S.A. Pumba game reserve and/or alternatives

[DodgyGeezer]

we're currently trying to get an itinerary together for a South African trip early in New Year ('25). One of the parks mentioned as been Pumba game reserve - I just wondered if anyone has had any experience of this and views on it, or indeed, of any other of the smaller reserves?

[The G Kid]

We did Pumba in April last year, with 2 kids (15 and 13 at the time) and we all loved it. I was a little sceptical how good it would be compared to Sabi Sands where we had been before but I think we decided it was better game viewing, but not as luxurious as Lion Sands (where we stayed in Sabi Sands).

We spent 3 nights in Pumba, which I think was the perfect amount of time. The food was decent, staff really friendly and we had a lovely family chalet (so the kids had their own room) at the Bush Lodge. Happy to answer any specific questions you have?

[SunsetZed]

We stayed in Pumba back in 2011 at the Water Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it as a first safari experience. The caveat is that it was our first safari experience and if you've done other larger national parks before Pumba (or any of the Eastern cape game reserves) may not feel that remote for you.

Also happy to answer any questions although are stay was much longer ago than the other poster!

[Bill]

We stayed at Amakhala Lodge just down the road at Christmas which was spectacular. I think the very varied terrain helped but it was surprisingly big, and I don't know how usual it is but they seem to do some good conservation work particularly with cheetahs.

[YorkshireStu]

I’ll be in SA visiting my family in March for a couple of months. My partner has never been so I’ve booked a lodge in Hluhluwe/Umfolozi for a week. It’s the oldest Park in South Africa and a Big 5 one too. It’s near Durban so great for a safari/beach holiday.

It’s no Kruger in terms of size and more the kind of place locals flock to of a weekend but still very nice. The St Lucia Wetland Reserve is literally next door on the coast too so a combination is ideal: a river cruise to see the hippo’s and crocs. There is a cheetah conservation at St Lucia too if I recall correctly.

Staying here (Honeymoon suite)

https://www.rhinoridge.co.za/

https://stluciasouthafrica.com/isimangaliso-wetlan...

Also day trips here are highly recommended:

https://ushakamarine.com/?utm_source=Google_My_Bus...

https://www.1000hillstourism.co.za/

I’d look to spend a couple of days in the Drakensberg too for the hikes if this is of interest:

https://drakensbergexperience.co.za/hiking_trail/t...

If a beach holiday is desired too then stay nr Umhlanga since it is the best beach in the region:

https://www.worldbeachguide.com/south-africa/umhla...


KwaZulu Natal is a really great holiday destination actually.

Safari/Beach/Drakensberg mountains/Zululand.

Just to add…

Impress by taking your Partner here for the best curry buffet or high tea.

https://oysterboxhotel.com/dining-and-drinks/curry...

https://oysterboxhotel.com/dining-and-drinks/the-p...

And / or an African Spa day:

https://www.mangwanani.co.za/all-packages/

Edited by YorkshireStu on Friday 23 February 19:37

[VTECMatt]

I did Sanbona, never been on a safari before this. Stayed at Tilley Manor, had a fabulous time, saw loads but no idea how it compares but felt luxurious and personal,there were 16 people in total in the manor and no more than 6 on any of our trips out.

[DodgyGeezer]

appreciate the replies chaps - will be looking ,ore in depth tomorrow...

[djc206]

VTECMatt said:

I did Sanbona, never been on a safari before this. Stayed at Tilley Manor, had a fabulous time, saw loads but no idea how it compares but felt luxurious and personal,there were 16 people in total in the manor and no more than 6 on any of our trips out.

Also done Sanbona, we stayed at Dwyka. It’s an awesome place with amazing staff. We were lucky enough to be there shortly after their rhino had given birth. First time my wife had been on safari and therefore first time she had seen rhino and she was in tears watching the little one playing around. As far as luxury safari goes it was really cool but for my money I’d head up to Kruger, it just can’t be beaten in SA. Plenty of luxury lodges up there, my personal favourite is Rhino Post, they do walking safaris if you’re feeling adventurous. My wife was there a couple of weeks ago and encountered rhino on foot, that’s a different kind of special, maybe a bit intense for a first visit though.

All that being said the luxury small private reserves are a brilliant way to pop your safari cherry and they really do spoil you, you’ll never go hungry that’s for sure! I don’t want to talk any of them down because they are magical places, the Google reviews for Pumba and Sanbona alike tell you all you need to know about how special safari is as an experience.

[YorkshireStu]

djc206 said:

Also done Sanbona, we stayed at Dwyka. It’s an awesome place with amazing staff. We were lucky enough to be there shortly after their rhino had given birth. First time my wife had been on safari and therefore first time she had seen rhino and she was in tears watching the little one playing around. As far as luxury safari goes it was really cool but for my money I’d head up to Kruger, it just can’t be beaten in SA. Plenty of luxury lodges up there, my personal favourite is Rhino Post, they do walking safaris if you’re feeling adventurous. My wife was there a couple of weeks ago and encountered rhino on foot, that’s a different kind of special, maybe a bit intense for a first visit though.

All that being said the luxury small private reserves are a brilliant way to pop your safari cherry and they really do spoil you, you’ll never go hungry that’s for sure! I don’t want to talk any of them down because they are magical places, the Google reviews for Pumba and Sanbona alike tell you all you need to know about how special safari is as an experience.

Hiking on safari is a great experience, your wife has had some wonderful times clearly.

My family owned a house in Marloth Park which is on the Kruger Southern border; has its own gate into Kruger, and we had giraffe, zebra, various buck etc in our garden every day. I’ve spent weeks in Kruger in a Land Rover from dawn to dusk.

I used to mountain bike around Marloth Park too. Fetching bread from the local shop cycling past giraffes etc is wonderful. I’ve done mountain biking in Hluhluwe too as part of an event and we had rhino and elephant on the trails. Next month I will do a guided hiking trail there from the camp.

Safari has to be my favourite thing in the World to do.

[djc206]

YorkshireStu said:

Hiking on safari is a great experience, your wife has had some wonderful times clearly.

My family owned a house in Marloth Park which is on the Kruger Southern border; has its own gate into Kruger, and we had giraffe, zebra, various buck etc in our garden every day. I’ve spent weeks in Kruger in a Land Rover from dawn to dusk.

I used to mountain bike around Marloth Park too. Fetching bread from the local shop cycling past giraffes etc is wonderful. I’ve done mountain biking in Hluhluwe too as part of an event and we had rhino and elephant on the trails. Next month I will do a guided hiking trail there from the camp.

Safari has to be my favourite thing in the World to do.

Incredible and I 100% agree. I’ve been very fortunate in life and seen and done a lot of things but every single time we go on safari it excites me, a truly awesome experience without fail. When friends and family tell me they’re off on safari I get excited for them, no one returns disappointed. My first time was aged 13 and 24 years later that child like glee remains.

[Joeywinkle]

Stayed in a Pumba Water Lodge as part of our Honeymoon December 2022.

Best experience of our lives, hands down.

If you can go, just do it - we loved every second of it and will be going back! Everything about it was incredible.

[DodgyGeezer]

well the feedback is what I'd hoped, thanks ... we're having a chat about itinerary now and see what we can come up with (Vic Falls, Rovos, Garden Route and Pumba) and just ignore the quickly vanishing bank balance!

[The G Kid]

DodgyGeezer said:

well the feedback is what I'd hoped, thanks ... we're having a chat about itinerary now and see what we can come up with (Vic Falls, Rovos, Garden Route and Pumba) and just ignore the quickly vanishing bank balance!

At least it is cheap when you are there. We had amazing meals in Camps Bay last year for a lot cheaper than they would be in London. Would highly recommend the Codfather (despite the cheesy name!) if you are going to Cape Town.

[Boringvolvodriver]

DodgyGeezer said:

well the feedback is what I'd hoped, thanks ... we're having a chat about itinerary now and see what we can come up with (Vic Falls, Rovos, Garden Route and Pumba) and just ignore the quickly vanishing bank balance!

Just seen this thread - May be too late but we stayed at Shamwari Reserve and they do safaris specifically designed for kids - don’t know what they are like as we were on our own but the whole experience was fantastic

[djc206]

The G Kid said:

DodgyGeezer said:

well the feedback is what I'd hoped, thanks ... we're having a chat about itinerary now and see what we can come up with (Vic Falls, Rovos, Garden Route and Pumba) and just ignore the quickly vanishing bank balance!

At least it is cheap when you are there. We had amazing meals in Camps Bay last year for a lot cheaper than they would be in London. Would highly recommend the Codfather (despite the cheesy name!) if you are going to Cape Town.

Amen to that. So many excellent restaurants and even the most expensive is cheap by U.K. standards.

OP keep the thread alive when you get to the point of thinking about restaurants. Got dozens I can recommend along the garden route and in Cape Town to suit all tastes and budgets.

[SunsetZed]

djc206 said:

The G Kid said:

DodgyGeezer said:

well the feedback is what I'd hoped, thanks ... we're having a chat about itinerary now and see what we can come up with (Vic Falls, Rovos, Garden Route and Pumba) and just ignore the quickly vanishing bank balance!

At least it is cheap when you are there. We had amazing meals in Camps Bay last year for a lot cheaper than they would be in London. Would highly recommend the Codfather (despite the cheesy name!) if you are going to Cape Town.

Amen to that. So many excellent restaurants and even the most expensive is cheap by U.K. standards.

OP keep the thread alive when you get to the point of thinking about restaurants. Got dozens I can recommend along the garden route and in Cape Town to suit all tastes and budgets.

Thought Mama Africa in Cape Town was a good experience for a first time African tourist (and the food was good as well!)
https://www.mamaafricacpt.com/menu

[DodgyGeezer]

thanks for the feedback all - we've just booked a holiday which will be...

Victoria Falls
Rovos Rail
Garden Route
Pumba

so really looking forward to this

[DodgyGeezer]

just to bring this to a close...

we've recently come back from this holiday and have to say that pretty much not a single aspect disappointed, it was an amazing holiday. The South Africans were, possibly, the friendliest people we've come across and whilst aspects of the holiday were quite expensive on the whole S.A. is a very cheap destination once you get there.

I've chucked on a few Samsung (S22 Ultra) pics just for a little flavour. Hopefully it's interestingish


Vicki Falls - absolutely amazing. It's still pretty much dry season there so the falls weren't at full chat but it's still a wow moment







The next bit was a throwback to an earlier time, we took the Rovos Rail from Vic Falls to Pretoria - or at least we would have done had there not been a derailment/stolen rails on our way through Botswana. That little glitch aside it was plain sailing so to speak - WRT that glitch Rovos were superb and arranged all onward transfers with no fuss whatsoever (while they were doing this we learned more about Cecil Rhodes and visited his grave)








Cape Town/Table Mountain/Boulders Beach/Cape of Good Hope were all great





And, yes, the above sign is necessary: the buggers stroll across the road like London pedestrians!




Franschhoek and the Garden Route were lovely and Franschhoek Motor Museum is probably one of the nicest motor museums I've ever visited well worth a morning of anyone's time






Several miles and various animal rescue sanctuaries later







we arrived at Pumba Safari Park. The whole experience was just jaw-dropping and to those who recommended it many thanks, again!

[Boxster5]

Fantastic!
We’ve just returned from SA after spending 3 weeks there (Cape Town - 1 night, Hermanus - 9 nights, Franschhoek - 10 nights.
It was our fifth visit here and we love it.
We’re not bothered about game reserves (if we want wildlife, watch David Attenborough - I know it’s not the same!)
We’re more into visiting the many stunning wine estates and the stunning scenery. Babylonstoren takes some beating!
The South Africans are brilliant and so helpful and friendly.
Unfortunately my wife had what was diagnosed as diverticulitis whilst out there which severely restricted our movements this time - we’re now back home and she’s got shingles so she’s been through the mill - nothing to do with South Africa I hasten to add.
Franschhoek is lovely but is becoming a victim of it’s own success - what we’ve noticed is the increasing number of Brits who are discovering the area (not sure if it’s the Love Island effect which is filmed in the Franschhoek Valley). A few Americans too and a younger crowd.
We cocked up our restaurant booking for Grand Provence wine estate thinking we’d booked for our last night when in fact it was our penultimate night - only discovered when we got an email from Dineplan asking us how our meal was “last” night which of course we didn’t experience.
Trying to get into any restaurant on the Main Street in Franschhoek without a booking was impossible and that was a Tuesday night - don’t even think about it over a weekend as the town becomes rammed including Capetonians coming up for a few nights.
As a result we probably wouldn’t stay in Franschhoek again which is such a shame so we’ll be seeking out somewhere quieter.
Agree that Franschhoek Motor Museum is well worth a visit - stunning setting with some fantastic cars/bikes.

[VTECMatt]

OP delighted you had a good time, it is a wonderful country.

We were there again in January, did Sanbona again, Cape Town, Hermanus, Franschoek.

I think Grand Provence was the nicest place I stayed.