4.9 /5
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Based on over 1000 Verified Reviews.

Overview

Situated in the malaria-free Pumba Private Game Reserve, this relaxed, yet luxurious lodge offers unrivalled views over Lake Kariega. The lodge is made up of 12 thatched, water-front cottages with private deck areas and plunge pools. Ideal for romantics, Pumba Water lodge has a contemporary African feel and offers an authentic African safari experience.

Pumba Private Game Reserve boasts an abundance of wildlife, over 250 different bird species and you may even be lucky enough to spot the rare white lions. Enjoy thrilling game drives to search for these animals, taking the chance to see all the members of the legendary Big 5. Other exciting bush activities include birding safaris, complimentary archery and fishing, and guided bush walks. In the evening you can look forward to magnificent stargazing and night drives to see nocturnal animals like civets, genets, porcupines and bushpigs.

Highlights

  • Situated in the Big 5 Pumba Private Game Reserve
  • Private, stone-walled chalets on the Kariega lakeshore
  • Great views over the lake and surrounding bush
  • Thrilling game drives and bush walks
  • Indulgent spa treatments and complimentary archery
  • Private plunge pools and outdoor showers
  • A rare sighting of white lions - if you are lucky enough!

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Game drives
  • Guided walks
  • Star gazing
  • Fishing
  • Night drives
  • Private game-drives
This unique lake side Lodge in Pumba Private Game Reserve, is perfect if you are looking for a romantic Big 5 Experience with a few added touches including boat trips, bass fishing or perhaps just sundowners on a floating jetty
Mary Keet

Mary Keet

Africa Safari Expert

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Rooms

Impala Chalet

The lodge consists of 12 spacious, stone walled chalets with thatched roofs and beautiful views over the surrounds. Each chalet boasts maximum privacy and overlooks the beautiful Lake Kariega. Chalets are comfortable and elegantly appointed, with private wooden decks, plunge pool and an outdoor shower.

Facilities

Indulge in a range of massages, body wraps and treatments at the Soul Spa or watch the sun set as you sip a cool drink at the floating jetty boat on the lake.

During the warm afternoons, you can have fun in the swimming pool, relax on the deck, or read a book in the quiet library. You can also try your hand at archery or a spot of catch-and-release fishing.

Dining

Because the lodge is intimate and small, meals can be served in a variety of scenic and private locations on the grounds.

Look forward to cordon bleu cuisine with an African twist and vintage wines from the director's cellar. For a romantic occasion, you can request a bush dinner, lit by candle light and set out in a private location.

General facilities

  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Gym
  • Computer facilities
  • Wi-fi available
  • Bar

Rates

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Dates Board Price
2022-05-01 — 2022-09-30 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $375
2022-10-01 — 2022-12-20 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $495
2022-12-21 — 2023-01-10 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $585
2023-01-11 — 2023-04-30 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $495
2023-05-01 — 2023-09-30 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $395
2023-10-01 — 2023-12-20 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $530
2023-12-21 — 2024-01-10 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $620
2024-01-11 — 2024-04-30 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $530
2024-05-01 — 2024-09-30 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $415

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

  • All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
  • Single supplements may apply.
  • Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.
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Traveller Reviews

Pumba Water Lodge
GD

Giovanni Donati

Our ranger Eddie, who drove us around for the whole time, was really the best ranger we could have had. We managed to spot all the big animals. We had a whole family of elephants crossing in front of us and we had a white lioness with 3 cubs at one m eter from our vehicle. I have to say that was really really scary! more than sharks! We were lucky to be always only the two of us plus another couple on the car, that made the experience so unique and intense! After Pumba, our amazing holiday came to an end as every holiday does, unfortunately. I took so much with me, so much joy and happiness, that I smile so much when I think about all the memories I have about South Africa. Always with a little tear. South Africa really is something to experience. You really don't know what South Africa can offer and how amazing that country is until you experience it yourself.
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RH

Robert Head

You really out did yourself on this one. I told my wife you probably told the ranger to make sure we get to see the big five and believe it or not we did exactly that, including the Leopard. I got some great footage of all five. The service was ab ove and beyond the call to duty. The room WOW!!! Every meal was outstanding and the game drives beautiful. We had great weather the entire stay.
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VN

Valerie Naquin

Because of the beauty of the lodge and game viewing it was my favorite. The lodge was decorated by a designer and was amazing. We saw all the Big 5. The White Lions are amazing and we saw them multiple times. If a person wants to be assured of s eeing the Big 5 Pumba would be my recommendation by far.
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KR

Keith Robson

At Pumba the animals are more habituated to vehicles, and more concentrated in a smaller area. This meant I was able to get wonderful photographs especially of elephants and rhino. We took a ninety minute bush walk with a ranger which was the highlig ht of our visit there. The lodge was comfortable, meals were great, and the service was good.
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GK

Gigi Koenig

"Pumba is a great lodge, The rooms are huge and have nice big terraces too. The game drives they were brilliant (even with the rain). We saw their white lions and the 3 baby cubs , rhinos "fighting", elephants. We also found the tawny lions."
JK

Jennifer Keenlyside

We stayed at this Private Game Reserve and what an experience that was!! The accommodation was unbelievable. We had our own Plunge pool on our balcony overlooking a breathtaking view of the reserve. We could see elephants roaming, Giraffes poking the ir heads out from the thicket. It was almost surreal. There were also monkeys that were very friendly, that seemed to populate the Lodge as much as the guests. The game drives were some experience too. We saw White lions, Cheetahs, Elephants, Rhino and a seldom seen Leopard to name a few. We agreed our favourite animal was the Warthog though - It was actually quite hilarious watching them in action he he. We have also found a friend for life, in Harry our tour guide! We have kept in touch since we returned to the UK. He explained things in a manner which just kept you gripped throughout. This was all-expenses paid, so the food and drink was part of the deal!! Even when we went out on the game drives we would get coffees / teas in the morning and a Sundowner (beer/wine/spirit) on the game reserve as the sun was setting(bliss)
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ND

Nolene Dobson

"Pumba Water Lodge Safaris included majestic views, exciting "Big 5 Sightings" and the guidance of informed, competent and attentive Rangers."
SM

Stefania McCallion

The Safari at Pumba was really really good. The staff, the location, the food, the service, the rangers, the accommodation were excellent, in fact is the thing that I appreciate mostly during the vacation. I would definetely reccomend to other people to stay there and mostly to go and visit South Africa.
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JP

Jill Poyser

Pumba - another winner! What luxury! Again lots of nice little touches like the underfloor heating in the well presented bathroom. It was lovely to have our very own plunge pool but we didn't get chance to use it due to it being freezing. Never mind. The staff again were friendly and lovely. Game drives - wowzer! We had superb rangers at both Tuningi and Pumba and feel priviledged to have witnessed some of the animal behaviour we saw as a result of their expertise. Rangers were Christo (Tuningi) and Jean (Pumba).
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CL

Cheryl Lott

"Our experience at Pumba was phenomenal. The staff, the food, our ranger were all top notch. We didn't only see the white lioness and cub hunting, but they walked right next to the vehicle... twice!"
DB

Debbie Barnes

Everything, and I mean everything was amazing. The staff, in particular Alison, was so helpful and could not have made our stay any better. Steve and I loved this special place. We had a massage at the Spa in Bush Lodge and had lunch there, it was wo nderful. We saw every animal except the Cheetahs but on our final game drive the white lion cubs came out to play no more than 10 metres from our jeep, a fantastic sight. On a very, very, very sad note we had to leave.
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JM

Jahan Moghadam

The Pumba Water Lodge is where we stayed, and it was so beautiful. We were in awe, how amazing the lodge was and well setup. The staff at Pumba was excellent and beyond friendly. We took several pictures with our dining staff, rangers, and more so we never forget our experience with them. The safari drives were perfect.
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IE

Ivonn Ellis-Wiggan

Pumba - Loved it!!! I initially thought that Kaila (our teen daughter) would be bored, but she hated leaving. She still speaks of Pumba and how much she misses it. The game drives were led by Justin. He was wonderful. He demonstrated such passion an d knowledge. Even though he sees these animals everyday, he still spoke with excitement about all the animals. He made the drives spectacular. All the staff at Pumba were wonderful. Especially in engaging with Kaila. Many places will engage adults but not the teens/children. The staff at Pumba were intent on engaging us all.
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DD

Deborah Duncan

Our stay at Pumba Water Lodge was quite an adventure. Again we were delighted with the luxurious accomodations and delicious meals. Our Safaris with Ranger Dean afforded us great views of lions, elephants, gifarres, zebras and many other animals. Ran ger Dean was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a great deal about not only the animals themselves but also about the biomes, plant life and birds and insects. Thankfully not one encounter with a snake!!
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NP

Nisa Petrilli

We had the most incredible time! Pumba Water Lodge was such a magical place and we had an amazing experience, the staff was wonderful, the food and accommodations were fantastic, and the game drives were awesome. We got to watch the white lioness an d her cub feeding on a warthog.
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GC

Gavin Craig

"Pumba Game Reserve was a definite highlight and we were very sad to leave... The safari was wonderful and the staff at Pumba made us feel so welcome."
VG

Vanessa Gibson

"Pumba Game Reserve - lives up to its high reputation. We had a marvellous time, can't praise it too highly, every aspect was superb."
DB

Debra Bursinger

"Definitely Pumba Game Reserve was the best part of the trip and would highly recommend it to anyone!"
AM

Alan McCheyne

I don't think we could have had a better time. For the first night we were the only guests at the Water Lodge. It was like it was our own house! (but with lots of staff to care for our every need). As there were no other guests for the 1st 2 game dri ves they permitted Poppy to go as well and she loved it. They looked after Poppy whilst we went on subsequent drives and she was looked after superbly. We are very impressed with the quality of the hotels you chose and they were all excellent with our 2 year old.
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