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Umlani Bushcamp

3.0 of 5
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park 1380, South Africa
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Umlani Bushcamp
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111 reviews from our community

    Trip type
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    99
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    1
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Date Rating
Airlie Beach, Australia
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013 NEW

Umlani Camp was part of an 11 day tour, so we didn't pick this camp it was choosen for us. What an excellent chose. All the umlani family were beautiful people. Starting from Timbi who greeted us at the start and looked after every request. To Ruth and all her wonderful helpers in the kitchen. Amazing food. Ginger and Derek... More

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Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
21 May 2013

Thank you for reviewing Umlani , it was a pleasure catching up with you to while you where in camp.The whole Umlani family are motivated by your appreciation thank you.We look forward to catching up again some time in the future at Umlani . all the best Marco More

Australia
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
10 hotel reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013 NEW

We stayed at Umlani for 4 nights and took part in the daily safari drives. No matter what I say, it won't be enough to show my appreciation for the amazing experience we had there. The guides who took us out were so very knowledgable and went out of their way to make sure we saw the Big 5. Despite... More

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Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
21 May 2013

Wow...... thank you it was a pleasure reading your review. Your review will inspire us to keep it up and it was special for us to hear how much you enjoyed the experience. thanks again Marco More

Cape Town
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013

We spent two nights in Umlani bushcamp but I wished we would have stayed longer! Upon arrival we were warmly greeted by the Umlani family and they introduced us to this wonderful camp. The camp itself is not large, which makes the experience even greater. The rondavels (tents) are just amazing: you could hear all the animals during the night... More

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Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
17 May 2013

Thank you for your review on Trip Advisor ,I was pleased that you felt no electricity (no lights) added value to the already great atmosphere. The Umlani family hope to welcome you back some day in the future. More

Johannesburg, South Africa
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2013

Words cannot describe our experience at Umlani. Not even the rain could dampen our spirits at arrival. The warm and welcoming atmosphere from our hosts David and Gavin to the rest of the staff made it an amazing experience. The staff went above and beyond to enhance our experience of the bush like enjoying a glass of amarula around the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
8 May 2013

Amazing review thank you , your description of the place ,the Game drives, good conversation and the staff going above and beyond is very helpful to us and others. I especially appreciate that you consider it the best place for a true African experience. best regards Marcio More

Winnipeg, Canada
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2013

We spent 3 nights there(wish it had been longer) from the time we were met on our arrival by David the manager to his wishing us a safe journey it was Amazing! We had nt read any reviews before and so were pleasantly surprised to find the huts had no electricity but all the comfort you need for the short... More

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Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
8 May 2013

Thank you for your review and for recommending Umlani to others .I was very pleased to hear that you found your stay to be Amazing. best regards Marco More

Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
9 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2013

What the game lodge guest really wants to experience is the wildlife, and we saw it all, lions, leopards, elephant buffalo, hyena and much much more. The camp needs to be part of the experience too, and it definitely was. The camp chooses to be without electricity and uses this to its full advantage. (It has won a number of... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
8 May 2013

Great review thank you ,your review and description of the experience is a wonderful reference for travelers looking for something different as you mentioned . David is over the moon with your special mention of him. All the best Marco More

Ireland
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
19 hotel reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

Umlani was welcoming from the start. A group of huts, traditional rondavels with comfy beds under mosquito nets. There's no electricity here so the oil lamps were on all night at a comforting low level. You could here scuffles and grunts from the outside and in the morning, you could play tracker with the prints. It was boggling. Morning and... More

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Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
26 April 2013

Thank you for your review I am glad to hear that Umlani was welcoming and that you enjoyed the experience also that you will remember your conversation with people from all over the world forever. Marco More

Boston
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
10 hotel reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013 via mobile

Make sure Elvis is your guide/ranger. He's a local that knows the area and animals very well, and has the energy to make your game drives memorable. The rooms/huts are fine. Nothing fancy, but comfortable enough. The food is pretty good, though rustic in a way. The grounds are great. You have the watering hole across the dry riverbed. The... More

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Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
26 April 2013

Thank you for your review and recommendation , Elvis will especially enjoy your comment about him ,. all the best to you Marco More

Redondo Beach, California, United States
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 March 2013

The ambiance at Umlani is so peaceful and tranquil. Away from it all, the Umlani bushcamp is tucked away in the Timbavati, without any hustle bustle. We chose to say at Umlani because it was a bit set apart from the rest, in a beautiful region of the park, and not bound by any fencing like other areas around the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
9 April 2013

Thank you for your review and your good description of life in the camp and its ambiance. We look forward to welcoming you back some time in the future. regards Marco More

London, United Kingdom
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 March 2013

Went here with a friend on a recommendation and was not let down at all. Everything was near perfect from the service to the food to the game drives, we were not let down at all. Saw almost every animal we could imagine, including 6 cheetah's with a kill on our last morning. Spent an afternoon, two full days and... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Schiess, Owner at Umlani Bushcamp, responded to this review
15 March 2013

Thank you for your review of Umlani Bushcamp ,we especially appreciate you recommending Umlani to everyone ,hope to welcome you back some day in the future. Marco More

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Additional Information about Umlani Bushcamp

Also Known As:
Umlani Bushcamp Hotel
Umlani Bushcamp Hotel Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Umlani Bushcamp South Africa/Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Address: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park 1380, South Africa
Phone Number:
Region: South Africa > Kruger National Park > Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Free Breakfast Free Parking Children Activities Restaurant Shuttle Bus service Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
Ranked #3 of 10 Speciality lodging in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price Range: €€€€
Hotel Class:3 star (3*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Umlani Bushcamp, a rustic yet exclusive lodge, accommodates guests in cozy en-suite reed and thatch rondavels. Early morning and evening game drives are in open four wheel drive vehicles accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers. Umlani makes the whole event personalized and specializes in escorted walks into this unspoiled wilderness. Umlani, meaning Place of Rest, was established in 1990 by Marco and Marie-Louise Schiess, in the central section of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, which is part of the greater Kruger National Park. ... more   less 
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Umlani Bushcamp
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