Lion Sands Tinga Lodge

On the banks of the Sabie River sit the 9 suites of Lion Sands Tinga Lodge. The suites are traditional safari style chalets, with thatch roofs and made out of natural materials such as stone and wood. Inside, the suites are filled with pioneer, early style furniture, including large armchairs and travellers chests.

The atmosphere of the room is sophisticated and suave, with an exposed vaulted thatch ceiling which adds some authentic character to the room. A large bed sits in the middle of the room, covered in plush duvets and blankets and draped with mosquito netting. Guests can relax in bed and stare out over the horizon through large sliding doors, which allow fresh breezes and bright, natural light to fill the room.

The open-plan living area includes smart and comfortable sofas, and a unique mini-bar area where guests can grab a refreshing drink and enjoy their own private sundowner. All suites come with an ensuite bathroom, which comes complete with a grand double hand basin unit, a deep bathtub, and an indoor shower which has the special ability to open up and become an outdoor shower.

An expansive decking sits in front of the tent, and a private plunge pool sits off to the side. Guests can enjoy a relaxing dip in the pool while gazing out over the luscious bush and flowing Sabie River, and keeping an eye out for thirsty animals gathering at the river for a drink.

For a private and exclusive safari, Hi’Nkweni Villa offers the perfect experience. Completely private from the other suites, guests of this villa will have their own hospitality team, field guide and private safari vehicle, creating a personalised and self-contained safari.

The villa comes with two ensuite bedrooms, a lounge and dining area and its own private plunge pool. The villa has a luxurious and modern design, with early explorer touches, and an authentic exposed thatch ceiling which also works to add dimension to the villa. Floor to ceiling sliding doors line the front wall of the villa, creating a fluid space between the inside and outside. Stone and wooden features run throughout the villa, made with the natural materials which are found in the surrounding nature.

Both bedrooms come with an ensuite and are open plan, with large beds sat in the centre of the room, covered in crisp white bedding and plush pillows. Each bedroom can have an extra bed added, meaning the villa can have six beds at capacity. The ensuite bathrooms include a deep standalone egg bathtub, an indoor shower and a large outdoor shower area.

The villa has a luscious garden area, with a covered decking area – where guests can unwind in the evening with a drink from their mini bar – and a large turquoise swimming pool where guests can catch a refreshing dip in the afternoon’s heat.

Dining at Lion Sands Tinga Lodge can be as much of an experience as a game drive. Guests can choose where to dine, from dining on the main decking under the shade of a large tree which has warm glowing lanterns hanging off the branches in the evenings, to enjoying a meal in the boma, around the crackling fire.

Guests can enjoy a bush breakfast in the heart of the bush on the banks of the Sabie River, where they can enjoy refreshing juices and a filling breakfast with the river rushing past them.

All meals at Lion Sands Tinga Lodge are made with local ingredients and inspired by traditional local dishes, prepared with love by professional chefs and paired with the finest South African wines.

For a traditional safari experience head out on a game drive through the heart of the wilderness. The reserve is renowned for its presence of the Big Five, so keep an eye out for lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, or the more elusive rhino. An experienced and knowledgeable guide will be able to drive you to all the best viewing spots.

Head out in the morning on foot to experience the bush waking up all around you. This immersive experience allows you to become a part of the bush while you marvel at the smaller eco-systems and follow your knowledgable and friendly guide to some unique viewing spots where you may see some larger game.

Spend a unique evening in the Tinyeleti Treehouse. Climb onto the platform for an evening tapas selection in the sunset, before settling down in the cosy bed under the wide sky and gaze up at the millions of stars in the night sky and be lulled to sleep by the quiet sounds of the bush at night.

For guests who want to learn more about the local communities then a visit to the nearby Huntington Village can be arranged. Guests can spend time at the local school, with the local Sangoma – the healer – or the chief, and immerse themselves in the culture of the community.

Make your way to the Sala and enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment. Relax into a stress-relieving massage or treat yourself with a refreshing facial, before or after a day spent exploring.

To help preserve and protect the environment and communities where they operate, MORE Family Collection – Lion Sand Ivory Lodge’s owner – is “committed to regenerative tourism sustainable practices.” Their sustainable practices help to protect the planet for generations to come, and for the “continuity of life.”

MORE Family Collection is “committed to promoting conservation through education and raising awareness.”

They do this by being active members of programmes such as the Nakavango Conservation Programme, which is a volunteering programme to help protect and preserve the Victorian Falls Private Game Reserve and to develop the nearby Woodlands Village. This programme gives its volunteers the opportunity to “learn about and make personal contributions to: conservation management and research on the reserve, community development projects, and the maintenance of Nakavango Conservation Centre and its sustainable green operations.”

MORE Family Collection has also established a field guide college called NJ MORE Field Guide College. This is Field Guide Association of South Africa endorsed, and helps to train new guides while creating the next generation of nature ambassadors. This programme has a track record of training guides who “have a vast knowledge of the environment, a passion for guiding, a dedication to teaching people about our extraordinary natural heritage, and inspiring them to do their part to protect it.”

MORE Family Collection has various development projects which help to support the local community with both staff and guests being encouraged to get involved in these projects.

The MORE Community Trust was founded in 2002. This trust helps the local communities through self-sustainable projects and they uplift local communities “through support and access to childcare; skills development through community-based development initiatives; access to fresh water and health facilities; and developing overall environmental health.”

Currently, some of the ongoing projects are providing digital education through the Huntington Digital Learning Campus, creating boreholes in Huntington Village so there is adequate access to clean drinking water, a “Soul Food” project which guests can donate to help local communities in need, and the support of the Frida Hartley Shelter which homes vulnerable local women and children.

The “Get Your Hands Dirty” programme is one which encourages guests to help in the projects which “address local needs around education, health and environment, and infrastructure.”

MORE Family Collection are committed to treating their staff fairly and to “following best practices in the employment and treatment of our people.” They hire locally wherever possible, they pay their workers and contractors fair wages, and create opportunities as well as “embracing diversity” and inclusivity. The health of their staff is promoted through “support partners, such as Mistral Medical.”

MORE Family Collection strives to make a positive impact on the environment in which they operate. They have specific issues which they are focusing on making as eco-friendly as possible, such as “energy, water, waste, food, materials and conservation.”