About Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Umkumbe Safari Lodge is a lodge in the Sabi Sand private reserve, in South Africa. It sits by a river, near Shaw's Gate. It is also listed as Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside. It has an outdoor pool, a gym, a bar, a shared lounge, a terrace and a garden. Wi-Fi and parking are free.
Location
The lodge is in the south of Sabi Sand, near Shaw's Gate, by a river. As the crow flies, the Paul Kruger Gate of Kruger National Park is 7.2 km away, Skukuza airport 7.4 km and Skukuza Rest Camp 10 km.
From Johannesburg, allow 500 km and about six hours by road to Shaw's Gate, via the N4 and Hazyview. By air, Airlink flies from Johannesburg to Skukuza in one hour. At the gate, you receive a permit that the lodge stamps when you arrive.
Rooms
The rooms are air-conditioned and non-smoking, with free Wi-Fi. Some have a seating area, a patio, or both. The lodge also offers family rooms.
An extra bed can be added on request, at extra cost, depending on the room you choose. The lodge has no cribs. It welcomes children from age 5.
Dining
The lodge serves breakfast. It also has a bar, and you can have a drink on the terrace or in the shared lounge.
Leisure
For the hot hours, the lodge has an outdoor pool and a garden. It also has a gym.
Map and location
- Paul Kruger Gate (Kruger Gate)7.2 km
- Skukuza Airport7.4 km
- Skukuza Rest Camp10 km
- Phabeni Gate31 km
- Numbi Gate42 km
- Orpen Gate52 km
- Malelane Gate59 km
Straight-line distances from the property.
Facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Bar
- Breakfast
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Toilet
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
Outdoors
- Outdoor fireplace
- Outdoor furniture
- Sun deck
- Terrace
- Garden
Room amenities
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa bed
Activities
- Game drives
- Pool table
- Game room
Food & Drink
- Special diet meals (on request)
- Bar
Internet
- Wifi is available in public areas and is free of charge
Services
- Daily housekeeping
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Private check-in/out
- Wake-up service
- Express check-in/out
- Ironing service
- Laundry
Entertainment & Family Services
- Board games/Puzzles
Safety & security
- Fire extinguishers
- Safe
General
- Designated smoking area
- Air conditioning
- Mosquito net
- Private entrance
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
General accessibility
- Entire unit located on ground floor
Outdoor swimming pool
- Opening times
- Open all year
- All ages welcome
- Infinity pool
- Beach umbrellas
Spa
- Fitness
- Beach umbrellas
- Beach chairs/Loungers
- Fitness center
Good to know
- Check-inFrom 02:00 to 04:00
- Check-outFrom 05:00 to 11:00
- ChildrenExtra bed on request
- PetsNot allowed
- PaymentCard only, no cash
- Languages spokenAfrikaans, english
Conditions as listed on Booking.com on October 25, 2026, to check when you book.
Parks and reserves nearby
Sabi Sand is a 650 km² private reserve with no fence between it and Kruger. It only accepts guests of its lodges, and you cannot go on safari there in your own car. Drives take place in open 4x4s with a guide, and the vehicles can leave the tracks and drive at night. The reserve gates are open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The leopard is what Sabi Sand is famous for. Used to vehicles for decades, it lets you follow it from a few meters away. Lions, elephants and buffalo move freely between Kruger and the reserve. White rhinos, on the other hand, are rare here.
South Africa
Guest reviews
157 reviews
- Location9.3
- Cleanliness9.1
- Value for money7.5
- Facilities8.6
- Comfort9.3
- Staff9.3
- Free Wifi7.5
Scores left by guests on Booking.com, collected on October 25, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Umkumbe Safari Lodge inside Sabi Sand Game Reserve?
Yes, it is in the Sabi Sand private reserve, by a river, near Shaw's Gate. You pay an entry fee at the gate, and the lodge charges a conservation levy per person per night.
Can you go on safari from Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Yes. Sabi Sand only accepts guests of its lodges, and drives there take place in open 4x4s with a guide. The vehicles are allowed to leave the tracks and drive at night.
What is the nearest airport to Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Skukuza airport, in Kruger, 7.4 km away as the crow flies. Airlink connects it to Johannesburg in a one-hour flight.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Check-in is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and check-out from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. The lodge asks for your arrival time in advance, and access is closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Does Umkumbe Safari Lodge accept children?
Yes, from age 5. The lodge has no cribs, but it adds an extra bed on request, at extra cost.
Is breakfast served at Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Yes, the lodge serves breakfast. It also has a bar, with a terrace and a shared lounge.
Can you drive to Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
Yes. From Johannesburg, allow 500 km and about six hours via the N4 and Hazyview, then Shaw's Gate. Parking at the lodge is free, but safaris are with a guide, not in your own car.
Can you pay cash at Umkumbe Safari Lodge?
No, the lodge does not accept cash. Bring a credit or debit card to pay on site.
Our tip
Stay three nights: in Sabi Sand, that is usually what it takes to see the Big Five. Arrive as early as 2 p.m., because the lodge no longer accepts arrivals after 4 p.m. Bring a credit or debit card: it does not accept cash.
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This page is written by Safari Trip, an independent guide: we are not the property and we do not take bookings. Prices and availability are checked on Booking.com, where our buttons lead, through an affiliate link.