A Honeymoon Safari at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge: What the Experience Is Actually Like

What it’s really like staying at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge

We chose Lion Sands Ivory Lodge for the final stop of our South African honeymoon after spending time in Cape Town and the nearby wine regions. We wanted something that felt adventurous but also relaxing, and Ivory Lodge stood out during our research for its privacy and small scale. With only around 10 villas and no more than six guests per safari vehicle, the experience felt incredibly personal rather than crowded.

The living space in a private suite

Getting there was easier than we expected. We took a nonstop 2.5-hour flight from Cape Town to Skukuza Airport, where a driver from the lodge was waiting for us. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was calm and intimate. The open-air lobby overlooked the bush—and during check-in, we even spotted antelope grazing nearby.

Our villa was a private, single-bedroom suite tucked into the landscape, complete with its own plunge pool, large deck, and outdoor shower. The photos online are accurate, but what they can’t capture is how secluded it feels—you can’t see or hear neighboring villas. One morning, we woke up to a small family of elephants grazing just outside our plunge pool, which was one of those surreal travel moments you never forget.

Our private deck (plunge pool not pictured)

Safari days were both structured and relaxed. The morning started early—around 5 a.m.—for the first game drive, followed by breakfast back at the lodge and plenty of downtime to relax by the pool or in the villa. Afternoon drives began around 4 p.m. and often stretched into sunset, when guides would stop so we could have drinks while we watched the sunset. During our stay, we were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five—elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and water buffalo—along with giraffes, zebras, hippos, and countless antelope. One of the most exciting moments was tracking a pack of hyenas and wild dogs during a night drive while they were actively hunting—something even our guides said they don’t see every day!

Some of our own safari pictures. Look at how close we got to these animals!

Meals were another highlight. Nearly every meal was multi-course and balanced familiar comfort foods with traditional South African cuisine. Some nights dinner was private, while others included memorable experiences like a traditional South African braai by the fire with music and dancing, or breakfast set up in the bush surrounded by grazing wildlife. Even with the early mornings, the pace never felt rushed—the days flew by!

Breakfast with a view

Looking back, the biggest surprise wasn’t just the wildlife—it was how peaceful the experience felt. The first evening felt slightly surreal, knowing we were sleeping in the middle of the wilderness, but by the second night it became strangely calming. If anything, the only thing we would change about our stay is that we wish we had added an extra night to experience even more of what the lodge offers.

Plan for early mornings.

Game drives depart around 5 a.m., which means waking closer to 4:30 a.m.—but the excitement of the drives makes it surprisingly easy.

Stay at least three to five nights.

We stayed three nights and wished we had added one more to enjoy additional experiences like guided bush walks or stargazing.

Pack layers and neutral clothing.

Even when the daytime sun is warm, early mornings and sunset drives can feel chilly in an open vehicle.

Wildlife sightings can happen anywhere.

Animals regularly wander through the lodge grounds—waking up to elephants outside your villa is not unusual.

Wi-Fi works better than you’d expect.

We had reliable Wi-Fi in both our villa and the main lodge areas, which isn’t always the case at remote safari camps.

The best safari season is May through September.

The cooler, dry months mean less vegetation, making wildlife easier to spot.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our safari page.