Sign In / Sign Up

Pumba Private Game Reserve

Lodge

Highlands

hotel
hotel

Why people book this hotel

Friendly staff
10 mentions

The staff were amazing, super helpful and friendly

Our ranger Wesley was friendly, funny and knowledgable

Comfortable rooms
10 mentions

The property was amazing and the rooms were incredible both in the communal area…

The bathroom, plunge pool and swimming pool

Pool
2 mentions

Amazing rooms plunge pools and amazing views over the watering hole

Great location
1 mentions

Beautiful location , fabulous bedroom , great service and food

Good value
1 mentions

Totally worths it

Overview

The 5-star Pumba Private Game Reserve lodge has views from a private wooden deck overlooking Lake Kariega or the African bush. Located 20 km from Grahamstown, some chalets include a private plunge pool. Pumba Game Reserve includes a swimming pool and a well-equipped gym facility. Guests can also relax at the exclusive spa and wellness centre with sauna. All of the air-conditioned chalets have natural wooden or stone features, luxury furnishings and a thatched roof. A fireplace, a four-poster bed and a private bathroom are common in all very spacious interiors. A hearty buffet breakfast is served daily on the terrace and light lunches are available in the afternoon. The à la carte restaurant has gourmet cuisine and a bar/lounge area has an extensive wine selection. The lodge provides many opportunities for viewing the Big 5 and you can also organize a 4WD Safari tour. Port Elizabeth Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.

Traveller reviews

J

john

couple

June 13, 2026

10

Great stay and loved the animals . Amazing staff

Great safari

R

Refiloe

solo_traveller

June 13, 2026

10

the staff are friendly the place is beatiful it exceeded my expectation

Everything especially the game drive wow I enjoyed the stay

H

Hughes

couple

May 7, 2026

10

Superb from start to finish

Everything was amazing ! The food as wonderful, the lodges were beautiful and luxurious!! We had everything we needed and more ! The safari was just the best ever - we saw so many animals and the Imza our guide was fab!!

N

Nico

couple

May 2, 2026

9

We had a lovely stay at Pumba Water Lodge. The staff were amazing, super helpful and friendly. Mzee, our ranger, made our stay unforgettable, he is well versed in the bush and has great knowledge regarding the animals. We learnt a lot from him and he delivered great sightings. My partner was treated on his birthday, with heartfelt singing by the lodge personnel and he even received a delicious freshly baked cake with candles. It was truly a special treat. The food was really great and there was more than enough! Limeze and Mzee at the lodge really stood out and made us feel at home. Thank you everyone at Pumba for our amazing experience! We cannot wait to come visit again.

C

Charikleia

family_with_children

April 27, 2026

10

Everything was excellent.

S

Scott

extended_group

April 25, 2026

8

Super safari

The property was amazing and the rooms were incredible both in the communal areas and the lodges. The game drives were fantastic and we managed to see the big 5. Our ranger Wesley was friendly, funny and knowledgable. The spa treatments were excellent and we highly recommend both the facial and massage treatments. The highlight of our stay was the game drives themselves.

J

JayBeeOnTour

solo_traveller

April 19, 2026

10

Exceptional first safari experience

Easiest 10/10 or 5 stars I've ever given. Our first safari experience at Pumba was unforgetable. From the welcome to the good bye it was all exceptionally good fun. The game drives were action-packed. The food superb. The staff couldnt have been more accomodaring for our honeymoon/birthday combo. The view from the Bush Lodge and our villa. The bathroom, plunge pool and swimming pool. I used the gym which was perfectly adequate. We stayed 4 nights but should have stayed more.

S

Siarhei

extended_group

April 1, 2026

10

Safari (evening and morning games) were excellent, the guide was professional and friendly, the room fantastic, the food great, hospitality at top level. Totally worths it

K

Kelly

extended_group

March 25, 2026

10

Magical stat at Pumba

Wonderful staff and ranger. Magical game drives. Delicious food. Amazing rooms plunge pools and amazing views over the watering hole.

S

Sue

couple

March 19, 2026

10

Amazing safari experience

Beautiful location , fabulous bedroom , great service and food

M

mabey

couple

March 9, 2026

10

An amazing experience. Lots of memories created. Staff were excellent and facilities is good.

Everything was as we expected from the photographs and it was a wonderful experience

H

Helen

couple

March 5, 2026

10

Amazing game, stunning scenery with a beautiful room and tasty food!

The room was beautifully appointed with a beautiful out over the water where we saw hippo, buffalo and other game from the private terrace. The food in the restaurant was delicious with a great menu to choose from. All of the staff were friendly, helpful, and welcoming, and the 2 game drives were fantastic!

R

Robert

couple

February 21, 2026

8

Our Ranger Nati was excellent. He was extremely knowledgable and found all game we wanted to see, all up close and personal. We could'nt have had a better experience.

I

Iana

couple

February 6, 2026

10

Everything!!! I was upset that we didn't stay longer

R

Rebecca

couple

January 20, 2026

10

An exceptional stay.

We loved the whole Pumba experience. The accommodation was exceptional and every detail has been considered. The game drives were fabulous, they just kept giving. Philip was the best guide, so knowledgeable and also funny. We would highly recommend Pumba. Do visit the local village if you have time, we really appreciated the arranged trip.

D

David

couple

January 17, 2026

10

Outstanding

Everything...truly an incredible experience Fantastic staff The game drives are out of this world... Mabhuti our guide was fantastic. The rooms are superb

C

Caroline

extended_group

January 11, 2026

10

Fabulous all round!

Fabulous all round!

T

Thembisa

couple

December 31, 2025

10

Pumba Private Game Reserve you owe me nothing!

Everything. I have yet to experience a holiday like this one. The game drives were phenomenal. They loveeee what they do. The lodge staff were super friendly and the accommodative itself it’s beautiful and comfortable. The spa experience was out of this world. I hate having the staff hounding you to buy the facial products used on you after but I wanted the balm used on my face after and they said they don’t sell the product. Imagine🤭

P

Paul

solo_traveller

December 15, 2025

8

The older of the two lodges us a bit tired but the staff are great as is the food

There are two lodges I recommend the water lodge although the rooms are older the view over the lake is amazing

S

Saahil

couple

December 14, 2025

10

Perfect in every way

Everything!! The lodges are outstanding, spacious and provide incredible views. It feels luxurious despite being on the reserve. The staff were super polite and provided a great service. Philip, our ranger, was fantastic and we had the best few days on our drives with him - memories that we will cherish forever. Honestly, can’t fault it.

Facilities

Activities

Fitness centre, Fishing, Spa and wellness centre, Massage, Beauty Services, Facial treatments, Manicure, Pedicure, Spa facilities, Steam room, Back massage, Neck massage, Foot massage, Couples massage, Head massage, Hand massage, Full body massage, Fitness, Archery

Entertainment and family services

Board games/puzzles

Food & Drink

Special diet menus (on request), Restaurant, Bar, Breakfast options

General

Non-smoking rooms, Family rooms, Safety deposit box, Air conditioning, Designated smoking area

Internet

WiFi, Free WiFi, Internet services

Outdoors

Terrace, Outdoor pool, Outdoor pool (all year), Outdoor furniture

Parking

Parking on site, Parking, Free parking

Pool and wellness

Pool with view, Pool/beach towels, Sun loungers or beach chairs, Sun umbrellas, Swimming Pool, Swimming pool

Reception services

Invoice provided

Safety & security

Key access

Services

Airport shuttle (additional charge), Daily housekeeping, Concierge service, Private check-in/check-out, Ironing service, Business centre, Babysitting/child services, Laundry, Room service, Meeting/banquet facilities, Airport shuttle

Transport

Airport pick up, Airport drop off

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.

Max 4 guests 170 1 bedroom 1 bathroom
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.

Max 2 guests 75 1 bedroom 1 bathroom
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.

Max 2 guests 75 1 bedroom 1 bathroom
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.

Max 2 guests 75 1 bedroom 1 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.

Max 2 guests 75 1 bedroom 1 bathroom

Hotel Policies

Check-inFrom 13:30 to 14:30
Check-outFrom 10:30 until 11:00
Cancellation & prepaymentCancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. Please check your booking details before finalizing.
Accepted credit cardsThe hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.
The fine printNo special policies listed.
Last updated: Apr 12, 2024, 5:53 AM

Price Watch

Email me price updates for Hotel Pumba Private Game Reserve

Each day we'll check prices and send you an email for your selected dates at Pumba Private Game Reserve.

If you don't have specific dates but would like to check prices for say next weekend or say next month we can check the price too.

Enter your name
Enter your email

Write Review

Share your experience with other travellers.
Hotel Ratings (Click to select a rating)
Service
Rooms
Location
Loading...
Pumba Private Game Reserve - 5 Star Hotel in Grahamstown