caru

Pls advise which one is the best choice between Thanda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal or Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in Kruger. We'll be doing 3night/4day stay at the game lodge as a pre-cruise tour, so we'll be seeing more of Africa later on. Thank u much!

napamatt

Are those your only choices?

At what time of the year will you be there?

On the whole I would always recommend Sabi Sand over anywhere else in SA, but my experience is limited.

mytmoss

I have been to Ivory Lodge at Lion Sands twice and plan to go back again.

Here is a link to my comments earlier.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

It is by far and away the best lodge I have been to and the lodge has been ranked 3rd best hotel in the world by Tatler UK. If you need help with reservations, you can email me at mytmoss at mytmoss dot com and can put you in touch directly with Lion Sands.

michael moss

jasher

Hello,

Again, it depends on when you are going and what your choices are. Personally, neither Thanda or Lion Sands is my first choice, but I would choose the Sabi Sands area over the Kwazulu Natal area. IMO, only reserve in KZN which can compete with the Sabi Sands is Phinda, and even then it's a very different type of game-viewing than what you'd experience in the Sabi Sands.

If you choose the Sabi Sands, I'd recommend looking at Londolozi, Mala Mala, and Simbambili (all highly recommended by Fodorites).

Cheers,
Julian

mytmoss

There is an implication on the previous thread that folks do not like Lion Sands. Part of the reason is folks haven't been there as its relatively new. Being ranked 3rd in the world by Tatlers UK is not easy. Unfortunately my thread from earlier didnt show up so I am trying again.

http://www.fodors.com/forums_reg/thr...amp;dirtyBit=1

santharamhari

Talking of Lion sands.........i have only been to the river lodge in 2003, the lodge, accomodations, food and beverage service etc etc., are top notch.....even better than MM

But, if it's game viewing that u are looking for........there may be better alternatives in the sabi sands.........

KayeN

Hi Caru,
Have been to Ivory Lodge in December 2005. Absolutely love the accomodation, the rooms are beautiful and the view over the Sabie River is magnificent!
If you top priority is gameviewing, as opposed to accomodation and massages (as I was repeatedly told by other guests, that the massages were the very best!) then I would not be going to Lion Sands. The gameviewing was reasonable, but the traffic from other reserves is too much, but maybe this is just the way it is on smaller reserves.
So it really depends on what you will be there for, gameviewing or more as a way to start your vacation.
Kind regards,
Kaye