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We really loved the camp when we were there for 2 nights in March this year but it unfortunately coincided with a very windy spell and we were literally covered in sand the whole time, made sitting and eating on the verandah rather uncomfortable and "gritty" to say the least.
but the sightings and scenery more than made up for that.
Our chalet was one of the recently upgraded ones, and very comfortable.
The restuarant is also a real gem for outlook, food and service.
Would highly reccomend it.

It's got to be the best camp in Kruger
Birdlife fantastic. Mammal sightings excellent and the best part is that you are often the only car around. Excellent camp for leopard sightings. Worth making a day trip to Pafui Picnc site & Crooks corner if you have never been.
Green with envy... Enjoy!

Hi
There is just one word to describe Shingwedzi MAGIC
Ones there the danger is not to fall in love the the camp.
And look out for the leopard near the hide !!
Enjoy it

Returning to the topic for a second, I've been fortunate enough to spend many weeks at Shingwedzi (early 2007) when the river was very full. For me, that is the best time to be there. The crocs gather along the down-river side of the causeway and snap at anything that happens to be washed along. You can drive on the causeway and stop right beside them - you will never get a closer photo of the inside of a crocs mouth ... just don't lean out the window too much I sat in the cafe one afternoon watching literally millions of quelea flying downstream but got out quick when a spitting cobra arrived to see what was on the menu The only snag is the camp can become very waterlogged when the rain is heavy and you need a canoe to get around.

I've also stayed there during dry times and it doesn't have the same appeal. It's a big camp and, for me, it feels a bit flat when it's quiet. However, I did have a close encounter during one of these quiet times when I was sunbathing in the (lovely) pool one afternoon on my own and opened my eyes to find two baboons sitting by the pool side watching me. There was not one single person in sight and it was pretty scary.

When ever I miss Kruger then it is Shingwedzi that is in my mind. Whether the river flows or not the place just stay magic!

You need to take the S50 the moment that the camp gate open. We saw Giant Eagle Owls every single time that we have staid there! They sit on top of the trees and have long conversations with each other. You can see how their whole body moves up and down - whoo-hoo-ho. Beautiful!

The best way to do that road is by driving a short distance then park and sit until you have spotted 5 moving creatures. You will be surprised how the bush starts coming alive the moment that you stop. (Just be careful of snakes climbing in the car - we almost had a Mozambican spitting cobra on our laps!)

Nyawutsi hide is my favorite hide, we have seen a huge nile monitor there on several occasions and spend over a half an hour with an old elephant bull who had a bath. The atmosphere is out of this world and gives you the true sense of Kruger. The next stop is the Grootvlei dam with breathtaking scenery.

[quote="wildheart"]When ever I miss Kruger then it is Shingwedzi that is in my mind. Whether the river flows or not the place just stay magic! [quote]

I think I have just found the words to perfectly describe Shingwedzi ......... Shingwedzi isn't just another Kruger camp, Shingwedzi is an EXPERIENCE

Wildheart wrote : Nyawutsi hide is my favorite hide, we have seen a huge nile monitor there on several occasions and spend over a half an hour with an old elephant bull who had a bath. The atmosphere is out of this world and gives you the true sense of Kruger. The next stop is the Grootvlei dam with breathtaking scenery.

If anyone found my Sasolbird book with leather cover at Nyawutse around 31 Dec 2008 / 1 Jan 2009 , please pm me .

In the 4 hours there only one car arrived , what peace I had .
Please to those thinking of Shingwedzi area , it has its disadvantages , it is so far from civilisation , it takes at least 2 hours longer to get there than all other camps , you will hardly see any open safari vehicles or traffic jams , there is relatively little chance of seeing the big 5 , the mopaniveld is so boring that even wildebeest and zebra are thinly distributed ...

Ndloti - I know what you are trying to do!

We saw (in one week) leopard twice and lions three times in the dry river bed - just outside the camp gate. You will have difficulty to find rhino but elephants are everywhere and they are a bit crazy as well. They just LOVE chasing cars.

Book the morning walk, it is awesome! Our guide took us over the dry Shingwedzi River and we identified a lot of spores in the sand while having snacks. He took us to a mud bath that was created by elephants. It was quite a distance away from the river and it was amazing to see that they could actually find water in the middle of nowhere.

PS: There are no Mopani problems around Shingwedzi.

But, Shingwedzi is definitely not in every bodies taste, you have to love birds and the smaller things of Kruger otherwise you will be disappointed.

Forestgump , I feel overwhelmingly at peace being alone there ...
... with 35 elephants under the trees , look carefully ...

... my lair is invisible to most who arrive and see a car , but no people ...

Ndloti, i have also watched elephants from up there.forestgump does not really get lonely,enjoy the thrill of getting to a lookout alone,and then relaxing into the environment.The lookout always feels like big cat territory,especially when alone !

Shingwedzi is one of my favourite camps in Kruger. I love the roads near the camp (great gameviewing!) and the camp's quiet atmosphere. Tshanga is my favourite viewpoint in Kruger - I always go there when I stay at Shingwedzi.
When I was there 3 weeks ago, there was a hyaena den near the camp, and I had several sightings of Verreaux' Eagle Owls. (I have seen them there often since my first visit in 2001.)

Can't wait to return to Shingwedzi next year...

I am booked in cottage FF4 in April. I looked through this topic but cannot find an answer on this:
Bushmad wrote:
Does anyone know where the family cottage is in Shingwedzi? What sort of position does it have? I see that the bungalows have been rebuilt, what are they like and which ones were redone?

I know that you guys will know the answer and more!

Can anyone tell me if the FF4 unit has a braai area outside and has it been renovated? Any photographs someone?

The family cottage at Shingwedzi is close to the eastern gate, beyond the lhousekeeping block in A circle, it has two bedrooms one each on either side of the kitchen/dining area. The bathroom leads into the kitchen area. The braai facility is a skottelbraai similar to that at the other accomodation. Last time we were there it had not been rebuilt May 2009.

The beauty of Shingwedzi area enhanced by the recent good rains ..

I imagine the Kanniedood road area would be ideal habitat for Pels .
They will probably only be seen on nightdrives as there is too much vehicular traffic in daytime .

The trees on the northern bank overshadow the water a bit further eastwards from this point , there are probably also other possible locations more to the west when there are large water pools after rain .