Umkumbe Bush Lodge

We had an incredible stay in the Superior Honeymoon Suite/Tent at Umkumbe Bush Lodge - could not recommend it enough! A world class lodge, with excellent game viewing in Sabi Sand, knowledgeable guides (thank you Ana!) and wonderful food. The entire experience was perfect including some very special close sightings with Leopard, Elephants and a baby Giraffe.

The tents were very well maintained, the food was excellent, and the staff were genuinely warm and welcoming. Overall, the hospitality side of the lodge is impressive. One highlight of my stay was my first tracker, Arun (or Aron), whose effort and dedication truly stood out. He was attentive, thorough, and worked tirelessly to maximize our chances of finding wildlife. His professionalism set a very high bar. Unfortunately, this level of commitment was not consistent across all drives. On my final two drives, the tracker seemed disengaged, and the guiding focused heavily on very common animals and minor details. This slower pace meant we missed opportunities, while other vehicles from the same lodge encountered much rarer sightings. I fully understand that wildlife cannot be guaranteed, and luck plays a role, but what disappointed me was the imbalance in guiding styles. It felt as though the approach catered solely to certain guests’ preferences without considering the rest of the group. For a premium safari experience, I had expected more thoughtful guest allocation and a consistent level of effort in tracking. I deeply appreciated the warmth of the lodge and its people, and I commend Arun for his excellent work. At the same time, I hope management will reflect on how group dynamics, tracker engagement, and guiding consistency are handled, so that every guest can leave with an equally memorable experience.

The staff at Umkumbe Bush Lodge made us feel so welcome, and the food was both delicious and abundant. While we missed the big cats, we saw wild dogs, a honey badger, and plenty of elephants and giraffes. A surprise storm even turned into a memorable adventure thanks to our wonderful guide.

The lodge is beautiful, comfortable, and offers an amazing safari experience. But what impressed us the most was the incredible team and their dedication to guests. During one of the safaris, we accidentally lost a phone. We reached out for help, and Barri together with the entire safari team went above and beyond to assist us. They tracked the location, coordinated the search, and thanks to their effort and professionalism, the phone was found and returned safely. Special thanks to Barri and the safari guides who work so hard both in spotting animals and in helping guests — you made us feel truly cared for. We highly recommend Umkumbe Bush Lodge Luxury Tented Camp to anyone visiting the area. It’s not only a great place to stay but also a team that genuinely looks after their guests.

Great facilities, very friendly staff, luxury tents and excellent food. From the terrace by the swimming pool, you get a great view of the plains and different animals. During the safaris we were able to spot many animals, including a leopard that was protecting its kill from hyenas in a tree. Thank you to every member of staff for making our stay exceptional.

Eventhough our stay only lasted 2 days, I think we got the absolute most out of it! The staff was super friendly/attentive and Steven guided us. This attitude to share his knowledge and make us feel included and laugh was just the cherry on top! Highly recommend 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This place is beautiful and the level of service is infallible. I only stayed one night because it's a bit pricey and I also wanted to see Kruger Park but it would have been really nice to stay another night or two. Sharon greeted me when I arrived and made me feel so welcome and comfortable from the beginning. Pieter was my guide for an evening game drive, morning game drive and the optional (highly recommend) bush walk. He was very knowledgeable about the wildlife, tracking and flora. He was also very calm and patient. I never felt like we were harassing the animals or impeding them in any way while he was guiding. 10/10 all round.

Loved, loved, LOVED this place!!! This was our first time on a safari and we had a fabulous experience! I would insist on friends/family staying here if anyone was looking for a recommendation. We had our two teens, and we rented two superior tents. They were amazing and it felt wonderful to hear all the sounds of nature yet still have the luxuries of a 5-star hotel. Loved the private outdoor shower! There is heat/AC which the heat was definitely needed for the cold mornings in late May. We saw everything we could have asked for and more when it came to animals to include a cheetah and her cubs (and an impala kill), lions, etc. It was truly unbelievable. We adored our guide, Steven! He was wonderful and had an uncanny sense of where he should drive to be at the right spot at the right time. We hope to be back one day! You know it's amazing when the two teenagers said it was the best vacation ever!