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Umkhumbi Lodge

Umkhumbi Lodge is deluxe bush lodge set on a private nature reserve near the safari hub of Hluhluwe. With easy access to both bush and beach Umkhumbi is an ideal base for families and small groups to explore and experience a wide range of activities.

Accommodation

Nestled in the peaceful forest are six very private double units, each with two spacious en suite, air-conditioned rooms. The rooms are connected by inter-leading doors, making them perfect for families.

The high ceilings, cool floor tiles and huge windows create a light, airy feel. Sliding glass doors lead onto a generous verandah, surrounded by trees, with the odd duiker wandering past and birds flitting in and out of the bush.

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Game viewing and wilderness adventures

Big-5 game drives, whale watching, turtle hatching, elephant, cheetah or crocodile encounters are all within easy reach of Umkhumbi.

Meals and relaxation

The hub of the lodge is a double storey ‘lapa’. Rendezvous on the lower deck for breakfast to discuss the day’s outing. In the evening guests can dine privately or join the Roberts family at the communal table.

Upstairs is the convivial Umkhumbi Bar, lounge area and an extended deck to enjoy sundowners and watch technicolour sunsets.

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Location

  • Northern KwaZulu-Natal, less than three hours drive from Durban’s King Shaka Airport
  • Located on a private nature reserve 16km outside Hluhluwe town
  • Thirty minutes from Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve
  • Dive resorts Sodwana, Mkhuze Game Reserve and False Bay Park are within an hour’s drive
  • Just over two hours to Amangwane Kosi Bay

Who it's for

  • Families, particularly those that enjoy active, adventurous, outdoor pursuits and love exploring independently.
  • Repeat visitors especially those seeking a genuine South African experience, rather than a hotel.
  • Groups – Ideal for schools and colleges
  • Perfect for a father & son adventure escape.
  • Birders, divers, photographers

Activities

  • Walking trails, birding, macro-photograph
  • Kids can do evening bush walks to look for velvet geckos and bushbabies
  • ‘big five’ game viewing, sport and leisure fishing
  • Boating, kayaking, horse-riding, cultural encounters, scenic flights
  • Diving, snorkelling, seasonal turtle tracking and whale watching
  • The small swimming pool is a favourite hang-out

Best Features

The convenience of inter-leading rooms, swimming pool and skilled kid-friendly staff make Umkhumbi a hit with families. Small groups appreciate the lodges central location and the owners insights on getting the most out of each day. With easy access to both bush and beach set up base camp at Umkhumbi and head off on daily exploratory missions.

Good combined with...

Umkhumbi is ideal as a 2 – 3 night ‘adventure and explore’ stopover; though one could easily stay for a week. Combines well with Big Game Parks in Swaziland, Babanango Valley Lodge in the battlefields and the Cathedral Peak Hotel in the Drakensberg. For a classic highly affordable bush and beach trip combine with Amangwane Kosi Bay.

Community focus

The focus at Umkhumbi is on conservation through eco-tourism and delighting guests with the often overlooked “small stuff”. The Wetland Park Group seeks to partner up with grassroots and community based tourism initiatives, promoting, supporting and channelling business their way. Mbonise Cultural Concepts and Amangwane Kosi Bay are two of them.

Authentic

Try Umkhumbi Lodge for its uncomplicated ambience, its hospitality and the genuine and warm hosts, Emma and Anton Roberts. “We don’t run this lodge on a strict hotel formula,” says Anton. “Mostly I just want to share this incredible lifestyle

Testimonials

  • Umkhumbi is ideally located to explore the region which has so much to offer. Great hospitality, most comfortable beds we have slept in for a long time! Excellent food and a cold beer at the end of a day exploring the regions game parks and nearby St. Lucia / Cape Vidal. Resident wildlife and natural flora compliment the units. If you are anything like me who only sleeps in a room and is more interested in the activities the region has to offer, then the accommodation will be more than satisfactory. To summarize....quality accommodation in the right place and the right price....pure value for money. Go see for yourself.
    ~ RhodieBass, Pretoria (TripAdvisor)

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