In the late 1920's Guy Aubrey Chalkley, an American of Irish descent, came to South Africa to explore opportunities as a mining engineer. With the gold rush at its height, a stock exchange had been created earlier to help raise finance for all the mining activity. It was in this field that Guy chose to establish himself and, together with Paul Davis, formed a stock broking firm, Chalkley Davis. The business flourished and culminated in one of South Africa's foremost stock broking firm, Davis, Borkum & Hare, which was purchased recently by Merrill Lynch to form the basis of its South African branch.

Being a keen hunter Guy Chalkley often ventured into the wilds. It was on one such adventure that he stumbled onto Kingstown, a jewel of a property belonging to the Transvaal Consolidated Lands that bordered the Kruger National Park. Those lands were soon to become the basis of what is now the world famous Sabi Sand Wildtuin.

Guy Chalkley, overcome by both the affection for the animals around him and the admiration of the pristine condition of the Kingstown property, refrained from doing any form of hunting for the rest of his life. There were no roads then, only markings on trees indicating the route to the camp which Guy followed in his old Ford sedan. This passion for conservation and protection of wilderness areas has been passed down through four generations to the three More brothers who now own and run Lion Sands Private Game Reserve on the very same property, Kingstown.

John More, who married Louise Chalkley, granddaughter of Guy Chalkley, introduced Kingstown to the public in 1978 when he built two camps - River Lodge and Bush Lodge. Even during those early days of extremely basic bush operations, where hot water was a luxury, the More family concentrated on keeping Kingstown in pristine state. Today, the family employs a full time Ecologist (the only reserve in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin to do so), to monitor the effect of commercialisation on the wilderness.

In the late 1930s Guy Chalkley built a small camp on the banks of the Sabie River, which flows through the Kruger National Park and the Kingstown property. For over 60 years the camp was enjoyed as a peaceful retreat by the Chalkley and More families until the 7th February 2000 when an incredible flood changed the face of the banks of the Sabie River. On that day, by 09h00 the river had risen above the roofs of both River Lodge and the family camp, Warthog Wallow, wiping away decades of history in a single blow.

Nick and Robert More, fourth generation owners of Kingstown, set about rebuilding River Lodge and creating the stunning new Ivory Lodge. They also introduced a new name, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, to the market and it incorporates the magnificent Kingstown property (approximately 3500 hectares) and both River Lodge and Ivory Lodge. The brothers have the type of passion for Lion Sands that can only be instilled by a great family history. Guy Chalkley, in his brilliance, had provided an enormous opportunity for his family to create something unique and magnificent to share with the world.

Lion Sands offers guests the opportunity of spending a night under the African stars in one of our two unique Treehouse experiences.

In each Treehouse, a bush bedroom is set up to accommodate a single/sharing guest/s for the night with secure access and as many of the room comforts as are practically possible, mosquito net, mattress, linen, bedside table, toilet & bush vanity table.

The guests are given the option to either go out at sunset or after dinner depending on their personal preference. For those leaving at sunset a delicious picnic dinner will be packed for them, having the opportunity to spend the hours of dusk, relaxing, absorbing the beauty of the African bushveld as it transforms from day to night.

The Treehouses are completely private & secluded, allowing the guest the unique experience of being completely alone in the wilderness - an experience that few places in the world can truly offer. After the ranger has taken the guests to their Treehouse and ensured that they are perfectly safe, he will return to the Lodge (15 minutes away). As dawn breaks the guests will either be able to call the Lodge with their radio or await their collection by the Ranger at the pre-arranged time.

At Lion Sands, we offer our guests a choice of two different Treehouse experiences:

Jackalberry Treehouse
This bush bedroom has been constructed high up in the top of a 100-year-old Jackalberry tree overlooking the Msutu dry-river bed. From your camouflaged hideaway, you will get up close and personal with nature .

Chalkley Treehouse
With views extending onto an open plain where you can watch the sunset over the African bushveld. The Treehouse is built around a 500 year-old Leadwood Tree where the stars are your only canopy...

These experiences will never be forgotten, guaranteed to touch the soul, a memory that will last forever. (maximum of 2 people per Tree House). A surcharge over and above your accommodation rate is applicable for this activity.