Umzolozolo Revisited | Nambiti Lodge Review
Umzolozolo, Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Umzolozolo, Revisited: How My Favourite Nambiti Lodge Grew Into Its Hill
It was a genuine thrill to take the turn off onto the dirt road and count down the kilometres to the Nambiti gate. I’d last visited here, at that time a different lodge, Cheetah Ridge, back in 2016 and the fond memories from that trip came washing back over me.
Umzolozolo has changed a lot since my wife and I had our honeymoon here in 2009. A number of things felt familiar, but the lodge has spread its roots, grown and morphed beautifully into the hill on which it is perched. At first the gravel driveway felt familiar, the entrance to the lodge, an old friend, but the familiarity halted abruptly, in a good way, as the doorway gave way to a stunningly beautiful open lodge area, adorned with a stone fireplace to my left, high thatch roofs, eloquently populated with all kinds of inviting furniture, and beautiful lights and artwork adorning the walls and ceiling. I was immediately met with a sense of, this area has been very carefully thought out, designed and perfectly done. When we had visited all those years ago, the lodge was a third of this size, but now it has grown substantially. As one makes their way through the lodge towards the wide array of glass doors, you’re met by two highlights of this communal area, a tall and impressive fireplace that at night warms the entire lodge, without any smoke! And secondly, an eye catching light feature above the bar area, a collection of some 150+ horns fashioned with lights, creating what was for me, and many others I am sure, an utterly unique and fascinating centrepiece. It is no surprise to me that I learnt this bar area is considered the best in Nambiti!
Walking out of the lodge onto the deck was an all new experience, nothing of this had existed in 2009, and here one is welcomed by a gorgeous edge flow pool, wrapped with wooden decking and extending up to the right with a covered eating area. The views from this vantage point are simply stunning and overlook a man made waterhole below. We were treated to sights of plenty game coming to drink, not the least of which was a herd of about 28 elephant which later that evening made their way up through the narrow walkways, what a cool experience!
This deck area gives way to a small lawn area and pathway which enters into an intimate boma for evening dinners, a warm campfire blazed in the middle the one night we ate outside, with breathtaking starscapes overhead as good company and conversation was enjoyed.
The lodge’s accommodation comprises a honeymoon suite (previously known as the presidential), three luxury chalets (one with an extra room + bed for a child as well as a pool), four luxury suites built on the side of the hill and two luxury rooms adjacent to each other and which can be used as a family unit with interleading door connecting the rooms. I stayed in the luxury chalet for two nights, and then one night in one of the luxury suites. I did get an opportunity to visit all the accommodation options during my stay and that really aided in giving me perspective in what rooms would benefit certain travellers. The luxury chalet, an easy short walk from the lodge, is perfect for a two person stay. With a private balcony overlooking the bush and coupled with an outdoor shower this offers a wonderful romantic getaway. Large king size bed, mini bar, and all the comforts you could need made staying here an absolute treat!
There are two special mentions that really do need to be echoed. Firstly, the staff were absolutely incredible. From the moment you arrive at Umzolozolo you feel as though you’ve been missed by everyone. Warm handshakes and hugs are exchanged to the sound of your name upon arrival, and the warm hospitality never ceases. Every engagement with one of the many staff members is warm and sincere. A genuine example of the very best of South African hospitality!
Secondly, the food. From the very first meal to the last, every one was exemplary with dinner being the highlight of a 4 course meal accompanied with palate cleansers. It is genuinely impossible to find fault with any of the meals served. Breakfast overlooking the pool, dinner either in the boma or setup beautifully in the main lodge. Each experience was to be remembered and on the food alone one could make a strong case for visiting Umzolozolo.
On the game front, we enjoyed at least two lovely encounters with elephant and elephant herds, and as mentioned briefly above we had a remarkable experience of a herd of 28 or so elephant passing through the lodge in the evening, trapping several of us in our rooms until the rangers could come and safely gather us and bring us to the lodge for dinner. Lion, cheetah and several other game species dotted the drives which were also accompanied by the usual stops for coffee, muffins and afternoon sundowners.
My stay of 3 nights / 4 days was so enjoyable, and even though I spent a fair bit of the time working, documenting and learning about the lodge and its offerings, much of the time I was setup comfortably in the lodge, sipping hot cappuccinos while working happily behind my laptop. It really is a fantastic lodge, and located only 3 or so hours from Durban, and with special packages for South Africans, this is a lodge I cannot wait to visit again, and would personally recommend visiting.
