Enkhulu Gate, Arygle Road, Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa
#3 of 11 hotels in Timbavati Game Reserve
Guests' ChoiceBased on 41 hotel reviews
9.5Cleanliness
9.7
Comfort
9.5
Location
9.8
Facilities
9.3
Staff
9.8
Value for money
9.3
Free WiFi
6.2
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Showing 1 – 25
Reviewed: 6 April 2024
Elizabeth
United KingdomNothing
Wow, just wow! Umlani exceeded our expectations on every level. The camp is just charming - rustic yet extremely comfortable with wildlife roaming freely through it. All the staff were warm and welcoming and made you feel relaxed and at home immediately. They go out of their way to make your stay as special as possible. Our room was lovely with a solar plug socket to charge our phone and camera. We also had an open bathroom and you could shower under the stars! Every meal was delicious with all dietary requirements catered for. Our game drives were fantastic. Elvis and Lucky made sure we had a unique experience on each one. The Timbavati is rich in game and beautiful birds. We saw everything we hoped to and more including wild dog and a honey badger. We also had an unforgettable encounter with a huge herd of elephant during our morning coffee at the dam. We plucked up the courage to stay one night in their tree house. We were so glad we did - it was just magical. Umlani is a special place and we definitely hope to go back.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 21 March 2024
Dr
United KingdomAccommodation 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: 19 February 2024
Douglas
United StatesThat 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: 4 January 2024
Connie
CanadaWifi 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: 5 December 2023
Jody
CanadaNothing. 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: 5 November 2023
Rossann
IrelandAll 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: 1 October 2023
Victoria
AustraliaEverything 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: 4 September 2023
James
United KingdomUmlani 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: 27 May 2023
Sam
BelgiumAmazing 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: 1 April 2023
Shepherd
United StatesFood was outstanding! Highly enjoyed the game drives. Great spot to wind down!
Stayed in April 2023
Reviewed: 20 March 2023
Yves
NetherlandsAmazing 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: 18 March 2023
Rachel
United StatesNothing
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: 19 January 2023
Giulia
Spainwe 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: 4 January 2023
Annmarie
United StatesOnly 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: 11 December 2022
Lorraine
United KingdomYou’re camping in the bush, so there are insects around, especially at night. But with some repellant on your ankles, a mosquito net over the bed, and an acceptance that you’re in their territory - you’ll be just fine.
Perfect balance of rustic and comfort (hot water and a comfy bed; minimal wifi/electricity). Minimal footprint - all solar powered! And the staff! we felt so welcomed the entire time.
Stayed in December 2022
Reviewed: 8 December 2022
Nicky
BelgiumNothing - 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: 2 December 2022
Jane
AustraliaNothing
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: 1 December 2022
Karen
United StatesUmlani 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: 4 September 2022
Robert
United KingdomHammock 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: 4 June 2022
Stefan
GermanyExcellent and kind staff- extraordinary!
Stayed in June 2022
Reviewed: 9 April 2022
Josie
United KingdomGenuinely, 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: 6 February 2022
Neil
United Kingdomlimited dinner choice but great food all the same
great accommodation, beautiful setting, friendly staff and a very attentive owner.
Stayed in February 2022
Reviewed: 18 December 2021
David
United StatesEven 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: 18 February 2024
William
United KingdomThere are no comments available for this review
Stayed in February 2024
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