Southern Sands Eco Lodge

We were staying at mountain view, but Terry from southern sand eco lodge was the only one willing to take us on game drives with our two year old. He was so knowledgeable and patient whenever she needed a stop, and we had a wonderful time. We did both a lovely bush walk and a game drive, and got to see beautiful game in a wonderful setting. His prices are very reasonable, and it was a highlight of our Hoedspruit trip. We'll definitely stay at their lodge next time. Thank you, Terry, for accommodating us 🙏

We recently stayed at Southern Sand and loved it! Terry treated and spoiled us so much. The location and tents were more than perfect, and we didn't want to leave. We'll definitely go back!

Terry was such a kind and helpful host. The place is fantastic, with a peaceful feel thanks to the river beside the tent. We were lucky to spot Kudus, Nyalas, Giraffes, and more in the incredible reserve. If you want a wonderful experience near Kruger Park, this is the place!

If you're after a peaceful break from city life, with beautiful views and real quiet, you can't go wrong here. That's exactly what we wanted, and the retreat delivered. The drive in takes you along several kilometres of dirt road with a proper African bush feel. We often spotted buck, monkeys, and even giraffes along the way. Terry greeted us warmly and showed us around. Our tent had a King Size bed, a mini fridge, a private bathroom, and an outdoor shower where you can look at the stars or moon, or take in the sun during the day. The river view is stunning, though trees and the fence partially block it. The fence is understandable, since nobody wants to wake up to a three ton hippo on the porch. The private braai areas are spacious, but poorly lit. The cold white LED on a nearby tree doesn't reach the braai or firepit, so we still needed a torch to cook and check the meat. I'd suggest putting lights on poles beside the braai. There's a pool table and recliners at the swimming pool. Bring sunscreen, and keep the cars and tents closed. The monkeys will help themselves to your food, which is cute, but means a trip back to town to replace things. Terry gave us a great heads up about that. Some things need maintenance: the kettle is rusty inside, and the shower tap falls off. The tent also gets incredibly hot and stuffy, even at night. A fan would help. I know it's a tented setup with an eco-friendly focus, but even growing up in a hot town, I found it hard to spend time indoors in autumn. I can't imagine summer without a small fan to move the air. All in all, a pleasant stay.