Set in 60 hectares of pristine bush, umSisi House is strategically located between the town of White River and the Numbi Gate entrance to the southern Kruger Park (20 minutes away). We offer a personal service that only a very small, privately owned and managed, five-star, luxury country house villa and gourmet getaway can provide. umSisi House is the perfect destination for groups of friends and family wishing to visit South Africa’s Kruger Lowveld region, the Panorama Route and enjoy the many adventure activities available in the immediate area. The house only caters for private groups on either (a) a dinner, bed and breakfast basis,(b) a full board (all inclusive) basis or a self-catering basis (maximum 6 guests). A booking service for local activities (including bespoke Kruger safaris in open game-viewers) is also provided. All meals are planned with guests in advance to ensure that the dining experience is a daily highlight. TGCSA 5-Star Country House.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Zulu
Location
Peebles Road Farm D2, White River 1200 South Africa
Amanda and Paddy are one of a kind and the beautiful home stay that they own and run is something unique. Paddy has a chicken run that supply fresh eggs as well as a thriving veggie garden well stocked to serve the best meals. Paddy, with Amanda at his side, make delicious unforgettable meals always ready with quality wine to pair beautifully with the meal. It's a truly African experience with a touch of luxury! Thanks so much for everything and I cannot wait to be back!
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amanda Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 15 Feb 2021
Thank you for this wonderful review! We really do appreciate the feedback and hope to welcome you back in the not too distant future. Kind regards Amanda, Paddy and the umSisi Team
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We spent three nights at this delightful place where Amanda and Paddy, the owners, made everything in their power to ensure we had a fatastic time. Wine? Coffee? A masseuse? Nothing was too much. The house is absolutely beautiful. You sit on the veranda and enjoy the view while Paddy and Amanda are in their open kitchen preparing something delicious and chatting with you. We were there with 6 children from ages 6 to 13 and everybody had a great time. It's easy to drive to the Panorama Route and the waterfalls and enjoy the surroundings as well. I would definetly recommend it.
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Date of stay: October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amanda Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 11 Feb 2021
What a lovely review! Thank you. We thoroughly enjoyed having you all here with us and are just thrilled that you had such a great time! Kind regards Amanda, Paddy and the umSisi House Team
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Absolutely wonderful stay at this beautiful house! Great hosts, food, accommodation, and location. Amanda and Paddy are very gracious hosts and pay attention to detail to ensure their guests enjoy their stay at their lovely property. They helped book a day in the Kruger with a very knowledgeable guide, and provided a delicious picnic that day, as well as the next for our self-drive (in spite of our late confirmation). Would love to return - it's truly special to wake up to those views and to know that the day ahead will be filled with adventure (or a lazy day at the house) and good food and company :-)
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amanda Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 04 Feb 2024
Thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely review. Hugely appreciated. Please come back to SA in the not too distant future. Kind regards Amanda, Paddy and the umSisi House Team
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Umsisi House is a must go! We’ve stayed here with two families and it’s just AMAZING. Amanda and Paddy are inviting you to their African house and will make sure it’s an experience you will never forget. Their very stylish decorated African house in the middle of green mountains is such a special place. You just don’t want to leave their enormous veranda that overlooks the valley. Maybe only for their delicious home made food and pairing wines;) All ingredients are locally sourced or straight from their family farm. The kids loved to feed the chicken, swim, run around in the garden or play board games. Amanda and Paddy are incredible hosts. It was truly wonderful. Thanks a mil! We hope to be back soon!
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amanda Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 15 Feb 2021
What a lovely review! Thank you. We thoroughly enjoyed having you all here with us and are just thrilled that you had such a great time! Kind regards Amanda, Paddy and the umSisi House Team
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It's not easy to describe the feeling of being at Umsisi House. You have to go there to experience it for yourself. Paddy and Amanda are there to welcome you to this exquisite villa on the hill and from there, you feel like a beloved and very special family member. The Spanish-themed dinner was better than any of our top restaurants in Cape Town and the attention to detail in every meal made each of them memorable for all of us. What a special piece of paradise. Thank you Amanda and Paddy! Umsisi House now has a special space in our hearts and we hope to get back there soon! David, Mel, Kate, Nick and Lucy.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Patrick Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 02 Feb 2023
Thank you for your lovely review, we really appreciate the positive feedback. We pride ourselves on our style of cuisine fusing our excellent regional produce with European inspired techniques. We look forward to seeing you all again in the not-too-distant future. Fond regards The umSisi House Team
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WOW, what an amazing house set in the most beautiful settings.. You rarely ever even see a view like this!
Paddy and Amanda are the most incredible hosts. Everything is done beautifully, they are just the best! Everything is incredibly organised and could not be done better! The beds, the food, the drinks, the company, the house and the incredible massage from Dion... it just goes on and on!
Our trip to The Kruger was immense we saw 20 different animals and 20 different birds in a 4-5 hour duration. We were so lucky and I loved every second of it. Being 15 minutes away from the park is lovely as it means you can get back, unwind and relax afterwards!
Well, well, well... the food. Where do I begin. It got better and better every night, the flavours were unbelievable, presentation was beautiful and it was always done with such thought. Paddy and Amanda you really are an A* Team.
Zambuck and Lillie they are a true addition to the house (2 boxer dogs), so friendly and love hugs in the morning and evening!
You have got to go and see this amazing place I cannot recommend it MORE!!
Thank you so much for such a beautiful stay! xxx
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PaddyBG007, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Thank you for taking the time to post a review, we really do appreciate the feedback. It was our pleasure to host you here at umSisi... hoping you return with the whole family in the not too distant future! Warmest regards, The umSisi House Team ☺
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We stayed 2 nights with friends and it just wasn’t enough! When arriving we felt completely relaxed and at home. Amanda and Paddy are incredible host’s and chefs, the homemade food was delicious and with pairing wines, they totally spoiled us. If you are looking for luxury 5 star accommodation then book this! Thank you Amanda, Paddy and all the team x
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Patrick Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 02 Feb 2023
Thank you for your lovely review! We really appreciate the positive feedback. You must stay for longer next time! Warm regards from Mpumalanga The umSisi House Team
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We stayed 3 nights at umSisi House. Perfect starting point for Kruger game drives. Numbi Gate only 30 minutes drive away. Amanda and Paddy are very communicative, helpful and warm hosts. They helped us with planning the game drives and had also hints for our further journey to Eswatini. We felt very comfortable and enjoyed the beautiful accommodation. Load shedding we didn't notice because wifi and hot water were available, the lights worked and cooking was possible. Highly recommended - Thank you for the great time.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Patrick Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 02 Feb 2023
Thank you for your kind review, we really appreciate the positive feedback and are so pleased you enjoyed your stay here with us! Warm regards, The umSisi House Team
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From the moment we stepped out of our arriving vehicle, we felt so welcome, and it didn't take long before we kicked off our boots for the evening, and were totally relaxed and at home. Usual holidays can take me at least a few days to "tune out" from work life, which is terribly annoying when you have limited time, but Paddy and Amanda have that special ability to know what you need, when you need, without seemingly any effort at all.
Each of the meals we had were made with love and attention, and were utterly delicious. I loved the fact we were served dishes made with seasonal and local produce as much as possible, many of the ingredients coming directly from the home grown herbs, vegetables and fruits within the grounds of Umsisi House.
Amanda created us a perfect itinerary of activities for each day (all of which were accompanied by a beautiful packed picnic basket, so we never went hungry). Each adventure showcasing the wonderful nature and beautiful scenery of their surroundings.
Thank you both for taking such good care of us, we will be back.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Patrick Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 02 Feb 2023
Thank you for your lovely review, we are thrilled you so enjoyed your stay! We look forward to your return. Warm regards, The umSisi House Team
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UmSisi House is an exclusive use private lodge that is a little piece of paradise nestled onto the side of a hill, enjoying endless views across the Lowveld and into the Kruger Park.
The house itself sleeps 2 families in remarkable comfort, but we were lucky enough to be staying on our own, whether you take the lodge yourself or share it, it’s all yours. Like a mini exclusive hotel, but with the most attentive Concierge and private chef you have ever come across.
Amanda and Paddy host and look after their guests with seemingly effortless enthusiasm and charm, it doesn’t matter if you are discussing a day in the Kruger or your next day's menu, the two of them have endless passion for their work, the wild and adventure and it is infectious.
We loved staying at Umsisi and just wish we could have stayed for longer. An amazing springboard into the Kruger to return to each evening weary from the amazing adventures we had.
Thank you to Umsisi and your wonderful staff, we will see you as soon as we can get back.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Patrick Bond Gunning, Owner at umSisi House
Responded 02 Feb 2023
Thanks so very much for taking your time to review us, your very positive feedback is much appreciated by everyone on our staff. We look forward to hosting you all again! Kindest regards, The umSisi House Team
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There are more places to choose from in the White River area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 8,614 - RÂ 19,065 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaMpumalangaWhite River
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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