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

Gwahumbe is approximately 700ha and forms part of the 3000ha greater Gwahumbe Valley. From 700m above sea level in the mountains to 400m in the valley, it offers diverse and exciting vegetation and ecosystems to explore.

Preserving Natural Heritage

Gwahumbe is a Natural Heritage Site, awarded by Nelson Mandela in 2004. We are committed to the preservation of our precious natural history. The reserve is habitat to an abundance of birds, hippo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, and many antelope species – as well as many smaller mammal species.

A Taste of Africa

Gwahumbe is surrounded by well-established, secure farmland. This makes it a safe place to take in the spectacular views, warm hospitality of our team, and exciting African adventure activities which are sure to entrench your love of Africa even further.

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.

OUR GWAHUMBE FAMILY

Meet The Team

Management: Shanon, Ali, Sthe | Ranger: Simon | Kitchen: Siya, Priscilla, Mia | Spa: Nontombi, Yenzi |
Bar: Mondli, Yongi | Receptionist: Nokuthula | Housekeeping: Lilly, Thembeka, Octavia, Thuli, Cindy, Mandisa | Maintenance: John, Longone, Kehlo, Sizwe, Noncebo, Mzoxolo, Khosta

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

In addition to our activities, the variety of accommodation options, and the Gwahumbe Spa, the following are some of the extra features 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.

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.

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.

Kids Entertainment

A little children’s play area, outdoor trampoline and a jungle gym are available for guests to make use of. Children must be supervised at all times. There is also a teen’s play area with table tennis & darts.

Kids Entertainment

A little children’s play area, outdoor trampoline and a jungle gym are available for guests to make use of. Children must be supervised at all times. There is also a teen’s play area with table tennis & darts.

Our Bush Sanctuary is Your Bush Sanctuary.

OUR BEST AMBASSADORS

What Our Guests Have To Say