SOMALAISA CAMP – SOMALISA CONCESSION – HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

Somalisa Camp is an elegant and stylish camp set in a private concession within the Hwange National Park. The camp’s style is infused by natural wood and organic features of the bush and Kudhinda – the Zimbabwean national material – is blended with modern decor creating a contemporary African style.

Shaded by an Acacia grove and located along the edge of an ancient seasonal floodplain, the camp has just 7 beautifully furnished sailcloth ensuite tents with copper baths and outdoor showers. A highlight at this camp is the chance to get close to elephants while they drink from an elephant pool in front of a viewing deck or from the camp swimming pool.

A full solar power farm and water purity system allow the camp to recycle 80% water used and and the camp has been awarded the first gold Green Tourism Certification in Zimbabwe.

Activities at Somalisa Camp include walking safaris, game drives, birding and cultural visits and the camp is close to its sister camp Somalisa Acacia which is geared up for family safaris.

LOCATION

Somalisa Camp is located in the private Somalisa Concession within the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Access is either a 4 hour road transfer or a 45 minute flight from Victoria Falls with a 30 minute game drive to camp.

CAMP

The seven beautifully furnished sailcloth tents have comfortable beds swathed in mosquito netting and are cooled by breezes and room fans. The tents have stunning ensuite indoor and outdoor bathrooms with a copper slipper-style bathtub for a bath with a view. The tents have a battery charging station, a wood-burning fireplace for cooler evenings, private decking and chairs outside and wonderful views of the savanna in front.

The main area has a lounge, boma, bar and dining area on an expansive wooden deck, a swimming pool and an elephant drinking pool with decking in front for up-close encounters and incredible photographic opportunities with elephants.

The camp is solar powered with backup generators and all the rooms have charging facilities.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe with the main entrance located a two-hour drive or 30-minute flight south of Victoria Falls. The park is named after a local Nhanzwa chief and was once the royal hunting ground for the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi before being classified as a protected National Park in 1929.

As you’d expect from a park of this size the breadth of wildlife species is astounding. Over 100 species of mammals and almost 400 species of bird reside here. Perhaps most exciting is the 40,000-strong population of tusker elephants whose presence is world-renowned and a joy to watch day after day.

The dry season from July to October is the best time to visit Hwange as large concentrations of wildlife– particularly the wonderful elephant herds – descend upon the area to drink from the waterholes in order to survive in this hot and unforgiving environment.

The rains from December to March will see the wildlife dispersing across the park and the summer showers stimulate stunning vegetation and offers fabulous bird-watching opportunities as the local population finds itself bolstered by the migrants coming down from the northern Hemisphere.

Game Drives – lead by an experienced guide you will see the wildlife indigenous to the area in a 4 x 4 game vehicle. Game drives are offered both in the morning and afternoon

Walking Safaris – awaken your senses and discover all that the bush has to offer on a walking safari. Accompanied by an experienced walking guide you can explore the area on foot for a couple of hours – for full day walks you can pre-book a private guide. Children under 16 can experience nature walks around the camp led by a child-certified walking guide as part of the Ngwana Club.

Cultural Tours to Local Villages – the African Bush Camps Foundation is committed to empowering rural communities. We partner with communities on the outskirts of wildlife areas to become economically sustainable whilst ensuring that natural resources are protected and cared for. We also support local schools and run education programmes for children in communities. We invite guests who stay with us at our camps in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe to gain a deeper understanding of Zimbabwe and its people.

GIVING BACK

African Bush Camps are committed to sustainable development through creating opportunities that empower rural communities located in vulnerable wildlife areas in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. They work to create these opportunities through Education, Community Empowerment, Community Infrastructure and Conservation.

SOMALISA ACACIA IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE CAMP WELCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 7 YEARS AND OLDER. DO NOTE THAT WALKING SAFARIS ARE RESTRICTED TO CHILDREN AGED 16 AND OLDER