Davisons Camp
Highlights
- Game drives, night drives and guided walks in Hwange's private Linkwasha Concession
- Direct access to the Ngamo Plains, among the richest game-viewing areas in Hwange National Park
- A busy camp waterhole in front of the tents, active day and night
- Family-friendly, with one family unit of two adjoining bedrooms
- Superb birding, especially in the November–March green season
- Under an hour by light aircraft from Victoria Falls
Information
- Lodge type: Classic tented safari camp
- Location: Linkwasha Concession, south-eastern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 9 tents — 8 tented suites and 1 family unit
- Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes — Hwange National Park is a malaria area, highest in the November–April rains; antimalarials are advised
- Getting there: From Victoria Falls, 50–60 minutes by light aircraft to Linkwasha airstrip, then a 40-minute drive to camp. By road, at least 4.5 hours: about 170 km south-east on the Bulawayo road, via Hwange Main Camp and 56 km of park road to Ngweshla, then a one-hour camp transfer
Davisons, Located In The Hwange's Famed Linkwasha Concession, A Classic Safari Camp Awaits
Davison's Camp is a classic nine-tent Wilderness safari camp in the private Linkwasha Concession of south-eastern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park at some 14,600 km². Davison's Camp sits in a grove of false mopane trees overlooking a waterhole that draws elephant, buffalo and plains game day and night. It is also within easy reach of the Ngamo Plains, one of the most productive game-viewing areas anywhere in the Hwange National Park. The camp takes its name from Ted Davison, Hwange's first warden, whose decision to pump water into the park's pans in the 1920s is the reason the elephants are here in such extraordinary numbers today.
Part of our selection of the best Hwange Lodges portfolio.
Rooms and Suites
Davison's Camp has nine tents: eight tented suites and one family unit. Each has an en-suite bathroom, a private verandah and large windows facing the camp waterhole. The tented suites keep the classic safari style of canvas walls, generous bedrooms and nothing between you and the night sounds of Hwange but a layer of fabric. Every tent has a fan, a charging point and Wi-Fi, so the practicalities are covered. The verandah does the real work: coffee in hand at dawn, watching whatever has come down to drink.
The family unit at Davison's Camp has two adjoining bedrooms with separate bathrooms, sleeping two adults and up to two children.
Cuisine and Wine
Davison's Camp includes all meals and local drinks in the rate. Meals are prepared in camp and served in the indoor dining room or out on the deck and around the fire pit, depending on the weather and the hour. Breakfast comes before the morning activity, lunch in the heat of the day and dinner by firelight after the evening drive. Sundowners on the afternoon drive are the finest ritual of any Hwange day: a cold drink in hand as the Kalahari sand turns copper and the light goes.
Dietary requirements are catered for with advance notice, ideally when booking.
Facilities
Davison's Camp's central guest area is a canvas main tent with a lounge, bar, indoor dining room, outdoor dining deck, fire pit and swimming pool, all facing the waterhole. The main area is where the midday hours slip by, with elephants drinking at the waterhole while you read and a dip in the pool between activities. It is a superb spot for photography, so keep the camera close. Wi-Fi is available in camp.
Activities
Davison's Camp offers twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives, guided walking safaris, time in hides and optional community visits, all within the private Linkwasha Concession. Game drives from Davison's Camp reach the Ngamo Plains. There the November–March green season brings herds of plains game and the predators that follow them, while the dry months of July to October concentrate elephant and buffalo at the pans. Walking safaris with expert Wilderness guides bring the smaller details into focus: tracks, trees and birdlife, with a minimum walking age of 13.
Birding at Davison's Camp is at its best in the summer months, when migrant species arrive with the rains. Community and village visits can be arranged on request.
Child Friendly
Davison's Camp welcomes children aged 8 and older, with a dedicated family unit, child-friendly meals and activities suited to younger guests. Davison's Camp has only one family unit, so families should book well ahead, particularly for the July–October peak and school holidays.
Davison's Camp: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Davison's Camp?
Davison's Camp is a Wilderness tented camp in the private Linkwasha Concession, in the south-east of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Davison's Camp overlooks a waterhole in a grove of false mopane trees and lies close to the Ngamo Plains, one of Hwange's most productive game-viewing areas. Most guests fly in from Victoria Falls, roughly 50–60 minutes by light aircraft, landing at the Linkwasha airstrip.
How do you get to Davison's Camp from Victoria Falls?
Davison's Camp is reached from Victoria Falls by light aircraft in 50–60 minutes to the Linkwasha airstrip, followed by a 40-minute drive to camp. By road the journey takes at least 4.5 hours. The route runs about 170 km south-east on the Bulawayo road, then via Hwange Main Camp and 56 km of park road to Ngweshla Picnic Site, where the camp collects guests for a final one-hour transfer.
Is Davison's Camp in a malaria area?
Davison's Camp is in a malaria area. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, carries a malaria risk that is highest during the November–April rainy season. Guests staying at Davison's Camp should consult a travel doctor about antimalarial medication before travelling. Pack long sleeves and insect repellent for evenings around the fire and after-dark activities. Families with young children should factor this into their planning.
When is the best time to visit Davison's Camp?
Davison's Camp is at its best from July to October for classic dry-season game viewing, when elephant and buffalo gather in large numbers at Hwange's waterholes and the bush is thin. November to March is the green season at Davison's Camp: the Ngamo Plains fill with plains game and predators, migrant birds arrive and rates are lower. June and July nights are cold, so pack warm layers.
Is Davison's Camp suitable for families?
Davison's Camp accepts children aged 8 and older and has one family unit with two adjoining bedrooms and separate bathrooms, sleeping two adults and up to two children. Because Davison's Camp has only one family unit, families should book early, especially for the July–October peak season. Walking safaris carry a minimum age of 13, so younger children join the game drives instead.
How many tents does Davison's Camp have?
Davison's Camp has nine tents, eight tented suites and one family unit, which makes it one of the more intimate camps in Hwange National Park. Every tent at Davison's Camp has an en-suite bathroom, a private verandah, a fan, a charging point, Wi-Fi and large windows facing the camp waterhole, where elephants and plains game drink throughout the day and night.
In Conclusion
Davison's Camp is the right choice for travellers who want a classic, intimate tented camp in Hwange National Park, with a busy waterhole on the doorstep and the Ngamo Plains close by. Nine tents, first-class Wilderness guiding and a private concession mean the sightings are shared with very few other vehicles. A flight of under an hour from Victoria Falls makes Davison's Camp the perfect partner to a few days at the Falls.
Timing shapes the experience. Come between July and October for elephant herds crowding the waterholes, or choose November to March for green plains, newborn game, migrant birds and lower rates. Three nights is the minimum we suggest; four or five give Hwange the time to show you its best.
Uyaphi.com has been planning African safaris from Cape Town since 1999: 27 years of matching travellers to the right camp, the right season and the right flight connections. Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll build a Zimbabwe safari around Davison's Camp, from your Victoria Falls arrival to the last sundowner on the Ngamo Plains.
Rates from US$ 633.00 Per person per night
Davisons Camp Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Twice daily scheduled camp activities
- Park fees
- Laundry
- All local drinks
- Premium imported brands and champagne
- All flights
- Visas
- Transfers, unless stated
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
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