Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside is owner managed and run; ensuring guests enjoy a personal, rustic and real South African safari experience. The lodge consists of ten chalets/rooms with most overlooking the seasonal Sand River. Guests regularly see elephants, hippos, buffalo and antelope grazing in the river bed. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, lounge, bar and dining area and the traditional boma, where guests will be served delicious and hearty South African meals.

The reserve is home to the ‘big five’ (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo), as well as cheetah, wild dog and hundreds of other species of animals, birds and plants indigenous to the area. The phrase “big five” was coined by hunters of yesteryear – before the advent of the photographic safari – and refers to the animals considered the most dangerous to hunt.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside is located in the Sabie Game Reserve, considered by many to be the premier wildlife reserve in South Africa. Located on the banks of the seasonal Sand River, Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside is perfectly situated in one of the best big five game viewing destinations in Africa.

The lodge is easily accessible via either a self drive from Johannesburg, or by flying into the closest airports which are Skukuza and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit. The self drive takes 6 hours from Johannesburg on good, safe roads. The flight takes approximately 1 hour. Road transfers from KMIA to Umkumbe can be arranged and take approximately 2 hours. A road transfer from Skukuza to Umkumbe takes approximately 1-1.5 hours and please bear in mind the Kruger National Park fees due when landing in Skukuza.

ACCOMMODATION

• The focus at the lodge is of the view of the seasonal Sand River. Almost daily, guests are treated to sightings of various animals grazing in the riverbed. The lodge sleeps a maximum of 20 guests in 11 chalets/rooms. Most of the rooms have a small verandah with camping chairs, and with views of the Sand River, while others look onto the rugged bushveld.
• Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside has a variety of room configurations that allow families to travel with ease, as well as a small party of three adults, or friends looking for their own rooms but connected via an inter-leading door. The accommodation is clean, comfortable and suitable for guests looking for a well priced and affordable option in a predator rich private reserve in the Greater Kruger. All the rooms are ensuite,  airconditioned and have full electricity.
• Please note that the Superior and Standard rooms are priced differently. The Superior rooms are larger and also have outdoor en-suite showers and private balconies with deck chairs, which the Standard rooms do not.

ROOM INFO

Umkumbe has a total of 11 rooms, both Standard and Superior. There are 8 Superior Suites, each of which sleep two people in either one king size bed or two single beds. All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities. Every suite also has two sleeper couches and an en suite bathroom, which includes a bath and outdoor shower.

The suites also have their own small private deck adorned with sun loungers for relaxation. Two of the suites are inter-leading (Buffalo and Elephant), making it a good option for families or friends travelling together. Buffalo, Elephant and Giraffe suites don't face the river, but instead have bushveld views.

There are 3 Standard Rooms at Umkumbe, two of which are interleading. The Standard Rooms each sleep two people in either one king size bed or two single beds, and has an en suite bathroom with a shower only.

THE CAMP

Umkumbe is located on the banks of the seasonal Sand River in the Sabie Game Reserve. The lodge is perfectly positioned to enjoy magnificent views of the river and its wildlife activity. The main deck area is a favourite with guests, who relax and watch the surrounding bird and animal activity.

The lodge is unfenced, however, it is safe for children as there is tripwire that aims to keep elephants and larger animals at bay. General game such as warthog, and a range of antelope and small mammals can come and go as they please, which provides entertaining game viewing from the lodge/bedrooms.

There is a boma area, bar, lounge and outdoor dining room, as well as gym for the fitness-minded. A small outdoor lounge also has a tea and coffee station for guests to help themselves. There is a swimming pool lined with sun loungers, inviting guests to sit back and relax during the hot summer afternoons.

FEATURES AND FACILITIES

• Umkumbe has 11 rooms and can sleep up to 20 guests. 8 of the rooms are Superior Suites and suitable for families with children as they have extra sleeper couches. There are also rooms with inter-leading doors. The rooms all have small verandahs with table and chairs for relaxation.
• There is a indoor lounge with couches on which to relax, as well as a snooker table. An outdoor sitting area has views of the Sand River and a help yourself tea & coffee station. There are two dining areas, one being the boma and the other an outdoor area under thatch. The bar is fully stocked and guests are encouraged to help themselves via an honesty bar service.
• Free wifi is available at our lodge between 5:00 am and 19:00 pm. The wifi service can be intermittent due to the location of the lodge.
• There is a large deck area with tables and chairs and also a wonderful pool with a view with sun loungers. Further away are more tables and chairs under a shade, and with beautiful views of the riverbed. For the fitness minded, there is a small gym on site.

SAFARI

One of the main aims of going on safari is to go on a game drive. On game drives you are able to get a lot closer to big game. The animals are generally habituated to the vehicle. This means that they are used to the vehicle approaching them and know that it never causes them harm. All game drives are conducted in open 4 x 4 game viewers, which allow for  360 degree views of wildlife and wilderness.

Two game drives are offered per day. On the morning drive there is a stop for coffee and on the afternoon drive you will stop for sundowners. After sundowners guests will get to experience a night drive. The night drives allow guests the opportunity to see the nocturnal animals not encountered during the day. You can see a wide variety of animals not normally seen during the day, including leopards, hyenas, serval, porcupines, bush babies, genet cats and nocturnal birds like owls and nightjars.

For the more energetic, each day after breakfast there is the option of a *morning bush walk, which is in ENGLISH only. The walk is weather and safari guide permitting.* The walk is an opportunity to experience the bushveld at close quarters. All walking safaris are led by qualified rangers. They will explain the animal tracks and what animals passed through during the night, in addition to the sophistication of termite mounds and other interesting facets of the bush that go unnoticed on game drives.

CHILDREN POLICY Children aged 5 and over are welcome.

Children 12 and over pay the full adult rate. Children under 12 pay 50% of the adult rate

RATE INCLUDES

Rates include all meals, 2 x game drives per day plus an optional bush walk after breakfast (weather permitting), teas & coffees.

RATE EXCLUDES

All drinks (soft & alcoholic), all conservation levies (please see details alongside), all items of a personal nature, any item not described above.

CONSERVATION LEVIES

Sabie Game Reserve Conservation levy: R500 per person per night (will be added to your invoice). This contribution goes towards conservation initiatives within the Sabie Game Reserve and surrounding areas.

NOTES

Rates are quoted in South African Rands. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Rates include government taxes where applicable. If taxes increase, we reserve the right to increase the rate accordingly. We reserve the right to review rates at any given point without notice. Conservation levies and Gate Fees are subject to change without prior notice in the event of the Private Nature Reserves amending or adding levies due to budgetary needs.