Adriaan Haagner - November 2022
We had an almost perfect long weekend at Dumela Wilderness Safaris. The tents were brilliantly equipped and nice and private. The camp staff were attentive and great. The birding and wildlife was epic, and the memories of experiencing a beach day on the limpopo are the stuff of dreams.
Just as well it was only almost perfect- we have many reasons to keep coming back again and again. We still have a score to settle with the tigerfish...
Mike Slater [www.mozguide.com] - August 2022
We were met and very warmly welcomed by Ziki, the camp manager and by Abby who guides and assists visitors when driving through the Limpopo River or going on outings in the area. Ziki made sure that the hot water (donkey) boilers were lit in order to provide hot water for the showers.
We occupied all four of DWS's self-catering tents, each with their own toilet and shower, which everyone reported to be very clean, comfortable and well located in secluded and scenic locations alongside the perennial ox-bow lake on the banks of the Limpopo River. We gathered together for our meals underneath the giant Nyala, Jackalberry, Milkwood and Natal Mahogany trees that spread overt Pel's Owl campsite which has braai (barbeque) stands, tables and an ablution block.
Pel's Owl camp now has a quaint, small bar with a gas fridge where chilled soft drinks, beer and cider can be bought. Payments in cash South African Rands or Mozambican Meticais. Hardwood is also sold by the bundle to keep that campfire burning and to make hot coals for braai-ing (barbecuing) meat.
I have stayed at DWS three times previously and the improvements and additions that have been made since the end of the Covid-19 interruption are quite significant and very well planned.
Over the past few decades I have been fortunate to have stayed at dozens of camping sites all over southern and eastern Africa, from Cape Agulhas (South Africa) in the south, Torrabaai (Skeleton Coast,Namibia) in the west, Ponta Membene (Maputo National Park, Mozambique) in the west, Mango Drift (Likoma Island, Malawi) to Eliye Springs (Lake Turkana, Kenya) in the north. The location (on the edge of an extensive forest of Fever Trees) setting, layout and ambience of Dumela Wilderness Safaris still rivals the best of anywhere that I have experienced.
That night three owl species, namely Pel's, Scops and Spotted Eagle were calling, while herds of buffalo and elephant passed through nearby. DWS is in the "buffer zone" of the Limpopo National Park which is part of the 100 000 square kilometre Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (about the size of England or the USA's New York State) which includes the Kruger, Limpopo, Gonarezhou, Banhine and Zinave National Parks.
Wiam Labuschagne - July 2022
Dumela is like a paradise unfolding in front of your eyes, the deeper you go into it the more beauty is discovered. It is the place where peace is discovered and the hustle and bustle of everyday is forgotten.
Entering camp it's like a moment when nature greets you with a kiss saying “dumela” and you experience a mountain of peace descending upon you and all you can do is stand in awe of beauty
Philip Roos - July 2022
Pel’s Fishing Owl camp is one of the most idyllic campsites that we have ever experienced in many years of overland adventuring and camping!
The campsite, set deep in the forest is breathtakingly beautiful and proved to be thé perfect stop-over en route to Gonarezhou and back again to SA.
The only regret is that we did not book at least 2-3 nights each time, so that we could experience this magical place to the fullest… We won’t make that mistake again!
Thank you Lourens, Ziki and the Team – We Will Be Back!! (for longer…)
J Bence - September 2019
Clean, lush and an abundance of bird life. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Very helpful owners and groundsman. The camping spots have excellent shade and are right next to the river. Perfect stop over if you want to hit the road early to Gonarezhou.
Frans Taueatsoala - May 2018
We had a fantastic stay at Dumela Wilderness Safaris camping at Fish Eagle Camp, this is the wildest camp site I had ever been to in terms of the sounds of night, from bush babies, owls, to being woken up by the call of an African Fish Eagle about 50 meters from where we had setup camp. Best place to wild camp within the Fever Trees that stretches from Crooks Corner in the Kruger and just 8 kilometres in Mozambique from Pafuri Border Gate of the Kruger National Park. If you are into true wilderness I say this is worth checking out. A stop over just across the border if you are exploring the Northern Part of the Kruger. The camp is beautifully ran by Lourens and his wife with the help of the ever helpful Abram(Abby) and his wife. We truly enjoyed our stay there.