Pumba Private Game Reserve

“Paradise on Earth...”

In a world that often over promises and under delivers i was concerned that our 10 month wait to visit Pumba and our sky high expectations would not be met. How wrong could i have been!! Pumba is absolutely perfection, paradise on earth. From the moment we arrived we were in awe of our surrounding… more

In a world that often over promises and under delivers i was concerned that our 10 month wait to visit Pumba and our sky high expectations would not be met. How wrong could i have been!! Pumba is absolutely perfection, paradise on earth. From the moment we arrived we were in awe of our surroundings, the silence in the air is deafening. All the staff were fantastic, attentive but not over bearing. The rooms where spectacular, top level amenities but with the feeling you were still connection with nature. Just sitting in the chairs watching all the animals passing across the savannah was mind blowing. The food, it was like eating at a fine dine restaurant for breakfast , lunch and tea was simply faultless. The variety and standard of the dining was to a level that could not be topped. The game drives where beyond special and a huge thankyou to our ranger Denise, she was funny, passionate and full of knowledge that took the experience to a level we could not have envisaged, Pumba should be proud of the standards she delivered. The biggest compliment i can give Pumba is that our 16 year old daughters want to cancel Disney for next summer and come back here!! There cant be any better proof of the amazing experience our family had. It was the little things that made such a difference, from the warm towels waiting upon return from the drives, to the hot wate bottles awaiting you in bed after your evening meal, to the log burner being lit in your room for your return. Every detail was exceptional. Now, the actual Safari's. I was not prepared for the silence... it was deafening! Sitting in the bush, with silence intermittingly disturbed by a crackling of a bush or an animal calling from the distance was the most beautiful experience. Watching elephant meander through their natural habitat at their own pace was breathtaking, the hippo's relaxing ant the watering hole and the giraffes peeking through the trees. Never mind, finding the Lions with their kill feasting, was surreal seeing the power of the natural world 10ft from you. This really was an experience of a lifetime and could not recommend Pumba highly enough. We travelled onto Mauritius for a week in the sun after Pumba, and our whole family would have swapped Mauritius for another day at Pumba! Thankyou to everyone who made our stay as magical and emotional as it was!! We will see you in 2028!

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“Heavenly paradise”

Some experiences are simply enjoyed, others find a quiet place in your heart and remain there. Our day at Pumba Private Game Reserve was undoubtedly one of the latter. Following the warm and knowledgeable recommendation of Jo Wilmot at the Kenton on Sea Tourist Office, we decided to treat ourselve… more

Some experiences are simply enjoyed, others find a quiet place in your heart and remain there. Our day at Pumba Private Game Reserve was undoubtedly one of the latter. Following the warm and knowledgeable recommendation of Jo Wilmot at the Kenton on Sea Tourist Office, we decided to treat ourselves to a game drive at Pumba. From the moment we made our booking, everything was handled with genuine warmth, grace and effortless professionalism. We left Port Alfred in the soft light of early morning, with the sky unfolding into the most magnificent sunrise before us. It felt as though the day itself was preparing us for something extraordinary. On arrival, we were welcomed with a comforting cuppa and invited to relax while waiting for our guide. And then we met Lenah, whose warmth, knowledge and wonderful passion for leopards would make this one of the most memorable game drives I have ever experienced. The hours that followed were pure magic. There was laughter and fascination, from wrinkly bums disappearing into the bush to breathtaking encounters with the magnificent wildlife that calls Pumba home. Yet some of the most beautiful moments were the quietest ones. Simply sitting in silence, watching, listening and allowing nature to reveal itself in its own time. There is something deeply peaceful about this reserve. A stillness that is difficult to put into words. The landscape seems to breathe around you, while heavenly birdsong drifts through the air. For a little while, the outside world disappears and there is only the African bush, the wildlife and that extraordinary feeling of being completely present. Our experience continued at Bush Lodge, where we were welcomed for an immense lunch overlooking the sweeping valley. As we dined, we watched an ever changing collection of wildlife wander down to drink at the waterhole below. It was difficult to imagine a more perfect setting or a more beautiful way to end the day. This was far more than a game drive. It was a finely curated five star experience, delivered with warmth, knowledge and genuine care from beginning to end. Our heartfelt thanks to Lenah and to every member of the Pumba team who made our visit so special. Some places impress you. Some places enchant you. And every now and then, you find a place that leaves you just a little different from when you arrived. Pumba was that place for us.

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“An holiday to remember”

Our stay at Pumba Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived until the day we left, every member of the team made us feel genuinely welcome. The staff were attentive and always went above and beyond to ensure every detail of our stay was perfect. The food was exceptional … more

Our stay at Pumba Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived until the day we left, every member of the team made us feel genuinely welcome. The staff were attentive and always went above and beyond to ensure every detail of our stay was perfect. The food was exceptional throughout our stay. Every meal was beautifully presented, full of flavour, and showcased a wonderful variety of fresh ingredients. A special mention must go to our ranger, Thomas, who was simply unbelievable. His knowledge of the wildlife, incredible tracking skills, and enthusiasm for the bush made every game drive an adventure. Thomas had an amazing ability to spot animals we would never have noticed and shared fascinating insights about their behaviour and the surrounding ecosystem. His passion was infectious, and he turned an incredible safari into an unforgettable experience that far exceeded all of our expectations. Most importantly, Pumba Lodge gave us memories that will stay with us forever. From breathtaking wildlife encounters and spectacular sunsets, every moment felt magical. We left with unforgettable memories, a deeper appreciation for nature, and a strong desire to return one day. Thank you to everyone at Pumba Lodge for creating such a truly special experience.

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“Outstanding !”

This was our second visit to Pumba, the first time it was to celebrate my husbands 60th, and I didn’t hesitate to return, bringing along our daughters and their partners to celebrate my 60th this year. Pumba is exceptional in what they do, the staff are all amazingly efficient, kind and courteous… more

This was our second visit to Pumba, the first time it was to celebrate my husbands 60th, and I didn’t hesitate to return, bringing along our daughters and their partners to celebrate my 60th this year. Pumba is exceptional in what they do, the staff are all amazingly efficient, kind and courteous at all times, they go above and beyond to make your stay a truly memorable visit. The rooms are very beautifully furnished, with huge comfy beds and a completely private sanctuary, so blissful to relax in after the days drives. The food was outstanding at every meal, with a daily changing menu and what a Birthday Celebration they gave me! From cake at Breakfast to a wonderful serenade at dinner, I couldn’t have wished to have had a better day, the memory will stay with me forever. We did a couples Spa experience on my Birthday too, and both agreed it was the most relaxing massage we’ve ever experienced. Our game drives! Now we thought our first visit was amazing, could it have gotten any better on our return? It did! This was down to our amazing Ranger, Leenah, not only was she incredible at spotting things we would never have noticed, her bush knowledge and expertise was amazing, as well as getting close up and personal with so many animals, Leenah educated us with so many facts about their behaviours and habits, I’m a little nervous around the Elephants, however I was completely put at my ease through Leenah as she explained their characters and traits. This extended beyond the animals to the vegetation, birds, plant species and seasonal changes, the whole experience was so professionally executed by her. Thank you. Post drive, we were always welcomed back to the lodge with a hot refreshing towel and a delicious sherry. Pumba really has a family feel about it, the staff make you feel so at home and a part of them throughout your stay. I was so sad to have left the first time, and this time I was overwhelmed and left with tears in my eyes and a heart filled with joy. Pumba will always have a place in my heart and it’s firmly book marked in my I will return list of places Thank you to all

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