Pumba Private Game Reserve

We stayed for 3 nights which gave us 6 game drives in a covered but not enclosed Land Rover. Our guide/driver was very experienced at off road driving so very safe, and very knowledgable about the animals and their behaviour. On several occasions when we found lions elephants and others he was able to predict exactly where they were going to go and so put us in the best place to see them. The accommodation and food was of a high standard, breakfast served as soon as we got back from the early morning game drive. We were given the dinner menu when we got back from the afternoon game drive so we could place our order, and specify what time we wanted it, before going back to our lodge to freshen up. All in all, a wonderful 3 days which we loved and which was the highlight of our 2 weeks in South AFrica. Read less

Traveled with family to the Puma Game Reserve and it did not disappoint. We were met by our Ranger who drives you in an open air safari vehicle to the water lodge for your stay. Just the drive alone was head turning, wonderful animal sightings from impala to baboon. The water lodge is a thatched roofed lodge overlooking a lake filled with bellowing hippos. The lodge staff greets you with a warm towel to clean hands with, which is done nightly after game drives. -The rooms are spacious, clean, comfortably decorated and overlook the lake with a porch balcony with a dip pool. Sherry and wine are served along with waters, coffee, teas and cookies. Turndown service was a nice touch given hot water bottles warmed the bed prior to sleep. The bathrooms are spacious and water bottles are provided for your toothbrush needs. -The menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner had plenty of options for meat eaters and non-meat eaters. The menu is limited but there is enough to choose from and the staff is super accommodating to needs. The bar staff was extremely friendly and we enjoyed conversations as drinks were prepared. The wait staff get 5 stars from me given their friendliness, greetings and smiles. -The game drives were the pinnacle of the stay. The first from 7-9 and the second from 3-7. Our Ranger Cleo was amazing, kind, knowledgable, funny, and we enjoyed our animal adventures! 7,000 hectors of land. A poncho and water bottle was provided for warmth, which in winter is needed. We saw so many animals Elephants, Giraffes, lions, white lions and cubs, Blesbok, Impala, Cheetah and many more. The encounters are close and amazing to see animals in a more natural habitat. We even got to witness the lionesses hunt zebra from their 6 cubs. Every game drive was a different experience and sight. The breakfast snack and sunset snack out on the game drive was exceptional. I cannot say enough good things about the Pumba Game Reserve and water lodge. It was such an amazing experience and the trip getting there for us was well worth the visit. Read less

We had the best time at Pumba. We stayed at the water lodge which is very clean and picturesque. Every staff member went above and beyond to make sure we had the best time. We could not fault them at all and they were very friendly and fun to have around as well. They do lots of really nice touches like lighting a fire in your room and placing hot water bottles in your bed. The food was amazing and you never go hungry! The game drives were brilliant fun to go on even if you don’t see any animals which never happened. The rangers have great knowledge and are respectful of the animals whilst trying their best to get the best positions for you to see. The snack stops on the game drives were also a really nice touch and seeing the sun go down from different parts of the reserve were incredible. It did get slightly chilly first thing/ on the drive back in the evening however the ponchos and hot water bottles meant you could get really toastie. We felt very emotional when leaving as we really didn’t want to leave even though we were carrying on to Cape Town. I wish we could go back every month! If you’re thinking of going do not hesitate as you will not regret it Read less

We visited Pumba for our honeymoon. We felt it was very reasonably priced. Our lodge was amazing, overlooking the hippos in the watering hole. Food was fantastic and the game drives really good with an excellent guide. Would say it’s more of a 4* rather than 5* experience (largely down to small details eg beautiful bathtub in bathroom but water coming out of taps is brown so you don’t really want to use it; non-heated swimming pools and limited spa facilities) but for what you’re paying, would highly recommend. Read less