About Leopard Hills
INCLUDES DRINKS! Stunning hilltop views from luxurious suites complete with private plunge pools set Leopard Hills apart from other top lodges!
Every lodge has something that marks it out as different from its peers – with Leopard Hills it has to be the gorgeous Suites many of which boast equally impressive views. Located on top of a granite outcrop overlooking the plains of the western sector of the Sabi Sands reserve, the eight beautifully decorated suites give guests superb views of this amazing reserve. This is helped in no small part by the architecture and design of the suites themselves: being fully fronted with glass lets the views pour in, while the bedroom and bathroom (both generously spacious and spotless) lie just feet away from the private wooden deck with gorgeous plunge pools. In effect, you don’t even have to leave your bed to see the world: it comes flooding into your room. There’s a hammock and sun lounger too, if you – like us – want to take some time off to laze in the sun and drink in the sights and sounds around you.
ELEVATED ON STILTS OR SET IN THE BUSH
Some of the suites are located on the cliff side and elevated on stilts and these boast the best views over the plain below; other suites are set on a flatter area more “in the bush” and whilst they may not have the same spectacular views are actually preferred by some guests as they give a closer experience of the animals commonly seen around the lodge – for example it is pretty common (especially during the dry winter months) for elephants to visit the plunge pool at these suites for a drink!
All of the suites were beautifully refurbished during 2016, bringing them bang up to date with the latest design trends and quality standards common to other top-end lodges. Greys and dark notes complement the deep brown of the private deck, while white linens and light-grey scatter pillows work with the polished concrete flooring and gleaming stainless steel and mirrors to impart a contemporary feeling of style and luxury. The extras in the room are generous, too: Nespresso machines, complimentary sherry and a stocked mini bar and tea/coffee stand are always there for your refreshment, and if you want some music there are i-Pod docking stations in the lounge. These modern touches blend very well with the natural elements with cured trees act as pillars holding up the traditional thatch roof that manages heat and cold so effectively in winter and in summer (not that it needs to, given the suites’ air-conditioning, fans, underfloor heating and heated towel rails!)
ATTRACTIVE MAIN LODGE RE-DESIGN
The main lodge area has undergone a similar re-design with new outside deck and stunning new library, lounge and bar areas elevating Leopard Hills to the top echelon of lodges in South Africa. The new deck looks out on an active waterhole on the plain below with a viewing scope on hand to bring the action even closer. If you fancy curling up with a book in a quiet nook for the afternoon, then the lovely new library area will be difficult to resist.
As you would expect, the varied dining experiences at Leopard Hills will delight guests. You could find yourself enjoying breakfast out in the heart of the bush or back on the main deck under the large umbrellas. Similarly no two dinners are likely to be the same: you may find yourself enjoying a traditional boma braai under the stars or silver service in the elegant dining room. Leopard Hills does like to keep things quite communal, usually seating you with your ranger and fellow guests, encouraging the sharing of memories of the day’s game drives and the formation of lasting friendships. However, if you’re wanting a romantic dining experience just with your better half, then a private dinner on the deck of your suite could be just what you’re looking for
The western sector of the Sabi Sands reserve in which Leopard Hills lies is renowned for superb game viewing and offers a variety of habitat – from the riverine areas to the north around the Sand River to the open savannah plains to the south of the lodge. What does come standard is great game viewing delivered on a plate by enthusiastic and experienced rangers and trackers. It’s pretty common to tick off the Big Five on a single game drive, whilst special sightings like wild dog are also frequent – having said that it’s the number and quality of the leopard sightings that make a stay here especially memorable!
Quite frankly, there really isn’t anything we could say about Leopard Hills that isn’t glowing with positivity. The attention to detail, the professionalism of the staff and rangers, and the sheer ‘wow’ factor of the place makes us wish that we could somehow squeeze another star into their rating. What is even more important though than the facilities must be the staff – it says it all really that the couple managing the lodge have been with Leopard Hills since it opened back in 1998 and their daughter, who basically grew up here, has recently joined the staff too. It really is a “family” here at Leopard Hills and the success of that approach is very evident in the large numbers of repeat guests that come back here time after time!
