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04 Jun 2025
Wednesday
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05 Jun 2025
Thursday
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2 Adults - 0 Child
1 room

Pumba Private Game Reserve
9.8

Exceptional

38 Guest reviews

9.8
Exceptional
38 Verified Reviews
Read all reviews
Cleanliness9.8/10
Service9.6/10
Comfort9.8/10
Condition9.8/10
location10/10
Neighborhood9.6/10
Amenities9.6/10

Highlands, Makana Municipality, Makhanda, South Africa. See map

Swimming Pool
Free WiFi
Parking available
Dining services
Concierge
Laundry
Spa
Gym
Entertainment
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Hotel Description

When you stay at Pumba Private Game Reserve in Makhanda, you'll be in a provincial park and steps from African Pride Pumba Private Game Reserve. This luxury lodge is 13.9 mi (22.4 km) from Lalibela Game Reserve and 14.7 mi (23.7 km) from 1820 Settlers National Monument. Treat yourself to a stay in one of the 13 guestrooms, featuring fireplaces and private plunge pools. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily. Featured amenities include a business center, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. Event facilities at this lodge consist of a conference center and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.

Hotel policies

No rollaway/extra beds available

No cribs (infant beds) available

No elevators

Events/parties not allowed

Professional property host/manager

Pets not allowed

Check-in from: 1:30 PM
Check-in by: 5:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out by: 11:00 AM

Important information

You need to know
  • This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
  • Pool access available from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Special Instructions
The front desk is open daily from 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.
Instructions
  • Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
  • Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
  • Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
  • This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
  • Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Minimal age
21
Spoken Language

Xhosa

Afrikaans

English

Amenities

Most Popular

Swimming Pool

Free WiFi

Parking available

Dining services

Concierge

Laundry

Spa

Gym

Entertainment

Smoking areas

Childcare

Business facilities

Banquet facilities

Other

Concierge services

Gift shops or newsstand

Fireplace in lobby

Laundry facilities

Library

Free breakfast

Safe-deposit box at front desk

Spa services on site

Multilingual staff

Front desk (limited hours)

Business center

Full-service spa

Spa treatment room(s)

Wedding services

Designated smoking areas

Number of restaurants - 1

Number of meeting rooms - 1

Number of outdoor pools - 1

Conference center

Free self parking

Computer station

Number of bars/lounges - 1

Pool sun loungers

Terrace

Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)

Banquet hall

Secured parking

Wheelchair accessible – no

No elevator (single level property)

Hotel reviews

9.8
Exceptional38 Verified Reviews
warning-sign.svg
Cleanliness9.8/10
Service9.6/10
Comfort9.8/10
Condition9.8/10
location10/10
Neighborhood9.6/10
Amenities9.6/10
10/10
Exceptional
Manuel, 24 Dec 2024
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Fantastic Stay

Excellent stay with great staff always ready to provide an excellent service

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 03 Jan 2024
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10 y/o and 60 y/o daddy-daughter trip = great trip

What I like about this safari is so much that the animals are so cool. Everything was amazing. I like seeing the animals. I like having a truck at the service was amazing. Food was amazing. Everything about the fire was amazing and especially how the animals can come up to your room and like they can just like wait what you eating the food and so this safari was so amazing I love driving the service was amazing the bed felt comfortable and, I just really like the Safari - written by my 10 y/o daughter and I agree 100%

10/10
Exceptional
Gessica, 26 Nov 2023
expedia-logo-v2.pngTraveller

A special place on this earth! We recently stayed at Pumba lodge it was beyond words. The first thing is the feeling of being remote is authentic the suites were very extravagant and large we had a family suite with a plunge pool, outdoor shower and beautiful bathroom with large tub for relaxing! Every time we left the room and returned it was tidied up cleaning staff was phenomenal! The all inclusive was more than worth it 2 game drives per day and plenty of food if anything too much! So many little surprises from drinks by the fireplace to even came back to a little birthday gift. Everyone at the reserve is so nice and helpful. But the best part was the roaring of the lion at night and our close elephant encounter, although at times terrifying those are amazing moments we have seared in our memories, truly felt like we were among so many animals saw 4 of the big 5! Cleo our ranger was incredible he made this trip unique his passion and dedication to the animals was impressive he is professional, highly skilled and trained in his craft he was without a doubt what really made this experience and we feel privileged to have him. The whole staff was great Kia as well was so nice and helpful. I also had a wonderful massage and no worries on the drives plenty of warmth with ponchos and rain coverage but be prepared because there’s temperature changes throughout the drives. Everything is thoughtful. Safety is also a priority. We appreciate all of you and what you do thank you 🙏

10/10
Exceptional
Ashley, 01 Feb 2022
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Great hotel, great safari

So good, the ecosystem that they’ve setup is fantastic. So much to see and do and the amenities are fantastic also. The game drives were spectacular.

10/10
Exceptional
Chilenye, 30 Jun 2021
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Everything was magical. Every single staff member was an ambassador of this beautiful establishment.

10/10
Exceptional
Mrs S, 29 Dec 2019
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Exceptional resort.

The most wonderful stay and game drive experience. Huge thanks to Brindon, our ranger for the informative chats and beautiful sightings of the cheetahs, while lions, rhino and numerous other animals on the reserve. Wonderful staff in the lodges and exceptional treatments in the spa too. Thank you all.

10/10
Exceptional
Marston, 03 Oct 2019
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Excellent experience.

Well paced, informative safari's great game drive Brendon, game stock a bit limited, but contains the big five.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 13 Sep 2019
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We stayed at Pumba for 3 nights. We had such a brilliant time there! We stayed in lodge 9 & it was so beautiful! The housekeeping staff do a truely wonderful job. Wonderful game drives with Brendin, who clearly has a lot of knowledge & passion for his job. Brendin was very accommodating & took his time with the sightings, which we really appreciated. All the staff at Pumba are welcoming, friendly & professional. From being welcomed & farewelled by Olga, to the wonderful service staff, amazing chefs & brilliant game drives with Brendin (who has such a beautiful & kind manner). We’ve both travelled in South Africa before & this is has been a standout experience for us.

10/10
Exceptional
s, 10 Sep 2019
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very good experience

Wonderful accommodation and facilities. Staff very caring. Would reccommend.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 30 Apr 2019
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Pumba Water Lodge is beautiful and the Kudu 2 bedroom suite is Devine.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 06 Mar 2019
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Amazing place. Our lodge was superb and the game drives with Dean were simply unforgettable. We were with another lovely couple and we had so much fun. A special place that we will always remember.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 12 Feb 2019
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Exceptional staff and location ...well worth a visit

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 11 Jan 2019
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Beautiful location with chalets over the lake to watch the animals as well as excellent game drives. A very special place with a great staff.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 06 Jan 2019
expedia-logo-v2.pngTraveller

We stayed in a gemsbok chalet and coildnt have been happier with the size, comfort and location. However, its the wildlife and the rangers that take this to an exceptional level. We showered outside whilst watching hippo in the lake.The rangers work hard to make each drive great- huge diversity in flora and fauna as well as birdlife. This is a very ethical reserve when a huge emphasis on how wildlife viewings are managed. Truly superb experience from start to finish.

10/10
Exceptional
Trevor, 13 Feb 2018
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First rate Private game reserve

From the time you arrive to the time you leave services is first rate. The food, the staff, the rooms are all exceptional. The Rangers ensure the maximum viewing on the game drives.

10/10
Exceptional
Yek Wan, 22 Sep 2016
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Best private game lodge

Had an amazing stay at Pumba - impeccable service, good food, luxurious accommodation at the Gembok Water lodge and excellent game drives. Highly recommended!

10/10
Exceptional
Sarah , 06 Sep 2016
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Gorgeous hotel with animals included!

We stayed in the Kudu Suite at the Waterfront lodge part of Pumba. Room was massive with two bedrooms with stunning views over the water, a lounge area and two bathrooms. Each with its own bath, one being a jacuzzi bath and open glass showers capturing the magnificent views. Even got to shower with the monkeys looking on! With two safaris each day, we also got to see many animals including rhino, elephant, giraffe, lion and buffalo. We even got to see the hippo in the water from our room. Our ranger on the safaris was very knowledgable and helpful. Food was all inclusive and lovely and all staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend this experience to anyone and would stay again in an instance. We were sad to leave but it will hold many memories for us.

10/10
Exceptional
Hazel M, 12 Jul 2016
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Wonderful experience

Was perfect in every way, could not have asked for anything more or better. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

10/10
Exceptional
j, 10 Mar 2015
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Perfect Pumba

From arrival to departure it was a magical experience at Pumba Water Lodge. Our accommodation had the real "wow" factor with our own private plunge pool and the attention to detail was second to none, even down to nice little touches such as fresh milk in your fridge every day and sherry and nibbles in your room along with homemade cookies. The game safari rides were excellent even had a stop half way for a drink and small snacks to eat. Quality of food in restaurant was really good and the service friendly and efficient. Had our laundry sorted which was all in with the price we paid. Pumba was the highlight of our holiday, amazing !!

10/10
Exceptional
Eliza, 28 Feb 2015
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Secluded game lodge

Pumba Game Lodge is a beautiful place about 110 kms from Port Elizabeth. The lodge was gorgeous, the rooms in the Bush Lodge were mini suites with small private plunge pools. The attention to detail was superb. The restaurant was good - all food & wine included. The ranger who took us on our game drives was very knowledgeable and went out of her way to find wildlife for us to view & what a treat it was - lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, elephants, impala, blesbuck etc. It's not cheap but certainly worth it.

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