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Reviews of Umlani Bushcamp This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

Enkhulu Gate, Arygle Road, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa

#4 of 11 hotels in Timbavati Game Reserve

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 39 hotel reviews

9.5

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.7

  • Comfort

    9.5

  • Location

    9.8

  • Facilities

    9.3

  • Staff

    9.8

  • Value for money

    9.3

  • Free WiFi

    6.2

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: March 21, 2024

    10
    Excellent game park experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Accommodation a little basic but this is an "eco-camp" so to be expected. WiFi very weak and only available at reception but again this is supposed to be a natural experience so being away from the internet is no bad thing!

    Food was excellent (all meals included) cooked freshly by friendly staff. Driver and tracker were very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. All staff were very friendly and helpful. Great location and plenty of animals to see - drives were about 7 hours per day in total and not rushed.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: February 19, 2024

    10
    For my wife and I this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you everyone at Umlami.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 4 nights

    That we finally had to go home! We would have liked to extend our time there, but unfortunately that wasn't possible.. We hope we can come back again in the future with our kids and grandkids.

    Everything! The location in the bush was amazing. The rustic facilities was exactly what we were hoping to experience. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They could not have done anything more for us. The food was amazing. And then, there were the daily excursions into the bush. Again, amazing. Our Ranger and Tracker were very knowledgeable about all that we were seeing. They did amazing tracking and driving to get us as close as possible to the free-roaming animals. Each ride had a special happening. We wanted to see an elephant. We saw a mother elephant playing and teaching her baby, 2-week old elephant. We wanted to see a lion. We saw over 20 lions, including being in the middle of a group roaring/talking to each other. We wanted to see a rhino. We saw 4 rhinos meeting in a group as a mother seemed to be teaching her babies.Each ride was exceptional.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 4, 2024

    9.0
    Accomodations are basic but the animal experience is top-notch
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Wifi is only available near the check-in desk, and even though it is spotty at best. We went in November and it was extremely hot (45C/110F), and it was difficult to sleep since there is no AC. We were under the impression that the camp overlooked a watering hole but this is not the case. The rooms are completely open to the outdoors so monkeys can be a nuisance but there were surprisingly few bugs in the room despite this. Overall, these issues are all acceptable as long as you are expecting a rustic accommodation.

    The location on the Timbavati reserve is really the highlight here. The rangers are able to drive off the roads and get close to the animals for some top notch game viewing. We spent a night in the treehouse which was an absolutely incredible experience.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: December 5, 2023

    10
    Beautiful lodge with great staff, good food and excellent service. We loved Umlani!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing. Umlani exceeded our expectations!

    Beautiful and very comfortable rooms and common spaces, great food, friendly staff. Loved everything about Umlani and would stay there again in a heartbeat. Really liked the social atmosphere and comraderieship built with other travellers as we safaried, ate and relaxed together. SUPERB!

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: November 5, 2023

    10
    The most authentic way to experience the bush, a truly magical place
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Eco Hut
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    All of the staff, from reception to the chefs, the drivers and rangers were unbelievably friendly, knowledgeable and went out of their way to ensure we’d an exceptional experience, including accommodating dietary needs. The bush walk and tree house stay were really special.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: October 1, 2023

    10
    Highly recommend.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything was fabulous.

    Fantastic game viewing. Leopards up trees devouring prey. Many prides of lions. Rhino. Elephants. Zebras. Warthogs. Etc. Wonderful hospitality including lovely little touches like cold towels after game drives and beautifully decorated dinner tables in basic rustic setting. Kind staff. Great bed.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: September 4, 2023

    10
    Bush paradise!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Umlani and its team are simply beautiful. From start to finish our family of four (2 adult kids aged 20 & 18) enjoyed every minute of our bush experience. We stayed three nights, and although it was sad to leave, this was about perfect for us. The camp is not luxury but is in keeping with its environment, including animals wandering through the camp, and guests are looked after fabulously by the friendly team. The outdoor shower, nice pressure and hot water, is great. Food and drink all really good. Limited Wi-Fi, but enough for messages. The tree house option was amazing. We did a daytime trip there and were fortunate to witness a group of 20+ elephants arriving and drinking, bathing and playing for almost an hour - wow, wow, wow!! The games drives (we did 5 during our stay) were brilliant, knowledgeable and fun drivers and spotters, and lucky to see the Big 5 plus much more. Finally we were fortunate to share our stay with some lovely people from all over the world and enjoyed the group firepit and dining time sharing of stories and experiences. Thank you Micaela, Thembi, Big A and all the Umlani family…..we will definitely be back!

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: May 27, 2023

    10
    Amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Eco Hut
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Amazing place, in the middle of the nature, where you can find peace. Its basic, but you get everything you need. Food was superb. Safari and guides were amazing. Our best stay in Kruger.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2023

    9.0
    Great stay at Umlani!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Food was outstanding! Highly enjoyed the game drives. Great spot to wind down!

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: March 20, 2023

    10
    Amazing stay in the bush!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Amazing experience staying at Umlani in the middle of the bush. The rooms are rustic, but in good condition and in a nice typical African style. The food was good and tasty, we liked it to be seated with the other guests as it was a nice way to get to know each other quickly as you spend quite some time together (during the game drives). The animals are of course the highlight, it’s just amazing to see so many different species and being so close to the action. The rangers are exceptional, always on the look out to find the most animals. The other staff was also super friendly, all so passionate and lovely. We also had the opportunity to spent one night in their treehouse, which was absolutely amazing and a once in a lifetime opportunity. We’d absolutely come back and recommend this camp!

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: March 18, 2023

    10
    The best.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    The most amazing experience I’ve ever had. So glad I was able to share this experience with my parents. Truly a once and a lifetime! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: January 19, 2023

    10
    great experience!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    we had an amazing time at Umlani. we felt extremely cuddled by the staff, ranger, tracker and general manager. our experience was 10 out of 10. game drives were amazing, we saw so many animals. we also went to the tree house (part of the lodge), and that was really the highlight of our staying. the lodge had all comforts and the staff is really attentive. food was great as well!

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: January 4, 2023

    10
    Wonderful bush camp!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Only thing I would recommend is a bathroom by the dining area instead of needing to go back to your room - which when dark, you need someone to escort you.

    We loved our time at this bush camp! The food was excellent and I think lunches were some of my favorites of our whole trip. The game drives were amazing - they can drive off of the roads since is a nature reserve, which is a huge positive for staying here when compared to inside Kruger. I know we’re going to keep talking about this stay for years to come and would love to stay here again in the future!

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: December 8, 2022

    10
    best south africa memories & safari - so happy we were there
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing - just go there!

    We absolutely loved EVERYTHING about our stay at Umlani. The game drives were awesome. Our ranger & tracker drove us up close to the animals for the best views ever, unforgettable memories! The bush camp is lovely, with a boutique feel to it, and you can tell that every member of staff puts and effort into the details and into creating a comfortable and memorable stay. And not to forget: the food was super delicious! Big thanks to Epfraim, Clarence, Dumi, Joanna, Suzy, Irena, and all the other super friendly staff members & hosts whose names we forgot 😇

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: December 2, 2022

    10
    A really special experience - don’t hesitate to book!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Eco Hut
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Amazing from arrival to departure. The Umlani team have created something very special and we loved every minute of our stay

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: December 1, 2022

    10
    Umlani created memories for a lifetime!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Umlani was the perfect size of camp and perfect balance of rustic and comfort for my two adult nieces and me. The camp is beautiful and natural. The food was exceptional and the chef did a wonderful job accommodating a severe food allergy. Most of all we loved the game drives. Our ranger and team were committed to providing exciting, educational and beautiful drives each time - and we saw everything! Our perfect night and sunrise was staying in the tree house. We loved our stay!

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: September 4, 2022

    10
    Umlani don't hesitate just go .
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Hammock was set too high and place more soft sand below incase you fall out .

    Everything it is a wonderful place in the bush and the staff make you feel like family . Elvis wonderful guide Susan Johan and every one else . Great sightings go out of their way to show you the animals. Don't hesitate book this place was in a completely different league to our place before . Tree house go in day ideally have the elephants .met Marco the owner and his ethos in running the camp is so in tune with our eco standards.

    Stayed in September 2022

  • Reviewed: June 4, 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Excellent and kind staff- extraordinary!

    Stayed in June 2022

  • Reviewed: April 9, 2022

    10
    Absolutley amazing! We were so gutted to leave and we cannot wait to go back!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Genuinely, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like.

    Everything! The rooms are comfortable, the food is great, the atmosphere in camp is really relaxed, the staff are brilliant and the location is fantastic!

    Stayed in April 2022

  • Reviewed: February 6, 2022

    10
    a great place to enjoy a private game lodge and safari
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Eco Hut
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    limited dinner choice but great food all the same

    great accommodation, beautiful setting, friendly staff and a very attentive owner.

    Stayed in February 2022

  • Reviewed: December 18, 2021

    9.0
    Great place to go with family on an African safari vacation!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Even though cooked very nicely and tasty, I would have like to have more food variety.

    Everyone in the staff was very friendly and helpful, making sure that everything was always right. The resort's location was calm, serene and peaceful making you feel part of the bush. Rooms were clean and comfortable. We really enjoyed the game drives with our kids, 4 and 7, and had a great time. Look forward to visiting again!

    Stayed in November 2021

  • Reviewed: February 18, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: December 15, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Eco Hut
    • Stayed 2 nights

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: December 6, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in December 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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