Camp Shawu

Enquire Now

Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R8 622 (save: 26%)

SA Residents Special

1 Jan - 31 Dec '24

R 6405

1 Jan - 31 Dec '25

R 6985

Includes:

Accommodation
All meals
Two game drive activities per day
Snacks and beverages in the park
Parking at Shishangeni Main Lodge

Our Verdict

Perched on the banks of the Mpanamana dam, the 5 romantic semi-tented suites of Camp Shawu are our first choice of accommodation amongst the 3 lodges that occupy this stunningly game-rich concession in the far south-eastern corner of the Kruger!

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.2

Overall

8.0

Luxury & style

8.5

Setting

8.5

Game Viewing

8.0

Romance

Our Ratings

8.2

Overall

8.0

Luxury & style

8.5

Setting

8.5

Game Viewing

8.0

Romance

What's Hot

Wonderful location overlooking the Mpanamana dam! You'll enjoy watching a constant stream of game coming down to drink from its banks - and best of all you'll be able to do so from the comfort of your bed, your private deck, or sipping on a cold drink whilst you relax in the lodge pool!
The combination of thatch, canvas and buffalo dung walls along with classic period decor such as the ball and claw baths add to the romantic ambience of Camp Shawu
The game viewing in this concession in the south-eastern corner of Kruger is simply terrific
Entry through the Crocodile Bridge gate, an easy 5 1/2 hour drive from Gauteng, makes the lodges on this concession some of the most easily accessible of the entire Greater Kruger area

What's Not

There's no air-conditioning or even Wi-Fi here (that's unless you go to the main Shishangeni lodge) so if it's luxury touches that you're looking for then you're probably better off elsewhere
If the dam is full and the hippos are resident then you better hope that you're not a light sleeper or their grunts and snorting may end up keeping you awake!

Camp Shawu great views of the dam dominate the entire lodge in fact, whether you’re relaxing on your own private deck or you’re wallowing in the lodge swimming pool watching the antics of the resident hippos doing likewise in dam beyond

Lodge Profile

Quick Overview

Location

Kruger Concession

Drive Time

5 1/2 hours drive from Johannesburg

Malaria

Yes - low risk area

Setting

Overlooking dam

Rooms

5 semi-tented suites

Aircon

Pool

Yes

Spa

Camp Fenced

Yes

Tracker

No - ranger only

Off Road

Yes

Child Policy

No children under 16

Many of us have very specific preferences when it comes to the locations of game lodges: some of us love lodges perched on top of a hill or cliff boasting great views out over the plains below; others (and I’m one of them I must confess) prefer lodges located under the sheltering trees of the riverine forest along river banks. What’s pretty unusual in South Africa specifically though, is to find a lodge located overlooking permanent water (most of those lodges found along river banks actually end up overlooking dry river beds for the vast majority of the time)

Camp Shawu is one of those few lodges overlooking a large permanent stretch of water, in this case the Mpanamana dam which located within the 15 000 hectare private concession of the same name which lies in the far south-eastern corner of the Kruger Park (some of the most game rich country within the entire national park) The Mpanamana concession contains 3 different camps of varying sizes and characters and Camp Shawu is the flagship of the collection.

The camp consists of 5 spacious semi-tented suites – along with some canvas walls there are panoramic glass doors lining the front of the rooms overlooking the dam giving outstanding game viewing throughout the day. Then there are authentic buffalo dung walls which along with the substantial thatched roofs give the suites at Camp Shawu an attractively earthy ambience. The glass window doors allow for air-conditioning (unlike sister lodge Camp Shonga which is a slightly simpler tented lodge) As mentioned the suites are hugely spacious and comfortable spaces with traditional ball and claw baths adding to the romantic atmosphere. There’s also the obligatory outdoor shower which we always find a thrill! The styling obviously tends to the more traditional aesthetic, so if you’re looking for some of the funkier contemporary architecture of newer lodges then you’re better off looking elsewhere.

The 5 suites line the banks of the dam, giving excellent game viewing with many animals coming down to slake their thirst during the heat of the day. The great views of the dam dominate the entire lodge in fact, whether you’re relaxing on your own private deck or you’re wallowing in the lodge swimming pool watching the antics of the resident hippos doing likewise in dam beyond. Speaking of those hippos, if you’re a very light sleeper then you should probably be warned that the assorted snorts and grunts may well end up disturbing your beauty sleep!

The central public area at Camp Shawu combines the dining room as well as comfy lounging area all under a large thatched roof with more glass panoramic doors leading out onto the pool deck overlooking the dam. The splash pool provides a great escape from the heat of the summer – and with just 10 guests maximum, of course the attentive staff are pretty much at your beck and call. There really is little to touch the experience of enjoying a delicious breakfast on the deck after your morning game drive, tucking into your eggs and bacon whilst watching the hippos or perhaps a fish eagle swooping for its fishy prey!

As mentioned previously, the Mpanamana private concession is located in the extreme south-eastern corner of the Kruger Park, with the Crocodile river acting as the southern boundary and the Lebombo mountains on the border of Mozambique also acting as a natural barrier to the east. The sweet grass plains make for superb game viewing in this far southerly section of the park which is justifiably famous and is the main attraction for being here in the first place!

Going out with your knowledgeable rangers on your twice daily game drives, you’re free to explore the 15 000 hectares of the Mpanamana concession without the crowds and traffic jams that you’ll typically encounter on the public roads in the park. The other good news is that because the lodges in the concession have operated here for many years, the rangers know the area like the back of their hands and the game is relaxed and well habituated to the open game-drive vehicles, enabling you to often get really up-close-and-personal sightings of big game!

So if your priority is on great game viewing in a small, intimate traditional game lodge where the focus is on personal service and a unique outlook over the waters of the dam, then Camp Shawu stands out as an excellent choice!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking
Rates quoted are only applicable to South African Residents. Special discounted rates for International Residents are available on request
Kruger National Park gate fees must be settled directly at the gate on entry into the park and are subject to change
Please ensure that you enter the park at least 1 hour prior to the gate closing
All visitors who are 18 years and older, must produce a positive identity document for scanning in order to gain access to the Kruger National Park:
• SA Residents must produce their SA ID document or Driver's Licence.
• Non- SA Residents must produce their passports

Child Policy

No children under 16

Useful Links

Lodge Website

Visit the official lodge site.

Trip Advisor

Read guest reviews for this lodge.

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Camp Shawu

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Pricing

SA Residents Special

1 Jan - 31 Dec '24

1 Jan - 31 Dec '25

Our Verdict

Our Ratings

Our Ratings

What's Hot

What's Not

Lodge Profile

Quick Overview