Pumba Game Reserve

A safari holiday is like no other. I fell in love with safari and wild Africa when I was 18 and travelled on my first African adventure to Kenya. I feel the exact same as when Ernest Hemingway once said, “I never knew a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.”

I have travelled to the vast plains of the Serengeti to see the great migration of wildebeests and been to Kruger Park many times, but this time I wanted to try South Africa’s Eastern Cape. I didn’t know what to expect and to be honest I was absolutely blown away by the Pumba Game Reserve.

We picked up our car and drove the 2 hours to the game reserve which was quite easy. Upon arrival we checked into Pumba Bush Lodge. The only way I can describe it is Wow! The family lodge is two lodges together and it is out of this world. Everything including your outdoor plunge pool, your outdoor shower, the freestanding tub overlooking the bush and of course the most beautiful bed to sleep in! Pumba Bush Lodge rivals any lodge I have stayed in previously. It is simply spectacular. The meals at Pumba are served at your table…all your meals I have to say were spectacular. The cuisine is world class, and the staff are wonderful.

As we travelled in June it was winter in South Africa. The game drive each morning departed at 7 AM (Its 6 AM in Summer). The sun rises, and the bush becomes alive. The game drive took us all to the most amazing places in the reserve. During the game drive we were lucky enough to come upon a pride of about 20 lions which was a surreal experience, including the rare white lion, we even got to see a lion kill. We were lucky to see elephants, Rhinos, Hippos and Giraffes abound. A safari in Pumba is simply exhilarating!! Its back to the lodge at 9:30/10 AM, breakfast, relaxation, lunch and then out again for your evening game drive at 4 PM, then dinner, some drinks sitting by the boma with fellow guests and an early night, so you are ready to do it all again the next day.

Pumba Game Reserve is located in a non-malarial area so it is an ideal location to do a safari with a family, hence avoiding the need for medication.

For honeymooners Pumba offers exceptional experiences and you can choose to stay at Bush Lodge or their sister property Pumba Water Lodge which I also visited on my trip. While in Pumba you can avail of the Health Spa, bush walks, stargazing, birding and photographic safaris.

If you would like to bring your family on a trip to South Africa give me a call. It’s a trip of a lifetime. Your family will experience wild Africa, see the amazing stars in the night sky and just forever be in total awe of the world of nature and its amazing wildlife.