Mandavu Dam | Established Campground

December 14th, 2023 by bonsaichills

We could book Mandavu at the Robins Park Office. The park officer was very helpful, she confirmed and booked the site for us. Originally we wanted to book Masuma dam but they said this was not an option and following a recent Facebook post stating they were building a nearby airstrip we were pleased with this. We were allowed to book Mandavu dam even though the caretaker was not present and there was no running water. A bit steep pricing in comparison to Robins - we still paid the full 50 USD per person. Starting to look a little run down - fence fallen over etc. We were not too bothered as self sufficient. Nice places to sit and enjoy the wildlife. We saw lots of hippo, crocodile and an ambitious lion teasing or poorly attempting to catch his dinner. We heard the lions pass around the camp. It feels like a big picnic site and less a camping spot. You cannot park over lander or car nearer the edge of the dam and have buildings blocking the nice view.

November 8th, 2023 by tongsetbottesenvadrouille.com

We enjoyed our night here even if it's really expensive for what you get!
(50$/ppn and 25$ per kids under 12 + 10$/adult and 5$/kids entry fee if you sleep in the park. If you don't sleep, the day entry is 20$/adult and 10$/kids. Vehicle fee : 3$).
In the morning we saw 6 lions. And in the park, lot of elephants, kudus, impala, hippo, warthog, chacal, girafe, zebra, birds...

July 7th, 2023 by nickianddave

Really enjoyed a night here, it's a huge dam with many crocodiles, hippos and elephants visiting on the far side. Lots of rock rabbits and an enormous monitor lizard around camp. We saw 3 large male lions on a Buffalo kill around the other side of the dam. The site has a fab hot shower and very swish toilets, a choice of firepits and bbq's. it is an exclusive camp 123 usd for 2 including park and vehicle fees.

May 30th, 2023 by fanny

A very nice place, you have this place exclusive. But expensive ( 123,— $ campsite + 100,— $ Parkfee ) for two people plus car.
The place by the hide is a little bit too much buildings around. Made for 50 People or more 🙈. But we stayed alone, because you get it only exclusive. Good and clean ablutions. Hot water, free firewood but no power. Nice view over the lake. Hippos 🦛 directly and across elephants in the evening and in the middle a island with around 20 Kroks in the sun. The stuff is very friendly and helpful.

October 26th, 2022 by Onwheels

Fenced picnic area, must be reserved for overnight stays at a main camp. Infrastructure absolutely new. 1 tiled shower and 2 tiled toilets. water is running. Also great observation shelter. We saw a huge herd of buffalo on the other bank and heard a lion.

June 29th, 2022 by Wyld Eagle Adventures

Great view as described. I believe you need to reserve and pay for this to camp, so someone will come to prepare things plus you will have the spot to yourself. When we arrived someone had done that so we were told by the workers we can't stay.

April 12th, 2022 by expeditionconservation.org

Big, fenced campsite/picnic site. Buildings are quite derelict, but the views to the lake are great. Caretaker didn’t come so we lit the donkey ourselves ’cause there were firewood. So had a good, hot shower. No one came to visit when we were there. Heard liions at the evening and early morning. $29/pppn + park fees. Booked from the main camp as a ”walk-in”. Also booked 2 nights at Masuma Dam (which is great!), had a very peaceful night here. A family of hyraxes lives between the rocks at the shore. Fun, little creatures. Lots of birds around, too.

March 27th, 2022 by UniMog

Great view over the lake. Really nice picnic spot. Limited wildlife viewing except hippos, crocs and birds.
Note that the water supply seems to be solely lake water - and foul smelling. Camp here if you have your own water.
Fishing is allowed in the lake on Saturdays and Sundays - a lot of locals come out and use the campsite for cooking etc.

June 15th, 2019 by volker.wrede

You camp directely at the lake with a great view from the hide. There are lots of Kriks and Hippos, but they can't come in. Toilet and hot shower are clean in the African way but need maintanance. Entrance fee 20US pppn, car 10US for hole stay, camping 29US pppn as a "walk in". Probably it costs almost double if you book in advance. Firewood is included, a caretaker heats the shower.