Best Time to Visit Shumbalala Game Lodge — A Month-by-Month Guide from Our Guests

September & October – Spring Blooms & Special Encounters

Spring at Shumbalala Game Lodge is alive with fresh greenery, soft breezes, and longer days. Mornings are cool enough for a cosy blanket on the game vehicle, while afternoons are warm and perfect for relaxing on the deck.

Veronica M will never forget her September visit — from the warm welcome to the Heritage Day dinner celebration, a special evening honouring South Africa’s cultural traditions. Her drives with Emilio and Sam were “phenomenal”, with the rare highlight of tracking down a black rhino.

Paula W came for her first-ever safari and loved every moment:

“Nothing was too much trouble… and the memories of how close we were able to get to the animals will always be remembered.”

Photo credit: Paula W

In October, Rick HM brought his mum for her 91st birthday. When she missed a morning drive, Emilio and Sam arranged a private walking safari just for her:

“They made an elderly lady’s dreams come true… we came back different people.”

And his unusual tip for future guests?

“If you get presented with a handful of impala poo, please just take one as instructed… you can have a lot of fun with those little pellets.”

Photo credit: Rick HM

November & December – Baby Season & Lush Greenery

November marks the beginning of summer, when the bush is dotted with newborn animals and the air is filled with birdsong.

Juliefredricks called November “perfect”:

“So many babies! Beginning of summer — not crowded, warm but not too hot yet.”

She saw “every animal on our wish list, plus more” and loved the lodge so much that “I almost cried when we had to leave.”

Classyt24 stayed in the Presidential Suite with a sweeping view of the waterhole, spending hours spotting animals from the deck between drives.

GPaCalgary enjoyed a private wine cellar dinner with hippos visible through the window — a truly unique Shumbalala Game Lodge experience.

By December, the rains have transformed the bush into a lush green wonderland. sj spotted a “baby pink elephant” and had a bull elephant wander past the infinity pool. They also learned a bushcraft secret — how to tell a tortoise’s age.

Photo credit: SJ

Chloe G recommends December for “lots of babies and a lush environment”, saying the lodge “made our first safari unforgettable.”

Photo credit: Chloe G

January & February – Long Days & Romantic Moments

Summer’s long days make January and February ideal for those who want to fit in every possible experience — and still have time to relax.

John L saw the Big Five in just four days. Jane J returned for another stay, enjoying meaningful encounters on drives with Bryce and Sam, and a “magical last night romantic experience” she refuses to spoil — keeping the surprise for future guests.

Photo credit: Jane J

jwa10021 celebrated their 30th anniversary and New Year’s Eve with “amazing musical entertainment, performed by torchlight” before heading into the bush for a midnight toast under the stars:

“The best night of… I don’t know, 2024? 2025? It spanned both years.”

In February, Wes and his wife honeymooned in one of the spacious suites and mentioned how much they loved having their own private plunge pool and free-standing tub — a feature all suites at Shumbalala Game Lodge enjoy. After drives with Bryce and Tony, they enjoyed “fresh, farm-to-table” meals and quiet moments by the waterhole.

March & April – Softer Light & Cool Breezes

Autumn brings golden sunsets, clear skies, and just the right balance of warm days and cooler evenings.

In March, Julie B visited for her first-ever safari and said her stay at Shumbalala Game Lodge “exceeded our expectations in every respect”. She saw everything on her wish list, learned so much from her guides, and admitted: “I had tears in my eyes when we left.”

Photo credit: Julie B

In April, Sandi L described her trip as “the trip of a lifetime”:

“Danielle and Maddy make you feel like family… Bryce and Tony are magicians who make the whole experience fun.”

May & June – Clear Skies & Perfect Sightings

Winter in the bush means bright, clear days, chilly mornings, and incredible wildlife visibility.

Katie B visited in June and saw “all of the Big Five plus many more — and less bugs!”. More than that, she said the Shumbalala Game Lodge staff and guides added “so many thoughtful and personal touches to each day”, making her feel their number one goal was to give guests “the gift of a lifetime”. She was touched by their “advocacy and consideration of the animals of Kruger” while still providing sightings she’ll never forget.

Elaine M honeymooned in May and remembers evenings with fires lit in the room and afternoons when “elephants drank from our pool”. She calls it “the best holiday we have ever been on.”

Photo credit: Elaine M

July & August – Winter Sun & Fireside Evenings

July is all about crisp mornings, sunny days, and cosy nights around the fire.

apactraveller praised the 2/2/2 vehicle layout, making every sighting comfortable and personal. In just a few days, they saw “leopards mating, rhinos courting, and hyenas fighting over food”.

CazY visited with family and gave their stay “100/100”. They loved the attention to detail, “amazing” food and accommodation, and the way guides Bryce and Fumani kept every drive fun and educational — even for the kids.

For Keegan C, it was the “honeymoon of our dreams… the holiday of a lifetime we’ll tell our kids and grandkids about.”

Photo credit: Keegan C

What Guests Love All Year Round

• Small & exclusive — Only 6 suites, max 12 guests.
• Exceptional team — From guides and trackers like Emilio, Bryce, Sam, Tony, and Fumani, to the warm and attentive front-of-house team, the talented chefs, and the housekeeping staff who keep every suite immaculate — guest reviews mention staff by name time and again.
• Wildlife on your doorstep — From elephants at the infinity pool to hippos at dinner.
• Thoughtful touches — Hot water bottles, surprise bush dinners, fires lit before you return, and a genuine welcome every time you come back from a drive.

Whether it’s the thrill of a lion sighting, the calm of a coffee stop in the bush, or the quiet joy of watching elephants from your deck, Shumbalala Game Lodge offers moments that stay with you long after you leave.

Whenever you choose to come — spring, summer, autumn, or winter — the bush will have a story waiting for you.