Situated close to the Makhutsi River and Drakensberg mountains in the Karongwe Game Reserve, about an hour’s drive west of Kruger National Park, the name ‘Chisomo’ translates to blessings. And if you’re looking for a camp to which you can take your kids, you might want to count your blessings, as this is a very child-friendly destination.
To prove it, 3 year-olds and younger stay free, while up to 11s pay only half the adult rate. And most activities are available to all, although under 6s are not allowed on game drives for safety reasons.
Booking your little one into the Little Paw Centre for a range of activities that’ll keep them busy is recommended, although you should do this early to ensure there’s a place available, as Chisomo is one of the bigger camps in the region, and there’s sure to be other children looking to be entertained.
Chisomo’s 22 thatch and canvas tents provide guests with places to relax, refresh and recharge. Your suite will either have a four poster or three-quarter bed, (we guess it’s pot luck which you get, or you may be able to make a request when you book).
Either way, you’ll have an ensuite bathroom with free standing shower, a mini-bar and outside space to call your own in the form of a deck with comfy seating overlooking the mountains and river. Expect plenty of wildlife to visit the water during your stay, so have cameras and binoculars at the ready.
There’s a Royal Suite on camp which, as the name suggests, is a cut above the rest and features a plunge pool on its private deck plus a location in one of the more secluded areas of Chisomo.
Chisomo’s central and shared facilities are large and varied, so you never feel cramped or under the feet of other guests. The library, bar, spa, lounge and a swimming pool provide places to relax, and the dining area plus boma are both ready to welcome you for snacks and meals, all of which will likely be included in the price you pay when you book, and all of which draw their culinary influences from across Africa.
Open topped 4x4 safari vehicles leave camp in the early morning and late afternoon on game drives with the specific purpose of showing you the Big 5 in their natural habitat. The rangers and trackers know Karongwe, Kruger and Blyde River Canyon and will detour off-road, if necessary, in their search, so hold on tight. If you choose the late safari, you’ll be served a free drink of your choice, either a soft drink or beer/wine, which always goes down well with guests, especially if it’s a hot day.
Bush walks and birdwatching are other activities you can sign up for, with the guided hike up into the foothills to look down on the Lowveld highly recommended.
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We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
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It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
