About Us
GWAHUMBE
A Celebration of Nature
The exquisite and unforgettable Gwahumbe Reserve wins the heart of every visitor. This tranquil escape holds its own as a special destination for nature-lovers. The fact that it is a short distance from the major centres in KZN underscores its appeal – and makes it a bush sanctuary for anyone looking to quickly and easily get away from city life for a bit. From around the reserve, the striking cliff faces stand sentinel over Gwahumbe, offset by the plateau grassland and lush riverine forests. Gwahumbe lies at the confluence of the Umsunduze and Umgwahumbe River, from which it gets its name – and our very being is a tribute to the wonder of this special stretch of Africa.
A Sense of Space
Preserving Natural Heritage
A Taste of Africa
So Much to Explore. Get Started at Gwahumbe.
OUR STORY
From Our Family to Yours
Gwahumbe was established more than 25 years ago by Neil and Raye Hampson, who were sugarcane farmers in the area – and who live on the property today. Neil was a visionary with a love of nature and conservation. As a result, Gwahumbe was one of the first formalised game reserves in the KZN Midlands. Every corner of the lodge is imbued with family story.
Neil and Raye’s daughter, Shanon, moved on to the adjacent farm around 22 years ago from Johannesburg. Shanon and Craig moved on to the farm with the intention of raising their brood and retiring on the farm, but they soon realised that their passion and experience lends itself perfectly to the daily running and success of Gwahumbe. They work together with a small, highly dedicated team – and feel so privileged to call Gwahumbe their home.
Meet The Team
Management: Shanon, Ali, Sthe | Ranger: Evan | Kitchen: Priscilla, Caroline | Spa: Nontombi, Yenzi, Rachel |
Bar: Mondli, Yongi | Housekeeping: Lilly, Thembeka, Octavia, Thuli, Cindy Mandisa | Maintenance: Longone, Kehlo, Sizwe, Noncebo
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Celebrity Guests at Gwahumbe
All of Gwahumbe’s guests are special, but we’ve proudly hosted some celebrity guests over the years, including:
FEATURES
Attractions At Gwahumbe
Green Initiatives
Our nature-focused approach inspires many green initiatives on Gwahumbe. These include composting of kitchen scraps and our in-house veggie garden. We also only use glass water bottles rather than plastic and recycle all glass and cans and use only natural cleaning products – ensuring we are as light on the ground as possible. We also encourage all guests to use water sparingly and not to litter.
Functions
Gwahumbe is a marvellous location for functions including small business conferences and parties for every purpose. We are connoisseurs in special occasions and work closely with you to craft personalised parties and unforgettable events.
Functions
Gwahumbe is a marvellous location for functions including small business conferences and parties for every purpose. We are connoisseurs in special occasions and work closely with you to craft personalised parties and unforgettable events.
Restaurant
Our restaurant serves tasty meals, with many ingredients sourced from our organic garden – and day guests are invited to pop in for a meal as part of their visit. Self-catering guests are welcome to order meals or braai packs in advance – and this is a picturesque venue for pre-arranged functions. Open from 07:30 to 15:30
Bar
What a spot to drink it all in! Our well-stocked bar has a range of beverages for guests to accompany a meal or to kick back and relax in a quintessential safari lodge setting.
Bar
What a spot to drink it all in! Our well-stocked bar has a range of beverages for guests to accompany a meal or to kick back and relax in a quintessential safari lodge setting.
Packed Picnics
A bush picnic is a memorable occasion. You are welcome to bring your own or contact us to arrange a pre-packed picnic basket, filled to the brim with tasty treats for you to enjoy on the reserve.
Labyrinth
An ancient symbol of wholeness, our labyrinth overlooks the Gwahumbe Valley. For the full labyrinth experience, guests are encouraged to walk it slowly – an exploration of self as you make your way to the centre. The spiral and circle take you on a meaningful path – representing the journey to your centre and the connection to the outside world.
Labyrinth
An ancient symbol of wholeness, our labyrinth overlooks the Gwahumbe Valley. For the full labyrinth experience, guests are encouraged to walk it slowly – an exploration of self as you make your way to the centre. The spiral and circle take you on a meaningful path – representing the journey to your centre and the connection to the outside world.
Swimming Pool
After a day of adventure, few things are as refreshing as a cool dip in our pool. There’s nowhere quite like it after a walk, run, or mountain bike – or to take the edge off those hot summer days. Please ensure children are supervised at all times.
Play Area
Our children’s play area is an exciting place for little ones to have fun and make new friends. Equipped with a jungle gym and outdoor trampoline, we recommend parents supervise children as they play.
Play Area
Our children’s play area is an exciting place for little ones to have fun and make new friends. Equipped with a jungle gym and outdoor trampoline, we recommend parents supervise children as they play.
Accommodation Overview
Birding & Wildlife
Day Visitors & Activities
Game Drives & Walks
Junior Ranger Camps
Gwahumbe Spa
Our Bush Sanctuary is Your Bush Sanctuary.
OUR BEST AMBASSADORS
What Our Guests Have To Say
The place is so peaceful – away from the city with beautiful views. A refreshing experience. Excellent service. Would definitely visit the place again, and highly recommend it to everyone and anyone….
Nonkululeko Ngubane
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor
Paul Sheppard
TripAdvisor
