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There are moments in travel that feel like you’ve crossed an invisible threshold, where the ordinary falls away and something wildly extraordinary begins. Our time at Lion Sands Narina Lodge in the heart of Kruger National Park was exactly that. From the moment we landed at Skukuza and met our guide Hugh and tracker Reckson, we knew we were no longer just tourists, we were part of the bush rhythm itself.
Arrival at Narina: Luxury Meets the Wild
Lion Sands Narina Lodge sits on the banks of the Sabie River, deep in a private concession of Kruger known for its rich biodiversity and intimate wildlife experiences. The design beautifully marries bush ruggedness with refined comfort: raised wooden walkways connect individual treehouse-style suites overlooking the river, where wildlife sightings happen right outside your door.
Our suite was a perfect sanctuary, expansive views, cool tones inspired by the African landscape, and the constant, comforting sound of the Sabie River flowing below. Each evening, as the sun sank into the horizon and the cicadas began their chorus, it felt like the entire earth exhaled with us.
Day 1: Kruger Had Our Hearts
Our very first afternoon safari blew us away. Kruger grabbed our hearts immediately, we ticked off almost all of the Big Five in one go, and there was more wildlife than we could have ever dreamed of. Elephants, lions, giraffes, impalas, zebras, buffalo, each encounter felt like a dream coming to life.
Day 2: Face-to-Face with Rhinos
Still pinching ourselves, we were face-to-face with endangered white rhinos, and as if the park wanted to wow us even further, we spotted a pair of rare black rhinos. These awe-inspiring moments were humbling and unforgettable, reminding us how precious wildlife is.
Day 3: Lion Cubs, Breakfast in the Bush & Pampering
Day three brought four juvenile lions, playful and curious, filling the morning drives with laughter and excitement. Later, we enjoyed a beautiful surprise breakfast in the national park with our safari family, a magical experience surrounded by the African bush.
The afternoon was pure indulgence: pampering at the lodge with an amazing facial and massage, the perfect counterpoint to the morning’s adrenaline. It felt decadent, restorative, and part of the luxury safari rhythm.
Day 4: The Elusive Leopard & A Midday Storm
Leopards are notoriously shy, but on day four the elusive leopard appeared, sitting high in a tree. We were silent, mesmerized, and grateful for Hugh and Reckson’s patient guidance, lost for an hour in awe.
Later that day, Kruger surprised us with our first midday thunderstorm, a full hour of heavy South African rain. We embraced the moment with a bubble bath and a G&T, watching the skies pour while the bush came alive around us. Magical, cozy, and quintessentially African.
Days 5 & 6: Living the Safari Dream
By days five and six, we were fully in safari rhythm, up for 5am and 4:30pm drives, then living the dream between 9 am and 4:30 pm at the lodge. Our days were a luxurious blend of adventure and leisure:
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Incredible breakfasts in the lodge or bush
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Long, leisurely lunches paired with local wines
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Fully stocked mini bar and refreshing cocktails
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Gym sessions and hours spent by our private plunge pool
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Afternoon teas at 4pm with canapés before heading out on the next safari
Every day was an effortless blend of wildlife wonder and indulgent downtime, allowing us to truly soak in Kruger’s magic.
Day 7: The Bittersweet Goodbye
All too soon, it was time to leave. One final morning safari allowed us to soak in the sights, sounds, and scents of Kruger one last time. As we packed, we felt deeply grateful for our days of wildlife encounters, luxury, and connection that will stay with us forever.
Safari Life: The Little Details That Matter
Time in Kruger doesn’t move at the ordinary pace, it follows the cadence of animal movements, rising colours, and shifting light. Drives were punctuated by:
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Sunrise coffees, champagne and liquors in the bush, when the world was still quiet and the horizon blushed pink
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Elephants passing just beyond the vehicle, their massive forms moving with surprising grace
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Giraffes silhouetted against acacia trees, elegant and unfazed
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Sundowners at sunset, while the sky dissolved into orange and purple, and conversations turned to reflections of the day
What made all these moments richer was how Hugh and Reckson explained not just what we were seeing, but why it mattered: how lions communicate, where leopards hide, what a hyena’s call means in the distance, and how every animal’s behaviour fits into the ecosystem’s larger story. Back at the Lodge: Rivers, Sundowners & Stories.
After long drives, the lodge feels like a home away from home. Narina’s common areas, lounges overlooking the river, open-air dining decks, and shaded lounges are perfect to unwind and share stories and a meal with fellow travellers. Some of our favourite memories weren’t just the animal sightings, but the laughter around a shared sundowner, the taste of local wines under a vast African sky, communal Boma (African BBQ) and the warmth of lodge staff who genuinely cared about our experience.
Evenings were spent recounting the day’s highlights: the elusive leopard, hippos grunting in the river at night, and sunsets that lingered long after darkness fell. Every day brought something new, something profound, something beautiful.
Reflection: How Kruger Changed Us
A safari isn’t just about ticking animal sightings off a list. It’s about presence, being truly awake to the world around you, moment by moment. With the expertise and warm personalities of Hugh and Reckson guiding us, our Kruger experience felt deeply personal, engaging, and absolutely unforgettable.
We came to see elephants and lions, but we left with something more: stories, connection, and a newfound appreciation for the incredible rhythms of the natural world.
- Alex
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