Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside

Definitely recommend

Pros: The whole experience of staying right on the river bank and seeing the animals up close was great. The game drives in the morning and evening were interesting and educational. Rain ponchos were issued for rain and blankets when it got chilly. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The Boma dinner was the best.

The BEST memories!

Pros: Our first safari experience and our Leopard Suite at Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside was beautiful and comfortable. We enjoyed self-driving to the Lodge via rental car from Kruger International Airport. Just 2hr drive (follow closely Umkumbe’s provided driving directions to arrive at Sabi Sands Shaw’s Gate - take the R40 avoiding Numbi) and shortly after entering through Shaw’s Gate we spotted lions, warthogs, and buffalo! The warm welcome, the staff, the food were all wonderful. The game drives an absolute highlight in the expert hands of Michaela and Moses. And relaxing on the deck watching a herd of ~30 elephants at the river right in front of us was spectacular!

Pros: Lovely stay and hospitality. Great location with the view of the river bed. Daily sightings of elephants, giraffes etc from the deck. Game drives were fantastic, with frequent sightings of rhinos, leopards, elephants and many other animals. As noted by others, there are different territories in sabi sands, and each lodge is only allowed to traverse in its own property. Therefore there is less cooperation than in other reserves like manyeleti but for umkumbe there were still 7-8 cars so not a big issue. Would always come again given the value you get for the price!

Pros: What a magical place. We spent our last night of Kruger expedition here just to treat ourselves. Our guide managed to find us two leopards during our two drives. All three meals were good with breakfast being exceptionally good. The view from this place is magical and so much better than the pictures here. highly highly recommended.

Cons: None - maybe lunch and dinner could have been better but considering the price and all other services we're are getting, nothing to be unhappy about.

Excellent hotel, staff and food with lots of animals to see on safari

Pros: The staff were all fantastic. A warm welcome followed by special treatment for my wife's Birthday. The Tracker and Ranger were both brilliant and found plenty of animals on the safari trips. The rooms are lovely and the food is excellent.

Cons: There is a pool but not much room for relaxing in the sun. The sun is also shaded from the room balcony by lots of trees.

Fantastic location and experience that ticked all the boxes to provide a wonderful African game drive experience.

Pros: Location, facility arrangement and style, rooms with a great view and terrace, staff, food and game drives out if this world real up close encounters and saw the “big 5” and Jan our guide was terrific.

Cons: A rough drive in for standard hire car, but managed OK. Otherwise nothing to dislike.

Safari drives with Ty were excellent, just need to work on comfort of the room and meals.

Pros: Our Ranger/Guide, Ty, was excellent. The animal sightings were also excellent, especially the leopard. Ty was engaging, knowledgeable and fun. We loved that there was no-one in the middle seat in the safari vehicle. It made viewing and photos so much easier. If the room issues noted below, and the meals were better we would definitely return as the safari drives were so good.

Cons: Our room (Wilddog) was very hot, even with the air conditioning on. It was so uncomfortable that it was difficult to sleep. The pillow had a rubber/foam smell to it. Breakfast was good, lunch just ok and dinner not good.

Wonderful safari experience with incredible leopard sighting, and overall great value for money.

Pros: Our game ranger Jurie had an amazing amount of knowledge and experience and was responsive to the needs of the group which ranged from 15 to 84 years of age.

Cons: Could be good to set expectations for guests that they may not always be able to be seated in the safari vehicle alongside members of their party, and they may be seated with other guests depending on the volume of bookings at the time of their stay.

Perfect 🤩

Pros: Lovely stay ! We loved the pool and how the animals just passed !

Absolutely brilliant!

Pros: Clean, tidy, comfortable. Great organisation of game drives. Particular gratitude to Tyrone, the safari guide - so attentive, knowledgeable, happy to share wealth of insights and make the game drives memorable, enjoyable and fun.