This hotel is very well managed. Nicole and Keith are super hosts. Customized request no problem. Beautiful beach, great hikes. Absolutely balanced food selection from an experienced team. Need to get my abs together now

What a phenomenal holiday! Everything was absolutely perfect, an ideal destination for kids. So much adventure to keep everyone busy and so much indulgence to have a good rest. Every detail thought of and presented so perfectly! We’ll be back next year and every year! Thank you so everyone that made our holiday so special and memorable.

First visit and totally blown away. Beautiful setting and the most friendly and helpful staff. Food was fantastic. A place where you can either just relax or enjoy the many amenities. Will be back.

The best Family hotel as well as for couples . We did some cycling - very safe and walking along the beach or with a guide... is amazing! This hotel is very well managed. Nicole and Keith are fantastic hosts. No request is too much.... Beautiful beach, great hikes and sunset cruise .

Perfect is all I can say… Location idyllic. Food on par with the best restaurants I’ve been to. Rooms were well spaced and absolutely spotless. The views. The beach. The staff were always available and always very pleasant. Even with windy weather days there is something to do with children (they have many areas both indoor and outdoor and special children activities). Very good value for money.

Everything was amazing. From the staff to food..service and everyone going the extra mile to make our stay special. My only complaint is that our visit was hopelessly too short and would have loved to still do a guided bird walk and enjoy a proper spa treatment t. Well do e Imgazi..we will certainly be back!!

On arrival we were greeted by a collection of singing staff , welcoming us onto the premises. During the whole stay we only encountered friendly and both ready and eager to assist staff. Food was plentiful and of the finest quality with an array of flavour and taste choices . Plenty of activities to keep the active busy when you choose to do so. Completely worth the drive, especially when most of the roads are now paved. Highly recommended

A fantastically beautiful resort with extremely nice staff, which was super attentive and polite. The cuisine is world class, something I have really rarely experienced and was every time a highlight! Unfortunately we could not use the pool, because during our stay were extremely many families with children in the resort, which contributed to a rather restless atmosphere. Next time we book the houses, which are a little apart and has a separate pool. Overall a great stay in a fantastically beautiful resort, thank you and full points!

The Umngazi experience was on another level in all aspects. From the pristine gardens, to the professional ladies at the Spa, to the friendly staff & mouth watering cuisine...i'll rate every aspect a 10/10. The only negatives, was the condition of the road from the main route to the actual resort which is approximately 10km & the fact that the Spa does not have a single gown or slippers for the big boys.

Beautiful scenery, friendly and professional staff, food is incredible. Spa and activities are also top notch.Our stay was really memorable. Highly recommended!

A Slice of Paradise: Unforgettable Stay at Umngazi Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) First time staying at Umngazi and it just became the highlight of our year? Seriously, this place is like a slice of paradise. From the moment we arrived until our very reluctant departure, every aspect of our stay exceeded expectations, making it an unforgettable experience. Upon entering reception, we were greeted by warm and courteous staff, setting the tone for the rest of our stay. The check-in process was swift and seamless. OMG, our room (lower bank sea facing (1a) was like stepping into a Pinterest board. Spotless, comfy bed, breath taking views – they really nailed the whole "chill in style" vibe. The attention to detail had us feeling fancy without the uptight vibe. Pure relaxation mode: activated. We absolutely loved the outdoor shower. The ONLY negative was there was no aircon in the room, but the overhead fan worked very well, so we didn’t miss the aircon. The food at Umngazi was very good, particularly the lunch options. We enjoyed a private dinner in the Gazebo to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and it was one of the highlights of our stay. Very good value for money. The resort's recreational facilities are second to none. The pristine pool, well-equipped fitness centre, tennis court, the warm, inviting bar, canoes, stand up paddle boards, numerous hikes, to name just a few, provided ample opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. And the Spa? After a full body massage and bath ritual, we practically floated out of there on clouds. The spa alone is worth the visit. If you have young children – this is a dream family holiday. There is so much to keep little ones busy – games, fishing, kids area with beautiful outdoor equipment, big jungle gym etc etc. Makes me wish we had young kids again – just to take them there. It would have been nice to have some sort of adult entertainment to entice guests into the bar – post dinner, as it is very quiet. Having said that, we understand our stay was “out of season”. Umngazi isn’t just a stay, it’s a whole vibe. Whether you're into luxury, good food or just kicking back and relaxing, this place delivers. From its stunning location to its wide range of facilities and great service, every aspect of our stay was a testament to the resort's dedication to creating a memorable experience for its guests. Without a doubt, we eagerly anticipate our next visit to this unparalleled slice of paradise. Total bliss🌴🌟

Was a great stay but think they riding on there name. Rooms were freezing no Aircon/heater in their most expensive rooms. When we complained they told us they have hot water bottles 🤣🤣. Room had a fireplace but windows were rotted and ocean breeze cut through the room like a knife. Eventually forced the windows closed from the outside and that helped. Staff tried there best with firewood.

Best experience we’ve had at an resort/hotel in South Africa. The food is world class. Would highly recommend reading the directions on Umngazi’s website before leaving for your trip, especially if travelling through Mthatha.

Had a lovely stay, the staff are very welcoming and friendly. The rooms are beautiful but very cold. We did have a fireplace but the room was still very cold and we battled with the wood. Melissa went out of her way to help though. Found the chef Khotso extremely efficient and helpful with dietary requirements. Overall we had a lovely stay just a pity about the weather

This is our second trip here from Ballito. We absolutely love everything about this resort. Would come more often but the roads in the Transkei are horrendous. The resort itself is very well run staff are friendly and helpful. We highly recommend this resort it's a fabulous holiday. Twice we've stayed for a week and are sad to leave.

It has taken my Husband & I about a week to come back down to reality after spending 5 days at Umngazi Hotel for our 10 year wedding Anniversary. So much of our time was just spent absorbing the perfection in every aspect. The amazing Pondo welcomes from all the staff, our spectacular Deluxe Honeymoon Suite, THE FOOD!!!!, having access to the adults only Lounge & Pool area, the beaches and hikes in the area, every little thought was given to making our dream holiday so amazing. We could not fault this beautiful piece of paradise!

Beautiful setting, excellent food & service. Great value for a relaxing

A bucket list family holiday destination Beach River mountains Spas and out of this world facilities incredible place to visit

Our previous visits to Umgazi River Bungalows has always been a treat. Unfortunately this time we were a little disappointed - we had cold meals from the buffet at almost every mealtime, we had a few staff members who were quite unfriendly / unhelpful on our first day, and the spa was unable to accommodate our party of 6. As usual the rooms, location, river cruise - and everything else that makes this resort an amazing escape from the rat-race - was great!

Has everything from food to scenery 😍 and all of it is to the highest of expectations. It is a wonderful holiday for you and your family♥️♥️♥️

The rooms where fantastic and amazing. The location was really something else of the rooms. The rooms isolated away from everyone really gave that peace and privacy. Service from staff was very good. The only downside and this is where the one star was lost was on the food. Making side dishes for meat main courses and offering it as a vegetarian meal also considering the price paid I don't see why a simple thing like soya is not available for vegetarians. Noticed other vegetarians having the same issue as me on Sunday for lunch.

The most remarkable resort we have ever visited in South Africa. No staff member will say it is not their job if you ask them annything and will go out of their way to assist you. The Hotel is always clean and tidy and the gardens beautifully kept. The accommodation is verry comfortable and well suited to the area. The staff at the Spa is professional and it is a truly rejuvenating experience. The food is word class always tastfull and excellently prepared and presented. River cruises are truly something to experience. A piece of Africa untouched and beautiful.

A slice of paradise in the Wild Coast. Amazing family resort with excellent facilities and warm staff. The beach and river estuary will give you peace of mind.

UNBELIEVABLE UMNGAZI We have been trying to visit Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa for a long time and always something got in the way. So this time we were adamant that nothing would stop us. On Monday 19th September we packed my wife’s red Volvo XC40 and headed south. As most travellers will know the route from Durban to Port Edward is plain sailing, however after crossing the bridge before the Wild Coast Sun driving conditions deteriorate radically. Be prepared for potholes, unmarked humps, a variety of animals and some hectic drivers who have little or no caring of their fellow road users. Bite the bullet because the Pot of Gold at the end of the journey is worth every hair-raising jolt to the system. A tip to fellow travellers stay behind the local taxis as they know every pothole and speed hump and save you losing your false teeth after hitting that unseen pothole or unmarked hump. Driving through some of the towns on the way is an education and needs patience as you stop whilst vehicles turn, stop for a chat or generally do some surprising things, especially in Flagstaff. Through the many twists and bends that lead you down to the shabby town of Port St Johns take heart your journey is nearly over. Turn right after the bridge entering PSJ and you have a mere 20 kms to go. That feeling when you are welcomed by the smiling guard at the entrance to Umngazi is amazing. You have arrived at your home for the next few days. We were booked into chalet 46 for seven days. After sorting out the ‘red tape’ at reception we were escorted to our secluded sea facing home. Our chalet offered every creature comfort you could wish for, a welcome fruit basket, bar fridge, outdoor shower with sea view, ample cupboard space and entire privacy. I must admit the safe was a challenge as it is on the top of the cupboard and I being 6ft had to go on tip toes to get at it – shorties you are going to need to stand on the chair! We were fortunate being in a Ntabeni Suite so we were entitled to breakfast with others at Emlonyeni Lounge together with guests from the Honeymoon & Emlonyeni suites. The Emlonyeni Lounge offers a children free environment for breakfast and a plunge pool with lounges for relaxing. A great spot for those of us who welcome peace and no screaming ‘ankle biters’. The Umngazi experience offers everything your heart can desire and more. Walks, hikes, kayaking, whale and dolphin watching, boat rides, sunset cruises, games and on and on…………….. Then there is their award winning Spa. Wow, I’m not a Spa fan but I had the most expert Pedi and paraffin wax treatment whilst my wife had full body massages etc until she almost floated back to our suite. Last and not least there is Chef Nico’s divine cuisine! With three scrumptious meals a day Umngazi is not the place to visit if you intend to lose weight! There are also morning and afternoon teas which we avoided because we were so well sated. Together with the great meals is one of the best wine lists I have seen in years – something you don’t expect in the bush. Don’t forget their exquisite cocktails to sip as the sun sets. Nico, you and your Team deserve 10 Stars and could challenge anything some of the 5 star establishments offer. WELL DONE!! PEACE/TRANQUILITY/PAMPERING/SAFETY/SMILING STAFF – sums up just some of the things you can expect at Umngazi! Where else in our beautiful but bruised South Africa can you safely walk on your own at 10 o’ clock at night, sleep with your un-burglar guarded windows open and feel safe? UMNGAZI WE WILL BE BACK!!!!!

If you have the chance. Take the Brie and muscle chowder. Great kids facilities. Also, kids eating time and adult eating time is staggered for better eating experience.

My son and I finally visited uMngazi over the weekend. We had initially booked a two night stay, but ended up adding one more night, that’s how amazing the experience was. We went on the Sugar Loaf Hiking trail (the combination of beach and hills was out of this world) and although we were extremely tired, we managed to spot some whales and dolphins in the water too along the way. The staff were superb, patient and kind. The food was delicious, freshly prepared and plentiful, I think I picked up a few k’s too! I also enjoyed my cake, thank you. I was alone on the beach, so safe I must emphasise and the I can’t get over the sunset views on the cruise 🚢 The Spa treatment was good too. Will be back, thank you for being such an amazing home away from home. Our Transkei hidden gem

I visited Umgazi in 2020 with my parents and my two kids (at the time my daughter was 3 and my son was 6 months old) I spent a lot of time at the lodge and hadn’t been there for years. To say the magic of it is there is 100% an understatement. It’s only gotten better with time! I can’t wait to visit again when I’m next back in South Africa, it’ll always be my favourite hotel destination ❤️ Also, the staff are the best, the food is sensational, Nozi who cared for my daughter was brilliant and I was so glad to see the boat dong was still on the beach ❤️❤️

It’s a logistical challenge to get to Umngazi but don’t think twice. You will be rewarded by the most spectacular coastline, the warmest hospitality, a laid back and relaxing vibe, and incredible food. What sets this place apart is that every member of staff genuinely cares about doing a first class job. We travelled as a couple but it was great to meet families who have been coming to Umngazi each year for 20+ years. There is so much to see and do from majestic coastal hikes, kayaking into mangrove forests, fishing, visiting local Xhosa villages, or simply chilling by the pool. Go, book, now!

A bucket visit, Khutala and the entire team gave us nothing but a seven star service. I only have one disapointment, we did not spend enough time at Umgazi. Nice to meet Keith as well. 💥💥💥💥💥