Discover the Diverse Wildlife of Sabi Sand Game Reserve
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.
Umkumbe 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.
There are 8 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.
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.
At Umkumbe we offer two game drives per day, one in the morning that departs at approximately 06h00 and the afternoon drive at 16h00. On the morning drive there is a stop for coffee and on the afternoon drive you will stop for sundowners. After sundowners guests will get to experience a night drive on the journey back to the lodge.
The night drives allow guests the opportunity to see the nocturnal animals not encountered during the day. Your tracker uses a powerful spotlight during the night drives to search for nocturnal animals, which include hyenas, aardvarks, bush babies, genet cats and mongoose.
After a full breakfast guests have the option of going on morning bush walk. Walks are led by qualified and trained field guides. You will have the opportunity to track wildlife, learn about the surrounding vegetation and how to read the African bush. If you’re lucky you will enjoy a few close encounters with large predators.
Game walks are upon request and do not form part of the standard, set daily itinerary. Game walks are in English only and are subject to guide availability and weather conditions. They are not guaranteed.
Guests dine together in the open-air boma when they stay at Umkumbe. The tables are centred around a campfire, which is often the hub of activity after dinner. Rangers will often come and sit with guests to answer questions about the day’s safari.
Dinner is served at a set time after the evening game drive, and there is always a variety of deliciously prepared dishes available buffet-style.
