Ivory Tree Lodge

Sun City, North West Province

Virgin rating

Standard Suite
Standard Suite
Spa
Standard Suite
Standard Suite
Spa

The hotel

This lodge is unique for so many reasons that you’ll begin to forget which one you like the best. For starters, it’s located within one of the world’s largest extinct volcanic complexes and is surrounded by numerous African native animals including: springbok, cheetah, rhino, elephant and lion. The Ivory Tree Lodge has also been upgraded to fully represent contemporary luxury without detracting from the natural environment. A large swimming pool and guest areas are designed to provide relaxation and relief for groups and individuals. Meal times can be enjoyed inside or outside and you’ll be amazed at the fine dining options. Two lounge areas and two bars, one of which serves cocktails, provide the perfect evening location from where to reflect on your day’s adventures in the bush. If you’re looking for further activities, other than a ‘Big Five’ safari, then why not try getting involved with something cultural including interactive drumming sessions.

Amenities

  • Safari
  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Pilanesberg National Park is located in North West Province, South Africa, to the west of Pretoria and on the outskirts of Sun City. The lodge is set within a gigantic extinct volcanic crater within the Pilanesburg Game Reserve. Transfer time from Johannesburg Airport: approximately 3 hours.

Hotel information

67 rooms and suites boasting indoor and outdoor comfort with earthy colour tones that complement the natural surroundings. All with air conditioning, safe, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini fridge, covered patio, toiletries, hair dryer, en-suite bathroom and outside shower. 

Standard Suites are decorated with African décor and have either 1 king-size bed or twin beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child.

Full Board includes: all meals, coffees, snacks, 2 game drives per day and entrance fees.

Luxury Suites feature 1 king-size four poster bed, separate lounge with fireplace and flat screen TV, an an outdoor seating area with a private plunge pool, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Family Suites consisting of a main suite with 1 king-size bed, second bedroom with twin beds, an outdoor shower and indoor bath, and a separate family lounge with TV and fireplace that opens up onto an outdoor area with a private plunge pool, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children (under 12 years).

Executive Suites offer additional amenities such as a Nespresso machine and flat screen TV, as well as 1 king-size bed and private patio with plunge pool, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

On-site dining facilities serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bar. Boma and bush dinners are available*. Swimming pool. Amani Spa*. Reception and curio shop. 2 guided game drives daily. Archery* and Air gun shooting*. Quad biking*. Interactive drumming sessions.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: mandatory conservation levy of R115 per guest per stay applies, payable locally.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1070)
  • Very good (310)
  • Average (99)
  • Poor (25)
  • Terrible (30)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Repeat visitor

Jan 22, 2025 johnY8875OG Johannesburg, South Africa

Every time I visit this place something else has improved beyond my expectation. Staff are super friendly and helpful. Food is plated and excellent Game experience is great
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Magical game drives

Jan 20, 2025 Elettra S

The staff at Ivory Lodge are outstanding - professional and efficient but also very friendly. Our game ranger was extremely knowledgeable and clealry loved the animals - he made the experience even more enjoyable. It was a magical stay in a beautiful place.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Clean, comfortable, friendly staff

Jan 16, 2025 LoriKLovesTravel

Great staff. Friendly. Greeted by drumming and warm washcloths when returning from safari. Excellent food!! Very Comfortable beds. Sherry, coffee, tea in the room. Beautiful setting. Privacy porch. The Outdoor shower was the best part!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A nice game lodge

Jan 12, 2025 Bioteacher67 Oakville, Canada

A nice hotel and game experience. Not at the level of the private parks, especially the game drives as they can’t go off road. Nevertheless we had some good sightings, an especially good leopard sighting. The rooms are comfortable, the patio views of the bush lovely for a relaxing mid day. The food is good, unfortunately our group, and some others… Read more
A nice hotel and game experience. Not at the level of the private parks, especially the game drives as they can’t go off road. Nevertheless we had some good sightings, an especially good leopard sighting. The rooms are comfortable, the patio views of the bush lovely for a relaxing mid day. The food is good, unfortunately our group, and some others got food poisoning from the lunch meal (ostrich). That caused us to miss a game drive as we needed to be close to the bathroom. It was very unpleasant. I’d have thought it was just a bug but my MIL, husband, sons girlfriend and a woman from a different group were all very ill. As a result we ate very little of the remaining meals which looked nice. The staff are lovely and the rooms a great example of lodge luxury. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The most incredible stay and experience

Jan 10, 2025 EmmaB_3191 Gloucester, United Kingdom

My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights as part of our honeymoon and it was the highlight of our trip. From the moment we arrived the staff could not have been more friendly or accommodating. We arrived late morning and were advised our lodge wasn’t quite ready (as check in wasn’t until after lunch) but that we could sit anywhere we liked,… Read more
My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights as part of our honeymoon and it was the highlight of our trip. From the moment we arrived the staff could not have been more friendly or accommodating. We arrived late morning and were advised our lodge wasn’t quite ready (as check in wasn’t until after lunch) but that we could sit anywhere we liked, have a drink and then join lunch shortly. At the end of our lunch we were provided our key and we could wander on over to our lodge, where our bags had been taken for us. Our lodge was beautiful. We were lucky enough to be in one of the larger lodges which included a living area, private courtyard with dining, and plunge pool, along with the bedroom, bathroom and outdoor shower. Every morning when we went for our morning drive, after breakfast when we came back to our lodge we were greeted with a cleaned lodge and bed made. And again in the evening after our afternoon drive we came back to the bed remade for the evening, along with a treat and bedtime story on our pillow. These lovely little touches just made our stay even more special! We did a total of 6 drives, all with Helen, who was fantastic! She was so knowledgable, friendly and funny. And also brilliant at being aware of who has seen what animals. Obviously everyone wants to see as many of the Big 5 as we can and she will try and make that happen for you all. On our 5th drive, we still hadn’t seen the buffalo and she was communicating with the other drivers about where they had been to try and find them for us. We eventually found them but it was pitch black and we could only see them very slightly in the bushes. She suggested we got out even earlier the next morning so we could see them as they left that area, which we all agreed and it was perfect! We were so lucky to see two herds of roughly 100 buffalo all travelling across the area we had left them the night before. If we had arrived at the normal time we would have missed them entirely - buffalo do not like to be out in the open so they’re really difficult to spot! It was all down to Helen that we had such a fantastic experience. Food wise, there is more than enough choice for everyone. We actually only went to lunch once because we found we had such a big breakfast, we didn’t need anything else, and we went back to bed after the morning drive. You get snacks and drinks before your afternoon drive too so no one could complain there isn’t enough food! We never went hungry. The food was lovely too and something different each day. On our final evening we enjoyed a braii, with traditional dancing too! It was brilliant experience! I believe this is put on twice a week for guests. Overall we had a wonderful time and I would to go back one day if we are lucky enough to! Read less