Kuname Lodge Review
Kuname Lodge is located on the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, about 5.5 hours from Joburg. For those who don’t want to fly into Kruger National Park or endure a long(er) drive, Kuname Lodge is a great option for a perfect South Africa Safari.
Read all my safari reviews and tips (including how much to tip game guides) here.
I visited Kuname Lodge right after my wedding in early November 2022! Yes, peeps. I immediately ditched Wilhelm and went with my parents on safari. As with any safari, I suggest spending just 2 nights.
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The Kuname Lodge Safari
I’ll always remember Kuname Lodge because their guides found two leopards on the same day! Each time I go on safari (this was my 4th), I’ve had hopes to see a leopard and this was my very first time seeing one in the wild! I was blown away. This was pure luck, as with most sightings… It also just so happened to be my birthday so I’ve taken this as a good sign.
Our guides were knowledgeable and even had handouts to help us differentiate the animals in more detail.
Your morning will start with a knock on your door at 5am (or 30 minutes later depending if you visit in the high or low season). Coffee, tea, and rusks will be available if you manage to get up a little earlier. Or, you can head from bed straight into the safari van (like I did).
Besides all the classics like lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, and plenty of antelope species, we also saw some interesting safari creatures like the leopard tortoise, termites, and the dung beetle.
On our first drive, we saw an elephant knock down an entire tree!
Throughout our drive, we would pass an enclosure that had typically been empty every time. However, on our last evening game drive, a cheetah and her cubs were hanging out in the enclosure by the side of the road! It was incredible! Turns out that the cheetah was injured and was brought to this enclosure to heal. When the rangers brought her in, they didn’t know she was pregnant!
As with all my game drives in South Africa, I have absolutely loved the evening sundowner stop.
Your game drives are included in your booking. There is typically a morning and evening game drive. On your arrival day, you’ll only join the evening ride and on your departure day you’ll join the morning drive.
Kuname Lodge Review
The Vibe
Kuname lodge is a small, private lodge. There are just five rooms: one honeymoon suite and four suites.
The common area is great place to hang out and what caught my eye when I was looking up safari lodges in the area
There is a lovely pool overlooking the river (or riverbed if you are there in the dry season).
The Food
All meals are included with your booking at Kuname.
I loved the table set up! Throughout the day, food is tasty. All diets can be accommodated, just let the lodge know in advance.
As I mentioned, coffee and tea is available before your game drive (as well as during your morning stop).
Then you’ll have breakfast when you return to the lodge.
For lunch, there is a nice spread of dishes poolside.
Following your afternoon/evening game drive, you’ll have dinner! Dinner is a three-course affair
Trust me, you’ll be stuffed the whole day!
The Rooms
The views in the rooms at Kuname are splendid. There is a coffee and tea kettle in each room. The beds are also comfortable and I was grateful for the mosquito net.
Each has an outdoor shower and tub as well. My view was excellent and I even saw some antelope from the balcony. I already want to come back when the river is actually flowing…
The Service
I must note that Kuname Lodge was super wonderful when my mom fell ill during our trip. The cook made the extra effort to make her soup and the staff checked in on us regularly to see if we needed anything. I was insanely dramatic when she fell ill (turns out she had some sort of food poisoning from Joburg) as she fainted in the lobby. I was banging on the water cooler on the floor and the manager came running to help. They later sent someone into town to buy some energy drinks for her. I have so much love for the staff there.
Tips for visiting Kuname Lodge
Driving to Kuname Lodge
Check-in is 3pm at Kuname Lodge. I suggest leaving Johannesburg between 7-8am so that you have enough time to deal with the weather, bad roads, and a rest stop. On the day we left, it started raining horribly as we left Joburg. This made our trip extra long and we only arrived just before our first game drive at 4pm. If you encounter rain, you should add an extra hour to your driving time.
A huge tip you’ll need for google maps: Be sure to take the route that goes through Dullstroom. In fact, put this as your first stop. The alternative route (at least in Nov 2022) through Middleburg was horrible. The potholes were crazy and likely not going to get fixed anytime soon. Instead, avoid this and just go through Dullstroom.
Dullstroom is also a perfect place to stock up on coffee and snacks. Wilhelm and I visited Dullstroom for my birthday the year before and I LOVE the town. It has the best-smoked trout in the country. Read my post on what to do in Dullstroom for ideas on where to grab a quick bite; it may even be worth a night or two! There will be a gas station as you exit town as well.
Additionally, be sure to use this location as your destination on google maps. There are two points on google maps; one is “Kuname Lodge” and the other is “Kuname River Lodge”. Although the Kuname Lodge location on google maps looks more legit as it has more reviews, it’s actually on the wrong side of the river and it may take you through the actual game reserve by mistake. Be sure to use “Kuname River Lodge,” as this will take you to the proper entry point.
Booking the Lodge
Check Expedia for rates. I got a really good deal on our rooms through the site rather than booking directly. However, South Africans should check for resident prices with the lodge. We paid R32,000 for 3 people. Technically, my room was a double and the cost wouldn’t have changed if we were 4 people so I’d recommend having a buddy with you!
Visit Kuname’s website here for more info or book now!
Read the South Africa Guide for itineraries and tips to plan your trip!
