Guest User
September 11, 2023
Everything about Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is sublime! The service is excellent, with amazing, interesting and well prepared menu options (think sea bass done to perfection one night, and a fantastic fillet another). Breakfast and lunch were equally bountiful and delicious. Butler Gifford was friendly and attentive at all times, keeping us stuffed to the gills with fine dining (compliments also to the chef!). Staff greeted us upon arrival and departure with cold washcloths, and porters were always on hand to escort us to our” lodge.” The accommodations were superior, with an open, airy feeling, and every detail considered - bed facing a wall-sized picture window, fully stocked bar and pantry, private plunge pool… I could go on and on. And that’s just what we enjoyed outside of the game drives (!), which were themselves spectacular. Guide Raymond and tracker Amu were wholly attentive, and persistent in their pursuit of the animals we most hoped to see. Each drive brought new wonders, and added opportunity to learn about how local villagers live(d). Ever-smiling Raymond was friendly and very knowledgeable, and Amu hustled to set the stage. Both really put forth extra effort to ensure our enjoyment / satisfaction. I have only two small policy recommendations: 1) I’d propose that guests be given a 5 minute grace period for game drive start times, after which the jeep leaves without them. This is not a reflection on staff, but a suggestion for how to manage guests who are more lackadaisical about agreed upon start times. Private guides could then be hired by the tardy party, if available, for a cost. Raymond worked to get our jeep mates to the vehicle on time, but they arrived more than 15 minutes late on our last day, leaving us watching other groups depart, and yearning to be out there too. 2) I’d welcome some narrative about the routes we were taking and why, the layout of the reserve, etc. (This only occurred to me in hindsight.). Despite these suggestions (there are always new heights to strive for), this was a wonderful experience, well worth the cost of admission. We would recommend Ivory Lodge to anyone who can swing it, and hope to come back again….