Luxury Safaris in Hwange National Park made for you

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.

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. Nine 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.

Within one of the best game viewing areas in Hwange National Park, the south-eastern Linkwasha Concession, Wilderness Davison's Camp is a classic and very comfortable tented safari stay.

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.

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.