Daka Plains Camp: Our full report
In the north-west of Hwange National Park, Daka Plains Camp lies close to Zimbabwe’s border with Botswana.
Originally opened in 2019 as Deka Camp, it changed hands in late 2022 and is now known as Daka Plains. It’s a small and intimate camp in an incredibly isolated and wild area of the park.Partly owned and run by renowned safari guide team Ian and Nonnie Batchelor, Daka Plains – and it’s even smaller sibling, Daka Expeditions – are set to put the adventure back into safari.
When we visited in June 2023, the camp was in its infancy, yet the hallmarks of its focus were all in place. There may be more game-viewing tracks now, but the wilderness hasn’t changed – and with it the isolation.
The camp itself has just eight walk-in tents - one suitable for a small family. All are nestled under thatched roofs on a small hill overlooking the Daka seeps, one of the only permanent water sources for miles around.
Proper doors open into the bedrooms, framed by curtains that fall to cool stone floors. The flow of air through mesh windows is helped by a ceiling fan above the bed, enclosed – like the bedside lights – within mosquito netting.
Looking towards the veranda and the plains beyond, a comfortable sofa is fronted by a campaign chest, with coffee- and tea-making facilities on hand. It all feels solid and attractive, yet unpretentious.
Stone walls clad the en-suite bathrooms, with a rustic shower and twin basins, and a door to an open-air bath for a decadent dip. Warm robes and fluffy towels are on hand to ward off any chill.
Just a stroll along sandy paths brings you to the main area, where the unfussy style, and the mood, continue. The lounge and bar seem to flow seamlessly into each other, with a stone fireplace for winter evenings, a library for booklovers, and tables set inside or out for dinner, depending on the weather.
By all means take advantage of the tree-shaded plunge pool in hot weather, or indulge in a spot of yoga, but equally inviting in the early morning and as the sun goes down is a warming firepit.
Activities at Daka Plains include game drives and walking safaris, both in the camp’s private concession and further afield into the national park. Prides of lion and large herds of antelope, including roan and sable, roam this wilderness, and the birding can be excellent – but it’s not wall-to-wall animals, so anticipation is part of the appeal. On our visit we were lucky enough to spot a coalition of cheetah, a huge number of elephants, and squadrons of sandgrouse. It’s a very special area, where we’ve driven for hours without coming across any other vehicles.
If this isn’t sufficiently off the beaten track, a further option is to spend a night or two at the smaller and simpler Daka Expeditions. Sleeping no more than six guests, this tiny camp is exclusive to just one group, and comes with its own professional guide and vehicle. Activities are as at Daka Plains.
While you can drive or fly into Daka Expeditions, many guests prefer to arrive on foot, walking to and from Daka Plains during the day and spending the night in the small camp. With just three large but traditional canvas tents, outside bucket showers and a simple mess tent, this is about as close to nature as you can get.
Our view
We love the remoteness of Daka Plains and the sheer scale of the surrounding environment, which – bordering Botswana – is unlike most of Hwange National Park. Walking in this area is a big plus, especially to and from the smaller Daka Expeditions, and the camp itself doesn’t disappoint.
Country manager: Zimbabwe
Geographics
- Location
- Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Ideal length of stay
- Three nights would be best at Daka Plains, and moe if you wanted to add Daka Expleditions.
- Directions
- Daka Plains and Daka Expeditions are both about a 45-minute safari drive from Robin’s Airstrip.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- The water in camp is considered safe to drink, but bottled water is also available.
Special interests
- Walking safaris
- A walking safari from Zimbabwe’s Daka Plains in the remote north-west of Hwange National Park is not to be missed. And best of all is the opportunity to walk accross the untouched wilderness to and from its smaller sister camp, Daka Expeditions.
- See ideas for Walking safaris in Zimbabwe
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Children under the age of 12 may not take part in walking safaris.
- Equipment
- Daka Plains has one safari tent that can accommodate a small family.
- Generally recommended for children
- Daka Expeditions is booked on an exclusive basis, so with just three tents it would work well for a small, adventurous family.
- Notes
- Both camps are exceptionally remote, with dangerous animals free to roam through. All children must be kept under constant supervision.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Daka Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Daka Plains Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- Each tent has plug points for charging phones and cameras.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All tents at Daka Plains have hot and cold running water, and fully plumbed toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The guides are trained in first aid; the nearest doctor would be in Hwange town, Bulawayo or Victoria Falls – many hours' drive away.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Fire safety
- There are extinguishers dotted around the camp.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included and is taken daily. It is usually returned the same day, depending on the weather.
- Money
- There’s a small safe in each tented room.
Other lodges in Hwange National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Camp Hwange
Overlooking a waterhole in a remote part of Hwange National Park, Camp Hwange offers great guiding in a pristine wilderness at reasonable prices.
Somalisa Camp
Somalisa is a luxurious, yet remote, safari camp in Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
The Hide
Located in a small, private concession, The Hide is a relaxed and comfortable camp offering submerged hides and great family accommodation.
Hwange Bush Camp
Hwange Bush Camp is a small seasonal camp offering comfortable tents, great food, and superb guiding, and is often used by exclusive groups.
Little Makalolo Camp
Tucked away in Hwange National Park overlooking a waterhole, Little Makalolo Camp combines top guiding with excellent wildlife watching.
Somalisa Expeditions
A simple but stylish camp, Somalisa Expeditions sits in the heart of Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
Davison's Camp
Within the Linkwasha Concession, Davison's Camp offers superb value for money, morning walking safaris and spot-lit drives after dark.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba is a comfortable, good-value camp in a remote area of Hwange National Park, teeming with wildlife.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Bomani is a down-to-earth lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Verney's Camp
Verney's Camp is one of the newest offerings in Hwange, located in the wildlife rich, open landscape in the south-eastern section of the park.
Khulu Bush Camp
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu Bush Camp features a waterhole popular with wildlife, especially elephants and offers excellent value for money.
Jozibanini Camp
Remote and rugged, Jozibanini is one of the most remote camps in Zimabwe's largest National Park. Stay here for a real wilderness experience.
Ivory Lodge
Just outside Hwange National Park, the small Ivory Lodge is a great place to see large herds of elephant as well as smaller plains game.
Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National Park.
Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Sable Valley Lodge
Set on the 12km Dete Vlei, the recently upgraded and family-friendly Sable Valley sits in a private reserve within easy reach of Hwange National Park.
Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush camp experience.
Tum Tum
The Tum Tum Treehouses are due to open in late 2025. Details on this exciting development are still scarce, so watch this space.
Camp Chitubu
Nestled in the rugged north of Hwange National Park, the unpretentious yet comfortable Camp Chitubu has a strong focus on excellent guiding.
Khulu's Retreat
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu's Retreat is an exclusive private villa and is a great place to spoil yourself on a safari in Zimbabwe.
