I met Terry and Sheona through a mutual travel partner, who recommended them and their new luxury tented camp in Hwange. Iganyana gets its name from the local dialect meaning Wild Dog, which is very appropriate, considering the African Painted Dog Conservation Centre is literally a ten minute drive away. When Sheona and Terry very kindly invited us to their camp, it had just opened in time for Christmas. Even though they had their hands full with their 4 boys, who were now “home” for the holidays, they were the most fantastic hosts; they never tired of our stream of endless questions, and made the time to show us around their camp and surrounding areas.
Iganyana is ideally located overlooking a dry riverbed which wildlife pass on their way to a water source nearby. The camp is nestled in amongst the shade of a teak forest and has been cleverly built using locally sourced material, in such a way that it blends into the surrounding forest. The central lounge, bar and dining room area has a beautiful wooden deck with wonderful views of the passing game. Below the deck is my favourite area, the fire pit and entertainment area. On nights when there are guests in camp, entertainment can be organised in the form of a local group from Deka called Ingonyama, who do amazing impersonations of wild animals and traditional dancing. This is ALWAYS a huge hit. Iganyana is entirely unfenced and there is a blockade of old driftwood around the area, giving you a sense of security when you sit and watch the elephants walking right past on their way to the small waterhole in front of the camp.
Iganyana’s tented bedrooms are all en-suite, with “his and hers” basins, flush toilets, hot showers with running water, as well as the truly luxurious individual slippers and bathrobes! Nothing like having a hard day of being “on safari” and then a lovely hot shower and slipping into a fluffy bathrobe with a pair of slippers! And as if that wasn’t spoiling enough, when you return from supper in the evening, there are delicious Belgian chocolates on your pillows. I have to also mention that the beds and linen are of a very high standard; there really is no excuse not to have a good night’s sleep here. Another unique aspect of Iganyana is the fact they have air conditioners in the rooms, not a common occurrence in tented camps.
Terry is a very knowledgeable guide and we learned a lot from him. Our most memorable snippet: introduction to the Red-crested Korhaan, commonly known as the ‘suicide bird’, so named for the actions of the male to attract a mate. He makes a series of short “beeping” sounds, before launching himself straight up in to the sky, turning on his back and falling back towards the ground, as if he has been shot, only to “pull up” at the last minute to avoid being splattered all over the ground. Apparently, the male that gets the closest to the ground before pulling out, attracts the best female. Dangerous dating game if ever I saw one!
One of the things I love about Iganyana is the passion Terry and Sheona have for children. Having four of their own, they are always thinking of ways to make the bush more interesting and exciting for children to learn about. Terry offers special guided walks just for children, which are extremely popular. One evening while we were there, they had organised a guided walk for a group of children, to arrive at a point where the staff had set up a bonfire with snacks and drinks. The adults were given a game drive to the same location, and it was lovely to see the exchange between the kids and their parents, as they explained all that they had seen and learnt on their walk. Sheona also holds kids’ food workshops in camp and during their break the children learn how to make a traditional soccer ball out of plastic bags. What kid wouldn’t enjoy a holiday here?
Iganyana is a special tented camp, cleverly built and thought out, with an emphasis on a truly luxurious family holiday. As Iganyana is not actually in the Hwange National Park, they are offer night-time game drives, something you cannot do at camps inside the Park. Terry and Sheona are the perfect hosts and go out of their way to ensure you have a once in a lifetime trip. My only regret was that we couldn’t stay longer!
My personal rating of:
*Best Child Friendly Lodge in Hwange area
Contact Us
Package Deals
For package deals that include accommodation, as well as other lodges, activities and annual event participation in and around the Matopos, Kariba & Vic Falls area.
