Pungwe Safari Camp

Pungwe is situated in the remote and undeveloped southern portion of the Manyeleti Reserve, on the northern border of the Sabi Sand Reserve and the western border of the Kruger National Park.

With only four tents Pungwe offers privacy and personal attention in an authentic African setting. Our large en-suite tents offer either twin beds or large king-size beds, cotton linen and fluffy duvets to luxuriate under. The en-suite bathrooms feature stand-alone showers, baths, flushing toilets and African-inspired hand basins. Hot water is provided by a “donkey boiler”- a wood-fired water heating system that has been used in bush camps across Africa for decades, providing a true “off grid”experience.

If exclusivity is the true definition of luxury then with only four en-suite meru-styled tents, Pungwe offers the kind of intimacy one only finds in a truly unique authentic safari camp. The thatched roofs over each of the large tents ensures that the interiors remain cool in summer and mild in winter. The en-suite bathrooms with their free-standing hot showers, large baths, flushing toilets and intricately designed basins provide all the creature-comforts one expects.  Each of the tents offers either twin or king-size options under four-poster style mosquito nets, providing protection and an ambiance reminiscent of a by-gone era, further enhanced by the soft glow of lanterns

Spacious and airy, with tiled floors and thatching above to help keep things cool in the summer and warm in the winter, the tents evoke the spirit of the great explorers with their rustic charm and old-world style. At night, the tents are lit with oil lamps, adding to that authentic ambience. We provide a high-powered rechargeable LED light as well for reading. Each tent has its own private verandah where you can sit and contemplate the wonder of the African wilderness that surrounds the camp. It’s the perfect spot from which to do some birding or enjoy a cup of coffee between activities

Outdoors

Outdoor fireplace

Outdoor furniture

Food & Drink

Bar

Restaurant

Internet

No internet access available.

Parking

Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

Services

Daily housekeeping

Airport shuttle (additional charge)

General

Family rooms

Non-smoking rooms

Guided Walking Safaris

Set out on foot just as the sunlight touches the horizon, feel the dew drops as you walk on animal tracks in search of a feeling that only a walking safari can give you, that inexplicable feeling felt by so many before that still captivates us, connects us and allows us to feel at one with nature. You will not only see the bush, but get to touch, taste and smell it as well, a true safari of the senses.

Our qualified, armed guides will share their intimate knowledge of the bush and each animal encounter will remain etched in your memory long after your travels have ended.

Afternoon/Evening Open Vehicle Safaris

In the afternoon and into the evening, using spotlights, our experienced guides will share all the sights and sounds of the Manyeleti Reserve with you. From the echoing call of the Monotonous Lark, to the infectious greeting of a pack of Wild Dogs reuniting after a hunt, you will see and hear things that only a safari in the African bush can deliver. If you want to capture your experiences, and the look that that leopard gave you, in pictures, the evening safaris are a delight.

Our guides will take you off-road for close-up sightings of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and stately elephants.

Bird Watching

The surrounds are well endowed with a variety of bird life . These offer opportunities for the bird watcher, nature lover or just soothing music. Some of the rare birds that have been spotted include:- various types of sunbirds including the greater Double collared sunbird and Marico sunbird, White browed robin chat, Deidrick cuckoo, Red chested cuckoo, Yellow bellied greenbul, spotted eagle owl, Marshall eagle , Brown snake eagle, Violet backed starling , Red headed weaver, Black-crowned Tchagra If you are brave enough to go down the river you may see white fronted bee eater, long tailed wagtail and the malachite kingfisher. We have a pair of binoculars and bird books you can use .

Pungwe Safari Camp Rates Include –

• Accommodation in large meru-style tented rooms with en-suit bathrooms. Each tent is located under a thatch roof and has tiled floors
• Morning Teas/Coffees
• A light continental breakfast before the morning walking safari.
• Brunch
• High Tea
• Dinner
• A daily morning game walk with a FGASA qualified ranger & tracker
• A daily afternoon/evening game drive daily with a FGASA qualified ranger & tracker

Rates Exclude –
• Drinks
• Gratuities (please bring cash for gratuities)
• Reserve entrances fees

Child Policy

Children aged 6 years and over are welcome at Pungwe Safari Camp.

It’s All About The People and The Community

Pungwe is proud of its links to the adjacent communities; all our wonderful staff are from the surrounding villages and are passionate about both the Manyeleti and Pungwe.

Some of our staff have been here for over 20 years and are their wealth of knowledge of the reserve uniquely equips them to give you the experience of a lifetime. The camp purchases most of its supplies and services from local businesses and our support of local children at the Thorndale Creche is an ongoing project very close to our hearts.

Malaria

The Manyeleti Game Reserve is a relatively low risk malaria area, but we strongly advise that you check with your doctor to find out what malaria tablets you will need, and when you should commence the course.

South Africa's True Hidden Gem

The notion of an undiscovered wilderness, far from the madding crowds is something every traveller on safari dreams about. Tucked away in a quiet corner of South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, the Manyeleti Game Reserve is that dream made reality.

In the local Shangaan/Xitsonga language Manyeleti means “place of stars” which for those who venture to explore its 23,000 ha of rolling, African bushveld landscapes quickly translates into “heaven”. Wedged between the Kruger National Park’s game rich Orpen region, the Sabi Sand private nature reserve and the Timbavati Nature Reserve, the stars of the Manyeleti are both above and below, from the vaulted night skies of the Milky Way to the fabled Big Five, and so much more…

Out of darkness…

The Manyeleti was established as a game reserve in 1963 at the height of apartheid in South Africa. During these dark, racially segregated times, it was the only game reserve in the country where anyone classified as non-white was welcome because of its location in what was then Gazankulu, a former black homeland.
Limited investment was made by government into the Manyeleti’s infrastructure and as a result, it remained one of the country’s best-kept secrets – a wildlife Eden completely off the tourism radar that received very few visitors but offered the ultimate, authentic bush experience.
The fall of apartheid and the dawn of democracy positioned South Africa – the Rainbow Nation we know and love today – as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations. At the same time processes were put in place to offer restitution to displaced communities in the form of land claims and beneficiaries who had lived in the area are the prospective owners of the reserve.
A small number of concessions in the reserve are operated by private safari businesses which has helped to open the reserve up to international tourism. A Manyeleti safari directly benefits local communities as a result of this.

A unique environment
The Manyeleti has no perennial rivers. Nonetheless, the numerous natural pans, wallows and dams, combined with a mosaic of open areas of grassland and dense thickets have combined to make it one of the most productive game viewing areas in the Greater Kruger region.
Its grassy plains and mixed woodland create varied habitats for a plethora of animal species that are found in the Manyeleti, with excellent grazing, browsing and shade on hand during the hot summer months for a wide diversity of antelope as well as zebra, giraffe, buffalo, ostrich and sable.
With high densities of herbivores comes predators aplenty. The Manyeleti is renowned for its lion, leopard and cheetah as well as great sightings of the endangered painted wolf (African wild dog). Add to the mix serval and caracal, as well as smaller carnivores like the dwarf mongoose and genet. You can also see both black-backed and side-striped jackal as well as spotted hyena.
More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the Manyeleti which offers excellent year-round birding opportunities to see local “specials” like the barn owl, bearded woodpecker and thick-billed cuckoo.

Safari experience

There are no fences between the Manyeleti and its neighbours (Sabi Sands, Timabavati and Kruger National Park) This allows the wildlife to roam freely and with 200km of gravel roads to explore and so few lodges and game vehicles, safaris on the Manyeleti offer a truly exclusive experience.
A Manyeleti safari defines the true meaning of “exclusive” – where you are among the few who have the privilege to explore this incredible wilderness and appreciate its unique character and breathtaking beauty.
It’s about more than just the search for the Big Five – even though there is always a good likelihood of seeing these iconic wildlife species….. It’s about connecting with the wilderness, understanding its nuances and learning its ways. And sometimes, a safari in the Manyeleti is about stopping, turning off the game viewer’s engine and sitting quietly, absorbing the spirit of wild Africa, its sights, sounds and sensations, rejuvenating the wilderness deep in your soul.

STAY 4 PAY 3 AT A TRULY AUTHENTIC SAFARI CAMP WITH ALL THE RIGHT TOUCHES

01 January 2024 – 31 December 2024*

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R4945.00 Per person sharing*

R6430.00 Per person single*

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Children aged between 6 and 12*:         R2475.00 per child

Children aged between 13 and 18**:       R2675.00 per child

*  Children aged 6 – 12 are only allowed in the lodge if a minimum of 6 adults are booked in the same reservation as the children.

**  Children between the ages of 13 and 18 are accommodated if sharing

with at least one adult.

Rates include:

• Accommodation in large meru-style tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Each tent is located under a thatch roof and has tiled floors
• Morning Teas/Coffees
• Brunch
• High Tea
• Dinner
• Daily morning and afternoon/evening game drives with a FGASA qualified ranger & tracker
• The option of replacing a morning game drive with a guided bush walk with a FGASA qualified ranger & tracker (*PLEASE NOTE THAT GUIDED WALKS CURRENTLY NEED TO BE CONFIRMED UPON MAKING A RESERVATION.)

Rates exclude:

• Drinks
• Gratuities (please bring cash for gratuities)
• Reserve entrance fees

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MANYELETI RESERVE ENTRANCE/CONSERVATION FEE OF R75 FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GUESTS AND R130 FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS IS PAYABLE BY CARD (NO CASH) UPON ENTRANCE TO THE RESERVE.

Banking details