being suspended in time and being far removed from the world as we know it. Here you can watch the wildlife going about their daily business and, surrounded entirely by bush and the open sky, it’s the perfect location to reconnect with, and rejuvenate the spirit.
A visit to Tinga is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave a lasting impression on all who set foot in this exquisite environment.
With 9 Luxurious Suites, each located in a secluded spot overlooking the river, you are treated to the ultimate African luxury experience. Each of Tinga’s suites has a bathroom with a bath and shower, separate lounge area with minibar, private plunge pool and deck, as well as air-conditioning and a wide range of luxury amenities.
TINGA LODGE, QUICK FACTS
• 9 Suites for 18 guests. As of August 2017, the two-bedroom Tinga Hi’Nkweni Villa has increased the total capacity to 22 guests.
• Children 10 years and older are welcome (children of 6 and older welcome in the Tinga Hi’Nkweni Family Villa)
• Childrens’ activities and babysitting services available
• Family rooms
• Private plunge pools
• Open-plan lounge and dining area
• Suitable for disabled travellers (with assistance)
• Full range of dietary preferences catered for
• Free Wi-Fi (in guest areas).
GAME DRIVES
Rise at dawn to head into the wild on your own private African safari with a designated Field Guide and Tracker, who will introduce you to a magical world reminiscent of those magnificent scenes from ‘Animal Planet’. You’ll can immerse yourself in the wonders of a land as old as time itself, where the rhythm of nature governs the cycles of life.
A total of 2 Safaris are conducted per day – in the morning and late afternoon (moving into early evening). During these times the temperature is more moderate and the wildlife, therefore, more active.
Because Lion Sands is a private game reserve within the Sabi Sand Reserve, and in a private concession within the Kruger National Park, safari routes are not confined to main roads only. Our experienced Field Guides are able to navigate through dense bush, in search of those elusive spoor. With a limited number of vehicles on each property, and strict criteria governing sightings, guests are able to spend extended periods of time observing the wildlife in their natural habitat.
ENVIRONMENT FIRST – COMFORT A VERY CLOSE SECOND
And everyone gets a window seat!
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE LION SAND’ LAND ROVERS
• A two-litre engine which has lower carbon emissions
• A sound-proofed engine housing which significantly reduces noise
• 220V charging points to for cameras and other photographic equipment
• Non-essential electronics have been removed to make the vehicle more environmentally efficient
• Bucket-seats with built-in springs for comfort, with arm rests if required
• Bluetooth radio connectivity to reduce radio static.
WALKS
Walking Safari
Experience the bush from a whole new perspective by exploring it on foot. All your senses will be on full alert when you feel the earth beneath your feet. From the velvety touch of the leaves to the musky scent of wild animals in the vicinity, the anticipation of what is to come will leave you breathless. And then – the sound of branches breaking will remind you that you are not alone in this untouched wilderness.
Walks start directly after breakfast and last approximately 1½ to 2 hours, depending on the fitness level of guests. In summer, because of the heat, walks may be incorporated into the morning game drive before heading back to the lodge for breakfast.
Absorb the many sights and smells of the African bush up close and personal. It does not get any better than this!
The Field Guide and Ranger duo likes nothing better than sharing their passion for – and knowledge about – the bush with like-minded visitors.
ESSENTIALS TO REMEMBER
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen and hats
• Binoculars and camera
• Natural-toned clothing (no bright colours).
At Lion Sands not a single walk can be described as typical. Because each guest has his/her own unique interests, our guides have perfected their skills to cater for all of them – be they a passion for mammals, birds, flora, insects or geology. Children under 16 years are however not allowed on these walks.
SAFETY FIRST!
Guides and trackers who accompany guests will conduct a pre-trail briefing during which they will explain more about environment and share other important information with the walkers. This will include info on the formation in which guests should walk (single file behind the guide, no lagging behind), what to do in certain instances when encountering animals during the walk, as well as information about medical kits and how to use the hand-held radios.
First-aid kits and hand-held radios are standard equipment on walks, so that, in the unlikely event of an emergency, the group has contact with the lodge and access to basic medical equipment.
WILDLIFE
Lion Sands Game Reserve, within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, is part of an unique ecosystem which is home to the largest concentration of wild animal species in the Southern Hemisphere.
The preserved plains of Sabi Sands and the Kruger National Park hold one of highest concentrations of game per hectare on the planet. This, coupled with ethical and responsible conservation management, has resulted in the animals becoming accustomed to human presence. Our safari vehicles pose no threat, enabling the drivers to get very close to a wide variety of animal species (including predators, general game, reptiles, insects, and a wide variety of bird species).
WILDLIFE SPECIES AT LION SANDS
Although The Big 5 is a huge drawcard during any wildlife safari, there are many other animal species that are just as beautiful and interesting to behold. These include (but are not limited to):
Bushbuck: Did you know bushbuck avoid open areas and plains and only venture into the open in search of selective food sources or in the presence of another bushbuck?
Black-backed jackal. Did you know that black-backed jackal ignored the calls of strangers, and only react to the calls of its own kind?
Caracals: Did you know that caracals can leap up to two metres into the air, enabling them to catch birds?
Grey duiker: Did you know that this tiny antelope has been known to eat small birds?
Giraffe: Did you know that giraffe use their 45-50cm long tongue to trap twigs laden with leaves against the roof of their mouths, to effectively strip off the leaves?
Hippopotamus: Did you know that although slow and cumbersome looking, on land, hippos can sprint up to 36 km/ in an emergency?
Impala: Did you know that when the first female impala in a breeding herd calves, the other expectant females within that herd also calve within 24 hours?
Klipspringer: Did you know that, when lying down, the klipspringer is able to straighten out its front legs?
Kudu. Did you know that mature kudu males have large impressive horns that twist 2½ times, and which, were they to be straightened, can reach a length of 120cm?
Nyala: Did you know that dominant nyala males advertise their status by digging and tossing clods of damp soil with their horns?
Servals: Did you know that, relative to its body size, servals have the longest legs of any cat, mainly due to greatly elongated metatarsal bones in the feet?
Spotted hyena: Did you know a spotted hyena is able to consume about 15 kilograms of meat and other organic matter per sitting?
Warthog: Did you know that the warthog’s tail comes upright like an antenna if the animal moves any faster than a walk, and drops again when it slows down?
Waterbuck: Did you know that the waterbuck secretes a scent to repel predators?
Blue Wildebeest. Did you know that distant thunderstorms can stimulate wildebeest to travel up to 25 kilometres towards the resulting green flush from the rainfall?
Zebra: Did you know that zebra foals are able to stand, walk and suckle shortly after birth, and have been recorded to be able to run within an hour of being born?
Chacma Baboon: Did you know that the male Chacma baboon has canines longer than that of a male lion?
THE BIG FIVE
The Big Five comprises of lion, the leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros. These magnificent creatures have all earned this coveted title, as they are regarded as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot.
We certainly wouldn’t want to put that to the test!
THE LEOPARD: THE MOST ELUSIVE OF ALL PREDATORS
Once you have set your eyes on a leopard, the experience will leave a lasting impression. It is by far the most beautiful, vividly colourful, graceful and (usually) most active of the cats.
The best times to be on the lookout for leopards is either in the first hour or two of the early morning game drive, or from sunset onwards, as these are the leopard’s most active periods.
The most effective way in which to look for leopard is to search the habitats which they prefer, and to track them. Once their tracks are encountered, the guide and tracker will try to determine the direction in which the animal is moving, the age of the spoor, and whether the animal was hunting or just passing through.
The more information gathered, the better the chances of finding this elusive cat!
Leopards are solitary animals, only socializing when males visit females to re-establish bonds and check for signs of oestrus, or when a female has cubs. Shy and elusive, the leopard moves through its territory leaving very little evidence of its presence, only vocalizing to find a mate or let others of its kind know that that particular area is spoken for.
LEOPARDS FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED N AT LION SANDS:
• Mbavala Male
• Porcupine Female
• Flat Rock Male (sub-adult)
• Huhla Male
• Boulders Male
• Grewia Male
• Marula Female
• Ntombi Female (sub-adult).
THE LION: THE APEX PREDATOR
The male lion’s posture, whether sitting or walking, is unmistakeably stately and aloof, visually portraying its raw power and control over its environment. The lioness is a lot more cat-like, agile and stealthy, often initiating the pride’s movements and activities. Cubs, when in a boisterous mood, are very playful, alternating between mock-attacks on one another or on their parents’ tails.
The best time to look for lions is in the early morning and late afternoon. As the day warms up, lions become less active, preferring to spend their time socializing and resting in the shade. This inactivity has often been described as laziness but is actually a strategy employed by these animals to conserve energy for the hunt.
Hunts usually take place at night, when the lion’s nocturnal vision is far better than that of its prey. However, if the opportunity presents itself, lions might also hunt during the day.
Tracking lions is comparatively easier than tracking leopards, as lions tend to move in a pride, and therefore leave multiple sets of tracks, giving guides and trackers a better chance to track them.
Socially, lions are gregarious, living within prides of related males, related females and their offspring (the males are not related to the females). As large cats they require large prey, and has developed a strategy of co-operative hunting, whereby each member of the pride has a specific role to play in the hunt.
After the prey has been consumed, Lions spend a lot of time grooming one another, re-establishing bonds that might have become frayed during the inevitable squabbling over the carcass.
LIONS FREQUENTLY SIGHTED AT LION SANDS GAME RESERVE
• Hilda’s Rock Pride: 4 Individuals
• Sand River Pride: 12 Individuals
• N’waswintsaka Pride: 20 Individuals.
THE BUFFALO
Herding buffalo are gregarious, non-territorial animals which utilize a home range. The basic herd structure consists of clans of related females and offspring, sub-herds of bachelor males, high-ranking males and females, and old or invalid animals. Young males keep their distance from the dominant bulls and are identifiable by the thickness and roughness of their horns and their larger bulks.
‘Dagga Boys’ is a term used to refer to the old bulls that have ‘retired’ from the daily hustle and bustle of a herd, and often spend long periods of the day wallowing in mud and water. These old (but still very powerful) bulls will leave the main herd and live either as solitary bulls, or in a small group, only joining up with main herds for breeding purposes, but as they are in a regressive stage of fertility, these reproductive forays diminish with time.
ELEPHANTS: THE LARGEST OF ALL MAMMALS
The silhouette of the African Elephant is unmistakable, with its massive body, huge ears, curved tusks, an elongated trunk, and wrinkled skin. Elephant tend to take on the colour of the soil from the area, due to their habit of mud-wallowing.
Because of the elephant’s mammoth food requirements, they spend around 16 hours of every day feeding. The rest of their time is spent sleeping, resting, drinking, wallowing and socializing.
Elephant herds are led by a dominant female (the matriarch), who makes the decisions for the herd. These matriarchs gain their position through seniority, size and reproductive condition, with the matriarch usually being the oldest and largest reproductive female within a group.
As the matriarch (and other old female elephants) reach a certain age (from 50 to 60 years old) where their condition deteriorates due to poor food assimilation, they may gradually wander away from the group or be left behind, with the next oldest and largest reproductive female taking over the role of matriarch.
BLACK AND WHITE RHINOCEROS: THE MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ALL
Due to the sensitive nature of the present poaching situation, and our full support of aggressive anti-poaching efforts, no information about these wonderful and very vulnerable creatures will be published on this website.
THE CHEETAH: THE WORLD’S FASTEST ANIMAL
Cheetah can sprint up to 120 km/h, average about 93 km/h during chases, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds.
To maintain these high speeds, cheetah have enlarged nostrils to facilitate oxygen intake, and enlarged heart and lungs to circulate oxygen.
The cheetah has a flattened paddle-like tail which acts as a rudder, enabling it to take tight corners when chasing high-speed prey.
Cheetah cubs have a mane of downy fur on the neck, giving them the appearance of honeybadgers, possibly to scare away potential attackers.
Adult female cheetah is solitary and non-territorial, whereas males are territorial and may form coalitions.
Cheetah have a hunting success rate of about 50%, and about 50% chance of losing their kill to a competing predator.
OUR GUIDING CULTURE
The African Bush is in our blood.
‘Lion Sands Game Reserve has been in our family for four generations – that’s where our passion for – and connection with – the natural environment and its most epic creatures was born.
No matter how far away life may take me, my heart will always be on the ground at Lion Sands. I know Nick would have felt the same.
When it comes to those Guides and Trackers who we entrust to share this magical experience, it is imperative to us that we get the selection right.’
– Robert More
Field Guides on Safari, – Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park
What would an extraordinary safari be without an extraordinary Guide and Tracker? In our world, nothing less will suffice.
Field Guides and Trackers work together as a team out in the bush. The Trackers are the eyes and ears, while the Guides are the navigators and interpreters. In their expert hands, our guests are treated to really close encounters with Africa’s most coveted animal species.
We are very proud to have one of the world’s only MASTER TRACKERS as part of our family at Lion Sands.
In 2013, Lucas Mathonsi achieved the much-coveted Master Tracker qualification, becoming one of four existing Master Trackers in the world, and only the second tracker to be awarded this prestigious qualification in the Lowveld since 1994!
TREEHOUSES
A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
The Lion Sands Luxury Treehouses are the ultimate in bush bedrooms. Arrive at sunset to a scrumptious picnic dinner and spend the hours of dusk fully appreciating the vastness of the bushveld as it transforms from day into night. Slumber under the expanse of the Milky Way as you slowly lose count of all the shooting stars.
The Treehouses at Lion Sands are perfect for the hopeless romantic (ideal as a wedding or anniversary treat), the adventurer who in search of complete disconnection and digital detox, or the wildlife enthusiast who prefers the bush au-natural.
All of the Treehouses are securely elevated above the ground, keeping animals at a safe and comfortable distance. Our Field Guide will provide a full orientation when he drops guests off before sunset, and will remain on call, via the radio left behind, until it is time to leave the following morning at sunrise after a refreshing cup of coffee!
The Treehouses – Chalkley Treehouse and Kingston Treehouse (Sabi Sand), and Tinyeleti Treehouse (Kruger National Park) – are booked in conjunction with your primary accommodation. Pack an overnight bag with your essentials, while leaving your other belongings back in your room at camp.
ANIMAL SOUNDS YOU ARE LIKELY TO HEAR, AND WHY:
Hippos Honking and Grunting: Although gregarious, Hippo males are fiercely territorial and protective over their pod (collective for a group of Hippo). When encountering another male within their territory, more often than not, a fight will ensue that will be both noisy and protracted.
Lions Roaring: At night male Lions roar to advertise their presence to would-be interlopers, be they nomads passing through or the neighbouring pride hoping to extend their territory. These roars send the message that all is well with the pride, and that the males are still active and ready to defend their territory. The thinner night air carries these roars over several kilometres.
Leopards Sawing/ Coughing: Leopards are solitary, and their distinctive call, which sounds like a cross between sawing wood and a hoarse cough, serve to advertise their presence. Being solitary, Leopards are constantly messaging other Leopards as to their whereabouts, for the purpose of avoiding one another. Females also call when in oestrus and seeking a mate to breed with.
Hyenas Whooping or Cackling: The Hyena tends to forage at night, either individually or as a small group of a few individuals. They tend to whoop, keeping in touch with the rest of their clan, and sometimes you may hear a burst of maniac cackling. This happens when Hyenas come across strange individuals from another clan encroaching in their territory, or a large kill made by other predators. The cackling may intimidate the other predator into abandoning their prize.
Impalas Snorting and Kudus, Nyalas and Bushbuck Alarm Barking: These animals, upon sensing the presence of or noticing predators, will emit snorting (Impala) or bark-like alarm calls. This reaction serves the purpose of alerting other members of their herd of the imminent danger, intimidating the predator or letting it know that it has been seen and that it is futile to proceed with its hunt.
CHALKLEY TREEHOUSE
Chalkley Treehouse – a Luxury Treehouse in the Sabi Sand.
Guy Aubrey Chalkley once set up camp in a majestic centuries-old Leadwood Tree to escape the predators roaming the plains below. We decided that this was the perfect spot to build the ultimate bush bedroom, and thus The Chalkley Treehouse came into being.
A secure and lavish platform under the stars, this treehouse boasts all the five-star comforts, but still affords an experience as wild as the animals that roam beneath it. Guests are taken to the treehouse at sunset, where drinks and a scrumptious picnic dinner await them.
CHALKLEY TREEHOUSE, QUICK FACTS
• Number of guests: 2
• Twin beds option: No
• Stargazing: Impossible to count
• Shower: Not at the moment
• Vanity: Single
• WC: Yes
• Electricity: No
• Radio Communication and mobile phone signal: Yes
• Wi-Fi: You must be joking!
• Children: No
• Safety features: Single door, stairway, radio communication
• Distance from Lodge: 4.5km/ 2.7mi
• Seasonal: All year.
• View: Open plain
• Size in decking: 40²m/ 430²ft
• Dining: Romantic tapas-style (which calls for red wine!)
KINGSTON TREEHOUSE
Kingston Treehouse – Luxury Treehouse in the Sabi Sand.
Make your way through rows of magnificent white boulders and across a small drawbridge, and you will find Africa unfolding right in front of your eyes! Set amid the pure and untouched wilderness, you will find yourself completely surrounded by the African bush and its uninhibited wildlife.
Kingston is equipped with full bathroom and shower facilities, and Africology products will complete your sensory experience.
Kingston is the ultimate experience for your bucket list. But we must warn you – a single visit will never be enough.
KINGSTON TREEHOUSE, QUICK FACTS:
• Number of guests: 2 adults and 2 children (10-14)
• Twin beds option: No
• Stargazing: Impossible to count
• Shower: Yes
• Vanity: Double
• WC: Yes
• Electricity: No
• Radio Communication & mobile phone signal: Yes
• Wi-Fi: You must be joking!
• Children: Yes
• Safety features: Single door, drawbridge, radio communication
• Distance from Lodge: 1.6km/ 1mi
• Seasonal: All year
• View: Tree tops
• Size in decking: 60²m/ 645²ft
• Dining: Gourmet picnic.
TINYELETI TREEHOUSE
Tinyeleti Treehouse – a Luxury Treehouse in the Kruger National Park
The Tinyeleti Treehouse, which aptly translates to ‘Many Stars’, is an unsurpassed overnight wilderness experience. Watch the sun dip beyond the horizon as you sip on a cocktail or a glass of bubbly. You will be utterly riveted by the diverse variety of animals that arrive at the river to quench their thirst.
Tinyeleti is a tale that begs to be told over and again. That is, if you can find the right words to describe its essence.
The 50m2 deck can accommodate 4 people, based on 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 15. We will provide you with a torch, and, even though there is no electricity, you will find a few bars of cellphone signal.
TINYELETI TREEHOUSE, QUICK FACTS
• Number of guests: 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 15
• Twin beds option: No
• Stargazing: Impossible to count
• Shower: No
• Vanity: Double
• WC: Yes
• Electricity: No
• Radio Communication & mobile phone signal: Yes
• Wi-Fi: You must be joking!
• Children: Yes
• Safety features: Double safety door, drawbridge, radio communication
• Distance from Lodge: 2km/ 1.3mi
• Seasonal: All year
• View: Sabie River
• Size in decking: 50²m/ 540²ft
• Dining: Gourmet picnic basket.
The business of romance is something we take very seriously. We understand that the key ingredients of the perfect honeymoon are privacy and exclusivity, luxurious comfort, relaxation, scrumptious food, incredible photographic opportunities, and luxurious pamper.
Our honeymoon safari checks all these boxes, and then some!
The choice of Lodge at Lion Sands is dependent on your personal taste. If you prefer the company of others in a larger environment, then River Lodge is for you.
If you, however, enjoy complete exclusivity with the privacy of your own Villa complete with its own deck, lounge and pool, we recommend Ivory Lodge.
Both Tinga Lodge and Narina Lodge afford exclusive accommodation, with private plunge pools and decks overlooking the Sabie River in the Kruger National Park. The styles of the lodges vary. Narina’s signature feature is it’s positioning within the trees, while Tinga is bolder in tone and decor.
Our special treat to honeymooners:
• A romantic ‘turn down’
• A surprise gift
• A bottle of sparkling wine.
You would be challenged to find a more romantic experience on offer than those of our luxury Treehouses.
Spend the night under the stars, completely on your own in the middle of the bush. Enjoy a delicious picnic basket of tapas-style cuisine, and sip on a glass of good South African wine as you retreat together under a blanket under the wide expanse of the Milky Way. You will run out of wishes long before you run out of shooting stars!
Each Treehouse is unique. Chalkley Treehouse and Kingston Treehouse are situated in the Lion Sands, Sabi Sand Reserve. The Tinyeleti Treehouse is in the Lion Sand in the Kruger National Park.
THE FOOD
Dining Experience /Culinary Delights /Gourmet Cuisine
• “The highlight for us was the bush dinner. Imagine sitting down to a meal with just your family at a beautiful table, surrounded by hundreds of lanterns hung from giant trees overhanging you. It was probably the most memorable scene any one of us had ever experienced.” (Trip Advisor)
Our chefs are adept at crafting cuisine that will appeal to any palate, be that sweet tooth, vegetarian, the health conscious or meat lover. Only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and prepared in the lodge kitchens daily.
Three scrumptious meals per day, as well as a number of delectable treats, will ensure that no one goes hungry!
Our bush dinners, set up in the wild, are extremely popular and never fail to delight our guests.
In the event of bad weather, meals are served in the Lodges’ dining spaces. There is nothing quite like the joy of a blazing fire on a chilly winter’s eve, while sipping on a fine vintage.
We take pride in catering for a variety of dietary preferences, be they vegetarian, gluten-free or Banting even! To enable us to plan appropriate menus, we ask that you advise us of any specific dietary requirements prior to your arrival.
ADVENTURE TRAVEL
For those into the thrills of Adventure Travel, Lion Sands have perfect options to get the adrenalin pumping. Close encounters with Africa’s prized Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant) will thrill and delight nature lovers.
Game Drives are conducted twice a day, in the company of expert Field Guides and Trackers. Vehicles move off-road through rough and uncharted terrain, tracking the many animals of the bush.
Walking Safaris are the perfect way to forge a one-on-one connection with Africa. Here you get a taste of what it must have been like a century ago, when pioneers and hunters made their way through The Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand in search of big game, and a suitable piece of land on which to build their fortunes and raise their families.
Why not spend a night under the stars in one of our Treehouses? This magical experience will immerse you in a natural world teeming with animal life. With the The Milky Way as the wilderness’ extraordinary ceiling, you will soon find yourself losing count of all the shooting stars.
THE LION SANDS BUCKET LIST
• Go on a bush walk
• Take a trip to Hippo Pools
• Enjoy a helicopter ride over the Blyde River Canyon
• Sip on a glass of bubbly on safari, while watching the sunset
• Take a walk around the lodge to see how many animals and insect species you can identify
• Spend a night under the stars in one of the Lion Sands’ Luxury Treehouses
• Savour the smell of wood smoke around the boma fire
• Learn at least 5 Shangaan words and their meanings.
SPA & WELLNESS ON SAFARI
Spa & Wellness
Each of the Lodges at Lion Sands has an Africology Spa on-site. A range of body, skin and grooming treatments are available – best enjoyed during the quiet hours between game drives.
Expert therapists, combined with being in the most natural of environments, promise a wellness experience that will utterly relax the body, quiet the mind and rejuvenate the spirit.
Africology is one of South Africa’s leading natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa and skincare companies. Therapeutic in its approach, Africology only uses natural ingredients that are bio-identical to the human biology; effectively enhancing the integrity of the skin while simultaneously preventing premature ageing.
Yogis will find no better place to Salute the Sun! Bring out the mat at your favourite time of the day and practise your discipline where the energy runs pure.
There is no need to pack your mat. We have one ready for you.
A great way to exercise is by going on one of our Walking Safaris. Each walk is tailored to suit the disposition and fitness level of guests.
One cannot help but to come truly alive in this magical place of wonder, which is LION SANDS!
Copyright © MoAfrika Tours 2024
MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).