Hwange National Park, located in western Zimbabwe, is the largest natural reserve in the country and one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. Covering an area of over 14,000 square kilometers, the park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including more than 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds.
This rich biodiversity, coupled with the park’s accessibility and variety of accommodations, makes it a popular choice for safari-goers.Accommodation in Hwange National Park ranges from luxury lodges to budget-friendly camps, and most of them are situated near waterholes, offering guests the opportunity to observe the park’s wildlife up close.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the top camps and lodges in Hwange National Park.
Linkwasha Camp
The camp is known for its contemporary design and luxury. It offers a variety of accommodation options, typically featuring up to eight or nine luxury en-suite tents, including one family tent. The tents are spacious and are usually equipped with modern amenities such as comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and sometimes even private plunge pools.
The main camp area includes multi-level decks, a lounge, and dining area, with splendid views of the surrounding plains and the waterhole – a wildlife magnet. It also has a pool where guests can relax and enjoy the African sun.
Linkwasha Camp offers an excellent year-round wildlife viewing experience. Guided game drives (day and night) and walking safaris are the primary activities. The Ngamo Plains offer fantastic game viewing – with a chance to see a variety of animals, including lion, leopard, large herds of elephant and buffalo, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and more.
Somalisa
Somalisa Camp is located in the heart of Hwange National Park, which is known for its heavy elephant presence. The camp is nestled within an acacia grove overlooking an ancient, seasonal floodplain.
The camp typically offers seven elegantly furnished Sail Tents with gauze sliding doors, a glass wood-burner fireplace for the cold winter nights, and an overhead fan for the hot summer days. Each tent has en suite bathroom facilities including flush toilets, an indoor and outdoor shower, as well as a copper slipper-style bathtub.
The main decking area includes a split-level lounge and dining area, on separate decks. There is also a small splash pool that elephants occasionally visit for a drink, providing guests with a unique close encounter opportunity. In terms of amenities, Wi-Fi is typically available in the main areas of the camp.
Somalisa Camp provides guests with a variety of ways to experience the wildlife of Hwange National Park. Game drives are a popular choice, with the possibility of viewing herds of buffalo and elephant, prides of lion, and many other species. Walking safaris are also offered for a more immersive experience. The camp has a particular reputation for its incredible up-close elephant encounters, especially at the camp’s pool.
Davison’s Camp
Davison’s Camp is located in the private Linkwasha Concession, in the southeast of Hwange National Park. The camp is nestled under a grove of false mopane trees overlooking a waterhole and open plains.
The camp features a total of nine twin-bedded tents and one family unit, each with a private veranda. The tents are classic safari-style and en-suite, offering a comfortable stay close to nature.
The central part of the camp houses the communal dining and lounge areas, where guests can gather to share meals and stories from their safari adventures. There is also an open campfire area and a plunge pool for relaxation, providing the perfect place to watch the nearby waterhole for visiting wildlife.
Davison’s Camp offers a range of safari activities, including game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, and bush walks with professional guides. The camp’s location in one of Hwange’s most prolific wildlife areas means that guests can experience excellent game sightings. Possible wildlife sightings include elephants, buffalos, sables, roans, southern giraffes, wildebeests, impalas, and sometimes predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
Robin’s Camp
Robins Camp is located in the northern region of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve. This part of the park is known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Robins Camp offers a range of accommodation options to suit various needs and budgets. This includes both chalets and camping facilities. The chalets, which have been renovated, are usually equipped with en-suite bathrooms and come in different configurations to accommodate singles, couples, and families. The camping facilities include private campsites, each with its own ablution facilities.
The main camp area typically houses a restaurant and bar, offering a variety of meals and refreshments. There’s also a swimming pool for guests to cool down and relax. The camp provides amenities like Wi-Fi in public areas and secure parking.
Robins Camp offers a variety of activities to experience the incredible wildlife of Hwange National Park. This includes guided game drives during the day and at night, as well as guided walks for a more intimate experience of the African bush. The northern region of the park, where Robins Camp is located, is home to four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant), along with a host of other animals and bird species.
Little Makalolo Camp
Little Makalolo Camp is located in the heart of Hwange National Park, inside a private concession, which ensures privacy and exclusivity. It is situated near one of the park’s most vibrant waterholes, attracting a variety of wildlife.
The camp typically offers six spacious tents, including one family tent. The tents provide a classic safari atmosphere with solid wooden furniture, comfortable beds, and en-suite facilities. Each tent usually has an outdoor shower and a veranda overlooking the busy waterhole.
The central living space includes a dining room, lounge, and a small pool to cool off during the hot afternoons. There’s a log pile hideout by the waterhole that provides fantastic close-up wildlife viewing. The camp usually provides amenities like battery charging facilities and a small library.
Little Makalolo Camp offers guided walks and game drives, both during the day and at night, providing guests with an opportunity to observe a range of wildlife. Animals commonly spotted in the area include elephants, buffalos, sables, zebras, wildebeests, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The camp also offers bird watching, with more than 400 species recorded in the park.
Camp Hwange
Camp Hwange is located in a private concession in the northern part of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve. This part of the park is known for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Camp Hwange typically offers eight spacious chalets. These are designed in the classic safari style, with thatch roofs and canvas walls. Each chalet usually has en-suite facilities, including a shower, toilet, and double vanity. The rooms have large windows and private verandas, offering panoramic views of the surroundings.
The main area of the camp includes a lounge and dining area. There’s also a fire pit where guests can gather in the evenings. A small plunge pool is available for cooling off in the heat of the day. The camp usually does not have Wi-Fi or phone signal, offering a real opportunity to disconnect and immerse oneself in the natural surroundings.
The Hide Safari Camp
The Hide Safari Camp is situated in the eastern part of Hwange National Park. It overlooks a waterhole that attracts a variety of wildlife, offering a constant game viewing experience right from the camp.
The camp usually offers a variety of accommodations, including ten standard tents and two luxury tents (the Tom’s Little Hide and The Private Hide). The tents are spacious and elegantly designed, featuring en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers. The tents are also equipped with ceiling fans and some have private plunge pools.
The camp features a main lodge area with a dining room, bar, and lounge where guests can relax and socialize. It also has a swimming pool and a spa. There’s an underground hide by the waterhole, providing a unique viewpoint for observing the animals. The camp provides amenities like Wi-Fi in public areas and laundry services.
The Hide Safari Camp offers a range of activities such as game drives, walking safaris, and night drives, all led by professional guides. The camp’s location near a waterhole means guests often have the chance to see a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and a variety of bird species.
Khulu bush camp
Khulu Bush Camp, also known as Khulu’s Retreat, is located just outside the Hwange National Park on a private concession of 6,000 acres. The camp is situated in the Dete Vlei, an old riverbed and a popular spot for animals, especially during the dry season.
The camp typically consists of six bespoke, thatched, safari-style suites built on platforms, offering a fantastic view of the ancient riverbed. The rooms are spacious and have a full en-suite bathroom as well as a front-facing balcony for an up-close and personal wilderness experience.
The main camp area usually features a dining area, bar, and lounge, which overlook a waterhole that’s frequented by elephants, buffalos, and a variety of antelope species. There is also a fire pit and a plunge pool for guests to relax in while watching the wildlife.
Khulu Bush Camp offers game drives in Hwange National Park and the camp’s private concession, as well as night drives and guided walks. The area is rich in wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and a variety of other game. Birdwatching is also excellent with over 400 species recorded in the park.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge is located in the northern region of Hwange National Park, in its own private concession. The lodge sits on the edge of the Nehimba Pan, which attracts a variety of wildlife, particularly in the dry season.
The lodge typically offers seven spacious and luxuriously appointed thatched chalets. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, and a private balcony that overlooks the waterhole.
The main guest area usually includes a lounge, bar, dining area, and a swimming pool. There’s also a fire pit for evening socializing and storytelling. The viewing deck offers a fantastic vantage point to observe wildlife visiting the pan. In terms of amenities, Wi-Fi is usually available in the main areas of the lodge.
Nehimba Lodge offers game drives both within their private concession and in the main area of Hwange National Park. Guests can also enjoy night drives and walking safaris. The region is particularly known for its large population of elephants, but guests can also expect to see a variety of other wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffalos, and numerous bird species.
Elephant’s Eye, Hwange Lodge
Elephant’s Eye, Hwange Lodge is located on a private concession about 13 km from the main camp of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and oldest game reserve. This location offers guests a secluded and personalized safari experience.
The lodge typically offers eight tented chalets, each on stilts to offer an elevated view of the waterhole. The chalets are spacious, well-furnished, and have an en-suite bathroom with a bath and an outdoor shower. Each chalet has a private wraparound veranda with views of the surrounding wilderness.
The main lodge area usually features a dining area, lounge, and bar. There’s also a fire pit, a swimming pool, and a spa offering a variety of treatments. The lodge overlooks a waterhole that frequently attracts elephants and other wildlife, providing an excellent game viewing experience.
Elephant’s Eye, Hwange Lodge offers a variety of activities including game drives in Hwange National Park, night drives, guided walks in the concession, and visits to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. They also offer a unique dining experience called “The Eye”, a dining room with a waterhole view where guests can enjoy meals while watching the animals.
Miombo Safari Camp
Miombo Safari Camp is situated in a private concession on the border of Hwange National Park, in close proximity to the Dete Vlei. This location offers the advantage of enjoying the wilderness of Hwange National Park with the added exclusivity of the private concession.
The camp typically offers a selection of luxury tree lodges and tented accommodations, all on elevated platforms and nestled in the tree line. Each unit usually has an en-suite bathroom and private balcony offering views of the waterhole and the plains beyond.
The main lodge area features a dining room, bar, lounge, and library. There’s a swimming pool and a fire pit area for guests to relax. One of the highlights of Miombo Safari Camp is its viewing platform that overlooks a waterhole, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities right from the camp.
Miombo Safari Camp offers guided walks and game drives within the private concession and in Hwange National Park. The region is known for its large herds of elephants, along with buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and predators like lion, leopard, and cheetah.
Ivory Lodge
Ivory Lodge is located in a private concession bordering Hwange National Park, overlooking an active waterhole which is a popular spot for the park’s wildlife. The lodge is known for its panoramic views of the park and its remote location offering privacy and a real bush experience.
The lodge typically offers a variety of accommodation options, including tree houses, presidential suites, and family suites. Each suite is privately situated and designed to offer comfort, luxury, and stunning views of the lodge’s waterhole and the vast landscape of the park.
The main area of the lodge includes a dining room, lounge, bar, and viewing deck. There’s also a swimming pool overlooking the waterhole, allowing guests to view wildlife while they relax. The lodge provides amenities like Wi-Fi, a laundry service, and a curio shop.
Ivory Lodge offers game drives in the private concession and in Hwange National Park, guided walks, bird watching, and night drives. The lodge is renowned for its up-close elephant encounters, as the waterhole attracts large herds, especially in the dry season. Other wildlife commonly seen in the area includes lion, leopard, buffalo, and a variety of antelope and bird species.
Sable Sands
Sable Sands is situated on the edge of Hwange National Park, overlooking the Dete Vlei, an ancient dried-up riverbed and year-round wildlife corridor. The lodge is nestled within a private forest reserve, offering guests an exclusive safari experience.
The lodge typically offers 11 rondavel chalets, all beautifully designed with thatch roofs, teak wood and local art. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda with a view of the Dete Vlei.
The main lodge area features a dining area, lounge, bar, and a natural eco-swimming pool. There’s also a fire pit for evening socializing and star gazing. The lodge offers Wi-Fi in common areas and laundry services.
Sable Sands offers game drives in Hwange National Park and the private concession, guided walks, and bird watching opportunities. Guests can enjoy sightings of elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, and several antelope species, as well as over 400 bird species.
Hwange Safari Lodge
Hwange Safari Lodge is situated on the border of Hwange National Park, with a private path into the park. The lodge offers easy access to the park’s main attractions and overlooks a waterhole, providing excellent game viewing opportunities right from the lodge.
The lodge typically offers 100 rooms, which includes suites, standard, and family rooms. Each room is tastefully decorated, air-conditioned, and equipped with an en-suite bathroom and a balcony or patio overlooking the vlei and waterhole.
The main lodge area features a dining area, two bars, and a lounge. Other facilities include a swimming pool, a tennis court, a conference center, and a curio shop. The lodge also offers amenities like Wi-Fi and a laundry service. The viewing deck by the waterhole is a major highlight.
Hwange Safari Lodge offers a variety of activities such as game drives in Hwange National Park, cultural village tours, bird watching, and visits to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. The region is known for its large herds of elephants and buffalos, along with a variety of other wildlife including lions, leopards, and over 400 species of birds.