Camp Shawu and Camp Shonga

Intimate and stylish lodges in a superb location in the Kruger, offering close encounters of the bush kind at affordable rates

Secreted away in the Mpanamana private concession in the southeast of Kruger, the Shawu and Shonga camps strike a near perfect balance between an authentic Out Of Africa bush experience and design-mag-memorable camp aesthetics. The views and settings of the camps are simply stunning: Shonga is wrapped organically into a stand of ancient thorn trees which opens out to the surrounding veld, whilst Shawu's front deck nudges right up to the edge of a watering hole where big game viewing, and myriad birdlife, is guaranteed at any time of the day.

Each camp sleeps just 10 guests with a guiding ethos of keeping you far from the madding crowd and close to the game. Planked walkways link Shonga's 5 thatched-and-tented suites and Shawu's 5 bandas with their communal living spaces; Shonga's tented and decked lodge feels as if it has been lifted straight from a Hemingway novel whilst Shawu's diaphanous glass-and-wood design draws the eye out to the life of its watering hole. These camps are romantic with a big 'R' and will leave you wanting more.

Highs

• Amazing area for game viewing: you'll see many more animals besides the fabled '5', and the variety of birdlife is simply mind-boggling
• Set in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains, the views of the African bushveld are stunning
• The generators that fire up at night, and the flickering mosquito lamps, feel authentically bush
• Really relaxed vibe; at Shawu you'd be forgiven for skipping the odd game drive: watching hippos, crocs and fish eagles at such close quarters can be addictive
• Perfect for a honeymoon, or consider hiring an entire camp for a special celebration with family or friends
• 100% black owned

Lows

• Being such small camps, meals tend to be served at a communal table so you are obliged to be sociable
• Neither camp has much in the way of facilities, apart from their small swimming pools. But we felt that this added to the 'away from it all' vibe
• The bathrooms are only partially seperated from the bedrooms; some may find this a little too intimate
• Kids under the age of 12 are not allowed