Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Luilekker, Kruger National Park 1350 South Africa
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#6 of 11 guest houses in Kruger National Park
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Travellers' Choice
Umkumbe Safari Lodge is located in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, considered by many to be the premier wildlife reserve in South Africa. Located on the banks of the seasonal Sand River, Umkumbe Safari Lodge is perfectly situated in one of the best Big Five game viewing destinations in Africa.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Paid wifi
Pool
Free breakfast
Game room
Billiards
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Poolside bar
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
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Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
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HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Great View
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans
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This was our second safari in South Africa and we thought that it couldn’t match our first. But we were pleasantly surprised when it not only met but exceeded our expectations. Although we arrived later than expected on the first day and had missed the afternoon game drive, the staff was very accommodating and offered to take us on a shortened drive. And our first drive was amazing with all the animals we saw and continued to improve on the next three days of our stay. Although animal sightings cannot be guaranteed, we saw all of the “big 5”, plus, some additional that are difficult to spot. Our guides, Jessica and Ty, plus the night-drive trackers, Mashaba and Moses were extremely vigilant in pointing out different animals/plants and knowledgeable in their explanations. The accommodations at the lodge were extremely comfortable. Our cabin, Leopard, faced the river and we were rewarded with sightings of elephants in the river, plus, kudus, nyalas, baboons, and monkeys that passed by our deck. The meals were served buffet style and the food was delicious. All in all, Umkumbe Lodge and staff provided us with a wonderful experience and many memories to take away.…
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Room Tip: Take sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat.
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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.
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Property's Favourite Review
We had the Lions House, located directly at the river. Nice and quiet, a lot of space. Even with an outdoor shower. The whole experience was great. Morning drive at 6am, afternoon drive at 4.30pm. We saw the big 5 and enjoyed the passion and knowledge of our driver Ian and tracker Moses. Very good food, super friendly staff and a lot of fun. Would highly recommend it!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Hi There, Thank you for your five star review! Some of our superior rooms have spectacular views of the seasonal Sand River that runs in front our lodge. We're glad to hear that enjoyed your lodge experience, and that our guides and trackers delivered a rewarding game viewing experience (they're world class!). Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We came with limited expectations… we left with memories of one of the best experiences of our lives! It was 104 …. Hot … but that didn’t dampen any of our experiences because we had such wonderful guides, Jessica and Tyron! The meals were great, the room lovely and even when our AC went out, it was replaced the same day. We can’t say enough nice things about the lodge and the staff… thank you for this amazing adventure!
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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Fantastic. We got to see the big 5 a few times over and more with the most amazing hyena cub sighting. We got to see all the animals in the day and at night. Seeing the leopards and lions at night is very cool. There were numerous elephants at the front of the lodge which was also so cool to see. The lodge is basic but perfect for what we was looking for, which gave it a very authentic Safari feel. All the guides are great especially Ty who was our guide for the 4 days we was there, so knowledgable and passionate about the animals which was great to see. Would highly recommend the Umkumbe as it gives you a very authentic safari experience and the guides and trackers are great. My only advice would be to bring something to keep you occupied in between game drives as because you are in the middle of the African bush, there isn’t anything to do during the day but overall the best experience, couldn’t recommend enough!!…
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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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.
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Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 1 week ago
Hi There, Thank you for submitting such an informative, well-written review! And for rating us so highly. Seeing the Big 5 in the wild is bucket list stuff, but seeing hyena cubs in the Den site area only elevates the experience. Hyenas have a crucial role to play in the wild, so it's great to see them thriving on our reserve. The herds are often spotted on the seasonal Sand River in front of camp...guests have been known to sit around the pool and observe ellies exploring the terrain below. Ty is an amazing guide, and also a passionate photographer. His natural curiosity for the wild means he knows just where to position the vehicle for the best viewing opportunities. We offer plenty of downtime during game drives where you can either relax, hit the gym, swim, or stare at elephants. We do recommend you bring a book or a board game if you would like to keep busy. We look forward to hosting you again. Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our room was very comfortable with a good view of the Sand River and the animals that would pass by. The animal sightings during the safari drives were close and personal and we had a number of really memorable sightings including a rare cheetah sighting. Moses our tracker almost jumped out of his seat when he spotted the cheetah lying under a tree and Micaela our guide did a great job following the cheetah and positioning the vehicle to allow us to photograph it as it jumped on to a dead tree. Moments like these take the safari experience to really awesome levels! Big thanks to Micaela and Moses for these sightings.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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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.
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Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 09 Oct 2023
Hi There, Thank you for your 5-star review of our safari lodge. We're happy to hear that we exceeded expectations and that you enjoyed our tracking and guiding. Seeing a cheetah in the wild is an incredible experience! Seems like you had a great action-packed predator sighting safari. Kind Regards The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
An amazing experience here. I just wish we had stayed for longer. Stayed in 2 rooms with our family (children 18,16 and 13). Exquisite setting with elephants and giraffe walking past the bungalows to the river. Staff were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and respectful of their environment and setting. Game drives with Michaela were spectacular….big 5 in 90 minutes on one drive and very close up on all the animals. This is a very special and intimate place which I would recommend to anyone as something to do once in their lives. Thanks to all.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Stay as long as you can!
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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.
Helpful
Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 09 Oct 2023
Hi There, Thank you for your review. We also wish you had stayed longer - we encourage you to come back and stay! Our setting on the banks of the Sand River is exceptional - wildlife frequently flocks to the area in search of prey and good grazing grounds. Our guides and trackers are incredible when it comes to finding wildlife. We're happy to hear that you got up close and personal to the Big 5 in one drive. Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I go on Safari often and this has to be the worst Safari experience of my life! I feel as though I have been scammed, what a waste of money. The sightings were shocking for a so called 5 star lodge. Shower unacceptable, Wi-Fi weak, air con weak. I can understand why it appeals to foreigners as they don’t know any better but as a South African stay away, we certainly didn’t pay peanuts for this trip, yes we got to see two leopards, the one sighting will forever live in my memory for the wrong reasons, 6 vehicles surrounding the leopard , guides shouting at each other (although the two women guides were very professional), guests standing in vehicles, an absolute circus! Three vehicle line up for a giraffe sighting, that should tell you all you need to know about the sightings. Sabi Sands is renowned for guaranteed lion and leopard sightings, don’t visit here if that is what you are after. We couldn’t wait to leave and get back into the Kruger. I was dreading the drives instead of being excited. After the first drive I joked with my wife that on the positive side of things the drives can’t get worse, I was wrong! …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Room Tip: Not worth it!
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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.
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Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 09 Oct 2023
Hello Graeme, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent stay at Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside. We genuinely appreciate all feedback, positive or negative, as it contributes to our continuous efforts to enhance our guest’s experience. It is important to note that Umkumbe Safari Lodge is not advertised as a 5-star lodge, nor does it claim to be one. Our focus is on providing an authentic safari experience with luxurious touches, within the Sabi Game reserve, at an affordable rate and providing exceptional and unique experiences to our guests. The discounted SADC rate you booked is designed to make this experience more accessible to a broader range of guests. The WiFi is intentionally provided in the main area of the Lodge to encourage guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings and to promote an environment conducive to relaxation and connection to nature. We do understand that guests’ preferences may vary and we are open to exploring ways to enhance the experience. Our guides are exceptionally professional and possess an extensive amount of knowledge. Embarking on a Safari with a qualified and knowledgeable guide and tracker ensures a rich, educational experience with people who can enhance wildlife sightings, prioritise safety and offer in depth knowledge. I understand that the sightings may have appeared crowded during your visit, particularly as you travelled during peak season when the bush is particularly busy. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide further feedback regarding the behaviour of other guides at sightings. However, we will address this with other landowners as it is imperative for guests to remain seated at all times and excess noise is highly discouraged. In private reserves, there would be a “queue” to view a sighing as there are specific regulations that have to be adhered to, including limitations on the number of vehicles allowed at one sighting in order to avoid disturbing the animals. It is regrettable that we haven’t had the opportunity to hear from your directly during nor after your stay as we value open communication with our guests and would have liked the chance to address your concerns and work towards a suitable solution. If you have any further details to share, please feel free to reach out to us directly. Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Exceeded our expectations in every way. Great accommodations, terrific food and atmosphere. The staff are all amazing and gave us all such an inclusive feeling. The fireside dinners are awesome! Jessica is the greatest game drive guide ever!! She was beyond informative and was so into our own stories and experiences on our trip. She made us all feel so welcomed. Moshava was our tracker and terrific as well. An absolutely amazing time!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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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.
Helpful
Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 28 Aug 2023
Hi There, Thank you so much for your five-star review. We're happy to hear that we exceeded expectations. Our guiding is top notch, and we always ensure guests learn about the wild while spotting animals. Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I had the most wonderful experience at Umkumbe Safari Lodge. We stayed in the Zebra Room which was beautifully decorated and had an outdoor shower and a beautiful deck with a view of the river with many animals grazing along the river. The beds were very comfortable. The safaris were absolutely amazing and breathtaking . Our guide Tyron was excellent, we saw so many animals and Ty took the time to share his knowledge of the different animals and their behaviour. It was very fascinating. Our tracker Sipho was fantastic, spotting a chameleon in the dark and other wild life in the far distance. Tyron and Sipho made a really great team making our safari experience unforgettable. The infinity pool was so beautiful. When we went swimming there was an elephant at the river in the background behind us. What a view. The food was excellent and they fed us well. Last but not least the staff, I can’t say enough about the staff. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming making everyone feel right at home. I will highly recommend Umkumbe to all my friends that are thinking about going on a safari. Thank you to the staff at Umkumbe for making our trip above and beyond what we expected. Creating fond memories for a lifetime. Janice & Kevin …
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Helpful
Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 28 Aug 2023
Hi Janice and Kevin, Thank you for your five star rating of our lodge. We're happy to hear that you had an exceptional time at our lodge, and enjoyed the game viewing. Our guides and trackers are professional and passionate about their job. The Sand River in front of the lodge is a major drawcard for our wildlife. Again, thank you for your glowing review. Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I really can't describe what a fantastic experience our stay at Umkumbe was. The staff felt like family by the time we left, and we loved every minute at the lodge. It has a great location next to the river, and a very productive property for sightings. Our guide Jessica and tracker Moshava were the absolute best. Not only were they incredible at finding wildlife (we were blown away every time they found a leopard deep in the bush) but they were also knowledgeable and caring about the wildlife. Our time with them was truly the best part of our entire trip to South Africa.
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Date of stay: July 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Sun Destinations, General Manager at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Responded 31 Jul 2023
Hi Matt, Thank you so much for your review of Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside. We're happy to hear you had a fantastic time with our guides. They are experts in finding wildlife and teaching guests about the wild. Kind Regards, The Sun Destinations Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$497 - US$590 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
umkumbe safari hotel sabi sand game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkSabi Sand Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Frequently Asked Questions about Umkumbe Safari Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.