Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside is owner manageUmkumbe 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. d 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.

Room Types

Superior Suites

(7 ROOMS)

There are 7 Superior Suites, each of which sleep two people in either one king size bed or two single beds. Every suite also has two sleeper couches and an en suite bathroom, which includes a bath and outdoor shower. Two of the suites are inter-leading (Buffalo and Elephant), making it a good option for families or friends travelling together. Four of the suites overlook the Sand River, while three suites look onto a small plains area with a watering hole.

Standard Rooms

(3 ROOMS)

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. All 3 Standard Rooms face the Sand River, which flows in front of the lodge.

Property Facilities

Bar

Battery Charging Facilities

Gym

Internet Access (Paid)

Laundry Service (Available)

Library

Pool

Restaurant

Secure Parking

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning

Bath

Electrical Outlets

En-Suite

Mosquito Nets

Outside Shower

Safe

Shower

Activities on Site

Big 5

Bird Watching

Game Drives

Game Viewing

Game Walks

Safaris

Walks (Guided)

Activities Nearby

Animal Encounters

Big 5

Bird Watching

Cultural Tours

Game Drives

Game Viewing

Game Walks

General Sightseeing

Safaris

Fast Facts

TYPE

Safari Lodge

NO. ROOMS

10

CHECK-IN TIME

14h00

CHECK-OUT TIME

11h00

SPOKEN LANGUAGES

Afrikaans, English

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

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 Skukuz

Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside is the ideal destination for guests who desire an affordable safari in the heart of a predator premier private reserve. With views of the Sand River, Umkumbe is never short of sightings and boasts a high concentration of leopard.

The lodge can accommodate 20 people at maximum. The interleading chalets are ideal for families. A communal boma area is where guests relax after their evening safari and exchange wildlife stories about recent sightings. During the hot summer months guests can relax at the pool, which overlooks the Sand River.

Umkumbe is informal, relaxed and ideal for guests wanting an authentic safari in a premier private reserve.