Boma Dinners at Umkumbe Safari Lodge

The fire crackles away in the centre of the boma as the Umkumbe guests arrive back from game drive

Little improvement is needed when you wake up in one of the Greater Kruger Park’s most sought after private game reserves, spend the day wallowing in an infinity pool overlooking an elephant-filled river, and watch leopards with their cubs feasting on their hard-earned meals; but at Umkumbe Safari Lodge, a day like this is made even […]

Week in Pictures: Changing Seasons

Cleo, one of the Klaserie's famously graceful female leopards

The weather is slowly turning, and the extreme heat of the African summer is beginning to subside. Temperatures are dropping, and game drive guests now require an extra layer of warmth when they set out into the wild in the mornings and evenings. There is a sense of relief among the human and animal participants […]

This April – When Hyenas Make a Fool of Super Predators…

Hyena Species

The hyena is not the best looking animal but it’s certainly one of Africa’s most successful scavengers and ruthless carnivores. These stout morphologically dog-like creatures are the most misunderstood species in the safari world.  Notorious for being cowardly, cunning thieves and unrepentant killers; it’s no surprise that they have a bad reputation. Hyenas are actually highly social, intelligent and […]

Week in Pictures: Easter Feast!

Leopard tortoises are special sightings for wet weather.

Welcome to the Week in Pictures: Easter Feast! A photography round up of the week’s wildlife activity at the Sun Destinations Kruger camps. It’s the end of a short week and the beginning of a long weekend – the Friday feeling is stronger than ever! South Africans are taking their rooftop tents and braai grids […]

Third Kill for Leopardess White Dam & Cub

White Dam cub on kill

White Dam is a notoriously shy leopardess roaming the traverse surrounding Umkumbe Safari Lodge. With stealth and grace she darts between shrubbery dotted along the landscape. The past week she has exhibited unusual behaviour, quite uncharacteristic of her rather coy demeanour.  You’re not going to believe this, but White Dam has been hunting out in the open together […]

Week in Pictures: Predators and Plains Game

Wild dogs dominate the waterhole over a small gathering of giraffes. Despite the size difference, wild dogs can be intimidating in packs!

This week was the week that brought the rain to the Kruger. At such a late stage in the summer, the earth was scorched from the incessant heat and lack of replenishment from the rain. Then, the growl of distant thunder and flicker of lightning behind giant grey clouds announced the arrival of relief, all […]

Leopard & Cub Captured on Camera Trap

White Dam's cub glances at the camera trap

This outstanding footage from a camera trap shows some of the intimate details of a leopard’s feeding habits, behaviour, and the bond between a mother and cub. Umkumbe Safari Lodge guide, Marius Zeilinga, placed the camera trap strategically at the location of a fresh leopard kill, and the result is truly something special… This female […]

Leopardess White Dam & Cub on a Kill

Looking into the eyes of White Dam

The legendary leopards of the Sabi Sand just don’t disappoint, do they? Even in the scorching hot weather, White Dam and her cub made an appearance as they feasted on an impala kill in a tree above a giant termite mound, and – uncharacteristically for White Dam – remained in fantastic view of the Umkumbe […]

Elephants, Sundowners & Rain at Umkumbe Safari Lodge!

Umkumbe guests enjoying an intimate moment with the sunset in the middle of the Sabi Sand bush!

The heat had been building all day in the Sabi Sand, but the guests at Umkumbe Safari Lodge weren’t going to let 45-degree temperatures deter them from an afternoon game drive. As Cameron, Marius, and Mauritz pulled their vehicles up front, guests gathered their cameras and peak caps and climbed aboard to begin their safari. […]