Shingwedzi Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park, on the banks of the Shingwedzi River has many facilities, including a swimming pool for residents. Located on the banks of the Shingwedzi River in an alluvial plain area with sparse grass and less dense vegetation. Some of the animals to be seen in the area: Kudu, Impala, Duiker, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion and Leopard.

At a Glance

• Accommodation - All units are serviced daily.
• Game drives and nature walks.
• Picnic sites.
• Bird watching.

Accommodation
All units are serviced daily and supplied with bedding, towels and soap.

7-bed Rentmeester Guest House with 3 en-suite bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and communal lounge/livingroom or open veranda.
4-bed Guest Cottages with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one en-suite) and fully equipped kitchen.
2/3-bed Bungalow + 2 mattresses in loft, bathroom (bath/shower), fridge, hotplate and sink.
2-bed Bungalow with bathroom (shower) and fridge, using communal facilities.
3-bed Hut with fridge and varanda using communal ablution/kitchen facilities.
Caravan and camping sites using communal ablution and kitchen facilities. A maximum of 6 persons, one caravan, sidetent and vehicle, or one tent and vehicle, or one motorized caravan with sidetent per campsite.

Activities
Game can be sparse in the stretches of Mopani Shrubveld in the region, but the alluvial plains in the immediate vicinity of the Shingwedzi River tend to be very productive. Impala, Kudu, Duiker, Bushbuck, Nyala and Sharpe's grysbok are browsers to be searched for, while Buffalo and waterbuck are the most common grazing species. Elephant, baboon and Vervet Monkey are all prominent as are tree squirrels, especially in the camp itself. Predators include Lion, Leopard and Spotted Hyena and there are a couple of packs of Wild Dog that roam these northern reaches of the Kruger National Park. There are open plains north of Babalala Picnic Site where cheetah are regularly recorded. This is a good place to search for the rare large antelope species: roan, sable, tsessebe, Eland and Lichtenstein's hartebeest.

Shingwedzi has abundant bird-life and, aside from the ubiquitous squabble of hornbills, starlings, weavers and mourning doves, the camp is a good place to see Bennett's woodpecker, Natal robin, European hobby (hawking prey at dusk in summer), grey penduline tit, black and steelblue widowfinch and scops owl (at night). Cutthroat finch has been recorded in camp near the swimming pool. Giant Eagle Owl is also regularly seen in the large riverine trees on the road approaching the camp. One should keep a careful lookout for bathawk. Although not easy to see, they are around and the lucky birder could see them catching bats and swifts at dusk. The high-water bridge is a good potential vantage point, while they can also be seen along the Kanniedood Dam road. There was great excitement in 1995 when collared palm thrush was recorded in the camp. It has subsequently been recorded every year and quite possibly breeds. Downstream from the rest camp Kanniedood Dam hosts many interesting species. Storks (openbilled, yellowbilled, saddlebilled and woolynecked) are prominent. The hide is a good spot to see black crake and African jacana at close quarters. Whitewinged tern has also been recorded on the dam. In summer a bit of luck may offer birders the chance to compare the rare dwarf bittern with the common greenbacked heron.