NEHIMBA LODGE – HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

Nehimba Safari Lodge is remotely nestled away on a huge private concession in the Northern part of Hwange National Park.

There are 9 spacious thatched chalets which are built on teak decks and along with the guest area, overlook the magnificent lodge pan which is frequented by large numbers of elephants particularly in the dry season. A highlight is watching the elephants from the lodge deck at lunchtime or in the evening with a drink in hand – just yards away.

Activities include walking safaris, game drives and visiting the Nehimba Steeps which is an ancient source of water once used by the San bushmen but today elephant dig for minerals and water.

LOCATION

Nehimba Safari Lodge is located in the north of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Access is via a 1 hour light aircraft flight from Victoria Falls to Hwange Main Camp Airport followed by a 2-2.5 hour drive into camp.

CAMP

There are nine ensuite thatched chalets at Nehimba including 5 double and 2 twin rooms and two family rooms. All the rooms have a thatched roof and overlook the watering hole. They have comfortable beds swathed in mosquito netting, a fan, tea and coffee making facilities, electronic safes and outdoor shower.

The main area has an open fronted thatch roof building, bar area, lounge and dining room overlooking the lodge waterhole. There is WIFI at the main lodge area and a swimming pool.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Hwange National Park is the largest National Park in Zimbabwe and was granted Game Reserve status in 1928 and proclaimed a National Park in 1961.

Hwange has an incredible diversity of wildlife and boasts more varieties of mammal and bird species than any other Zimbabwean National Park. There are over 100 species of mammals, including 19 large herbivores such as buffalo, eland, sable and wildebeest and over 400 bird species. The area is particularly famous for its population of elephant – some 44,000 strong based on the latest aerial survey – and combined with the elephants of northern Botswana this is the world’s largest contiguous elephant population.

The southern two thirds of the park are ecologically defined by deep Kalahari sands which support impressive forests of Zambezi teak and other hardwoods. Scattered within these woodlands are ancient fossil lakebeds and drainage lines which are now large savannah grasslands fringed with acacia and leadwood trees.

Bomani and Camelthorn are located close to Ngamo – this mix of open grasslands and woodlands provides the perfect mosaic of habitats for the full spectrum of both grazing and browsing herbivores resident in Hwange and the carnivores that prey on them – lion, leopard, painted dog and both species of hyena – spotted and the seldom seen brown. This abundance of wildlife set in both woodlands and open grasslands provides some of the best year-round game viewing to be found anywhere in Zimbabwe.

During the wet season months from December through March the ancient lake systems still fill with water and the open grasslands are flooded, attracting migratory birds from all over Eurasia and Africa. Over 300 species have been recorded in the Bomani and Camelthorn area, both migrants and residents.

In the far south of the Park is the Dzivanini wilderness area with only one concession, where Jozibanini Camp is located. Remote and very wild, Jozi is for the more adventurous who wish to see the wildlife there and explore the fossil sand dunes and ancient elephant trails between them.

Northern Hwange is distinctly different from the south, drained by the Lukosi and Deka Sand Rivers and dominated by mopane woodlands, hills and kopjes. Set firmly astride the southern and western Kalahari Sand and northern mopane woodlands ecotone is Nehimba Lodge. A fascinating feature of the north west are the natural seeps such as Nehimba and Shakwanki where elephant and other animals still dig for water.

The grasslands of the Shumba area add further diversity and the dams such as Masumo and Mandavu make for wonderful day trips and picnic lunches. Another fascinating all day game drive trip in northern Hwange is to visit some of the interesting ancient archaeological sites at places such as Bumbuzi and the Mtoa Ruins, important to the history of Chief Hwange and the Nambya people resident north of the Park.

Nehimba is situated on its own private concession in the northern area of the national park where many of Hwange’s wild residents enjoy wandering freely through the area. You may choose to relax on your private balcony with an early morning cup of coffee or enjoy the sunset on the main lodge deck with sundowners in front of the waterhole.

Game Drives – Nehimba is situated right on the edge of the mopane woodlands of northern Hwange and the Kalahari sandveld of the west and so offers the full spectrum and diversity of fauna that Hwange has to offer. The elephant hunting lions of this area are famous. The area is well watered so is host to large numbers of animals throughout the year but particularly during the dry season.

Game Walks – for an entirely different perspective join an armed professional guide and get close to nature. During a game walk you can experience the thrill of approaching wildlife on foot. Your guide will also teach you the basics of how to track wildlife from the ground as well as interesting facts about the surrounding vegetation and ecology.

Night Drives – for those who would like to view Hwange at night the lodge offers the chance to enjoy a night drive through the concession. Filtered spotlights are used to pick out the various nocturnal species that can be found such as hyena, porcupines, civets, genet cats and leopard.

Visit the Nehimba Seep – this special designated conservation area is one of the only year-round, naturally occurring water supplies in the massive Hwange National Park. The seep is an ancient source of surface water that was once used by the San Bushmen. Today the area is frequented by elephant who can be found digging for minerals as well as enjoying the water.

Visit Mandavu Dam – situated in a scenic hilly spot the Mandavu Dam is a wonderful location for both bird watching and game viewing. Take a leisurely morning drive to the dam before joining a variety of wildlife for a picturesque picnic brunch at the water’s edge.

NEHIMBA SAFARI LODGE IS CLOSED FROM 1ST DECEMBER THROUGH TO 29TH FEBRUARY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 7 YEARS AND OLDER