This Lodge Lets You Experience All The Incredible Scenery And Wildlife That South Africa Has To Offer

Imagine a day spent watching lions lounge in the long grass, elephants drinking at lush watering holes, and perhaps even spotting a rare leopard, stalking its prey. How would you want such an incredible day to end? What about in your own luxury villa? At Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in the Lion Sands Game Reserve, your safari dreams can become reality.

Travel blogger The Blonde Abroad picks Lion Sands as one of the best places to stay in South Africa to experience the country's beauty and abundant wildlife. The lodge is in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Further Africa describes Kruger as the best place to go on a safari in South Africa, thanks to the high chance of spotting the Big Five here — African buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino. The Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is an exclusive, five-star experience amid the bush, and alongside the Sabie River.

The Ivory Lodge is one of four lodges in the Lion Sands Game Reserve, each with its own unique style and characteristics. The Ivory Lodge has eight sumptuous waterside villas, each with a private pool, as well as a master bedroom, lounge, and en-suite bathroom. The lodge also has a guest spa in case you're in need of some rejuvenation after the bumpy game drives. The Blonde Abroad, rather than staying in one of the villas, chose to sleep in one of the reserve's treehouses: remote but luxurious structures with panoramic views of the landscape.

A stay at Lion Sands also includes three meals a day plus snacks. The Blonde Abroad sings the praises of the food and of the accommodating staff, who will cater to a variety of dietary requirements. The inclusions don't end there, though. There are two game drives available from the lodge every day, as well as walking safaris with experienced guides, so you'll have lots of opportunities to spot the many animals that roam the area.

Kruger National Park covers almost five million acres and is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Lion Sands Game Reserve is towards the south of the park, within the private Sabi Sands Game Reserve; wildlife wanders freely across the area. SA-Venues states that more game exists toward the southern part of Kruger, and you have the highest chance of spotting a rare white rhino here, while Sabi Sands states that the area is well-known for its numerous leopard sightings.

There is a strong focus on conservation in Sabi Sands and Kruger too, according to South African National Parks, so you can be sure that when staying at Lion Sands, you're not damaging the area's fragile ecosystem. Tenets of Kruger's mission are minimal interference with the biodiversity of the park and providing sustainable benefits to local communities, so the animals you enjoy seeing will be there long after you leave.