Zimbabwe’s largest National Park is the flourishing result of a nation’s evolving cultural history; a vastitude of land that was once the Bushmen’s backyard, before becoming the Ndebele warrior king’s hunting ground. Today, Hwange National Park is where elephants take their mighty strides amongst a diversity of mammal species in this immense acacia woodland. Where Kalahari sands have travelled in sweeping gusts from Botswana and settled in the southern borough of the Park, securing intermittent teak trees during the dry winters, and surrendering to grasslands that follow the rains. Hwange’s northern earth receives refreshment from the Deka and Lukosi rivers, nourishing dry soils and encouraging the only natural growth of greenery in this immensely deserted region. The arid areas of the Park are potholed with grassy pans, which fill with rainwater or are quenched from beneath by groundwater seeps. In order to sustain the weight of its thirty thousand elephants, and impenetrable populations of ungulates, Hwange has received intervention in the form of dugout waterholes, which invite thirsty throngs to the brim of this precious resource while visitors espy an unrivalled population of Africa’s best.
Located just south of the plummeting waters of Victoria Falls, and sharing a shoulder with Botswana, Hwange National Park is crawling with charisma and as taken giant strides to the top of the safari game. It is an elephant sanctuary in a league of its own containing the world’s largest population, and sustains a dense concentration of Cape buffalo, whilst hosting one of the biggest packs of wild dogs surviving in Africa. Slightly rarer, and an exceptional treat, is to glimpse white rhino and leopard in their more secretive habitats; opening the stage to the Kings of the Jungle, who saunter in between feeding grounds, abundant and unequalled. Fortunately for bushveld fanatics, this Zimbabwean offering has been served on silver, making this supreme safari destination easily accessible and marvellously equipped with accommodation options.
In the heart of Hwange, situated in the Makalolo concession and rooted on prime game-viewing turf, is Little Makalolo. From its secluded site in the woodland, this rustic-lover’s camp peeks through leafy acacias in a subtly solar-powered fashion. Constructed of canvas and solidified by stone and textured bamboo, these ecological bush bedrooms pioneer the authentic outdoor experience by peeling away unnecessary glamour and enhancing the rural value of Hwange’s wilderness. Each of the six chalets is privately located and has individually-appointed outdoor showers for those who relish the rustic, while comforting bathroom amenities reassure the less-practised camper. Brass and timber accents warm the atmosphere, as concrete floors simultaneously cool hot soles on sweltering days. An inconspicuous wooden hide overlooks a waterhole just a walk away from the main camp. Tucked away and sitting in silence, guests will marvel at the majesty of dust-hurling elephants, near enough to count the creases in their leathery hides. The Makalolo concession is environmentally diverse, taking on expansive, palm-fringed plains, grasslands, acacia woodlands, and teak forests. A meander along trodden, sandy pathways leads to the openly-constructed dining room and lounge, which welcome convivial evenings that stretch out into the quiet of night; a huddle of humans surrounding a glowing firepit, ears alert to the awakening of the Hwange night owls.
Davison’s Camp lies deep in the south-eastern Linkwasha concession, which thrives on some of the best game activity in the Park. Stylish finishes define this classic African tented camp, where the individual canvas units shy beneath a grove of false mopane trees, shaded by dappled greenery. Each promotes an enviable vision of the waterhole responsible for replenishing a wide area, inviting Hwange’s inhabitants to restore and refresh, whilst offering the Camp’s guests supreme game-viewing. Chalets are safari-chic, perfected by all-essential ceiling fans, tie-back window shutters and stained concrete floors. Individual verandas offer casual resting areas; chairs and table built for two, upholstered recliners and protective roofing. Masterfully designed wooden partitions separate the bathroom from the open-plan interior of the chalet, setting this characterful slumber sanctuary in safari elegance. Guests gather at the Davison’s welcoming main tent, which subtly conceals the entrance to the camp and enhances lavish views of the Linkwasha pans, abustle with feeding game, and the cheery melodies of Hwange’s boastful bird population. In summer, wildebeest, zebra and eland abound the area, relieving winter thirsts, while keeping a wary eye open for lingering lions, hyenas and leopards that are in attendance at the feast brought about by the rains.
An exquisite third offering comes in the old African modishness that is Somalisa Camp. This authentic luxury bush camp blends colonial sophistication and tented safari charm, presenting a chic residence to suit the natural quality of the Somalisa concession. The Land of the Giants could not be a more avid name given to Hwange National Park, and this camp’s location places its guests amid the amble of these astounding animals. Its stunning location, tucked away on an acacia island along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain gives onlookers breathtaking views of the savannah and the famous Kennedy Vlei line.
After dark, Somalisa coaxes gentle relaxation in canvas tents decorated with the essence of an old era paired with the modern use of solar lighting to ensure ultimate comfort and consideration for the surroundings that so cosset the senses. Individually scattered units, fragmented by intermittent mopanes, are steadied by decadent wooden floors, and refreshingly ventilated by wide mesh windows, eliminating any loss of the natural spectacle that pours outward of the camp. Dark teak furniture, timeless writing desks and varnished wood articulate an atmosphere of elegance whilst the provision of kikois for daywear encourages the embrace of authentic Africa.
As if instructed by the ancestors themselves, Somalisa presents an exploration of Africa with nostalgic romance and unapologetically splurges on vistas that guests at the camp will find incomparable. Hwange’s aged, fossilised watercourses, woodlands of acacia, and temperamental pans project views of splendour, tempting birdwatchers and sun-bathers to retreat into spells of silence as admiration takes over and the leisure of safari reaches its peak.
