HWANGE UNDER CANVAS | ZIMBABWE
Hwange
UNDER CANVAS [ WRITER / PHOTOS: Tessa Buhrmann ]
[ Deteema Ntandoe and Themba safari guides ]
There’s little that beats the romance and thrill of sleeping under canvas, especially when in wild, Big 5 territory. Feeling like explorers of old we negotiated our way along gravel roads, through muddy patches and sections of sand – as the roads deteriorated, so did our excitement. It was our first visit to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest proclaimed conservation area, and our first ‘under canvas’ experience in the wild. We are heading to Deteema Springs in the north-eastern section of Hwange, a luxurious yet un-pretentious camp, built on a historical Zimbabwe Parks picnic site and set amidst granite boulders, natural bush, and large trees. Arriving at Deteema at dusk adds a sense of mystery and allure; the sky is tinged with violet and the hurricane lamps along the steps of the main tent invite us towards the flickering firelight of a log fire. It’s beginning to get dark, so we are escorted to our tent by safari guide Ntandoe, he sweeps his torch light to and fro, nonchalantly pointing to a tree on our left, “there was a lion kill here just a few months ago, it was a kudu”. A short distance further along a raised wooden platform is our ‘room’, an authentic canvas safari tent, complete with simple screens and zippers... and a queen-size bed, spacious en suite bathroom, and private deck – there’s no roughing it here, the pared-down luxury and stylish décor blending perfectly with its natural surroundings.
[ Deteema Springs]
Located in a small concession area within Hwange National Park, Deteema is perched on a rocky rise overlooking the seep, created May - Aug 2022 | TRAVEL & LEISURE
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