A Wild Adventure to Zambia and Zimbabwe

Overview

In the eastern sector of the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park and about 12 kilometres from Victoria Falls, Wilderness Toka Leya gets immediate and fantastic views over the Zambezi River, and taking advantage of these are its twelve tented rooms.

Each comes with a large decking area at the front leading out from large glass sliding doors, behind which is your large stylish open plan lounge area and bedroom.

The camp’s main area is situated on a large decking area, and underneath a canopy of trees right beside the main channel of the Zambezi River. Perfect for atmospheric campfires on the bank and spotting the resident wildlife.

Here there is also a very spacious open-plan lounge and dining room, set beneath an enormous canvas roof and with open sides to maximise the views. The wall at the back of the living area is a really great feature; it’s made of “log tiles”, which gives the room a very natural feel.

Each tent has its very own solar panel, water geyser and batteries in keeping with the camp’s aim to lessen its environmental footprint.

Overview

Set on a quiet secluded spot some distance up the Zambezi river. Royal Chundu is a place to come and relax by the river. There are two lodges, the River Lodge of ten suites and the Island Lodge of four large villas. Located on a very quiet stretch of the Zambezi this lodge is extremely luxurious with an excellent spa facility and fine-dining in camp.

Activities here are a mix of river-based relaxation and adventure as well as visits to the Falls.

Overview

Set on the banks of the Zambezi in a secluded spot upstream from Victoria Falls, Tongabezi delivers luxury and tranquility in equal measure.

The five cottages and seven open-fronted houses that make up the camp have bags of personality and character. Some come with private wooden decks and plunge pools overlooking the river, others open-air clawfoot tubs inviting romantic evenings under the stars. The garden house, with a protected lawn and plunge pool, provides total privacy. Attention to detail is evident in everything from the elegantly canopied beds to carefully chosen artwork.

This is one of the most romantic places to stay in the area, the atmosphere inviting and hidden spots for relaxation plentiful. The lodge makes the most of its location away from the falls, providing a welcome haven after a day marvelling at the Zambezi’s majesty. The welcome is exceptional – and the team friendly and warm.

Overview

Nestled within a tree island in the game-rich and utterly beautiful Busanga Plains, Shumba Camp fuses its wild and remote location with stylish design for a superior safari experience.

Soak up these fabulous sweeping views of a wide array of animals including wild dog, antelope and prides of lion, from your elegant tent or the camp’s wide deck. The spacious tents here are perched on raised wooden platforms and enjoy both indoor and outdoor showers.

After a day of wildlife spotting, whether it’s been from a hot air balloon, 4×4 or boat, return to Shumba for some relaxing moments. Take a dip in the pool, dine on delicious food, indulge in a massage and spend a cultural evening around the boma.

Overview

In a small copse of sycamore fig trees, Busanga Bush Camp looks out across the vast grassy floodplains, at the heart of which it sits, and herds of passing game.

Made up of just four comfortable en suite tents, Busanga is an intimate and thoroughly authentic safari experience. Each has a veranda that soaks up the sweeping plains, a fine spot to watch the mist rise off the drying plains, a real spectacle when the sun is low in the sky.

There is also a lounge and bar area is under canvas at the tree line, and dining area is situated a little further back shaded by the canopy and lit by lanterns.

Activities at Busanga Bush Camp include day and night game drives, as well as boating during the early part of the season while unforgettable hot air balloon safaris fly from August to October. The Busanga Plains are famed for lion while wild dog and cheetah are also drawn to the prolific plains game, including puku, red lechwe, buffalo, wildebeest and the rare roan antelope. Hippo are also abundant, found in large pods in the channels. For birders, Kafue boasts around 500 species, including the endemic Chaplin’s barbet.

Overview

Set by the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, Wilderness Ruckomechi Camp is located by the elephants’ much-loved albida trees, favoured for their pods, which makes the camp ideal for being able to view these massive mammals without even having to leave the lodge.

From the camp’s position on the banks of the river, you can see the Great Rift Valley on the opposite side of the Zambezi, a view which you can take in from the comfortable star-gazing deck. Each of the ten tented rooms have indoor and outdoor showers, and there’s a dining and lounge area, plus an infinity pool for cooling off after a safari.

When it comes to exploring the land, there are a variety of options. You can discover the area on foot on a walking safari, or take to the water for a cruise in a nine-seat pontoon, six-seat speed boat or even a canoe. Naturally, game drives leave every morning and afternoon, too.

Birds are prevalent, with species including the western banded snake-eagle, three-banded courser, Arnot’s chat, African golden oriole, and Meve’s starling. Other types of wildlife you can see on safari from Ruckomechi (aside from the resident elephants) include leopard, hippo, Burchell’s zebra, lion and buffalo.

Overview

Located in an exclusive, private wilderness area on Mana Pools’ eastern boundary, surrounded by wildlife-rich woodlands, floodplains, pans, islands and rivers, sits Wilderness Chikwenya. A tented camp, sustainably constructed that delivers a high level of luxury and comfort through its stunning design, facilities and incredible attention to detail. Chandeliers are created with cotton and wood or strung with stones, large four-poster beds are swathed in white fabric (also acting as mosquito protection) and old-style lanterns light up the alfresco dining areas come evening.

The seven-tented suites (including two family units) are surrounded by a dense forest of albida and Natal mahogany trees, which provide shade in the heat of the day. The tents stand on low decks with wooden walkways that link them to the raised main area. 

The lounge, dining and bar areas boast beautiful views and with comfortable furniture including large sofas, as well as dining chairs and tables, these areas are perfect for relaxation. A refreshing swimming pool, deck and fireplace complete the camp’s list of luxurious spaces guests can enjoy. 

The camp includes daily wildlife viewing activities including game drives, nature walks, seasonal boating, canoeing and river cruises. Huge amounts of elephants are known to roam close to camp along with high concentrations of buffalos, while predators such as lions, wild dogs, leopard, and cheetah are often sighted. Greater kudu, Burchell’s zebra, impala, warthog, and common waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains and the grunting of hippo can be heard all day.

Overview

One of the few camps in this, the Park’s 31,000 hectare Makalolo concession, Wilderness Little Makalolo also affords a fantastic position in front of a busy waterhole, which is often surrounded by a wide variety of fascinating game life and African birds.

The camp is small and intimate, with only six chalets, each of which has been decorated with a combination of wooden and brass furnishings. Built in the shade of large teak trees, the walls are made of gauze to allow for plenty of air to flow through for a pleasant night’s sleep. Each of the tents also comes with an en-suite bathroom, with indoor and outdoor shower facilities and his and hers copper sinks.

The camp’s pool offers a great place to relax and cool off, there is also an elevated decking area where guests can sit and enjoy a sundowner, while looking out at the wildlife surrounding the popular watering hole.

Overview

Wilderness Linkwasha Camp lies in the south-eastern corner of the legendary Hwange National Park, on a private concession close to the famed Ngamo Plains, offering excellent year-round game viewing that peaks during the summer months. Though Hwange is Zimbabwe’s most popular national park, Linkwasha’s private concessions means that guests will never see another game vehicle except those from the camp.

A completely new camp, built from the ground up on the footprint of the old Linkwasha, the fresh, open and airy design is complemented by an eclectic mix of contemporary interiors with the original spirit and essence of safari.

Eight en-suite luxury tents and one family tent overlook the waterhole, with the communal areas, including a pool area and a winter lounge complete with library, enjoying the same view.

If you want to get even closer to nature, spend a night on Wilderness Linkwasha’s Star Bed, located on a raised platform a short drive from the main camp with nothing but a mosquito net between you and the wild. Overlooking Scott’s Pan, a favourite drinking spot for game, you can be assured of incredible sightings and a guide will be set up a short distance away should you need any assistance during the night.

Wildlife frequently encountered in this area includes lion, large herds of elephant, buffalo, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, sable, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck and reedbuck. In summer, wildebeest, zebra and eland are found in abundance on the open plains, while in winter elephant congregate in enormous numbers around the waterholes. Typically for Zimbabwe, birdlife in the area is prolific with over 400 species recorded.

Aside from day and evening game drives, the bush can be explored on foot and respectful visits to a local village can also be organised.

Overview

Somalisa Camp is located within a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park. Nestled on an acacia island on the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain, the camp is the perfect place from which to witness the huge elephant herds for which this area is famous.

The camp consists of seven luxury tents with gauze sliding doors and plush furnishings. There is a glass wood burning stove for chilly evenings and floor fans for hot summer days. There is a freestanding copper bath tub in each tent, as well as indoor and outdoor showers and a flush toilet.

The main camp decking area is home to a lounge and dining area and a small splash pool that overlooks a natural watering home, known as elephant pool. The camp is powered by solar and has a sewage purifying system which means it can recyle 80% of its water.

Overview

The Hide Safari Camp was set up in 1992 by the Preston family out of their passion for nature and the beauty of Hwangwe National Park. The area, now a private concession on the park’s eastern edge, was once the royal hunting ground of Ndebele kings and is famous for its abundant and diverse wildlife. Today, this camp has established and partnered with foundations to protect the wildlife and benefit the local community.

The Hide’s main camp has ten tents, two of which are slightly larger than the others. Each tent is mosquito-proof and has an en-suite bathroom, a fan for your comfort in summer and extra warm blankets and hot water bottles for the cool winter months. There’s also Tom’s Little Hide, a secluded three-bedroom cottage with awesome views of the waterhole that’s best suited for up to six adults and four children. For an unforgettable night, The Dove’s Nest Treehouse is a sleep-out experience for those who are a little more adventurous.

The hub of the camp is the ‘A-frame’ which houses the dining room, a downstairs sun lounge and a large comfortable lounge area upstairs. There’s also a plunge pool near the main lounge and dining room, and a tunnel leading to a wine cellar and hide.

During a stay here you can expect to see herds of elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard and African wild dog, as well as some of the four hundred bird species, which you can spot on game drives and walking safaris. There’s a waterhole just metres away from the tents, which attracts a wide variety of wildlife and can be viewed from your personal veranda or the hide. Other activities include visits to community projects and conservation initiatives.