RUSTIC BEAUTY
A real rustic gem of a small Big Five camp right on the Mpanamana Dam, Shawu is wild in feeling with intermittent electricity from generators and the flicker of lanterns.The total silence at night is broken by the sound of animals going about their business outside your sliding door. Like Marmite, you will either love it or hate it. This is pretty total immersion in the bush.
GAME FROM YOUR DECK
The game comes to you at the dam and its lake. This is what you are here for, as the principal luxuries you get are an umbrella and an outside shower and as much hot water as one gas-fired cylinder can provide. Recent refurbishment after the place burned down means that you do now have a ball and claw bath inside though you may have to share it. There is also a bathrobe and a tea/coffee station.
EXCELLENT DRIVES
Morning and afternoon drives are excellent with 15,000 hectares of undeveloped Kruger for the exclusive use of Shawu and two sister concessionaires.
EXCELLENT GUIDING
Guiding is enthusiastic and well received. A full camp means a full open game-viewing vehicle (ten people).
SPACIOUS ROOMS WITH VIEW
Five rooms are spacious and comfortable. They open on to spectacular decks overlooking the lake panorama. Birds and the Big Five are there to watch from your own private lookout between drives.
SPACIOUS OPEN PLAN ROOMS
All rooms have ceiling fans. They are open rooms with baths in one corner (which may not suit some), and have private decks with an outside shower. A gas fire provides warmth in winter (the expanse of water in the dam gets cold). With walls made from buffalo dung under canvas thatch, Camp Shawu evokes the spirit of an Africa described by explorers of colonial times.
CENTRAL DECK & POOL
The central facility has a modest plunge pool and an open deck to take in the spectacular view.
DINING
A lounge area offers both indoor and outdoor dining facilities. Food is abundant and hearty.
CAMP WITH CHARACTER
Camp Shawu is named after the most famous and longest tusked of the “Magnificent Seven” huge bull elephants of the Kruger. He roamed the valley here for sixty years. Like Shawu himself, the camp is certainly full of character.
