Phumulani Lodge, eManzini, Mpumalanga Province: Accommodation Review

Phumulani Lodge
R569, off the R538 at eManzini
Near the Kruger National Park Numbi Gate
Mpumalanga Province

Accommodation type: Game Lodge
Number of stars: 4
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R495
SA Blog recommends? Definitely

Book your stay at Phumulani Lodge here.

Snippet
Seventeen luxury, thatch-roofed chalets are inconspicuously nestled amongst the acacia trees. Each chalet has a full en-suite bathroom and sheltered patio overlooking the wild surrounds. The dining boma (lounge/common area) is where patrons congregate for splendid African feasts - breakfast and dinner are included in the price of accommodation - as well as traditional Swazi dancing and music. A handcrafted wooden bar, fashioned from the split trunk of a Marula tree, is always well stocked. For fatigued explorers and those just wanting to relax under the African sun, there is a tranquil rock pool.

(See full review below.)

Low season specials? Yes
Breakfast included? Yes
Dedicated non-smoking rooms? No
Staff friendliness (out of 10): 8
Staff competence (out of 10): Not reviewed

Room options: Suite
Room comfort level (out of 10): Not reviewed
Noisy? A Little
Does the TV remote work? N/A
Fan or A/C? Fan
Pool? Yes

Concierge? Yes
Restaurant? Yes
Conference facilities? Yes
Three ink blot adjectives: Secluded, atmospheric, fair trade
Value for money? Yes

Booking information
Phumulani Lodge
PO Box 2044
Hazyview 1242
Tel: +27 (0) 13 798 0020, Fax: +27 (0) 13 798 0025
phumulanilodge@soft.co.za

Book your stay at Phumulani Lodge here.

Review
You can’t get much closer to the Kruger National Park without being inside its gates than the Phumulani Lodge (pronounced poo-moo-LAH-nee). It’s just 500 meters, in fact, from the park’s Numbi gate - making it an ideal launch pad for treks into the reserve’s southern region.

Seventeen luxury, thatch-roofed chalets are inconspicuously nestled amongst the acacia trees. Each chalet has a full en-suite bathroom and sheltered patio overlooking the wild surrounds. The dining boma (lounge/common area) is where patrons congregate for splendid African feasts - breakfast and dinner are included in the price of accommodation - as well as traditional Swazi dancing and music. A handcrafted wooden bar, fashioned from the split trunk of a Marula tree, is always well-stocked. For fatigued explorers and those just wanting to relax under the African sun, there is a tranquil rock pool.

Phumulani is Fair Trade-certified: it is owned and managed by members of the local Mduli community, meaning that the Lodge’s profits go straight back into regional development in a variety of ways - from support for local arts, crafts, education, products and services, to to the training of community members in the hospitality industry.