Umkumbe Bush Lodge

I recently finished a 5 day stay and really enjoyed my time to relax and see some beautiful incredible wildlife. This is a smaller private reserve, so you get up close without the crowds. The staff was wonderful and so friendly. The tent accommodation is really an enjoyable experience and has heating and air conditioning. The outside shower was a fun experience. My tent didn’t really have a view, but the main area has a great view over an open field. The food was amazing. Everything was good and that’s saying a lot. Only missed one of the big five, but the animals are free to roam, so you get what’s there. I can 100% say I’d go back. I’d also try the public part of the park as well. Keep an open mind about what animals you do see and don’t fret about missing something and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Our stay at Umkumbe Bush Lodge was nothing short of magical. We arrived not quite knowing what to expect, but from the moment we got there, we felt as though we had stepped into a luxury resort in the heart of the bush. The lodge itself is absolutely beautiful. The camp is very new, and it shows in the quality of the facilities, which are modern, immaculate, and exceptionally well maintained. The rooms and common areas are thoughtfully designed, offering the perfect balance of comfort, luxury, and an authentic safari atmosphere. The staff were exceptional—warm, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to making every moment special. They made us feel welcome from day one and went above and beyond throughout our stay. The food was on another level entirely. Every meal was a delight, beautifully prepared and incredibly delicious. We were honestly amazed by the quality and variety of the dining experience. A special mention goes to the safari experience. You are assigned the same guide for the duration of your stay, which creates a wonderful personal connection. Our guide, Pieter, was fantastic—friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and passionate about the wildlife. He made every game drive both exciting and enjoyable, and his enthusiasm for the bush made the experience even more memorable. What truly made our stay unforgettable was the atmosphere: peaceful, luxurious, and surrounded by the incredible beauty of nature. Umkumbe exceeded every expectation we had and created memories that will stay with us forever. We cannot recommend it highly enough and would return in a heartbeat.

This safari experience was beyond anything I thought we would have. Starting with the the amazing: the staff were incredible. The guide and the trackers that we had knew their stuff and really focused on at least seeing the big five. We saw so much more. They were knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely seemed to be having a good time along with us. The tracker was so good that we were driving quickly down a road after dark and with his spotlight, he found a chameleon sitting on the branch of a bush. Incredible. The food was delicious and the serving staff were also so lovely. Location, while hard to get to, was also incredible. There are maximum numbers of trucks allowed in the spot so it was never more than around three cars at a sighting. Often times we were completely alone. We saw the big five, which I understand to be rare here (the cats) and so much more. The camp itself was a quiet retreat tucked away in Sabi Sands. Rooms.... I was a bit let down on. The house keepers were incredible and they were kept clean and comfy. The pictures definitely focus on the non standard rooms when we were booking (this may be the fault of our travel group though). Even for a standard room though I was expecting something a tad nicer. It was a bit tough to maneuver and the water temp in the shower was hard to control. At times we got a bit of a sewage smell. They were working on the lines but it might have made more sense to not put us there while the repairs were taking place. The whole tent kind of felt like it needed a refresh which is why I have a hard time labeling it luxury. All that said, we still enjoyed the space and were happy there. For a first safari I have almost no complaints and would highly recommend this lodge regardless of our experience with the rooms. We came for the safari and we got an incredible safari.

Stayed with them for two nights and was deffo a highlight of my trip. First off heads off to all the staff who made the stay so pleasant and special shout-out to Annaja our guide for all the drives (sorry we didn't get to say goodbye the other day). The staff are all extremely helpful and nice which makes the stay a lot easier and pleasant. I had a really bad cold but their care was much appreciated and frankly it was their meds that kept me going during my trip. The room is very tidy and neat, and the staff would also be taking care of the room twice a day with a new animal don't with the towels. My room was having issues with hot water supply but they resolved it really quickly as well with a bit of engineering work. Considering it is really in the middle of nowhere and having the luxury of this place and a prompt problem solving this alone was a mega plus. Drives were fun and informative, very much thanks to our guide Annaja. I'm sure other guides are the same, informative, knowledgeable, caring, and helpful. My trip had a combination a combination of Kruger and with Umkumbe but this was deffo the highlight of my trip. The lodge has a pool and some spa service to offer but that's pretty much it. If you are looking for loads to do between drives then you should moderate your expectations. Considering the price within the Sabi sands area, I would call this an absolute bargain.

It’s almost funny how the pictures here don’t reflect how magical and luxurious this place actually is!!!!! It’s not easy choosing a lodge among all the options available, but if I had known, I wouldn’t have had a second thought. It feels like they thought of every single detail. The staff are incredibly helpful and genuinely concerned with offering the best possible experience, the food is amazing, and the common area is super duper cute. About the game drives: we were so lucky to have RUAN as our guide. It’s clear how passionate he is about what he does, and he carries so much knowledge. Even if we hadn’t seen that many animals (because wildlife sightings are also unpredictable), it still would have been worth it just for him. He has these professor vibes and the best curiosities and facts about absolutely everything. Honestly, perfect!!!! But yeah, we saw all of the Big Five, and we also got incredibly close to cheetahs. An amazing experience from start to finish!

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.