During our last tour through South Africa, we finally wanted to take a closer look at a private game reserve. After extensive research, we decided on the Pumba Private Game Reserve because not only did the reviews sound very good, but the reserve was also right on our route. Moreover, Christmas was just around the corner, and we weren’t sure how we would spend the holidays.

So, without further ado, we decided to treat ourselves and spend Christmas “in the bush.” In the following article, we’ll introduce you to the Pumba Private Game Reserve in more detail and tell you what we experienced there. Enjoy browsing!

• Location of Pumba Private Game Reserve
• Arrival & Welcome
• The Water Lodge
• Our chalet in the Water Lodge
• All-inclusive meals
• Wellness & lunch in the Bush Lodge
• Daily schedule at the Pumba Private Game Reserve
• Game drives & animals
• Special feature: The white lions
• Number of animals
• Other activities at the Pumba Private Game Reserve
• The staff & service
• Costs for the Pumba Private Game Reserve
• Conclusion – Is a stay at the Pumba Private Game Reserve worthwhile?

Location of the Pumba Private Game Reserve

The 5-star Pumba Private Game Reserve* is located in the malaria-free Eastern Cape near Grahamstown. You can reach the airport in Port Elizabeth after a roughly 1.5-hour drive. During our fifth tour through South Africa, we wanted to treat ourselves to something really special.

Although we had already been to most of the country’s national parks, a private reserve was still missing from our “imaginary South Africa bucket list”. We hadn’t actually planned on spending that much money, but in the end, it just had to be something really special for us.

Arrival & Welcome

From Grahamstown, we drove just under 25 minutes by rental car to the Pumba Private Game Reserve. We received a warm welcome at the entrance and were offered a refreshing drink. After the most important formalities were completed, we took our luggage out of the car and climbed into a typical safari jeep.

One of the staff members drove us to the Water Lodge. On the way there, we passed several impalas and zebras. We couldn’t stop grinning and were incredibly excited for the next 3 nights/4 days.

Arriving at the Water Lodge, we were warmly welcomed by some of the other staff members. They handed us moist, fragrant towels to freshen up and gave us a brief introduction. We were slowly beginning to get an idea of what the next few days would bring. We immediately noticed how attentive, friendly, and accommodating the staff were, and slowly we realized that we were in a 5-STAR RESERVE.

The Water Lodge

The Pumba Private Game Reserve* consists of two complexes. One is the Water Lodge and the other is the Bush Lodge. We chose the Water Lodge because there is a small lake right in front of the chalets and you have a great view of it from the balcony.

We also hoped to spot lots of animals on and in the water. And what can we tell you? From our first glance at the lake from the terrace, we heard and saw numerous hippos relaxing in the water, basking in the midday heat.

At the heart of the Water Lodge is the beautiful main house, where meals are served morning, noon, and evening. There is also a large terrace with a fantastic pool, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of nature and wildlife. To the left and right of the main house are a total of 12 chalets, all of which face the lake. It is a small, well-organized complex in the midst of the stunningly beautiful “wilderness.”

Our chalet in the Water Lodge

After a brief conversation with the team, we were led to our chalet. We stayed in the 75 m² Chalet Impala (there are 8 of these plus 4 additional chalets), which couldn’t have been more beautiful. The luxurious room was furnished and designed with great attention to detail.

In addition to a huge, comfortable bed, we were able to enjoy a small fireplace, a cozy seating area, a large bathroom with a shower and a freestanding bathtub, as well as a minibar, binoculars, and other amenities.

We immediately noticed that absolutely everything had been thought of. There were high-quality binoculars for observing the animals in the room, as well as books about African wildlife. There was also a small booklet on the table where you could check off your discovered animal sightings.

From the terrace, we could spot a large group of hippos almost every day, and further in the distance, rhinos, impalas, and elephants. Amazing, right? Another highlight was the small plunge pool with sun loungers on our terrace.

Our chalet highlights:

• Daily treats (sweets, messages, etc.)
• Minibar stocked daily
• Freestanding bathtub in the bathroom
• Comfortable king-size bed
• Binoculars with a book about mammals and birds
• Small fireplace with wood
• Terrace overlooking the lake
• Private small “pool” with sun loungers on the terrace

All-inclusive meals

It was important to us that we didn’t have to worry about meals on site. So it was good that the price included breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Small snacks in between meals were also provided. So we didn’t spend a single cent more on site (except for the massages and tips).

Before the early morning drives, we had a few small snacks, coffee, and tea. Afterwards, a small but delicious breakfast buffet was served with fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, cheese, sausage, hot egg dishes, croissants, muffins, toast, pancakes, and much more. Juices, coffee, water, and tea were also provided.

At lunch, you could order a variety of cold and hot dishes, and in the afternoon, there was also coffee, tea, cake, fruit, and pastries. So, you never went hungry. In the evening, we could enjoy the view over the bush from the terrace and indulge in a fantastic gourmet menu.

The food always tasted excellent, and everything was freshly prepared with great attention to detail. Soft drinks, wine, beer, and other beverages were included in the price. At Christmas, there was also a fantastic dinner in the bush with all the guests and the entire team, including a live band. That was a wonderful experience!

Wellness & Lunch in the Bush Lodge

As already mentioned, the property includes the Water Lodge and the Bush Lodge. A member of staff drove us over to the Bush Lodge to take a look around. There, around the main building, there are 11 luxurious, glass-enclosed chalets, which are picturesquely integrated into the African bush.

Here, too, there is a great pool with views over the bushland, as well as a terrace, curio shop, bar, restaurant, boma, and spa area.

We had lunch at the Bush Lodge and were able to observe a variety of animals from the terrace, including giraffes, warthogs, kudus, impalas, and elephants. We also particularly liked the fire pit.

At the Bush Lodge, we even treated ourselves to a couples massage, which was truly relaxing (approx. €40 per person for a 60-minute full-body massage). The Pumba Health Spa offers many other treatments. Check out our offer list here.

Daily Schedule at Pumba Private Game Reserve

If you book a stay at the Pumba Private Game Reserve*, you can look forward to a structured daily schedule. The schedule is the same throughout the year, only the times vary slightly depending on the season. We were there in December 2022 (summer).

• 6:00 a.m. – Wake-up call
• 6:30 a.m. – Game Drive 1
• 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast
• 1:30 p.m. – Lunch
• 4:30 p.m. – Game Drive 2
• 7:30 p.m. – Dinner

• 6:30 a.m. – Wake-up call
• 7:00 a.m. – Game Drive 1
• 9:30 a.m. – Breakfast
• 1:30 p.m. – Lunch
• 3:30 p.m. – Game Drive 2
• 6:30 p.m. – Dinner

Game Drives & Animals

We were woken up at 6:00 a.m. and then went to the main house for a quick coffee. At 6:30 a.m., we started our first game drive. During our stay, we always had the same ranger who led the game drives with us.

Most of the time, we were alone in the jeep or with a maximum of 2 to 4 other guests. We drove through the reserve in an open jeep on unpaved, bumpy roads and were able to spot many African animals.

Our ranger told us many interesting things about the animals and about the work of a ranger. We saw, among other things, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, impalas, numerous bird species, hippos, wildebeests, warthogs, monkeys, various types of buck, and kudus.

In the mornings, we also always took a short coffee break in the middle of the reserve with tea, coffee, Amarula, and pastries. It was so cool to watch giraffes and elephants with a coffee in hand. Simply WOW! If it gets chilly or wet, warm ponchos are available in the jeep for everyone.

Special Feature: The White Lions

A special feature of the reserve are the white lions. They were first sighted south of the Kruger National Park in 1975 and were mercilessly hunted over the following years because they were an absolute sensation. It wasn’t until 1996 that the relentless hunt was stopped.

At that time, unfortunately, there were only around 20 white lions left worldwide. Today, there are said to be just under 600 individuals. And you know what? The Pumba Private Game Reserve has its share in this.

The reserve has been providing a new home for these fascinating big cats with their genetically mutated fur color since 2006. During our game drives, we saw a group of these white lions and could hardly believe our eyes. We had never before seen white lions with blue eyes.

It was a truly unique experience. At the same time, however, it is also sad to note that around a thousand lions are still shot every year in South Africa (in specially established breeding stations). You’re supposed to get more than €120,000 for a male white lion.

You might also be interested in the following topics:

• Vacationers pay €20,000 to kill a lion
• Lion farms: animal cruelty for tourism
• One in four lions in Zambia has shotgun pellets in their skull
• Big game hunting of lions – hunting and habitat loss threaten lions

Number of animals

You need to know: Private reserves are only allowed to keep a certain number of animals, depending on their size. Since space is limited, it’s also difficult to maintain a wide diversity of wild animals. You’ll therefore notice that you’ll often drive past the same groups of animals. There’s a large pride of lions, a herd of elephants, a small group of rhinos, and a certain number of giraffes.

So don’t expect to see “new” animals every day. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting. The reserve is also said to have leopards, buffalo, and hyenas. However, these haven’t been seen in ages, so don’t expect to see them. Should you nevertheless see them, you will be all the more pleased.

More activities in the Pumba Private Game Reserve

The Pumba Private Game Reserve offers additional activities, some of which are even included in the price. In addition to the daily game drives, you can also go archery, fishing, and stargazing free of charge.

The following activities are exclusive to the reserve: walking safari, wellness, bird safari, photography safari, and bush walks. You can also book helicopter tours, historical tours, horse riding excursions, or golf lessons near the reserve.

The staff & the service

In addition to all the great experiences, we would also like to say a word about the staff. The entire team is highly professional. Everyone is very friendly and always strives to ensure you have an unforgettable stay. You quickly notice that the service here is of a very high standard.

While you are on game drives, for example, your room is cleaned every morning and everything is nicely prepared. You are always warmly welcomed by a member of staff when you return from a game drive.

The entire team is very attentive and caring. We never had the feeling that anything was disorganized or chaotic here. The rangers all have extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna.

We were therefore able to learn a lot during our game drives. They also cater to guests’ wishes and strive every day to ensure that no one is left out. Guest feedback is also very important to the team.

Costs for the Pumba Private Game Reserve

We paid €515.00 per night in the Impala Chalet, a total of €1,545 for the two of us. That’s definitely a lot of money, but let me tell you, it’s worth every cent. Really! The €515 per night (€257.50 per person) included the game drives, all meals, other activities, the beautiful chalet, top-notch service, and the unique location.

A 5-star lodge has its price, especially at Christmas. And we got a good bargain; other visitors paid much more. Prices naturally vary depending on the month of travel. If you travel between the end of December and the end of January, it is most expensive.

This time is absolute peak season in South Africa, as South Africans also have their holidays (☞ best travel time South Africa). We always book with Booking.com* because we now receive great discounts and benefits there thanks to our “Genius Status 3.” But even independently, we usually find the best prices and offers on this site.

Conclusion – Is a stay at the Pumba Private Game Reserve worth it?

To be honest, we were a bit skeptical before our visit. We’ve been to many national parks by now and saw a great many animals on our last trip. Accordingly, our expectations were extremely high, especially because the adventure was anything but cheap. Ultimately, however, it was a great experience and worth every single cent. We thoroughly enjoyed the location, the nature, the chalets, the service, the food, and the overall ambiance.

Of course, you can’t compare a private reserve with a large national park. Private reserves are smaller and also have a smaller variety of animals. However, if you haven’t had much experience with safaris and game drives yet and don’t want to make the long journey to the Kruger National Park, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here at the Pumba Private Game Reserve in nearby Port Elizabeth.

Our conclusion: We prefer self-drive tours through the large national parks. We simply find it much more fun to drive alone and observe the animals. We like to be independent and not tied to fixed times. Above all, we like to decide for ourselves when a trip continues and how long we stay with the animals. But if you don’t want to travel alone and, above all, don’t want to worry about anything, you should definitely try out a private game reserve like this.Click here for the Pumba Private Game Reserve*.