Umlani Bushcamp

I visited Umlani with a group of eight friends from 1-4 November. It was a genuinely outstanding experience and one that I’m sure we will never forget. Michaela and the whole team couldn’t have been more welcoming and generous. Umlani is a stunning, tranquil bushcamp. Our rooms were all beautiful, the food was consistently excellent, and the service was excellent in all respects. I was blown away by the density of wildlife in the Timbavati reserve. We were clearly very lucky to see so many rare animals and scenes, but I have no doubt that this was also influenced by the area and our ranger/tracker. I was also impressed with the commitment to ensuring no more than two vehicles were at a sighting at any one time so as not to overwhelm the animals. Overall a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I couldn’t recommend Umlani enough to anyone considering it. Thank you!

We returned to Umlani Bush Camp in the Timbavati this April for our second visit, and once again had an absolutely fantastic time. The lodge has seen a few subtle renovations and upgrades — all beautifully done, enhancing the experience without losing any of the rustic bush charm that makes Umlani so special. From the warm hospitality to the delicious food and thoughtful hosting, everything was spot on. The team has truly nailed the balance between comfort and authenticity, making it feel like a genuine escape into nature. We’re already looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommended!

Umlani is a great off grid small and sustainable camp in Timbavati. I really appreciated that it is family run, solar powered and surrounded by lots of wildlife. Food tasty and comfy room with outdoor shower. Saw lots of creatures including my favorite wild dogs and a leopard. I spent one night in the treehouse on my own and enjoyed the stars, a little wind, hyena and lion calls, and even managed to sleep. Not many visitors to the waterhole below treehouse as it has been very dry. My ranger could have been a little more talkative (I like a lot of commentary and ask a lot of questions!) but was good at finding the wildlife. Umlani is special and good value. Michaela, the manager, was hilarious defending the guests against the vervet monkeys trying to steal our breakfast toast,

Umlani was all round an outstanding experience. Our guide and tracker (and the staff at the lodge) were outstanding, and the animal encounters and experiences were beyond what we could have hoped for. Big 5 on day one! That Umlani is also family owned and operated makes that all the more special. There are a lot of lodges to choose from and my husband and I and the two friends we traveled with all highly recommend Umlani, and we will absolutely be back for a revisit. Thank you so much for the trip of a life time! Plan on pushing "repeat" on that.

What a shame! I had expected much more. The camp, accommodation and logistics are okay. The special thing is definitely that the camp is not fenced and you can expect to encounter animals at any time. That's what gives it its special character. But that's about it. The entire staff is completely listless and uninterested. The food is below average at best. I would have sent the lunch back even in a government cafeteria. I have been on many game drives. However, the two in Umlani were the worst. The guide and his tracker were completely unmotivated. Information was only provided upon request. Many animals that were perhaps not so spectacular were carelessly driven past. Apparently, the exciting sightings were communicated to the individual vehicles by radio, and our guide simply drove from one place to the next. However, the handling of a elephant cow and her calf, as well as a rhino with her calf, was particularly bad. The animals were literally chased through the bush. It was completely hectic. The photo opportunities became worse rather than better. Sorry, maybe the guys were having a bad day. But the price/performance ratio is not right at all.

From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at home. The lodge offers a breathtaking Kruger park view. Rangers are well aware of animals, their habits and behavior. We have never felt any fear, only the joy to see big fives and more than that in their habitat. What made the experience even more special was the warm, personal touch. The breakfast, lunch and dining are lovingly prepared by the team, and if you ask kindly, they're happy to customize it to your taste. Everything is spotlessly clean, and the calm, peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place to relax and recharge. The staff is absolutely wonderful - always kind, helpful, and attentive without ever being intrusive. The owner genuinely cares about the guests and is always ready to help with anything you might need. You can really feel that this lodge is run with heart. If you're looking for a quiet, beautiful, and welcoming place to do your safari experience, Umlani lodge is without a doubt the best choice.

Our first ever safari, and our first time in Africa. Umlani was the perfect introduction; the accommodation was amazing, the staff were so friendly, the food and drink was incredible - and we saw so much on our drives with our fabulous guide and tracker. We were introduced to Amarula, which we loved, and we were lucky enough to spend a night in the tree house. Felt so welcome, and really loved the way everyone chatted together at mealtimes and the camaraderie we shared. Thank you so much!

This was my third visit to Umlani in the last ten years. It has always been a favourite for me and despite an eight year gap since my previous visit, it did not disappoint. ||||The accommodation has seen some upgrades which have increased the levels of comfort and practicality. While perhaps a little more basic than some other locations, Umlani has a real family feel to it. The staff are so welcoming and most of them have been there for many years, which is always a good sign. The atmosphere is ve ry relaxed. ||||The game viewing is in open-topped vehicles and this adds to the experience. The guides and trackers were exemplary, both in their knowledge and in their care to ensure all guests had their needs met (as far as that is possible of course - I still didn't get to see a pangolin! LOL ). The whole experience from booking through to airport pick up, welcome and everything that followed was just great. The game viewing over six drives was varied and we saw at least as much as I had expected if not more. I really respect the approach of putting the animals first and not utilising some of the tactics I have witnessed elsewhere where animals are hounded and chased to enable safari-goers to get a good sighting whatever the impacts on the animals.||||Saying 'goodbye' was sad and I can't wait to return to Umlani to renew acquaintances with many of the staff and to enjoy that wonderful feeling of driving into the bush to watch the amazing wildlife at play in their natural habitat.