Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Umkumbe sits on the banks of the seasonal Sand River within the Sabi Sand, which shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park and is famed for Big Five sightings. The riverside location brings wildlife to the doorstep—guests often watch elephants and hippos from the deck. Access is typically by road via the Sabi Sand gates, with regional flights into Skukuza or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport connecting onward by transfer. The lodge’s unfenced setting adds to the wilderness feel while safety protocols are in place around pathways and the main area.

There are 11 rooms across two categories: eight air-conditioned Superior Chalets—most with private decks and outdoor showers—and three simpler, well-priced Standard Rooms. Two Standard Rooms inter-lead for families or friends. Each unit has an en-suite bathroom, options for twin or king bedding, and practical finishes suited to an active safari rhythm. River-facing rooms watch passing game; others face a plains area with a small waterhole. The compact scale and layout keep the atmosphere relaxed and personal, with staff close by to assist.

Days start with an early game drive and coffee stop before returning to a hearty brunch. After downtime at the pool or on the deck, high tea precedes the afternoon/early-evening drive. Dinner is usually in the boma or main deck, and the bar and lounge anchor the social spaces. Facilities include a riverside pool, boma, casual bar, and a small open-air gym; complimentary Wi-Fi is typically available. An optional guided bush walk after breakfast adds a slower-paced look at tracks and smaller fauna, dependent on conditions and guide discretion.