02/09/2026
REVIEW WEDNESDAY 😁5 star service Bush Lodge
Thank you Umkumbe Bush Lodge for an amazing start to our honeymoon. From the moment we arrived the warn greeting and hospitality made us feel welcome and at home. The property itself is exquisitely maintained with lush gardens, beautiful decor, and a focus on connection to the striking lands.
We stayed in the Impala Lily honeymoon tent and wow was it stunning. Set right at the edge of the property with a view of the bush, private pool, outdoor shower, comfy lounge chairs. The interior had a romantic canopy bed, sitting area, enormous bathtub for two, coffee station. We spent our afternoons relaxing inside and out watching the herds of Nyala and Impala grazing nearby.
Because we came during the dry season there were no bugs like literally not one bite!
The food was delightful....lots of daily variety, fresh, plentiful. Chef Charlotte is the best! They even did a private bush dinner for us lit up with lanterns and sparkling lights. Super special shf romantic.
Finally, the main event ....the animals! Our first day out we saw lions mating! Over the next 3 days we had up close lion, elephant and white rhino experiences. We even got to see a hyena eating! We just missed that shy leopard but other groups did see it. Umbkwumbe shares borders with mo fences with three other big reserves so the animals are free to roam which adds to the excitement of the bush drive. Our guide Daniel was the best! So knowledgeable and informative. We learned a lot about the animals and tracking. It felt like a huge adventure every time we went out.
There were two game drives a day morning 6-9 with a break for coffee in the bush and afternoon 4-7 with a sundowner in the bush. Watching the sun rise and set in the bush is truly special.
All of this is amazing but I want to call out that the highlight was service. Abigail the manager, Charlotte the chef, Daniel our guide, Cappy our tracker, and all the other smiling people who stopped by, made a joke, helped us with every little thing, greeted us with warm towels after the drive, made sure our room was reset after every drive. The 5 star service sets this place apart. Thank you again Umkumbe!
