We said goodbye to Cape Town and jumped a couple of flights over to Sabi Sands, South Africa.
We entered Lion Sands 1933 Lodge and we were really taken aback by our accommodations. The 1933 Lodge is a proper house built along the Sabi River. The Lodge is rented out in it’s entirety to allow the group renting it full privacy and an experience that is completely different than at a game lodge with other paying guests.
We took a tour of the area to find we had a beautiful kitchen, but there was also a staff kitchen behind it where our meals were made. There was a pool, a gym (where Brian worked out in the morning with large game passing him in the window) and a wine cellar. Each room was very private and had a bathtub and indoor/outdoor shower.
Even though it felt like we were living in a home, there was a full staff like any luxury lodge would have. Lucas, Israel, Anios, and Moses took such good care of us, and I fell in love with our cook, Faith. We had some of the best meals of my life at Lion Sands thanks to Faith and her talent. I spent as much time as I could sneaking back in the kitchen with her and watching her work.
Brian had his jaw open the majority of the time we were there. I think the majority of our group kept walking around like we were lost and ended up in the lap of luxury, not really sure how we got there.
The kids had the coolest accommodations. The kids dormitory had built-in bunk beds and the the mosquito net covered the entire room. They each claimed their spot and made their own forts in the surrounding area. Sometimes a monkey would come against the top bunk windows to visit.
Brian and I walked in to our room to find someone had come in to turn-down the bed and with leaves they had written “Happy Belated Birthday, Jamie.” With a gift of the book, The Dessert Pool, by Guy Aubrey Chalkley, and a a bottle of chilled champagne.
The adventure of a lifetime continued on… (Candids below…)
For more information on building an African vacation for your family visit: DSA Vacations and Lion Sands Game Reserve.
