Ndumo Game Reserve — Attraction in Jozini Local Municipality

Return visit a big disappointment. Although we visited in December 2023 I didn't review it at the time. The annoyance and disappointment were just too fresh. The camp and accommodation are no problem, however they have built a very odd series of large modern units directly in front of the 7 old ones. These very dominant units are not open and are full of bat droppings and have been like that for at least a year. You cannot therefore look into the bush just at the back of these a few meters away. The main disappointment was a total lack of guiding available during the 3 days 4 nights we were there. One day they were sent on ranger training, another day a guide was arranged but did not show up. Walks nor drives available. The main guide was around the camp but seemed to be constantly sent on errands, would promise to get in touch but despite chasing, never followed through. However this main guide then made private arrangements via his mobile phone with incoming new guests. So that rather than give priority to existing guests whose plans were cancelled ( which he and the manager knew very well to be the case ) he took off with new ones and. I understand, was paid directly by them. They then re-booked him for the next half day. Again no one was available to take anyone else out. Totally unacceptable but no apologies. The roads were almost impassable in a standard car and with some roads shut, there remained very little to do. Our chalet neighbour who had been visiting every year and who had arrived on his own specifically for guided activities actually left a day earlier. He was bitterly disappointed. He too could not believe that the guide would abandon guests and make private arrangements when no other guides were available.No amount of discussion at reception resulted in any effort to provide advertised services or improve the experience. Ndumo is a very long way to go for such a poor offer and we will...

Ndumo felt like a bit of a forgotten park, we hardly saw any game but soon realised this is not the reason to visit Ndumo. If you are a birder, the bird hide will blow your mind! We easily saw 8 different species of birds that we could identify, it was a sight to behold! We have rated Ndumo according to the below.

Safety: We felt pretty safe in this game reserve 5/5

Hospitality: The gentleman at reception wasn't very professional, was a bit arrogant didn't know his prices, and neither was there a printout of rates at reception. He was watching soccer in reception & didn't bother to turn down the volume. Once we confirmed we would stay the night, it's like a flip went off and he introduced himself & told us a little more about the game reserve. 2/5

Facilities: The campsite wasn't bad, the ablutions have recently been renovated, but haven't been finished. They will be lovely once finished. We didn't have hot water and the toilets didn't flush. They have a pool which is always a winner for us. 3/5

Location: We have rated the location high, purely for the birding. The bird hide was breathtaking & in my honest opinion if they invested more money into the facilities for birding this place would be even more magical. 5/5

Price: The price was OK, but we were given a different price from the head office R150 per night per person, but when we got there we were told its R180 per night per person. We were able to get a 20% discount due to being Rhino Card...

We had a wonderful stay at Ndumo Reserve. Nana, the receptionist, gave us such a warm and friendly welcome – despite being new, she was incredibly helpful and well-spoken.

Our guide, Joseph, truly made the trip unforgettable. His bird knowledge is outstanding, his spotting skills are unmatched, and his bird call imitations beat our birding app! He is humble, soft-spoken, and passionate about nature. The guided bird walk was excellent, and even though our game drive to Tembe Elephant Park was in drizzly weather, Joseph still made it worthwhile with special bird sightings.

The upgraded 2-sleeper units are comfortable with a spacious shower and extremely comfy beds. We did experience water issues Better bedside lights would be welcome. The pool is a great addition for hot days. Unfortunately, the new front units have been left to deteriorate and are now infested with bats, which is sad to see. Daily cleaning is appreciated, but could be more thorough.

Tips for visitors: Bring mosquito repellent, and stock up on food and water before arrival, as there are no shops nearby or snacks at reception. Big game sightings are limited (apart from a few giraffe and impala), but the birding is outstanding.

All in all, Ndumo is peaceful and tranquil – a place to slow down and soak up the bush. Huge thanks to Nana and Joseph for making our stay...