Machampane Luxury Camp
Guided wilderness walks are a feature at our intimate 10 bed en-suite luxury tented camp that overlooks the Machampane River. Nestled in a secluded forest where bird and wildlife abound, you set out on foot on early morning and late afternoon game walks embracing the waterholes in this pristine wilderness area.
Replete from a three course ‘bush cuisine’ dinner with its Mozambiquan flavours, the boma and its friendly fire beckon you to experience the tranquillity of the night sky and the sounds of the African bush.
 
Location

• Located in Parque Nacional do Limpopo, the 1,1 million hectare Moçambique sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, adjacent to Kruger National Park.
• Unfenced luxury bush camp nestled under trees on bank of Machampane River.
• Situated in a Big 5 pristine wilderness area stocked with game from Kruger National Park.
• Fence between the two National Parks has not yet been removed in this area but is scheduled for removal by 2010. As a consequence no repair work is being done and animals move freely through the holes in the fence line.

Accommodation

• 5 en-suite tents accommodating up to 10 people and offering an intimate wilderness experience.
• Each tent has its own deck, with chairs and table, overlooking the water.

Tents are equipped with:

• Twin beds, good quality linen and duvets.
• Bedside tables with12 volt bedside lamps.
• Wardrobe, writing table and chair.
• Luggage rack and Kelim rug.

Please note:

• There are no hairdryers in the tents nor air-conditioning as power is only 12 volt.
• Water is drawn from the river in front of the camp and is a scarce resource. For this reason laundry is done in Phalaborwa 125 kms from the camp and linen and towel changes are limited to the duration of a guest’s stay unless circumstances require otherwise.
• Guests are encouraged to use water sparingly.

Bathrooms

• Large shower, wash-hand basin and flush toilet.
• Rooibos soap, sandalwood moisturizing hand-cream and shampoo provided.
• Hot water provided through gas water heaters.

Central dining deck

• All guests are seated together at one table for meals which are prepared and served from a tented kitchen.

Boma

• Open to the night sky.
• Pre and post dinner drinks and snacks are served in the firelit boma.

Meals

• Breakfast served on the day guests depart from camp (Approx 07.00).
• Brunch served on the days that guests are out on wilderness walks (approx 10.30).
• Dinner 3 course meal with Moçambique/Shangaan influence (approx 19.30).
• Complimentary tea, coffee and rusks available throughout the day.

Beverages

• Bottled water provided in tents.
• Limited stock of popular brand spirits and mixers available for sale.
• Limited stock of red and white wine (SA and Portuguese) available for sale.
• Refrigeration facilities are limited so ice is not always available.

Power

• Power supplied by a generator providing 220 volt power.
• Generator operates for four hours per day whilst guests are on wilderness walks.
• Computers and cameras can be charged during generator operating hours.
• Out of generator operating hours only 12 volt lighting is available in tents

Activities

• Wilderness walks are the primary activity offered at Machampane Tented Camp.
• Morning and afternoon wilderness walks are accompanied by a guide and armed ranger.
• Wilderness walks are intended as an environmental awareness experience and not as a ‘route march’.
• Guide sets the pace to accommodate the individual’s walking pace and interests.
• Complimentary trail snacks and beverages (water, fruit juice) are provided.
• Morning walks start 15 minutes after sunrise and take 3,0 to 4,0 hours.
• Afternoon walks start around 15.00 and take about 2,5 hours.

Itineraries

• A 3 night/4 day itinerary is popular at Machampane Tented Camp and can be booked over any three nights of the week (see typical itinerary below)
• Itineraries can also be customised.
• A number of alternatives are available to complement/extend an itinerary e.g.
• Half-day visit to Massingir Velho, a remote local village, to visit the community and to see their children at school and at play.
• Day trip to Massingir town, crossing the 5km long dam wall, to visit the market followed by a fishing excursion with the Canhane community fishermen and then a picnic lunch overlooking Massingir dam from the Community’s Covane Lodge.

Typical itinerary for a 3 night 4 day stay at Machampane Tented Camp

Day 1:

• If self driving: Guests can check-in from 14.00 but must arrive before 15.00 if they wish to participate in the afternoon game walk
• If a transfer from Letaba Restcamp is pre-arranged: Guests are met outside the reception office at Letaba Restcamp in Kruger National Park at 11.30 for 12.00 departure for Machampane Tented Camp in an open safari vehicle. (Guests vehicles are parked at Letaba Restcamp for the duration of their stay at Machampane Tented Camp).
• Arrive at Machampane Tented Camp around 15.00.
• Settle into camp, briefing and orientation
• Afternoon game walk around 15.30
• Drinks in the boma
• Dinner on the deck around 19.30

Day 2:

• Early morning wake-up call (30 minutes before sunrise)
• Meet for tea/coffee and rusks on the deck
• Safety briefing
• Walk commences 15 minutes after sunrise
• Walk for 3,0 - 4,0 hours, stopping en-route at a waterhole or observation point for a rest and snack/drink.
• Return to camp for brunch at around 10.30
• Siesta or bird watching until 15.00
• Meet for tea/ coffee and rusks or muffins on the deck
• Walk for 2,0 - 2,5 hours
• Return to camp for sundowners in the boma
• Dinner is served on the deck around 19.30
• Relax around the fire in the boma after dinner with a night-cap

Day 3:

• Repeat day 2

Day 4:

• Wake-up call a little later
• Breakfast is served at around 07.00
• Depart Machampane camp around 08.00 for Letaba
• Arrive Letaba around 11.00

Wilderness walks policy

• No upper age limit but participants on the walks must be aware that the walks may total around 10km per day.
• The distance is covered at a leisurely pace to afford guests an intimate encounter with the wilderness.
• Regrettably due to the nature of the terrain covered and the safety factor, persons with mobility impairment should not participate on the walks.
• Whilst not necessarily over-strenuous, conditions during the summer months can be very hot and humid. Participants on the walks must therefore be reasonably fit and be well prepared for the climatic conditions.

Child policy

• Children under the age of 12 may be accommodated by special arrangement.
• For safety considerations regrettably children under the age of 12 may not participate on wilderness walks.

Safety Policy

• The general rules and regulations of Parque Nacional do Limpopo also apply to guests.
• Guests depend on the Camp Manager for their safety and for guidance. For their own safety and that of the other guests, the Camp Manager should therefore be obeyed at all times.
• For reasons of safety and sensitivity, excessive consumption of liquor is strongly discouraged. Liquor may only be consumed at the Camp and not on walks.

Malaria

• Machampane Tented Camp is located in a Malaria area.
• MALARIA PROPHYLACTICS ARE ESSENTIAL. Guests should consult their doctor or chemist.

Indemnity

• Machampane Tented Camp is unfenced and is located in Big 5 animal territory.
• Wilderness walks are accompanied by a guide and an armed Parks ranger but nevertheless carry the risk of injury or death should big game be encountered
• In light of the exposed nature of the Camp and its wilderness walks and the inherent risk associated therewith, all guests have to complete an indemnity form.  Minors must be in possession of an indemnity form signed by a parent or legal guardian. These forms must be signed in the presence of the Camp Manager.

What to take - clothing, footwear and other items

• For guests planning to participate on any guided walks, clothing should be comfortable and durable.
• Neutral colours such as khaki are preferable.
• Footwear should be worn-in if possible, have thick soles and provide good ankle support. It is preferable not to wear white shoes.
• Checklist of recommended items to take is available on www.dolimpopo.com

Payments

• Payments at the camp for activities (when not included in the price), beverages, tips etc may be made in Rands, Meticais, US$ or Euros.
• Credit cards are not accepted.

Cancellation Policy

• Within 120 to 61 days of arrival, 33.3% forfeiture of Total booking value.
• Within 60 days of arrival, 100% forfeiture of Total booking value

Access to Machampane Tented Camp

• By road from South Africa, through Kruger National Park:
  • Distance from Phalaborwa to Letaba is 50 km, from Letaba to the Giriyondo border post is 45 km and from the border post to Machampane Tented Camp is 33 km – a total of 128 km.
  • The route is a game drive all the way and takes approximately 3,5 to 4,0 hours
  • 70 km is on a tarred road and the remaining 58 km on gravel which is corrugated and stony.
  • Vehicle with good ground clearance is strongly recommended, but a 4x4 is not essential.
• By road from Maputo via Macia, Chokwe and Massingir:
  • Distance from Maputo to Massingir is approximately 400km and takes around 5,0 hours.
  • From park entry gate at Massingir to Machampane Tented Camp is approximately 50 km and takes 1,5 hours.
  • Road is good tar to Massingir. From Massingir the road is gravel (currently being upgraded) and traveling is done through a National Park with a speed limit of 40km.
  • Vehicle with good ground clearance is strongly recommended, but a 4x4 is not essential.

  Disclaimer
  Whilst every endeavour is made to adhere to the description set out above, our activities are conducted in remote wilderness areas and occasionally circumstances in the park or prevailing weather conditions, over which we have no control, may arise. We reserve the right to amend the routing, location of campsites, distances hiked etc of any specific trail or trails and the guide’s decision in this regard is final. If this happens on a trail on which you are a participant we would appreciate your understanding.