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  5. Reviews of Pumba Private Game Reserve

Reviews of Pumba Private Game Reserve 5 stars

Highlands, 6140 Grahamstown, South Africa

#1 of 9 hotels in Grahamstown

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 210 hotel reviews

9.4

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.7

  • Comfort

    9.6

  • Location

    9.7

  • Facilities

    9.5

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    9.0

  • Free WiFi

    9.4

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 21 August 2025

    10
    Fabulous staff and food. Attention to detail was top class.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nil.

    Beautiful setting and stunning architecture which fitted in perfectly with its natural surroundings.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Excellent overall, good value. The little extras were great and the food was excellent. Phillip our ranger was great company for the whole time and we saw 4 of the big 5 plus many more.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 July 2025

    10
    Excellent experience, enjoyed it all!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I would’ve enjoyed a little bit more variety with the food choices

    Wonderful location, great rooms, excellent staff. Really enjoyed my stay here with my daughter.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 July 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Chalet - Msenge
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff were exceptional

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 July 2025

    10
    Definitely recommend staying here
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Chalet - Msenge
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    We liked everything about the property, lovely big rooms with fire lit at night to welcome us after dinner. Hot water bottle placed in the bed. The safaris morning and night were well organised and got to see a variety of animals. Guides very friendly too. All staff were welcoming. Food was of high standard as well

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 July 2025

    10
    Amazing experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful lodges, two game drives a day with incredible sightings, lovely staff and amazing food. A very special experience

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 July 2025

    9.0
    Excellent & staff were amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Loved it all.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 June 2025

    10
    This was an incredible experience. Highly recommended!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Chalet - Impala Double/Twin
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 May 2025

    10
    Overall a great experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A bit dated rooms and furniture

    Excellent service, food and facilities.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 May 2025

    8.0
    very good value
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    nothing

    Very big rooms. 2 Game Drives per day. Good food.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 May 2025

    10
    A life long memory to cherish!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing - just suggest booking for longer than one night - our stay was too short!

    It was a beautiful setting and had fantastic food. Staff were so lovely and the games drives very dramatic and amazing!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 April 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very disappointed with the dinner which was not very good. The lamb chops were uncutable.

    The staff, the accommodation and Denise our ranger were all great

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 April 2025

    10
    Safari made easy!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great facilities and excellent rangers. We got to see all the animals we wanted to and would definitely go back

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 April 2025

    10
    Amazing , wonderful experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala Double/Twin
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing to fault

    Amazing location , amazing staff , amazing food & service.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 March 2025

    10
    Unforgettable - watching a cheetah hunt in front of your eyes!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Zero

    Second time - the most fantastic setting, staff and animals

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 February 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Large and clean room with a great view of the pond! We enjoyed our stay very much and were quite happy. We saw white lions and got some great photos. The landscape is heavily covered in brush and does not have as many open savannahs as some other resorts. So the animals are sometimes harder to see and to track.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 February 2025

    10
    Five star all the way!! Beautiful lodge with exceptional staff!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 4 nights

    Nothing, everything was wonderful!!

    Pumba is five star all the way! We were truly delighted with our four night stay there . Our room (Impala Chalet #1), is exquisite with high end yet comfortable furnishings and a fantastic view over the lake. It was a thrill to sit on our private balcony, watching the animals coming to drink from the lake. And we were happy to dip in our little plunge pool ! The staff were exceptional - Chantal and Vuyo in reception; our wonderful waiters in the dining room; and Mabhuti, our guide were all second to none. We thoroughly enjoyed two game drives per day in Mabhuti's care. We learned so much about the animals and the reserve from him and really appreciated his humour and knowledge. We feel very fortunate that he was our guide! The food was tasty and the menu changed every day. Everything is included so we could get iced coffees, snacks and other treats in between the set meal times. There is a generous hospitality bar in each room - loaded with wine, beer , soft drinks, water, snacks, coffee (a REAL coffee maker - not instant coffee!) and a jar of homemade cookies which was restocked daily, There was nothing lacking. We met Roland, the manager, who was friendly and helpful and he clearly cares deeply about his guests. Overall, we can't say enough about our time at Pumba other than we wish we could have stayed longer!! Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a stay at this wonderful , magical place! Thank you to everyone at Pumba!!

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 February 2025

    10
    An exceptional safari experience.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Chalet - Msenge
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    This is an exceptional property. The accommodation is outstanding, as are the staff and service. All food was amazing. Our ranger Wesley was excellent; knowledgeable, informative and great fun.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 February 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great sraffAmazing sightings.Beautiful accommodation

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 January 2025

    10
    Fantastic location with friendly staff and informative game drive driver
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala Double/Twin
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing yo dislike

    Stunning location and original

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 January 2025

    10
    Amazing experience and memories
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Some of the room furnishings need updating as getting tired

    Amazing experience from start to finish, do not hesitate to book, staff , rooms, food and Game Drives all first class

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 January 2025

    10
    The perfect Lodge with amazing hospitality and game drives
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala Double/Twin
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Absolutely nothing!

    Everything!! It really was as advertised (food and hospitality were the very best) and the game drives were amazing. Thank you Clio for your expert guidance throughout our stay, you were so knowledgable!

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 January 2025

    8.0
    Lovely peaceful place with fantastic game.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Msenge Double/Twin
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The cost of pumba is advertised as all inclusive and but you are also expected to subsidise the wages of the rangers through gratuities which they rely on to lift their basic salary. To remove the pressure and obligation from the clients many other places we have visited have a central box where all tips are gathered and distributed to staff equally. This seems a much more equitable arrangement all round.

    The location was stunning and the game we saw was amazing!

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 January 2025

    10
    Amazing Experience - Even Better the Second Time !
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Chalet - Impala
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    This was my second visit to Pumba, and it was just as incredible as the first! The staff's warm hospitalitv and attention to detail made us feel so welcome. The lodges offer stunning views and a true connection to nature. The game drives were unforgettable, with expert guides and amazing wildlife encounters! The food was exceptional, with every meal perfectly prepared. Pumba is a paradise for anyone seeking a luxurious, immersive safari. I can't wait to return for a third visit!

    Stayed in January 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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