Davison's Camp lies shaded by the leaves of an African rosewood (Guibourtia coleosperma) forest in the south-east Linkwasha Concession of Hwange National Park. The camp, named after Hwange's first head warden, Ted Davison, overlooks a popular waterhole and an open plain – both good places to see game. In fact, when 'Expert Africa' recently visited Davison's Camp, a solitary buffalo grazing around the pan's edge seemed to have become a permanent fixture. Elephants and a variety of other big game are often seen from camp too.
Davison's Camp consists of nine tented chalets, each with a concrete veranda decked out with a couple of metal chairs and a table, and overlooking the waterhole. The chalets are fairly basic but comfortable, with ceiling fans and concrete block floors covered by two or three rugs. A canvas roof provides protection from the elements while extremely wide and broad mesh windows give high and wide vistas of the pan.
In addition to two double and six twin bed chalets at Davison's there is also a new family chalet. This is similar to the normal double chalet, but has had a recent extension added. This is a nice modern addition to the camp with an equally up-to-date en-suite bathroom. It's also worth noting that the camp is often willing to provide an extra mattress on the floor to allow three people per tent on request.
Each tented chalet at Davison's is connected to the main area along a well-worn elephant path which is clearly marked out. At night the path is well lit by artificial lights.
The chalets all have en-suite bathrooms with an indoor shower (hot and cold running water), a deep soapstone sink and a flushing toilet. There is also an impressive varnished-wood partition that separates the bathroom from the rest of the chalet and provides storage space too. Complimentary toiletries and linen are of course provided.
The main area at Davison's is in the centre of the camp and forms a V-shaped structure with a dining room in one wing and a lounge area in the other. It's very open and airy with solid concrete floors largely covered by substantial rugs. The wood-and-canvas walls on one side of this area conceal the entrance road to camp while opposite, one completely open side allows views of the pan in front of Davison's. The dining room consists of a long table (everyone usually eats together), with tea and coffee available throughout the day from a side table. In the other wing, the comfortable lounge has a small bar at one end and is cooled by fans during the day.
Davison's Camp usually offers two activities per day: one in the early morning and another in the afternoon/early evening. Options centre around 4WD game drives in open-top Land Rovers. Evening drives, when spotlights are permitted as dusk falls on the return to camp, offer the chance to see the nocturnal side of Hwange's wildlife. Davison's also offers guided walking safaris, escorted by an armed guide with a professional Zimbabwean guides' licence; note that these are only available in the morning.
One quite fun and unique feature that Davison's had on display last time we visited was a near-complete giraffe skeleton which was being used on educational days hosted by the camp for local children. This acted as a kind of life-sized wildlife puzzle as children and guests alike tried to re-assemble the muddled bones of the animal.
In conclusion, Davison's is a small camp which is functional and well maintained but perhaps not as luxurious as other camps in the region. Nevertheless it has some interesting features and is in a good location for game. The rooms are comfortable and clean and the en-suite bathrooms are tastefully decorated and well supplied with good-quality toiletries. The main area is open and breezy and provides a really good place to relax and unwind at any time of day, always with a fair chance of spotting something coming down to drink at the water's edge.
Lodge overview
Lodge type: Safari
No. of bedrooms: 9 tented chalets
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: We would recommend Davison's Camp as a great place to stay for a couple of nights in southern Hwange.
Directions: The best way to access Davison's is to transfer by road from either Makalolo or Hwange Main Camp airstrips.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Wilderness Safaris/Safari Adventure Company
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes, meals can be arranged at guests' tents but this is reserved for special occasions.
Drinks included: Drinks are NOT included!
Typical bar prices when we last visited were:
Cokes / beers U$2 Spirits U$ 2-3 Wine U$2 per glass Mineral Water U$2
Children
Attitude towards children: Davison's Camp accepts children aged 6 and above.
Activities: The camp usually insists that guests with children hire their own private vehicle for game drives.
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: We don't recommend Davison's Camp for children under about 16; it is an open and unfenced safari camp through which dangerous game is likely to pass.
Notes: Children must be under a parent's supervision at all times.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is no mobile phone signal here, but the camp can communicate by Satellite phone in case of emergency.
TV & radio: No
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The camp has a basic first-aid kit. The nearest doctors are probably in Victoria Falls town and Bulawayo.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: The camp is patrolled at night by unarmed security guards
Fire safety: Davison's has a fire extinguisher in each room and a further few dotted all around the camp.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: There is a complimentary laundry service included, although for cultural reasons, women's underwear isn't accepted. Washing powder is provided for guests who wish to do this themselves.
Davisons Camp review
A typical good and well run camp as one would expect from the Wilderness group. Not one of their more expensive locations, so it was good value for money.
Management were able to respond well to ce...
to short to really enjoy
My stay at Davison`s Camp has been to short to give a profound feedback. The tents are nice, the food, as one would expect of a Wilderness camp, was excellent and the game very good.
I talked to o...
We want you to understand more about Davison's Camp. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Homepage for Davisons This is the camp's homepage on the Wilderness Safaris website - as they own and run Davison's Camp.
