Pungwe Safari Camp

Thank you so much to everyone at pungwe for giving my guests a memorable stay. The food was amazing, Isaac, never,and wonder boy as always,were outstanding. I highly recommend pungwe as a place to unwind and enjoy the peace of nature. Thank you to everyone.

Mixed feelings on our stay and Pungwe - we have been on many safaris and Pungwe delivered on some points (the camp set up) but failed on others (hosting and guiding). + the camp is great, very low key, no electricity/wifi as advertised and just what we wanted (kids not so impressed!) + tents simple but comfortable beds, plenty of hot water for showers also + breakfasts/brunches were really great + lovely chat with the host during the first brunch, engaged with our girls nicely + the kitchen ladies were super friendly, made a cake for our youngest even though we said it wasn't her actually birthday (trip was her 10th birthday trip, however!) + the Manyeleti is a good reserve, too many vehicles at some points yet the last 2 drives we barely saw anyone else and had some good animal encounters - the complete lack of welcome or warmth on arrival. We were a little behind schedule so I think the guide Never was stressed to get the afternoon drive going for the other 3 visitors, which is fair enough, but we barely got a hello, just a 'we need to get going quickly'. No welcome, no welcome drink, no introductions, not shown around - lack of hosting and genuine personal touch. Following on from the above, apart from the camp host joining for the one brunch there was no host present, a lack of warmth and personality within camp. Usually you have your guide and camp host - and that seems to be the case usually reading the reviews of Pungwe - but this time Never was both and didn't fulfil either role particularly well, he was not really very engaging nor enthusiastic - the guiding was lacking in enthusiasm and motivation, felt like he was going through the motions. Not impressed with his driving also, disturbing resting animals a couple of times by getting too close and driving aggressively at a slightly moody elephant that ran off in distress, definitely unnecessary and unsettling. We had very high hopes of Pungwe and some of them were met, but ultimately we were disappointed by the lack of warmth and missing personal touch.

Unique intimate bush experience which allowed us to get a real feel for the bush without western comforts. Whilst it didn't have the amazing scenic views of some other lodges was rustic and felt authentic. Michel the host was friendly and knowledgeable which added to the experience. Food was very impressive. Game viewing was good, seeing a large range of animals (including close encounters with Rhinos, Lions, and Wild Dogs). Despite this we didn't appreciate our guide Isaac being overly aggressive in flushing out a juvenile Leopard from the thicket. There was no need to push the safari vehicle to its limits in a rough area and herd the poor leopard with the car and then get out of the vehicle trying to find it on foot. Being less intrusive and more conservation minded would have been better. Other area of improvement would be the reservations process (res manager was slow and disorganised in confirming booking and managing the process) and the guide being more transparent regarding drinks (he offered us a sundowner during safari which he intimated was complementary but didn't turn out to be). Overall we recommend Pungwe for a unique safari experience.

A magical setting with great staff but any game lodge must be heavily judged on the game viewing experience....sadly we were rained out so can not rate this accurately... I look forward to when we can go back to hopefully give Pungwe the 5 star rating it desrves

Our stay at Pungwe was an unforgettable experience. I would like to complement all the staff who made our stay so special. Their welcome and attention to detail were exemplary. Everything seemed to run like clockwork, but that was because so much work went on behind the scenes, allowing us guests to enjoy the experience. Julian was a charming host, Isaac was a knowledgeable guide and Carol was an amazing cook, who produced delicious food. But the supporting crew ensured that our water was hot, the tents were clean and the camp was comfortable. The twice daily game drives provided us with lots of opportunities to view a range of animals at close quarters. I was glad that we had an open vehicle so that we could view the animals easily and it was great fun leaving the tracks to go overland to pursue a sighting at close quarters. Do not choose this camp if you want access to WiFi and electricity. It is a traditional bush experience of the highest order.

My wife, my daughter and myself stayed at the Pungwe Safari Camp for six nights from July 17 until July 24. Pungwe is a wonderful, intimate camp, situated in the wildlife filled Manyeleti Game Reserve, a private concession within the greater Kruger region. There are no fences between Kruger National Park and the private reserves that border it, nor are there any fences between any of the different border concessions, so game wonders freely in what has been combined to create one of the largest protected ecosystems on earth. Pungwe is an unfenced camp consisting of only four tents. One of the greatest strengths of Pungwe is its warmth and family atmosphere. The ample meals were served in traditional safari style with everyone in the camp sitting at the same table. We always enjoyed our after dinner chats around the campfire. The hosts during our stay Michel and Julien were gracious, accommodating, and highly knowledgeable. All staff members, who are part of the local community were equally accommodating as well. Wildlife sightings were plentiful, despite at times difficult conditions for game viewing. We saw all or parts of four different lion prides. We were lucky and had an excellent sighting of a cheetah and a cub. We saw elephant, buffalo and rhino on multiple occasions, and at times at extremely close range. Our driver Issac, and his tracker "Wonderboy", made an extra effort to locate wildlife during all our game drives, making especially difficult spots during our night drives. Pungwe is not for those looking for a lavish safari lodge, fenced from the surrounding wilderness, touting its added amenities, pool, gym, air conditioning, etc. If you are looking for an authentic bush experience of wildlife and wilderness, then Pungwe in the greater Kruger region is the camp for you.

Our first safari stop on vacation. We saw 4 of the Big 5 (didn't see the leopard - HOWEVER, it did come through camp when we were sleeping). The accommodations are "glamping". You have 5 star service, with no heating or air conditioning. There are individual permanent tent structures, with an ensuite. As we were there in winter, hot water bottles were provided, and sleeping was very comfortable. Getting out of bed was a little chilly, but worth it, as then you would go on a game drive. There is a nice common area set up to hang out in, during the day time. The campfire is continuously burning, and is lovely to hang out at before and after dinner. You will eat dinner outside, under the stars, and if it is a low moon, you will see the Milky Way. The tents are spacious, with a double bed (maybe it was even a queen?), there is hot water upon request (they have a small fireplace to warm up the water), with decent water pressure. The staff were all super friendly. The game drives were amazing, we would go off road to get a closer look. The food was delicious and plentiful. While there is no wi-fi, we were able to pick up data signal, intermittently. They provide all the drinking water and it is clean and safe.

What a wonderful immersion into the life and wildlife of the Manyeleti bush. The absence of electricity and wifi and the lack of camp border fences enhanced the "back to nature" experience. The accommodation was very comfortable and the catering staff did us proud with delicious homemade meals each day. The excursion and ranger crew were experts in tracking down the game and very knowledgeable on all walks of bush life. Highly recommended to really feel the pulsing heart of the bush.

Just left this fabulous camp after 2 awesome days of seeing the most amazing wildlife. Pungwe was recommended to us, ever grateful. The ‘tented’ accommodation was fantastic. Huge comfy bed, lovely linens, oil lamps to light the evenings. Small, intimate, not a hotel and thank goodness for that. Fantastic food, brilliant game drives, cannot recommend this team enough.