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Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp
Davison's Camp

About Davison's Camp

Spread out in the intermittent shade of African rosewood (Guibourtia coleosperma) trees, Davison's Camp lies ...

... in the private Linkwasha Concession, south-east of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. It overlooks an open plain, whose permanent waterhole is popular with elephants and a variety of other wildlife, which is often seen from the camp.

Davison's is a small, well-maintained camp which is functional but not as luxurious as other camps in the region. Nevertheless it is in a good location for wildlife and offers great value for money.

Our view

Davison's is a small, well-maintained camp which is functional but not as luxurious as other camps in the region. Nevertheless it is in a good location for wildlife and offers great value for money.

Lucy Copson

Lucy Copson

Zimbabwe expert

Accommodation

9 tented chalets

Children

Best for aged 16+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Sleeping under the stars

Sleeping under the stars

Traveller reviews of Davison's Camp

9 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


89%
9 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
5
Good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
JnLfromToronto

Arrived 7 May 2022, 3 nights

"Davison's Camp review"

"Very comfortable, very professional. Excellent guide. …" Read JnL’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs PfromCold Ash

Arrived 10 Sep 2018, 3 nights

"Very good game drives"

"Great location which draws very many animals to the pan …" Read Mr & Mrs P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr CBfromUSA

Arrived 5 Sep 2018, 3 nights

"Nice camp, but not what we expected"

"The camp staff were very friendly and responsive …" Read Mr CB’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Average

Mr & Mrs JfromWMD

Arrived 23 Jan 2017, 3 nights

"Davison's Camp review"

"Davidsons camp proved to be some thing of a mixture for us, the location in …" Read Mr & Mrs J’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Jack BfromGuildford

Arrived 30 May 2016, 3 nights

"A perfect place from which to see game"

"In two and a half days we saw an amazing amount of wild life: numerous elephants, …" Read Jack B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr HfromSwitzerland

Arrived 10 Mar 2016, 3 nights

"Davison's Camp review"

"Wonderfull stay at Davisons, just a short stay of 2 nights. The Camp is …" Read Mr H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

BirdwatcherfromUK

Arrived 15 Jun 2014, 3 nights

"variety of wildlife, convivial camp"

"All good enjoyed all of it. star map and telescope would be awesome as night …" Read Birdwatcher’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs KfromMaidstone

Arrived 5 Nov 2011, 2 nights

"Davisons Camp review"

"A typical good and well run camp as one would expect from the Wilderness group …" Read Mr & Mrs K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mrs MfromLuxembourg

Arrived 8 Sep 2011, 1 nights

"to short to really enjoy"

"My stay at Davison`s Camp has been to short to give a profound feedback. The …" Read Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Davison's Camp reviews

Davison's Camp: Our full report

Spread out in the intermittent shade of African rosewood (Guibourtia coleosperma) trees, Davison's Camp lies ...

... in the private Linkwasha Concession, south-east of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. It overlooks an open plain, whose permanent waterhole is popular with elephants and a variety of other wildlife, which is often seen from the camp.

During our last visit in November 2017, the camp – which was named after the park’s first head warden, Ted Davison – was being used as a base for Wilderness Safaris’ Children in the Wilderness project. This aims to promote conservation and sustainable tourism through education, attracting children from rural communities in Africa. It was fantastic to see the children enjoying their time in the bush and learning about the value of the wildlife that often makes their home lives difficult. However, it did make it a little tricky to get a true sense of the camp from a guest perspective! Here is what we know of Davison’s from this visit and previous ones.

The simplest camp in the private Linkwasha Concession, Davison's shares the reserve with its sister properties, Makalolo Plains Camp, Little Makalolo Camp and Linkwasha Camp.

Each of Davison’s nine tented chalets has a concrete veranda decked out with a couple of metal chairs and a table, and overlooking the waterhole. The tents themselves were in the process of being upgraded on our visit and although the new tents are of a very similar style and design it is clear they are an improvement. Inside, the chalets are fairly basic but clean and comfortable, with twin beds or a double, ceiling fans and concrete block floors topped with rugs. A canvas roof provides protection from the elements while broad mesh windows give high and wide vistas of the waterhole in front of camp.

At the time of our visit, an impressive varnished-wood partition separated the bedroom from the tastefully decorated bathroom and provided storage space too, but this is being replaced by a low brick wall. As part of the refurbishment, the shower and toilet have been partitioned from the deep soapstone sink, affording additional privacy. Good-quality complimentary toiletries are provided.

One of the chalets at Davison's is suitable for a family, combining a normal double chalet with a second en-suite twin bedroom. From a family perspective, it's also worth noting that the camp is often willing to provide an extra mattress on the floor of a twin or double room to allow three people per tent.

A well-worn path links the chalets to Davison's main area, a V-shaped structure with a fan-cooled lounge and small bar in one wing and a long communal dining table 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 conceal the entrance road to camp, while the opposite side is completely open to the waterhole in front.

For an elevated view of the waterhole, there’s a new tree-shaded viewing deck, which is also a perfect spot to relax with a book or sundowner. And on hotter days the pool is a welcome way to cool off.

Activities at Davison’s focus on 4WD game drives in open-sided vehicles into both the park and the concession, while 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. In the morning walking safaris, escorted by an armed guide with a professional Zimbabwean guides' licence. Typically you’ll be offered two activities per day: one in the early morning and another in the afternoon/early evening.

Geographics

Location
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Ideal length of stay
Davison’s Camp works well as a two- or three-night stay in the southern part of Hwange National Park.
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

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
On our last visit in November 2017 we only dropped into Davison’s for a short visit and didn’t have a chance to eat here. That said, we would expect a similar standard and style of food to that at its sister camp, Little Makalolo Camp.

Expect a breakfast of cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit, cold meats, cheeses, muffins and breads. Lunch is likely to be a set menu, perhaps with a couple of options. Similarly we would anticipate a three-course dinner with a choice of mains. Occasionally the lodge may put on a traditional evening with a braai (barbecue).

Tea and coffee are available throughout the day in the dining area.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
For special occasions, meals can be arranged at guests' tents.
Drinks included
Soft drinks, bottled water, spirits, local beers and a selection of wines (usually South African) are included. Imported wines and spirits and champagne cost extra – and may even need to be requested in advance.

Children

Attitude towards children
Davison's Camp accepts children aged six and above although there are no specific provisions for them.
Property’s age restrictions
No children under six
Special activities & services
The camp usually insists that guests with children under 12 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 wildlife is likely to pass.
Notes
Children must be under parental supervision at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Davison's Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Davison's Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Lion

100% success

Roan antelope

100% success

Sable antelope

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Buffalo

67% success

Eland

67% success

Leopard

67% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Oryx

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back-up generator incase the national grid supply fails.
Communications
There is no mobile phone signal here, but the camp can communicate by Satellite phone in case of emergency.
TV & radio
None
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
All chalets have hot and cold running water and flushing toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The camp has a basic first-aid kit and there are first-aid trained staff on site. The nearest doctors are 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 tented chalet and others are dotted around the camp.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

  • Sleeping under the stars

    Sleeping under the stars

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
A complimentary laundry service is included, although for cultural reasons, women's underwear isn't accepted. Washing powder is provided for guests who wish to do this themselves.
Money
There are safe bags for valuables in the chalets. Visitors may take these to the lodge office to be locked in a large communal safe.
Accepted payment on location
Cash payments may be made in US dollars, GB pounds, South African rand and euros.

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Davison's Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Davison's Camp.


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When to go to Hwange National Park

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Davison's Camp in Hwange National Park


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Zimbabwe in January

January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.

While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.

The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.

  • Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
  • Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
  • Species such as impala drop their young
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in January

Zimbabwe in February

February remains well within Zimbabwe’s rainy season. Although total rainfall drops, relatively short thunderstorms can still be expected most afternoons. On the plus side, there is a greater chance of some sunshine in-between.

Much of the country remains waterlogged, closing access to Mana Pools and severely restricting walking safaris in other parks. While game drives and canoeing remain an option, the abundance of water disperses animals, and thick grass can make it difficult to spot larger species, but birding remains excellent. Conversely, this is a great time of year to view the landscape, and is excellent for photographers. Sporadic cloud cover and clear air can make for some spectacular sunsets too, particularly over Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River where the reflections off the water add to the beauty.

  • Generally wet with frequent thunderstorms & hot humid days
  • Poor wildlife viewing due to dispersed animals & thick bush
  • Clear air, green landscapes & exceptional sunsets
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors & low rates at camps that are open

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in February

Zimbabwe in March

March is the final month of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, when the rains start to trail off and sunny days become the norm. However, some days the clouds can still build, breaking into thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Mana Pools remains closed throughout the month but the majority of camps in Hwange, Matusadona and Gonarezhou remain open. Here, the landscape is green and alive, with migrant species of birds taking advantage of the abundant insect life. Larger animals remain elusive though, and walking safaris remain restricted.

By this time of year, the rains have normally trickled down to the Zambezi River and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts to increase, but without kicking up too much spray to obscure the views.

  • Last month of the rainy season: hot, humid days with occasional storms
  • Lush vegetation means good birding, but poor game viewing
  • Views of the Victoria Falls improve
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Open camps have few visitors & low rates

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in March

Zimbabwe in April

April marks the end of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and the end of summer. Clear skies are the norm, with just the occasional shower. Temperatures start to drop, failing to reach 30ºC most days and dropping down to around 10ºC at night.

As the rain fades the landscape starts to dry out. While the vegetation remains thick and green, the soil in Mana Pools dries enough for camps to open, and the only camps to remain closed are the most remote bushcamps in Hwange. Although viewing of larger animals remains tricky, the improved weather starts to draw back visitors, as do prices significantly below those in the peak season.

The Zambezi River and flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its highest, although large amounts of spray diminish views of the waterfall itself.

  • Transitional period, with much lower rainfall & falling temperatures
  • Wildlife is still dispersed & hard to see, but sightings improving
  • Views of the Victoria Falls often obscured by spray
  • Camps in Mana Pools open
  • Visitors start to return & camps increase their rates

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in April

Zimbabwe in May

The first month in the dry season, May is also Zimbabwe’s first month of winter. If the rains are particularly late in a given year, you may catch the odd shower, but you can expect clear and sunny days the majority of the time. While it’s warm in the daytime, temperatures drop to single digits at night, so bring a warm jumper and gloves for early morning drives.

With the rain having cleared the air, the sky is bright blue, and it’s the best time of year for photography.

Even the most remote camps in Zimbabwe are now open. With the lack of rainfall, vegetation dies back significantly, and seasonal rivers return to sand. Not only does this open up the possibility of walking safaris, but wildlife viewing becomes much more reliable.

  • Start of the dry season, with milder days and cold nights
  • Game viewing significantly improves as vegetation dies back
  • Vegetation starts to turn from green to brown
  • Best time for photography with crystal clear air
  • Visitors start to return; all camps open & rates increasing

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in May

Zimbabwe in June

During June you can virtually be guaranteed of dry and sunny days, although temperatures continue to drop, and can get close to freezing at night in Hwange National Park. Jumpers, jackets and gloves are strongly recommended for early mornings and evenings.

The opportunities for wildlife viewing improve throughout the month as the landscape rapidly dries, and the animals start to gather on the banks of the Zambezi River and around Hwange’s waterholes.

Water levels in the Zambezi River start to drop, reducing the amount of spray kicked up at the Victoria Falls and greatly improving visibility, but still allowing a full curtain of water to cascade over the edge.

  • Middle of winter, with night-time temperatures close to freezing
  • Game viewing significantly improves throughout the month
  • Views of the Victoria Falls are at their best
  • Noticeable increase in visitor numbers
  • Camps considerably more expensive

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in June

Zimbabwe in July

July sits in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. Although it’s warm at midday, temperatures are generally cold and in Hwange it’s been known to drop below freezing at night, with the lower-altitude Mana Pools feeling a bit warmer.

With wildlife clustering around the few remaining waterholes, sparse vegetation, and some of the best views of the Victoria Falls, this is one of the most popular times to travel, with camps charging peak season rates to reflect this. That said, visitor numbers to the country in general remain low, and outside of the Victoria Falls it’s rare for any areas to feel crowded.

  • Middle of the dry season with almost no chance of rain
  • Clear sunny days, but very cold nights
  • Wildlife viewing good; game drives and walking safaris unrestricted
  • Views of the Victoria Falls at their best
  • Camps charging peak season rates

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in July

Zimbabwe in August

While August is the end of winter and temperatures are starting to creep up, mornings and nights are still cold, and game drives in open vehicles can feel particularly chilly. Well into the dry season, the landscapes will have mostly transformed from green to brown and wildlife viewing in Zimbabwe’s national parks is approaching its best. Due to dust kicked up into the atmosphere and smoke from bush fires you may start to notice a haze on the horizon, but this doesn’t significantly impact photography.

August is one of the most expensive months, and the pleasant weather and decent game viewing attracts lots of visitors. While the national parks rarely feel crowded, Victoria Falls accommodation can sell out a year in advance.

  • Warm, sunny days but cold mornings & nights; almost no chance of rain
  • Wildlife viewing nearly at its best
  • Landscape turns brown, & an atmospheric haze develops
  • All camps charging peak season rates

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in August

Zimbabwe in September

Temperatures in September rarely drop below 15ºC, but are yet to reach the oppressive highs of summer. It will normally have been five months since the last drop of rain, so antelope and elephants cluster around whatever water remains, with predators never too far away.

The landscape is very brown, and the haze building on the horizon takes some of the colour out of the sky, so while animal subjects are plentiful, the background is not ideal for photography.

The combination of incredible wildlife viewing, hot and sunny weather, and cheaper flights outside of the school holidays make this the most popular time of year to travel, and availability at the camps can become limited up to a year in advance.

  • The best month for weather, with a pleasantly warm temperature range
  • One of the best months for game viewing
  • Victoria Falls starting to dry but still impressive on Zimbabwean side
  • All camps are charging peak season rates
  • Most popular time to travel, & space can be limited

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Zimbabwe in October

October is the last month of the dry season with little chance of rain but building humidity. While the higher elevation of Hwange National Park limits temperatures to the 30s Celsius, they can easily top 40ºC in Mana Pools.

With little vegetation or water, wildlife is drawn to the few remaining water sources and viewing is at its best; visitors who brave the heat can be rewarded with some exceptional sightings, although haze in the air diminishes photos. Maximum visibility and dense wildlife concentrations can also make for very rewarding walking safaris, although the heat can make them uncomfortable.

Water levels in the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls drop significantly, and large stretches of the waterfall are a dry cliff-face – although it never dries completely. Camp rates remain at their peak, but visitor numbers drop as people avoid the heat.

  • Last month of the dry season; very hot with building humidity
  • Wildlife viewing at its very best
  • Dust & smoke in the air diminish photographic opportunities
  • Victoria Falls starting to look very dry
  • Camp rates remain at their peak

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Zimbabwe in November

November is a transitionary period, with high temperatures and humidity. While they can’t be predicted with any precision, the first rains normally arrive halfway through the month, in the form of thunderstorms lasting a few hours each day.

Early November is a popular time to travel as the camps drop their rates, so if you’re lucky you can get peak-season game viewing at low-season rates. This is a gamble though as if the rains do arrive, animals are no longer limited to a few dangerous waterholes and will disperse into the bush. While all the camps in Mana Pools intend to remain open, the rains can make the airstrips unusable so you may find yourself moved to a different park, a risk that increases through the month.

  • Typically the start of the rains in Zimbabwe
  • Temperatures & humidity levels remain high
  • Wildlife viewing rapidly diminishes as the rains arrive
  • Camps remain open, but risk early closure in Mana Pools
  • Much cheaper time to travel as camps drop their rates

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Zimbabwe in December

By December the rainy season has begun in earnest; this is one of the wettest months in Zimbabwe, with heavy thunderstorms most afternoons and occasionally continuous rain for a couple of days. While temperatures start to cool down the high levels of humidity can make the heat feel more oppressive.

With the rains comes an explosion of green growth, and the dust and smoke are washed out of the air. The resulting scenery – with the occasional bright blue skies – can be fantastic for photographers. Thick vegetation and plentiful water makes viewing of larger animals tricky, but with migratory species arriving the birding is at its best.

All camps in Mana Pools and the remote Hwange camps close, with those remaining open charging their lowest rates.

  • One of the wettest months in Zimbabwe
  • High temperatures & levels of humidity
  • Wildlife viewing poor, but birding good
  • Lush green landscapes & clear air; great for landscape photography
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in December

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