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Umkumbe Safari Lodge - Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Umkumbe Safari Lodge in the southern part of  Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, overlooking the sand river which makes it ideal for an incredible wildlife experience. Sabi Sands is known for being the most premier place to view Africa's big five, Umkumbe Safari Lodge is perfectly situated in one of the best Big Five game viewing destinations in Africa. 

Viewing the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo) is much easier at Umkumbe, as well as cheetah, wild dog and hundreds of other species of animals, birds, and plants indigenous to the area. 

What makes an Umkumbe safari a memorable experience is that the owner is involved in managing the lodge and playing host to his guests, we recommend a minimum of three nights.

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.

During the dry season, the vegetation is sparse and wildlife congregates around watering holes. During the wet season, the vegetation is dense and wildlife is more dispersed. At Umkumbe safari lodge, expect to see the Big Five and much more.

Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews!

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Atlanta, Georgia
Loved Nkorho!  

Loved our time at Nkorho. Our guide, Matt, and tracker, David, were extremely professional and knowledgeable. The safari rides were

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Loved Nkorho!  
bgrove    Atlanta, Georgia   
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Loved our time at Nkorho. Our guide, Matt, and tracker, David, were extremely professional and knowledgeable. The safari rides were incredible and we certainly saw everything we came to see. The entire staff works hard to ensure a great experience for their guests. Our suite was great, very clean and comfortable . The swing was cozy on the front deck! Enjoyed our meals and evenings in the bar. Thanks to all for a great time!

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Omaha, Nebraska
Awesome experience  

This was a great experience overall. The resort was nice and homely. Our ranger Kelsey and tracker Bennett were very

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Awesome experience  
latif8109    Omaha, Nebraska   
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This was a great experience overall. The resort was nice and homely. Our ranger Kelsey and tracker Bennett were very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions that we had. The game drives were exciting and the search for the leopard was one of the highlights of the trip. The rooms were spacious, and the food was almost unending. The only downside, and understandably so, was the inability to move from one room to another, after dark. While our sons were older and able to stay on their own, families with slightly younger children may have to stay in one chalet. Strongly recommend it!!


10 Luxury Suites
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Big Five Safari Experience
Nearest Airport - Skukuza

Umkumbe Safari Lodge - Image Gallery

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Umkumbe Safari Lodge – Sabi Sands Game Reserve – Information

Umkumbe is a rustically elegant lodge in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Sabi Sands covers about 65 000 hectares of pristine wilderness bordering the Kruger National Park. It is an area of unrivalled wildlife diversity, and there are no barriers between the private reserve and the park. The lodge’s location on the banks of the Sand River offer a plethora of water related birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians to be seen. Umkumbe Safari Lodge is an owner run and managed family friendly lodge. The small, secluded lodge offers its guests an intimate and personal safari experience.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge accommodates a maximum of fourteen guests in seven spacious chalets, all with splendid views of the surrounding bushveld. All of the chalets have spacious en-suite bathrooms, six with a shower and one with a bath and shower. The chalets have either twin or double beds, draped in flowing mosquito nets. Furnishings are tasteful and comfortable, creating a refined homely atmosphere. Four of the chalets have inter-leading doors, making them ideal for families or groups of friends. Most of the chalets have verandahs and glorious river views.
Sabi Sands is home to a huge diversity of plants and wildlife, which includes the Big Five, cheetah and wild dog. Night drives may reveal some of the many nocturnal species such as honey badger, bush baby, porcupine, genet, bat-eared fox, and aardvark. Leopard sightings are also more frequent after dark. Birdlife is prolific, with recordings of about 350 species in the Sabi Sands Reserve. These include the renowned 'Big Six', namely Ground hornbill, Martial eagle, Saddle-billed stork, Pel's fishing owl, Kori bustard and Lappet faced vulture. A variety of night jars and owls can be spotted after dark.
• Children of all ages welcome. • Children under 12 pay 50% of the adult rate. •​ Children 12 and over pay the full adult rate.
From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway respectively to Witbank / eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast / eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 towards Nelspruit / Mbombela. At Nelspruit / Mbombela, turn left onto the R40 to White River. In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself, turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin / Kruger National Park. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right. Cross over the next set of traffic lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview (the R538, via the Numbi Gate, is a busy road and not recommended). After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40 and drive towards Hazyview and follow as per the below. From Hazyview: Proceed through Hazyview until you reach a set of traffic lights with a thatched shopping centre on the corner. Turn here onto the Paul Kruger Road which will be signposted Kruger Gate and the R536. Continue along this road for approximately 34.5 km and on the left-hand side of the road, you will see lodge signboards for various lodges including Inyati, Idube, Exeter and Savanna. Go past these, and approximately 3 km further on, on the left-hand side of the road, you will see signposts for the private game reserves of MalaMala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi. Turn left here onto the gravel road. Travel for approximately 8.5 km and you will get to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve Shaw’s Gate. For all visitors, there is a cash entrance fee payable from 1st October 2010 of R20 per person (subject to change) to enter the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which is payable at the entrance gate. Self-drive visitors must ALSO pay a R110 per vehicle entrance fee, also payable in cash at the entrance gate. Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit. Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge through the reserve. Allow between 30-50 minutes to drive from the gate to the lodge. Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way – if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances. From Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport: Turn right out of the airport onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River (Witrivier). Continue for approximately 12 km, until you reach the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left, staying on the R40 and follow the directions from Hazyview as above.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge - Wildlife Image Gallery

elephant plains wildlife images 16
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thornybush game reserve wildlife 65199197
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tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 61
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thornybush game reserve wildlife 651197
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karongwe wildlife zebra
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 5
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karongwe wildlife lapped face vulture
karongwe wildlife lion
karongwe wildlife vultures
karongwe wildlife elephants 882671
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 16
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birdlife - timbavati wildlife reserve - shindzela safari camp
kirkmans kamp wildlife lion buffalo 91828
klaserie wildlife
klaserie wildlife 12
elephant plains wildlife images 16
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 48
thornybush game reserve wildlife 65199197
thornybush game reserve wildlife 6510007
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 61
thornybush game reserve wildlife 6512221197
thornybush game reserve wildlife 65117
thornybush game reserve wildlife 651197
thornybush game reserve wildlife
karongwe wildlife zebra
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 5
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 1
karongwe wildlife lapped face vulture
karongwe wildlife lion
karongwe wildlife vultures
karongwe wildlife elephants 882671
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 16
timbavati wildlife 2
timbavati wildlife 20
birdlife - timbavati wildlife reserve - shindzela safari camp
kirkmans kamp wildlife lion buffalo 91828
klaserie wildlife
klaserie wildlife 12
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elephant plains wildlife images 16
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 48
thornybush game reserve wildlife 65199197
thornybush game reserve wildlife 6510007
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 61
thornybush game reserve wildlife 6512221197
thornybush game reserve wildlife 65117
thornybush game reserve wildlife 651197
thornybush game reserve wildlife
karongwe wildlife zebra
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 5
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 1
karongwe wildlife lapped face vulture
karongwe wildlife lion
karongwe wildlife vultures
karongwe wildlife elephants 882671
tydon safari wildlife sabi sands 16
timbavati wildlife 2
timbavati wildlife 20
birdlife - timbavati wildlife reserve - shindzela safari camp
kirkmans kamp wildlife lion buffalo 91828
klaserie wildlife
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PRICE INCLUDES:

  • All meals
  • 2 game drives per/day
  • Bush walks
  • Teas & coffees

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • Drinks
  • Conservation levies
  • Gate fees if self-drive
  • Gratuitries

Incredible wildlife!

This was our third lodge to visit during our holiday, we can honestly say it was fantastic. We stayed in a spacious bungalow with outside shower. There are 2 safari drives every day and our guides really went above and beyond to find us all the animals we asked for 🙂 We took amazing wildlife shots as we got so close to lions and leopards, it was wonderful.
Colin CurtisJuly 2018 - UK

Enquiry Form - Umkumbe Safari Lodge