Activities at the Lodge
NATURE ALL AROUND
Birding
Guided or self guided bird watching walks within Umkhumbi and Kuleni Game Park may delight and surprise you with some great avian species to be found. Trips to the various birding hotspots close to Umkhumbi Lodge will afford an opportunity to spot a great number of species. Destinations include Mkuze, Muzi pan, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park, St. Lucia, Ndumo and False Bay, to mention only a few. Our knowledgeable guides will point you in the right direction to increase your chances of seeing the more elusive species such as Twinspots, Pels Fishing Owl, African Broadbills and many more.
TIMES: Year-round (Summer is better for visiting migratory birds)
COSTS: No charge for self-guided walks around Kuleni for overnight guests. Guided rates on request.
Walking Trails
Kuleni Game Park has a network of walking trails that you can explore at your leisure. We have many of South Africa’s wildlife species within our conservancy, including warthogs, zebras, giraffe, nyalas, impalas, wildebeest etc. Perhaps you’ll be lucky to spot a honey badger or some of our rarest antelopes; suni. We offer guided walks too.
TIMES: Year-round
COST for guided walks: R400 per group (6 people or fewer)
*No charge for overnight guests doing a self-guided trail.
Night Walks
Armed with our ultraviolet light and a strong spotlight we venture out at night in search of elusive nocturnal creatures. Various snake and scorpion species can be encountered and an occasional sleeping chameleon or bushbaby in the trees makes every evening different. Your knowledgeable guide will make sure that you have the best possible chance of observing these animals in a safe environment.
TIMES: Year-round
COST for guided walks: FREE!
Snake and Reptile Display
Anton, the owner here at Umkhumbi Lodge, is a reptile enthusiast and keeps a few interesting species of snakes, lizards, crocodilians and such. If guests are interested we will show them to you and we also offer a full talk and demonstration. You can safely touch a snake and learn all about the different kinds of snakes, including information on the scales, fangs and venom.
TIMES: Year-round, subject to Anton or a guide being available.
COST: FREE for guests staying at the Lodge.
Donations welcome to help with care and feeding.
Frogging
With up to 50 different frog and toad species, we venture out at night to find these fascinating little creatures. Try something different, these colourful little critters will amaze you.
TIMES: November to March
COSTS: On request
Cycling
Bring your bikes with you. You and the kids can cycle the trails around Kuleni Game Park. Be advised that there are some sandy patches! Outside of Kuleni there are some great riding routes for the serious and not so serious cyclist. There are a couple of good routes up to 50km round trip. Please enquire for more information.
TIMES: year round
COST: Free