The public areas at River Lodge offers guests the following: a private lounge and bar with fireplace, an outdoor safari lounge, 2 swimming pools (heated in winter), wooden viewing decks, a secluded bird hide, a magnificent River Island Deck built on the river, a conference room, Lalamuka Health Spa & gymnasium, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.

The lounge chairs are inviting yet the handsome bar is enticing. The coffee table books are impressive yet the ranger's tale is intriguing.

With an uninterrupted view of the river and the rising bush beyond it is not uncommon to spot an elephant or giraffe while doing backstroke.

Facial therapies, aromatherapy, reflexology, massages, aqua treatments - whatever your medicine, you'll come out feeling naturally fit.

Of course, the enviroments in which you are entertained with culinary pleasures may have something to do with it!

The Lion Sands culinary experience is as diverse and interesting as the African bushveld itself. Janine Hobbs, our Executive Chef, together with her team use imagination, passion and natural flair to produce the most delicious and unique food. Whether it is buffets on the banks of the Sabie River under glittering starlit skies with lions roaring in the distance or fine dining under magical African Acacias, Janine and her Chefs produce the most amazing dishes which carry the exotic flair of local culture.

During your stay you will be offered interesting delights such as Zebra & Black Cherry Potjie, Crocodile Kebabs with a Lemon Butter & Apricot Sauce, Blesbok Fillet stuffed with Peanut Butter & Fresh Coriander or even Baby Quails stuffed with Fresh Figs & Porcini Brie Cheese. The less adventurous can savour Pinotage Marinated Beef Fillet or Cajun Style Spatchcock Chicken. Sticky Chocolate Pudding, Traditional Milk Tarts and fresh fruit are what you can expect if you do have a sweet tooth.
Magnificent sunsets can be enjoyed on game drive with a glass of chilled wine and a platter of South African cheeses, homemade samoosas and, of course, South Africa's traditional spicy beef biltong.
All pastries and breads are freshly made daily in the kitchen by the pastry chefs and a freshly baked buttermilk and raison rusk while watching the sun rise puts the cherry on top of a most wonderful African culinary experience.