The Siding
Self-catering tented camp and campsite · Impofu Siding at Dete, about 6 km from the Main Camp office · Bayete Collection (Mike and Alex Johnson)
Budget
Outside the gate
Owner/family-run
A self-catering tented camp and campsite at Impofu Siding in Dete, six kilometres from the Main Camp office and owner-run. Trains still pass the old railway line beside camp, elephants wander through, and the owners are hands-on; sable and painted dog have been recorded on site. Bring your own food or arrange a cook, since there is no restaurant.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Owner-run camp 6 km from the Main Camp office
- Family unit: two tents joined by a shared lounge, sleeps four
- Elephants walk through camp beside the historic railway
- A pool, and a chef can be arranged
Cons
- Shared kitchen and ablutions
- No restaurant, so bring your own food
- Rates not published; you have to enquire
What's here
- Swimming pool
- Family rooms
- Self-catering
Read from The Siding's own website in July 2026. Anything not listed we could not confirm, which is not the same as it being absent.
What the park charges on top
The rate above buys you a bed. Hwange National Park charges its own entry fee for every day you are inside. Here is what that adds up to.
- Park entryThe rate if you drive in from outside.
- $24per person, per day
- Vehicle$10 a day on a day visit, $3 if you are staying inside.
- $10per vehicle, per day
Three nights means three days inside, so two adults sharing one vehicle pay $174 in park fees before anyone pays for a bed.
The full fee schedule for Hwange National ParkRates at The Siding
Enquire. Self-catering dome tents and pitch-your-own camping. Shared kitchen and ablutions; a chef can be arranged.
What the rate covers is not confirmed. We do not know yet whether meals, drinks and activities are included, so read this as the bed only.
Every figure on this page is in US dollars.
Indicative 2026 rates from operators' own rate cards, gathered July 2026. Always confirm with the lodge. One thing to watch when comparing: some camps include ZimParks fees in their rate and some do not, which shifts the real gap by $12 to $36 per person per night.
Questions about The Siding
Is The Siding good for families?
Yes. The Siding welcomes all ages and has one family unit for four people, made of two tents joined by a communal central lounge, plus three double tents. It is self-catering with shared ablutions and a pool, and a chef can be arranged if you would rather not cook.
What is included at The Siding?
The Siding is self-catering: tents have beds, bedside lamps and plug points, and guests share a kitchen and ablutions. There is no restaurant, so bring your own food or arrange a chef. Pitch-your-own camping is also available. Rates are not published, so enquire.
How far is The Siding from Hwange National Park?
The Siding is at Impofu Siding in Dete, about six kilometres from the Main Camp office, beside the old railway line where trains still pass. Hwange National Park airport is a few kilometres away.