Elephant at Pumba Private Private Game Reserve & Reserve
Elephant at Pumba Private Private Game Reserve

Seeing Africa’s majestic wild animals in their natural habitat has been a lifelong dream, and I jumped at the chance to take a quick trip to Pumba Private Game Reserve & Spa. After four days of back-to-back fashion at Cape Town Fashion Week, I was ready for some back-to-nature R&R. A short one hour drive outside Port Elizabeth will provide just that, with luxury accommodations to boot (so you’re never too far away from your creature comforts while on holiday.) There are few thrills comparable to an adult-sized elephant lumbering up to your open vehicle, or coming across a two-ton White Rhino grazing with her offspring. Here are some of my favourite pictures from the trip, and a peek at some truly spectacular lodging surrounded by South Africa’s famed Big 5 Game.

Drive to Pumba Private Game Reserve & Spa
Drive to Pumba Private Game Reserve
Welcome Drink
Welcome Drink
Pumba Water Lodge
Pumba Water Lodge
Pumba Water Lodge
Pumba Water Lodge
Spot the Kudu on the way to your room
Spot the Kudu on the way to your room
Game drive at Pumba
Game drive at Pumba
Game drive at Pumba
Game drive at Pumba
Game drive at Pumba
Game drive at Pumba
Pumbas (Warthogs) at Pumba
Pumbas (Warthogs) at Pumba
Antelope at Pumba
Antelope at Pumba
Antelope at Pumba
Antelope at Pumba
Zebras at Pumba
Zebras at Pumba
Zebras at Pumba
Zebras at Pumba
Gourmet picnic
Gourmet picnic
Mobile bar
Mobile bar
Watering hole
Watering hole
Watering hole
Watering hole
Watering hole
Watering hole
Jeep at the watering hole
Jeep at the watering hole
Wildebeest at Pumba
Wildebeest at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephants at Pumba
Elephants at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephants at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
Elephant at Pumba
A giraffe peeks over the trees
A giraffe peeks over the trees
Giraffe at Pumba
Giraffe at Pumba
Giraffe at Pumba
Giraffe at Pumba
Giraffes at Pumba
Giraffes at Pumba
Giraffe at Pumba
Giraffes at Pumba
White Rhinoceros at Pumba
White Rhinoceros at Pumba
White Rhinoceroses at Pumba
White Rhinoceroses at Pumba
White Rhinoceroses at Pumba
White Rhinoceroses at Pumba

And after a long, satisfying day of game driving….

Home to the Water Lodge
Home to the Water Lodge
Outdoor deck at Pumba Game Reserve
Outdoor deck at Pumba Game Reserve
Outdoor deck at Pumba Water Lodge
Outdoor deck at Pumba Water Lodge
Pumba Water Lodge
Pumba Water Lodge

While Pumba Water Lodge sits right on a peaceful lake, Pumba Bush Lodge, a second luxury accommodation, sits smack in the middle of the reserve’s beautiful bushlands. Here are some pictures of this breathtaking property!

Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Private deck outside your room!
Private deck outside your room!
Outdoor shower on your private deck
Outdoor shower on your private deck
Pumba Bush Lodge
Campfire at Pumba Bush Lodge
Pumba Bush Lodge
Dining Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Pumba Bush Lodge
Dining Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Pumba Bush Lodge
Common Room at Pumba Bush Lodge
Pumba Bush Lodge
Pumba Bush Lodge
Swimming pool in the bush
Swimming Pool in the bush
Pool with a view
Pool with a view
Breakfast in the bush
Breakfast in the bush

And for those in need of a little pampering after a tough day of luxury game driving…

Spa at Pumba Bush Lodge
Spa at Pumba Bush Lodge

Before calling it a night 🙂

Nightfall at Pumba Private Game Reserve
Nightfall at Pumba Private Game Reserve

Up next: Winding down in Port Elizabeth.