Pumba Private Game Reserve

Could not fault our stay here. Absolutely amazing from start to finish, despite shocking, unseasonal weather!! We saw plenty of animals, 4 of the big 5 and our driver (Zee) was just superb. Incredible views of the lions every day and even the elusive rhinos came out in the rain. Rooms were spectacular, we had a 2 bedroom lodge overlooking the hippo pod so listened to their groaning early hours, just lovely. Food was of high quality and varied, catering overall very well for our food intolerances. Spa treatments were lovely and very welcome, although worth booking in advance of your trip. Excellent and would highly recommend. Read less

We have just returned home from the most magical trip of South Africa, ending our honeymoon at Pumba Private Game Reserve. I don't know where to start - this place is incredible! From the location, accommodation, facilities and dedicated staff, you are spoiled from the moment you arrive. We stayed in the Water Lodge where the rooms are spacious, comfortable and luxurious. The views of the scenery are also stunning but nothing can beat the game viewing from your private deck. Our particular highlight was watching the elephants play in the water! The staff here are so dedicated, making sure your every need is catered to and providing excellent levels of service from start to finish. The food was also delicious - we enjoyed every single meal we had. I'm a vegetarian and was given a separate menu everyday with plenty of choice and they were also happy to accommodate any request made. As for the game drives, our ranger was Nati and he made the trip for us. We had the most special encounters with the animals and it was all down to him. Even after our 5th night, his ability to spot an animal in the distance still baffled us and it really felt that he made our time there as special as he possibly could as it was our honeymoon. His knowledge and passion for the job was evident and it made the game drives so interesting and enjoyable. We couldn't thank him for enough for all he did to make sure we saw the animals we wanted to see (and we saw everything!!). We couldn't recommend this place more and will definitely be returning in the future. Read less

We enjoyed a 3 night stay at Pumba lodge in South Africa and I can certainly say that it was phenomenal. It was our first safari and we were not disappointed. Firstly, the staff are a testament to the Lodge. I would like to thank them for all they did during our stay. Everyone was very helpful and went out of their way to make us comfortable. Small gestures such as offering warm hand towels after every game drive, lighting the fires in our bedrooms and leaving hot water bottles in our beds in the evening so they were warm for us after our dinner went a long way and demonstrated how they had thought of everything. We enjoyed the extensive meals that were provided (although we may have put on a few pounds!). The Lodge provided 3 courses for Lunch and Dinner offering delicious vegetarian options too. You will be accompanied by cheeky monkeys at breakfast who offer great entertainment as they attempt to steal the jam jars! Drinks and Snacks were given on the afternoon game drives whilst watching the sunset adding to an overall exceptional experience. They even provided plenty of free bottled water and for someone who loves drinking water - this was a major bonus. Onto the main event - game drives. Our ranger, Pums, was lovely and very knowledgeable. He ensured our experience was maximised to the fullest by seeking out nearly all the animals. We were fortunate enough to see several elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, wildebeests, cheetahs, zebras, lions and lionesses with their cubs. The highlight for me was definitely the lions and cheetahs - both fascinating animals. I would like to say a special thanks to Pums for his dedication to providing us with an unforgettable experience. We stayed at the Bush Lodge where the rooms were very clean, well air conditioned, plenty of natural light and a scenic view. The Lodges really make you feel like you are close to the wildlife. The decking looks over to where animals can come close, so you can even see them from your bed sometimes! Housekeeping came in several times throughout the day to make our stay even more comfortable. They stocked up on water bottles and even left animal story cards every evening just before we went to bed! There is also a Spa where you can visit the well equipped gym, enjoy the private steam room or book yourself in for a treatment. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this Reserve to anyone looking to enjoy a safari in South Africa. It has certainly left an everlasting mark in our hearts and we would definitely visit again. This has opened our eyes to what nature has to offer. It is not a conventional holiday but one everyone should experience at least once! It also provides a great detox from daily life, as you can solely focus on what the reserve has to offer. Thank you again to all at Pumba and our Ranger, Pums. Special thanks also to Trailfinders who recommended this reserve to us when planning our South Africa trip. Read less