Machaton Private Camp

We did four drives, and Reuben was brilliant at finding animals and had us laughing too. The safari and service here were amazing. Our tent was gorgeous, the beds really comfy, and the food and service incredible. Since leaving, I keep dreaming about this gorgeous place and wishing I was still there.

The guides are phenomenal. Lauren was so great, and we saw loads of animals, including elephants right at camp. It’s such good value, with a beautiful camp, great food, immaculate tents, and really comfortable beds. The showers have wonderfully strong pressure too. Absolutely amazing!

The one downside for us was the tented cabin. It had no heat, and the nights and mornings got very cold. Apart from that, we had a wonderful stay and I’d highly recommend the camp. Lorna and Sam went above and beyond when we faced a very stressful situation in the middle of the night. The camp has what you need for a great safari, including meal choices, excellent food, a nice pool, and a great gift shop. Just keep in mind that the pool isn’t heated. The team did all they could to help us find the animals.

We had a great time watching the watering hole, especially a hyena that came back every night to sit in it. The small pool was well cared for and looks out over the water, where wildlife showed up throughout the day. The camp was beautiful and spotless, and we ended up spending lots of time in the communal area. With only 16 guests, the view and setting still felt private. We stayed in tents 6 and 7. Tent 7 was farther from the centre, which we liked for the quiet and the view of critters on the other side of camp. Tent 6 overlooked the watering hole. We didn’t spend much time in either tent, though. The camp has just eight groups, and the lack of young children suited us. Everyone was kind, happy to chat, offered recommendations for future visits, and helped us look for the animals we wanted to see. The guides know their stuff, the trackers are incredible, and the service was top notch. We went in the dry season on purpose, hoping for more animals at the watering holes and fewer bugs. There weren’t many leafy plants then, though I imagine it’s vibrantly green around camp in summer. The gift shop had a good range of reasonably priced gifts and souvenirs. The jewelry was beautiful and well made. We bought a little bit of everything and don’t regret it. Our tents were clean and clearly well cared for. We spotted a spider and a praying mantis inside, but there was a mosquito net and we just shooed them out. Use the provided bug spray for mosquitos. The beds were comfortable, and the fan was a lifesaver in the heat. We had hot weather, cold rain, and wind, but were never uncomfortable. The attached showers were clean and had hot water. They’re open air, with a thatched roof, and much more glamorous than we expected. The bar was well stocked. There aren’t plug-ins in the tents, but there’s a charging locker in the central area, so that wasn’t a problem. We saw the Big Five by day two, even in the dry season, though that wasn’t our priority. The team really tries to find what you’re hoping to see while making sure each safari brings something special. Morning drives were more relaxed. Evening ones set off at the end of the day and continued into the night, so it’s a great place to see nocturnal animals. You can swap a morning drive for a walking safari. The weather stopped us from trying one, but with the guide and tracker’s knowledge, I’d expect it to be as good as a drive. We went out rain or shine and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. When it rained, they provided warm blanket ponchos. Each drive included a stop for coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or whatever you fancied. My only suggestion would be to take a larger vehicle for the drive out. The dirt roads are bumpy, and I can’t imagine self-driving there in a smaller car. If that worries you, you can get a shuttle from almost anywhere. Go, it’s worth it.