Pumba Private Game Reserve

Grahamstown -33.37656500, 26.39490000 , Highlands (Show on Map)
9.6
Excellent


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Summary of reviewsPumba Private Game Reserve is celebrated for its stunning location nestled in the South African bushland, offering panoramic views over a basin with a captivating waterhole frequented by wildlife, including hippos. Positioned conveniently close to Port Elizabeth, this reserve provides an accessible yet immersive experience in nature. The lodges, artfully designed with expansive rooms, private balconies, and plunge pools, offer guests luxurious comfort amidst the pristine wilderness. The proximity to the Big Five safari park ensures unforgettable game drives, guided by knowledgeable rangers, making the reserve a highlight for many visitors.

The culinary experience at Pumba is generally well-regarded, with a variety of delicious home-made dishes available. Guests particularly enjoy the Bush Lodge breakfast, despite some mixed feedback about presentation and variety in the morning buffet. Dinners receive high praise for their quality and variety, although some desire enhancements to align better with the reserve's premium reputation.

Cleanliness consistently garners positive feedback, with accommodations maintained impeccably by a dedicated cleaning staff. Spacious and rustic rooms come equipped with modern amenities, creating a cozy and indulgent atmosphere for guests. Although minor concerns about cleanliness are occasionally noted, the attentive service typically outweighs these issues, ensuring a peaceful and relaxing stay.

The staff at Pumba Private Game Reserve are acclaimed for their exceptional service and hospitality. Whether through personalized safari experiences, accommodating dining services, or thoughtful touches like lighting fires at night, the staff's commitment to guest satisfaction is a key component of the reserve's charm.

Pumba Private Game Reserve is a luxurious sanctuary that lives up to its five-star reputation. While some feel certain aspects like the dining experience could be perfected, the overall atmosphere and high-caliber service create an extraordinary retreat that resonates as a piece of paradise. Guests often wish to extend their stays, testament to the allure and quality of this remarkable destination.
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Luxury Lodge
Pumba offers a 5-star safari experience in a malaria-free reserve known for the Big Five and rare white lions. The two lodges, Water Lodge and Msenge Bush Lodge, feature luxurious chalets and suites with private plunge pools and outdoor showers.

Lodge with Swimming Pool
Pumba offers a luxurious safari experience with beautiful lodges and excellent facilities. The swimming pool provides a refreshing escape, complemented by the chance to see the 'Big Five' in their natural habitat.

  Private Pool    Outdoor Pool  


5-Star Lodge
Offering both luxury lodges and chalets, Pumba provides exceptional game viewing opportunities. The reserve is home to the Big Five and offers a variety of activities including game drives and guided walks.

Lodge with Outdoor Pool
Combines a luxury lodge experience with incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. The outdoor pool provides a relaxing respite after a day of safari adventures, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Lodge with Private Pool Rooms
Pumba offers two 5-star lodges, Water Lodge and Bush Lodge, both featuring private chalets with plunge pools and outdoor showers. This provides a luxurious and intimate safari experience.

Boutique-style Lodge

Small Lodge

Room Types
Chalet - Msenge This air-conditioned chalet features a private plunge pool from your own wooden deck overlooking the African bush. Spacious, luxury interiors include a four-poster bed, high thatched-roof ceilings and large windows. The private bathroom has a free-standing bathtub and free toiletries.

Family Chalet - Msenge This air-conditioned chalet features your own wooden deck overlooking the African bush. Very spacious, luxury interiors include high thatched-roof ceilings, large windows and a private bathroom with free toiletries.

Chalet - Impala This air-conditioned chalet features a private plunge pool from your own wooden deck overlooking the African bush. Spacious, luxury interiors include high thatched-roof ceilings, large windows and a private bathroom.

Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin This twin/double room's standout feature is the fireplace. The spacious twin/double room offers air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. There is a minibar, a coffee machine and outdoor furniture and complimentary wine/champagne is featured for guests. The unit offers 2 beds.

Chalet - Impala Double/Twin Guests will have a special experience as the twin/double room offers a fireplace. The spacious twin/double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. There is a minibar, a coffee machine and outdoor furniture and complimentary wine/champagne is provided for guests. The unit offers 2 beds.

Guest Reviews
9.6
Excellent
Location
Pumba Private Game Reserve is lauded for its breathtaking and unique location, beautifully nestled in the bushland of South Africa. The reserve offers sweeping views over a basin with a captivating waterhole, providing guests with an incredible vantage point to observe local wildlife, including hippos. Lodges are strategically placed by the lake, offering a stunning perspective of the surroundings and creating a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere that guests appreciate. The setting is complemented by its close proximity to Port Elizabeth, making it an accessible escape.

The game reserve constitutes a part of a Big Five safari park, allowing for exceptional game drives led by capable rangers, further distinguishing this place as a highlight of many visitors' South African experiences. With spacious, beautifully designed rooms, some complete with private balconies and pools offering direct views onto the bustling waterhole, visitors enjoy both luxury and nature's marvels.

Whether it's the spectacular views, the superb lodging, or the unmatched game experiences, Pumba Private Game Reserve stands out as a dream destination, embodying the perfect blend of comfort and nature's more rugged beauty.

Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Pumba Private Game Reserve receives mixed feedback, though it leans more positively overall. Guests appreciate the great variety of options available daily, with the Bush Lodge breakfast standing out as particularly impressive. The cooked breakfast consistently earns praise for its quality. Many visitors find the meals delicious and hearty, with offerings including tasty and varied dishes, and vegetarian options always available. However, there are a few comments regarding presentation, specifically noting that the morning buffet could be improved. Some diners feel that the fruit salad lacks diversity, mainly featuring melon, and there are occasional mentions of limited bread and yogurt options. The portions for breakfast and lunch are perceived as slightly on the smaller side by some. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall satisfaction with the food is high, evidenced by the repeated commendations of its tasty, home-made quality.

Dinner
At Pumba Private Game Reserve, guest experiences regarding dinner reflect a blend of high praise and constructive feedback. Many visitors were delighted with the food, describing it as incredible, fabulous, and delicious, with excellent attention to detail. There is commendation for the high quality of meals, especially considering the all-inclusive nature of the stay, which covers food, drinks, and snacks. The menu changes daily and offers a good variety, ensuring options for different preferences, including vegetarian dishes.

Despite the praises, some guests felt the dinner experience didn’t fully match the price point, mentioning that certain aspects of the meal, like the fish, meat, vegetable selection, and five-star appeal, could be improved. Additionally, there were suggestions to include more comprehensive South African wine options.

Overall, while many guests enjoyed a hearty and generous culinary experience with great breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, a few hoped for enhancements in quality and variety to better align with the premium setting of Pumba Private Game Reserve.

Rooms
Pumba Private Game Reserve offers an exceptional accommodation experience, frequently praised for its large, stunning, and beautifully designed rooms that capture the essence of African safari style. Guests often highlight the enormous and comfortable spaces, many of which feature private plunge pools with balconies that overlook captivating waterholes frequented by hippos and elephants. The interiors, described as luxurious and superb, are adorned with exquisite, high-end furnishings that do not sacrifice comfort. Rustic cabins provide all modern amenities, ensuring an inviting and cozy stay.

Many reviews commend the helpful and friendly cleaning staff who maintain the rooms in immaculate condition. The attention to detail is evident, with features such as outside showers, well-stocked minibars, coffee machines, and even wood burners contributing to an indulgent experience. Though some note that certain areas of the lodge reflect its age, the overall ambiance, privacy, and breathtaking views from each room resonate as overwhelmingly positive.

The sprawling bush lodges and bungalows, with their incredible views and spaciousness, create a private sanctuary for guests to enjoy amidst the stunning backdrop of the game reserve. Overall, Pumba Private Game Reserve presents a dream-like setting, perfect for a luxurious and memorable safari getaway.

Cleanliness
The guest reviews for Pumba Private Game Reserve paint a largely positive picture of the cleanliness and upkeep of the accommodations. Many guests highlight the luxury and charm of the rooms, noting that they are spacious, beautifully maintained, and refreshingly clean. The cleaning staff receive commendations for keeping the rooms immaculate, with several reviews mentioning that rooms are cleaned multiple times a day, particularly during game drive excursions. Visitors appreciate the overall well-kept facilities, finding them peaceful and conducive to relaxation.

While the majority of reviews emphasize the cleanliness, a few guests did have concerns. Some experienced issues with cleanliness upon arrival, with complaints about rooms not being mopped and occasional maintenance problems with equipment. There were remarks regarding the less satisfactory state of certain bathroom facilities and common areas. Despite these concerns, guests overwhelmingly felt that the attentive service and lovely ambiance compensated for minor issues.

Overall, the reviews reflect a venue that maintains high standards of cleanliness and provides a comfortable and luxurious experience in a serene environment, supported by a dedicated staff who ensure daily upkeep of the rooms and facilities.

Staff
At Pumba Private Game Reserve, the staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional service and dedication. Guests frequently highlight the friendly and accommodating nature of the staff, describing them as attentive, kind, and caring. Whether at reception, in the restaurant, or during game drives, the team's commitment to enhancing the guest experience is evident. Rangers, in particular, are noted for their friendliness, knowledge, and flexibility in tailoring safari experiences to guest preferences.

The dining experience is another standout, with beautifully presented menus that make guests feel truly spoiled. The staff's attention to detail ensures a five-star experience, from lighting fires at night to keep rooms warm, to providing insightful and passionate guidance during safari drives. With such outstanding service, the staff at Pumba Private Game Reserve undoubtedly play a pivotal role in creating memorable and delightful experiences for all visitors.

5 Star
Pumba Private Game Reserve stands out as a beacon of luxury, consistently living up to its five-star acclaim with exceptional service, seamless operations, and remarkable attention to detail. Guests frequently emphasize feeling as though they are immersed in a five-star sanctuary, where every interaction and element of their stay reflects a commitment to high standards. The accommodations and service receive widespread praise, creating an atmosphere that many describe as their own piece of paradise. Although some feel the food occasionally falls short of the five-star mark, the overall experience, amplified by the attentive staff, makes for an unforgettable retreat in the heart of nature.

Luxury
Pumba Private Game Reserve offers an exceptional luxury experience, setting itself apart with its upscale facilities and high-end furnishings. The accommodations are praised for their exceptional standard and attention to detail, providing guests with all the comforts of a dream bush lodge. Visitors are treated to a truly luxurious and immersive safari experience, complemented by outstanding food and the warm hospitality of the friendly staff. The private lodge atmosphere, combined with the expertise of guides like Mzi, creates a memorable and highly recommended experience for those seeking a luxury safari. Guests often express a wish to prolong their stays, underscoring the appeal of this remarkably special reserve.


Yes, Pumba Private Game Reserve has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Private Pool, Outdoor Pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Pumba Private Game Reserve.

No, Pumba Private Game Reserve doesn't allow dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at Pumba Private Game Reserve.

No, Pumba Private Game Reserve doesn't have a gym.

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