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    2/13 - Perfect Wedding Venue
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    4/13 - Hippo Pool
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    5/13 - Eagles Nest View
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    6/13 - Serengeti verandah view
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    7/13 - Serengeti Room
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    8/13 - Dining Room - Boma
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    9/13 - Main Lodge Lounge
  • 10 of 13
    10/13 - View
  • 11 of 13
    11/13 - Zebra
  • 12 of 13
    12/13 - Zebra
  • 13 of 13
    13/13 - Conference Room
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*From R1975
Per person, per night sharing
*Rates may vary according to season/number of people
Check Availability + Rates + Make Online Booking Guest reviews Open Availability Calendar
Location & Contact Details
Address:Gwahumbe Reserve, Eston, Mid Illovo, KwaZulu Natal

Payment Methods
  • American Express American Express
  • EFT / Bank Transfer EFT / Bank Transfer
  • MasterCard MasterCard
  • Visa Visa
Languages Spoken At Establishment
  • English
  • Afrikaans
  • Zulu
Special Categories
  • Conference Venue Accommodation
    Accommodates how many people?
    50
    The following apply
     Restroom accessible
     Food / beverage facilities for catering purposes
     Catering done in-house
     Sufficient parking space
     Fully staffed (cleaning, servers etc.)
     Internet connection
     Wireless internet connection
     Air conditioning
     Liquor license
     Bar on-site
     Wheelchair friendly
     A specified area for coaches and buses to stop to allow delegates and guests to embark and disembark safely
     Dedicated storage space that can safely store event materials and equipment overnight

  • Fresh-Water Fishing Accommodation
    The following apply
     Fishing equipment for hire
     Can bring own fishing equipment
     Catch and release

  • Quad/4x4/Bike Trails Accommodation
    The following apply
     Bring your own bicycle
     Bicycles to hire
     4x4 vehicle set trails

  • Sleeps 10 or More Accommodation
    Your establishment has capacity to cater for groups of 10 or more.
     Yes

  • Star Graded Accommodation
  • Wedding Venue Accommodation
    Capacity Information
    32
    60
    The following apply
     Reception area
     Chapel
     Area for wedding ceremony
     Undercover area for signing the register
     Fully catered
     Liquor license
     Fully stocked bar
     Cleaning / serving staff
     Honeymoon suite

  • Wheelchair Friendly Accommodation
    For every 25 parking bays, at least one should be 3500mm wide
    2
    The following apply
     Ramps provided in close proximity to stairs
     Textured surfaces, such as roughened finishes, on all ramps, stairways and main circulation paths
     Route surface firm and even – surface should be hard with no gravel or cobble type finishes
     All areas well and evenly lit
     Door handles in the area located at a height of between 120cm – 80cm
     Re-positioning of furniture, and other obstructions in the room to meet guest requirements
     Floor surfaces at wheelchair areas should be level, stable, firm and slip-resistant. Carpet or carpet tile used on the floors must be securely attached, and be of a low pile type (1.3cm thick or less) with a firm pad
     Hand rails in the bathrooms
     Stable seating area in the bath / shower
    Minimum unobstructed space infront of doors
     A minimum of 90cm x 120cm
    Size of all door openings, when measured in the 90-degree open position
     Minimum of 76cm wide

Page Statistics
29768 page views since 14 Jul, 2009.
Last updated on 09 Jul, 2021.
First year listed on WhereToStay.co.za

Gwahumbe Reserve Game & Spa offers guests the ultimate intimate, relaxing bush experience. Located in a Malaria free environment and easily accessible from both Durban and Pietermaritzburg on good tar roads. Be pampered with catered or self-catered accommodation and service in accordance with our AA Superior accreditation.

A wide variety of catered and self catered accommodation ranging from ultimate luxury to a rustic bush camp, together with excellent cuisine and a history of renowned good service and satisfaction, makes Gwahumbe Reserve Game & Spa a superb location to breakaway and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the bushveld.

Gwahumbe Reserve Game & Spa boasts a holistic, exclusive Spa Wellness Centre containing massage rooms, steam room, hydro room, wet room and couples treatment room enclosed in a tranquil setting where meals can also be had. Qualified therapists offer a variety of treatments and day or night packages can be arranged.

Conferencing, weddings, game walks, game drives and teambuilding are our forte. Gwahumbe prides itself in being small and offering personal service to you our guest. Rhino, Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra and Antelope as well as an abundance of bird life can be seen close up in a beautiful riverine environment on the banks of the Gwahumbe river, from which the reserve derives it's name. To enjoy this paradise, reservations are essential and the terrain is suited to 4x4's and pickups only.

"Gwahumbe" is the Zulu word for the river that flows through the reserve. Pronounced - "Gwa -ghoom-bee".

This private reserve overlooking the confluence of the Gwahumbe and Umsunduze Rivers forms part of the greater Gwahumbe Valley. This river system joins the Illovo River in the southern midlands of Kwa Zulu Natal and ultimately flows into the Indian Ocean south of Durban

The area covers 3000 ha of riverine forest, valley bushveld, plateau grassland and majestic cliff faces. Ranging from 700 m above sea level to 400 m in the river valleys, the topography is reminiscent of northern Kwa Zulu Natal but enjoys a milder climate and is malaria free.

This region once formed part of the ancient elephant trail as they moved between their winter-feeding grounds in the mangrove swamps of what is now Durban, to their summer habitat, the nearby Byrne Valley. This trail was later utilised by Boer Pioneers as a wagon route from the Cape to Durban. In a cave near the source of the Umsunduze River, Dick King and his Zulu companion, Ndongeni, are said to have rested while on their historic ride to Port Elizabeth. Agriculture at the turn of the century consisted of tobacco growing for which a factory was built in the Gwahumbe Valley.

In 1999 Gwahumbe Game and Spa was recognized as a natural heritage site and was issued the natural heritage certificate, which was signed by President Nelson Mandela.

Awards & Accreditations As Claimed By The Establishment
  • AA Superior Accommodation
  • Tourism Grading - 4 Stars
Facilities
  • Parking all onsite
  • Outdoor splash pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Nature trail onsite
  • Mountain biking
  • Laundry facilities onsite
  • Kitchenette only
  • Internet facilities
  • Guided nature walks
  • Generator
  • Game drives onsite
  • Fishing onsite
  • Fireplace
  • Exercise facilities (less than 5km)
  • DSTV in communal area
  • Communal TV lounge
  • Big game onsite
  • Big game (less than 30km)
  • Babysitting service
  • Airport transfers
  • Private pool (some units)
  • Restaurant onsite
  • Sauna/steam room onsite
  • Spa facilities
  • Tea / coffee making facilities
  • WiFi
Open Google Map
  • Directions
    DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM
    DURBAN (approx. 1 hour)

    * Proceed along the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg.
    * Take the Camperdown (exit 57) off-ramp.
    * At the top of the off-ramp turn left.
    * Proceed for about 3 km to the T-junction with the R603.
    * Turn left and proceed down the R603 towards Umbumbulu.
    * After about 22 Km you will see a signpost to Mid-Illovo. (when you reach the Caltex garage on your left at the Eston cross roads, you are 7 km from this sign - CONTINUE along the R603).
    * Turn right at this sign off the R603 and proceed for 12 Km to the village of Mid-Illovo. Mid-Illovo consists of a Spar, a Police Station, a bottle store, a small filling station and a few houses.
    * Drive through the village and 300m beyond the village turn left onto the Ismont Rd.
    * Proceed for 1.2 km along the Ismont road, and then turn left onto a gravel road, the D368.
    * Proceed along the D368 for 1.7 km and turn left at the Gwahumbe sign.
    * You are now on our access road and about 800m from our entrance gate. Turn left as indicated by the arrow at the fork.
    * Shortly thereafter you will reach our entrance gate.

    DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM
    PIETERMARITZBURG (approx. 45 min)

    * Proceed along the N3 in the direction of Durban.
    * Take the Umlaas Road / Umbumbulu / Richmond off-ramp.
    * At the intersection vere left onto the R603 and proceed past the Shell garage in the direction of Umbumbulu,
    * Turn right after about 23 Km to Mid-Illovo (when you reach the Caltex garage on your left at the Eston cross roads, you are 7 km from this sign - CONTINUE along the R603).
    * Proceed for 12 Km to the village of Mid-Illovo.
    * Drive through the village and turn left after 300m onto the Ismont Rd.
    * Proceed for 1.2 Km and turn left onto a gravel road, the D368.
    * Proceed along the D368 for 1.7 km and turn left at the Gwahumbe Reserve sign ( this is opposite a farm called Java Heights ).
    * You are now on our access road, turn left as indicated by the arrow at the fork.
    * Shortly thereafter you will reach our entrance gate.

    DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM DURBAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
    * Proceed to the exit heading towards the South Coast
    * Proceed along the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg.
    * Take the Camperdown (exit 57) off-ramp.
    * At the top of the off-ramp turn left.
    * Proceed for about 3 km to the T-junction with the R603.
    * Turn left and proceed down the R603 towards Umbumbulu.
    * After about 22 Km you will see a signpost to Mid-Illovo. (when you reach the Caltex garage on your left at the Eston cross roads, you are 7 km from this sign - CONTINUE along the R603).
    * Turn right at this sign off the R603 and proceed for 12 Km to the village of Mid-Illovo. Mid-Illovo consists of a Spar, a Police Station, a bottle store, a small filling station and a few houses.
    * Drive through the village and 300m beyond the village turn left onto the Ismont Rd.
    * Proceed for 1.2 km along the Ismont road, and then turn left onto a gravel road, the D368.
    * Proceed along the D368 for 1.7 km and turn left at the Gwahumbe sign.
    * You are now on our access road and about 800m from our entrance gate. Turn left as indicated by the arrow at the fork.
    * Shortly thereafter you will reach our entrance gate.

    DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM THE SOUTH COAST (N2)

    * Take the N2 towards Durban
    * Take the Kingsburgh/Umbumbulu off ramp (R603)
    * Turn right in the direction of Umbumbulu on the R603
    * Proceed along the R603 for about 43 km
    * Turn left at the Mid-Illovo sign post
    * Proceed for 12 km to Mid-Illovo, drive through the village
    * Turn left at the Ismont sign post
    * Proceed for about 1,5 km along this road
    * Turn left at the D368 (this is a gravel road and is opposite a small church)
    * Proceed along the D368 for about 1,5 km
    * Turn left at the Gwahumbe Reserve sign and follow this road to the entrance gate.

    GPS COORDINATES
    S 29 degrees 57. 722'
    E 030 degrees 32. 750'

    DAY VISITORS
    Vehicle fee - R65.00 (4x4 or diff lock required)
    Conservation fee - R40.00 pp ages 12 upwards
    - R25.00 pp ages 5 - 12 years
    - No charge under 5 years
Directions
DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM
DURBAN (approx. 1 hour)

* Proceed along the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg.
* Take the Camperdown (exit 57) off-ramp.
* At the top of the off-ramp turn left.
* Proceed for about 3 km to the T-junction with the R603.
* Turn left and proceed down the R603 towards Umbumbulu.
* After about 22 Km you will see a signpost to Mid-Illovo. (when you reach the Caltex garage on your left at the Eston cross roads, you are 7 km from this sign - CONTINUE along the R603).
* Turn right at this sign off the R603 and proceed for 12 Km to the village of Mid-Illovo. Mid-Illovo consists of a Spar, a Police Station, a bottle store, a small filling station and a few houses.
* Drive through the village and 300m beyond the village turn left onto the Ismont Rd.
* Proceed for 1.2 km along the Ismont road, and then turn left onto a gravel road, the D368.
* Proceed along the D368 for 1.7 km and turn left at the Gwahumbe sign.
* You are now on our access road and about 800m from our entrance gate. Turn left as indicated by the arrow at the fork.
* Shortly thereafter you will reach our entrance gate.

DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM
PIETERMARITZBURG (approx. 45 min)

* Proceed along the N3 in the direction of Durban.
* Take the Umlaas Road / Umbumbulu / Richmond off-ramp.
* At the intersection vere left onto the R603 and proceed past the Shell garage in the direction of Umbumbulu,
* Turn right after about 23 Km to Mid-Illovo (when you reach the Caltex garage on your left at the Eston cross roads, you are 7 km from this sign - CONTINUE along the R603).
* Proceed for 12 Km to the village of Mid-Illovo.
* Drive through the village and turn left after 300m onto the Ismont Rd.
* Proceed for 1.2 Km and turn left onto a gravel road, the D368.
* Proceed along the D368 for 1.7 km and turn left at the Gwahumbe Reserve sign ( this is opposite a farm called Java Heights ).
* You are now on our access road, turn left as indicated by the arrow at the fork.
* Shortly thereafter you will reach our entrance gate.

DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM DURBAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
* Proceed to the exit heading towards the South Coast
* Proceed along the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg.
* Take the Camperdown (exit 57) off-ramp.
* At the top of the off-ramp turn left.
* Proceed for about 3 km to the T-junction with the R603.
* Turn left and proceed down the R603 towards Umbumbulu.
* After about 22 Km you will see a signpost to Mid-Illovo. (when you reach the Caltex garage on your left at the Eston cross roads, you are 7 km from this sign - CONTINUE along the R603).
* Turn right at this sign off the R603 and proceed for 12 Km to the village of Mid-Illovo. Mid-Illovo consists of a Spar, a Police Station, a bottle store, a small filling station and a few houses.
* Drive through the village and 300m beyond the village turn left onto the Ismont Rd.
* Proceed for 1.2 km along the Ismont road, and then turn left onto a gravel road, the D368.
* Proceed along the D368 for 1.7 km and turn left at the Gwahumbe sign.
* You are now on our access road and about 800m from our entrance gate. Turn left as indicated by the arrow at the fork.
* Shortly thereafter you will reach our entrance gate.

DIRECTIONS TO GWAHUMBE RESERVE GAME & SPA FROM THE SOUTH COAST (N2)

* Take the N2 towards Durban
* Take the Kingsburgh/Umbumbulu off ramp (R603)
* Turn right in the direction of Umbumbulu on the R603
* Proceed along the R603 for about 43 km
* Turn left at the Mid-Illovo sign post
* Proceed for 12 km to Mid-Illovo, drive through the village
* Turn left at the Ismont sign post
* Proceed for about 1,5 km along this road
* Turn left at the D368 (this is a gravel road and is opposite a small church)
* Proceed along the D368 for about 1,5 km
* Turn left at the Gwahumbe Reserve sign and follow this road to the entrance gate.

GPS COORDINATES
S 29 degrees 57. 722'
E 030 degrees 32. 750'

DAY VISITORS
Vehicle fee - R65.00 (4x4 or diff lock required)
Conservation fee - R40.00 pp ages 12 upwards
- R25.00 pp ages 5 - 12 years
- No charge under 5 years
Page Statistics
29768 page views since 14 Jul, 2009.
Last updated on 09 Jul, 2021.
First year listed on WhereToStay.co.za
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  • 1 of 13
    1/13 - Main Lodge Verandah
  • 2 of 13
    2/13 - Perfect Wedding Venue
  • 3 of 13
    3/13
  • 4 of 13
    4/13 - Hippo Pool
  • 5 of 13
    5/13 - Eagles Nest View
  • 6 of 13
    6/13 - Serengeti verandah view
  • 7 of 13
    7/13 - Serengeti Room
  • 8 of 13
    8/13 - Dining Room - Boma
  • 9 of 13
    9/13 - Main Lodge Lounge
  • 10 of 13
    10/13 - View
  • 11 of 13
    11/13 - Zebra
  • 12 of 13
    12/13 - Zebra
  • 13 of 13
    13/13 - Conference Room
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