Hwange N.P. - Masuma Dam | Established Campground

June 22nd, 2023 by nickianddave

This is the best campsite in the park for me. We had no booking but just asked on arrival if it was free and we were lucky! It seems the main gates just don't know what sites r free when u arrive and we had booked 3 nights at Robins camp but am so happy we checked if we could stay here before leaving. The camp manager radioed to ask and we were told yes! it is 50 USD pppn if u just book on the day so yes expensive but we'll maintained and lovely hot donkey fuelled shower and clean toilet. Great bbq and fire area. The real joy is being in the middle of the Bush and hearing lion roar all night and having the most magnificent waterhole to watch. We arrived to a massive herd of Buffalo, many hippos in and out of the water, huge cross and herds of elephants coming and going as well as impala and kudo. Plus the next morning we had a group of lionesses with cubs 100 metrrs away who we watched approach the waterhole slowly and stalk the game. It was a magical place. Could have sat all day and watched the waterhole even without the lions. The camp gates are closed to other guests between 6pm and 6am.

October 14th, 2022 by wildbirdsfamily.com

Still one of the best picnic and campsite of Hwange. Looking out over the waterhole and with fresh ablutions and a hot shower.

Maintenance is great compared with the rest.

Booking must be in advance or you have to be lucky like us to be able to use it on the days that have no booking.

No power
No cell signal
No internet

June 29th, 2022 by Wyld Eagle Adventures

Great view over lake as described. This is where we saw ~15 hippos in and around the water, babies, youngs, adults, fighting, playing, mating (under water). Amazing spectacle!
I believe you need to reserve and pay for this to camp, so someone will come to prepare things plus you will have the spot to yourself.

April 15th, 2022 by expeditionconservation.org

Absolutely great campsite with an awesome view from the big hide to the waterhole! Everything was spotless clean, taken care by Agnes and Elizabeth (who will also light you fires). They also let us camp at the hides’ side, so we had great views all the time. Not so much animals in Hwange at this time of year so by only sitting by the waterhole you may see as much as by driving around. We were here for 2 nights and also saw a new born baby hippo on our second morning. One of the best campsites of Hwange.

March 28th, 2022 by UniMog

$29 pppn plus park fees if booked at the gate. If you book in advance you pay for the complete site, ie for 6 people. (these are the rates for non locals).
The campsite is well run and spotless even if the facilities are old. The wardens are great sources of information.
Currently there seems to be about one group of visitors in this side of the park per week, so you'll probably have the place to yourselves!
Note that the staff here are quite isolated and with the impacts of COVID and high inflation rates have clearly found the last couple of years very hard. In spite of this they have kept the place in really good condition.

July 11th, 2021 by untouracinq.com

what an amazing place!
we could book it on arrival. children from 6 to 12 pay halfprice.
from 4pm to 8pm, we saw around 200 elephants coming in groups (from 10 to 30).
18 hippos "residents", and 8 crocs (5 medium size, 3 tiny babies)
in the morning, a herd of 70 buffaloes.
and a few warthdogs, impala and jackals as well as 3 giraffes in the background. heard lions roaming around at night.
must be absolutely amazing with a full moon (yesterday it was too dark to see anything at night).

February 28th, 2020 by Miss Daisy

Really amazing bush camp expensive but worth it, hypos and croc, ask the ranger for making hot shower

December 8th, 2019 by offroad-travel.net

very basic run campsite, no water because of no diesel. They ask for 172 USD!!! for the campsite up to 6 people but way too expensive!!
Nice view over a waterhole with elephants, crocs & hippos

May 15th, 2019 by tschoe-wa.de

We enjoyed the camping very much!
Recommended
This campsite is very famous and often booked in advance. The guide at the campsite told us the best month in the park are form August to Oktober when the waterholes are full of wildlife. But also more difficult or impossible to book spontaneous. When we were there mid may it was quit busy.
One little minus: very busy waterhole during day. When vehicles are coming wildlife dissapeares. But still grab it when you have the possibility to book!

March 26th, 2019 by Our Pangaea

This is a fabulous place to camp, expensive at $29pppn but as a splurge well worth it. We saw a wide range of animals, including 50 elephants and loved the hippos grazing nearby after dark as well as the many roars of the lions. Book at any gate when you arrive.

December 17th, 2018 by roadtriptoafrica.com

This seems by far the nicest of the exclusive campsites and we also feel it's here where you're most likely to see the largest variety of wildlife. We saw over a 100 elephants (all sizes from very young calves to huge bulls). Large herds came from all directions emerging from the bush. There are around seven resident hippos and crocs and three hippos walked around the attendant's hut during the night. We
spotted waterbucks and impalas also; however, the most exciting spot was of a pride of lions, albeit in the distance. Highly recommended.

August 22nd, 2018 by Khayaonwheels

Beautiful waterhole with crocs and hippos, buffalo came to drink and leopard heard at night. Ranger on duty to light your fire.

August 1st, 2018 by natetjean

absolutely amazing spot closed to the waterhole. elephants, buffalos, …

need to be booked at the entrance. little bit expensive but fabulous!

April 9th, 2018 by Warthog&PenguinOnSafari

During the day a picnic spot, but it is also possible to book overnight. Braai stand and firewood available. One shower with donkey for hot water, and a male and a female toilet. All facilities basic but clean and generally well maintained. A hide provides a lovely view over a beautiful waterhole with lots of hippos and crocs. We also had an elephant come to drink in the evening. Supposed to have a resident warden, but he was away when we stayed.
US$29 per person, plus park fees ($10 pppn + $10 per vehicle for up to five continuous days). Expensive, but that goes for anywhere you stay in this park!