SANParks.org Forums

One night we spent in Shipandane it was quiet ... dead quiet. That was magic in its own. It leaves you feeling small.

Only early the next morning at dawn did the hippos appear.

I stayed in the Shipandane hide 2 years ago.
I had a friend with me that had never been to Africa, let alone to the bush, so she was very excited and a bit nervous.
Well, we definitely got our money's worth that night!
Hippo's grunting and fighting around the hide most of the night, so we had a bottle of JC Le Roux or two to calm our nerves.
Well, a trip to the long drop was inevitable.
So, arm in arm we went, with a maglite and a roll of toilet paper as our only weapon. (don't know what we were going to do with that, but hey...)
When we came out of the long drop we were pretty relieved that that adventure was almost over only to find a 2.5 meter rock python between us and the boma!
Fortunately it moved off and we managed to get back to our braai, but my friend didn't sleep much that night.....

My sister and I stayed at the Shipandane hide a few years ago... What an experience!
I was joined by an elephant whilst braaing and he kept on putting his trunk inside to smell what I was doing.
We also had two buffalo and some hippo wandering around but the best was our own private fireworks with all the fireflies over the dam.
A few of them even came inside.
Being just us, the absolute blackness around us was a little scary at first but eventually we did fall asleep.
Even though it was in December and extremely hot I will do it again any day... this time knowing more or less what to expect!

Shipandane hide .

Entrance .

Walkway .

Inside .

Best I can do , my flash is not strong enough to get an image of the opposite bank accross the water , and one is not allowed out the hide after dark .

Hi all Forumites!
Just phoned Sanparks to get info on the Shipandane hide but the phone just keeps ringing (seems everyone is making a booking!!)...so maybe someone can help...
My husband and I are going to overnight at Shipandane for the first time next week, and again in December.
Can anyone give me some info on what we need to take with us and what the main camp will provide us with? (lights, blankets, firewood, can we even make a fire there?...ect) We are very excited and want to be fully prepared! Pls help out, any advice needed!
Ps: if you have a nice story about your stay @ Shipandane-hide, it would add to the excitement!

Hi Cel

If you have a read through This thread I am sure you will find all the relevant info you need.
Good luck and enjoy!

And a bit more info here as well

cel , phone Mopani camp reception , they will give you all the info , they have an info leflet which they can possibly fax to you .

I have stayed there on 4 (5) occasions - last time was 3 weeks ago .
You can rent bedding , a lamp (best take torches and a lantern for ambience as well) , a basket with cutlery , plates etc . They told me they no longer supply a jerry can with water - take your own .
You can braai in the enclosed lapa behind the hide - it has a braai , table , plastic chairs and a bin . You must buy wood at Mopani .

I cannot recall any special experiences there - but to say the tranquility I experience there was sufficient to make the time very special ... a unique experience awaits you ...

We had an elephant feeding from a tree right next to the lapa.

Thanks everyone! Got all the info I needed!

Here's a little something to add to the excitement, Cel.

I stayed in Shipandane in April along with my Kruger-companion who is *terrified* of spiders and bugs.

We had a great night in the hide. It was full moon and you could clearly see all the hippos wandering around just outside, grunting and snorting like a fat old man with cattarh.

At about 4:30am, we started to get ready to leave pack up (as you have to be out of the hide 30 minutes after gate opening time) and I wandered down the stick-walled pathway with my torch to the composting toilet just next to the swing gate where you enter the hide. I dont know why - perhaps to ensure my aim was correct - but I shone my torch into the toilet and lying there was a GIGANTIC boomslang staring up at me from the darkness with the angriest beady eyes as if to say, "Just. You. Dare!!"

I peed at Mopane instead.

Wise choice under the circumstances Jeff, but I think a lot of folk would have said they had need of the laundry services after that experience!

I stayed at Shipandane last year August and had an absolute ball ......

The serenity of the dark quiet bush is unbelievable.

While unpacking the klipspringers actually came down from the rocks and to within 20m, amazing for such a shy creature....

during our braai, we heard a huge commotion as trees got ripped apart and then something scraped against the hide. Inside the hide we torched around and saw a massive dagha boy, must have been frightned by something . Still to see one of these massive creatures that close was awesome. The next morning we were awaken by the hippos coming back to the water. Great experience, will do it again in a heartbeat.

I stayed at Shipandani last May and it was a fantastic experience.
As Elsa said you can collect all your bedding etc from Mopani and you can check in half an hour before the gates close.
You need to make sure that you have packed up and that the hide is "normal" again half an hour after gates open in the morning.

The only two things that I would suggest is that you take a light dinner with you as braaing detracts from the viewing time.
The second is to bear in mind that there are no shower facilities at Shipandani.
I am not sure where you are staying the night after but with the new check in times it can be a long time till you feel clean and refreshed again.