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Shamvura Camp Visit Shamvura Camp here Shamvura – a broad direct translation “ The place from which rain can be seen”. We are situated on a large forested sand dune and one of the few high points along the river in the Okavango Region. As such we afford the visitor some spectacular views into Angola. All guests have access to the large, filtered swimming pool and a spacious indigenous garden with a tree top deck overlooking the Okavango River and Angolan floodplains. The deck offers good birding with birdfeeder and birdbath, and is a wonderful sundowner spot. We have a private well stocked bar and lounge with DSTV available for guests. We also have the added advantage of surrounding floodplains/wetlands created by the confluence with the Cuito river from Angola a few kilometers upstream. These extensive floodplains are dominated by reed beds (Phragmites mauritianus) with some isolated patches of papyrus. This area is flooded for up to 5 months of the year and therefore unsuitable to any permanent local habitation , human impact is therefore minimal. We however have all year road access unlike most of the other Tourism establishments in this region which are situated on the riverbank and prone to flooding. Being registered with N.T.B. as a ‘Permanent Tented Camp” we are as such also the only registered Tourism facility within a 50 km radius, and enjoy near exclusivity of up to 20 kilometers of river with excellent fishing opportunities. We have, on the extensive property of 40 hectares has one of the last remnants of natural riverine forest comprised mainly of “Knobthorn Acacia” Acacia nigrescens , Baobab Adansonia digitatas, and many others. Our cottage accommodation affords the visitor a truly birds-eye view of this unique riverine forest. Our Cabin tents are spaced well apart and take the name of the specific tree they are situated under. Our spacious Campsite also has 6 individual privatized sites spaced well apart. When the river rises with the onset of the annual rains around December through to March the river floods its banks and the surrounding floodplains becomes a vast expanses of water up to 6 kilometers wide. This unique ecosystem is a vital breeding habitat to more than 80 species of fish, and countless other species of wildlife, and creates a food haven for over 60 species of wetland birds. We have the added advantage of a recently established fragmented herd of over 60 Hippos which is unique to this river system outside of conservation areas. We also enjoy a healthy crocodile population and many other species of wildlife not found in other areas of the river where human impact has eliminated most natural wildlife. Our Activities : • Birding : Our location, affords some excellent birding opportunities. Our current list of 432 species, includes 31 Ecedemics/near-ecedemics, with 106 “hotties” or sought-after species, and 146 species recorded as breeding here Grey-headed and Meyer’s Parrots are regular sightings overhead flying to favourite feeding trees. Our property includes some of the only climax Knobthorn forest remaining on this heavily de-forested river system. This provides excellent lookout points or hunting habitat for raptors like Wood Owl, Barred Owlet, White-faced Scops-owl, Western Banded Snake Eagle, African Goshawk, Black Sparrow Hawk, Long-crested Eagle, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Cuckoo Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, African Hobby and Bat Hawk, amongst others which are therefore attracted to this spot, some in fact breeding here. We encourage our guests to walk around the extensive property where the avid birder may run into numerous feeding parties of forest-dwelling birds like White-browed Robin Chat, Swamp Boubou, Black-crowned Tchagra, Black-collard Barbet, Bulbuls, Greenbuls, Brownbuls and various Flychtchers, Woodpeckers and Wood hoopoes. Shelley’s Sunbird is also often seen here. The surrounding open scrubland/grassland aress offer sightings of the many small seedeaters like Brown Firefinch, Orange-breasted Waxbill, and seasonal Warblers, Cisticolas, Larks and Pipits. When seasonal rainwater pans here full up, they provide good habitat for Rosy-throated Longclaw, Yellow Wagtail, Dwarf Bittern, Snipes, Cuckoo-finch and other non-descript waders.
Boat Trips : are customized with knowledgeable professional guide for fishing, birding or sightseeing along the river. The boat trips reveal Long-toed Lapwing, Great Snipe, African and Painted Snipe, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Rails, Crakes, Allen’s Gallinule, Lesser Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, Little Bittern various Ducks and Geese, Open-billed Stork, White-backed Night-heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Other Herons and Egrets, Rock Pratincole, Fish Eagle, Harriers, Luapula’s and Chirping Cisticolas, Greater Swamp Warbler and many other waders and waterbirds. The extensive floodplains, before and during the rainy season, offer excellent breeding and feeding opportunities for these wetland birds and the many sandbank islands for African Skimmer, Water Thick-knee and Wattled Plover, among others.
Guided Walks :in the neighboring woodlands offer a host of exciting rarities like Souza’s Shrike (a breeding resident), Racket-tailed Roller, Sharp-tailed Starling, Green-backed and Brown-backed Honeybirds, White-breasted Cuckoo Shrike, African and Eurasian Orioles, Long-legged Buzzard, Rufous-bellied Tit, Green-capped Eremomela, Tree and Wood Pipits, Arnott’s Chat, Red-faced Crombec, Orange-winged Pytilia, Retz’s Helmet-shrike, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Black-faced Babbler and Bradfield’s Hornbill.
Bird-Ringing :We are a recognized ringing station with qualified and registered ringers, and permanently placed mist-nets in strategic places on the property. For those guests specifically interested, we have two choices of a daily ringing programme to allow the enthusiastic visitor direct involvement with the hands-on capture and ringing procedures. These arrangements require some prior notification. All records will be accurately cataloged and directed to AFRING at the University of Cape Town. A Novice Ringing Exercise would include a full day long and would involve the procedure of opening the permanently placed mist nets in different habitats within the property, with instructions on why they are placed there, and how they function. Then the measuring and recording procedures will be demonstrated and discussed at length. The nets are then regularly monitored for captured birds, which will demand walking from net to net, to minimize the time a captured bird spends in the nets. Once a bird is captured, the guests will have direct involvement with the actual freeing and handling process under instructions, after which the bird will be processed, ringed and released. • Fishing
This stretch of the Okavango River still offers some excellent opportunities for big Tigerfish, Barbel ( Catfish) and the predatory “Bream” species like Nembwe, Thin-face and Hump-back Largemouth and ‘Three-spot’ which can be caught using light spinning rods and a variety of lures, spinners, live-bait or drift-bait. The more sedate fishing with worms and bait afford some good opportunities for Red-breasted and Green-headed Bream. We encourage fly-fishing, but the fast flowing river usually frustrates the less persevering and fanatical fly-fisherman. This technique is therefore usually more successful during the lower water level months, from June to November when the current is also slower. Our more active Bream fishing months are the colder periods, particularly May, June and July , and when the water is lower, until September. Tiger fishing is available throughout the year, but the more active times are during the high water months of January to April. Some really active fishing is available for varying periods as the river level falls and the breeding fish and young are coming out of the floodplains into the mainstream. Alternatively, when the river level is rising and flowing into the adjoining floodplains allowing the breeding fish access into the areas to breed. These highly active times vary from year to year depending on rainfall, locally and in the Angolan catchment area. • Walking Although we are situated within a rural area the local population is relatively sparse in this area. We are also surrounded by hundreds of hectares of uninhabited floodplains which, during dryer months, afford some excellent walking opportunities. Although, as with most rural communities throughout Africa, there are no large game species anymore in the area, there are some interesting plains bird species to be seen only on these drier floodplains as well as smaller mammals, insects and reptiles that have escaped the attention of the local people. Being on the border with Angola, where almost no knowledge of smaller animal life is available, is a distinct advantage, and we often find animal, insect and reptile species which are unknown from elsewhere in Namibia. We encourage guests to walk freely inside the property, as it is quit safe, or when necessary a guide can be arranged. • Game Park Visits:
Two distinctly different Game Parks are within easy reach from our location. These are Mahango Game Park( on the river ) and Kaudom Game Reserve ( in the interior “sandveld” area). - Mahango Game Park is an hour’s drive from ours on tarred roads for most of the way. Although the riverine routes in the Park are suitable for normal 2x4 vehicles, the majority of the Park is not. Most of the Game and Birds are how however, within reach of the riverine areas and therefore, accessible to 2x4 vehicles. Being a small reserve with good species diversity the visitor can usually have a satisfying day’s excursion. Guided tours can be arranged, and more information on the Park can be made available on request. - Khaudum Game Reserve is actually closer, but the arduous 4x4 access road makes reaching the Park an experience not for the faint-hearted. The park has two basic overnight camps, and a trip to this remote, yet worthwhile Park, requires some prior planning and preparation befor an extended excursion should be attempted. Being a large, extensive Park with many unmarked routes between water points it is advisable to consider a guide. The authorities also insist that each party is required to have no less than two vehicles for safety reasons. We can make the necessary arrangements and provide a guide and vehicle if necessary. • Accomodation : General Information : *All units have cupboards, chairs, beds with linen provided, as well as towels, soap, mosquito nets and repellant.
*Limited filtered drinking water is provided.
*All units are serviced daily.
*All units are by all weather roads and clearly sign posted.
*All units have spacious shaded parking areas.
*All units have gas or electric hot-water geysers.
* All units have firewood Provided.
Treetop Cottage : (4-5 bed unit) Situated in the forest, and constructed of indigenous wood on an elevated pole platform, gives this thatch-roofed facility a splendid view of the forest from its spacious veranda. It has one large main bedroom with a double bed, a ceiling fan and en suite bathroom. In the corner of the adjoining open-plan dining/kitchen/living area there are two additional beds with a bedside lamp and shelf, which although not entirely private, is quite cosy. The veranda also has space for an additional bed if necessary. Because of the one bathroom only, these sleeping arrangements are ideal for a family or an intimate group of friends. The kitchen is fully equipped with crockery and cutlery for six people and includes a fridge/freezer and stove. There is also a private, enclosed and grassed braai-place with wood provided. The cottage is fully supplied with mains electricity. Maroela Tent : (2 bed unit) The large “cabin tent” is raised on a wooden platform with a large spacious, covered veranda with an excellent view of the river from the forest fringe, and en suite shower/bathroom. It is shaded by the large maroela tree (hence the name) and has a large enclosed, grassed braai-place, and a washing up facility. There is no electricity but battery lamps are provided. Combretum Tent : (3-4 bed unit) The large “cabin tent” with a covered veranda is erected on a raised cement base. The shower/bathroom is separated but close by. This tent is situated under a very large combretum colonum tree, which has dense shade and a tastefully placed braai area, and washing-up facility. The whole unit with a large parking area is enclosed with a reed and pole fence. This site offers a good view of the Angolan floodplains. There is no electricity but battery lamps are provided. Manketti Tent : (3-4 bed unit) The large “cabin tent” with a covered veranda and en-suite shower/bathroom is erected on a raised wooden platform offering a good view of the Angolan floodplains. It has its own grassed and enclosed braai area and washing-up facility shaded by a “manketti” tree. There is no electricity but battery lamps are provided. Ushivi Tent : (4 bed unit) The large “cabin tent” on a raised cement base is near the main complex, shaded by two huge trees and completely enclosed by the reed fence, giving absolute privacy. It is fully supplied with electricity, a braai area with outside lighting, a large, fully equipped kitchen, with stove, fridge/freezer, and crockery and cutlery for up to 8 people. There are double shower/bathrooms and an adjoining grassed “Guides Nook” with a raised and shaded tent base, and electrical point. Camping : Strychnos Camp Site : This spacious camp site has 6 widely spaced, individual sites, each with a raised and shaded tent base, a water-point and firewood. All the sites are serviced by a centralized ablution facility on a raised wooden platform, with two shower/toilets, a double washing-up facility and a shealtered dining/kitchen area, fully supplied with mains electricity providing light and six separated power point Camping : Private Sites : When unused by other guests, both Ushivi and Combretum tent’s facilities can be made available to campers wanting privacy, and without using the tented accommodation provided. For more info/details visit: Shamvura Camp here
Tel : +264 (0) 662 64 007
: +264 (0) 662 56 179
: +264 (0) 666 86 055
Email : shamvura@iway.na
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