Part of Wild Expeditions Africa, Camp Hwange is a traditional bush camp of eight canvas-walled units beneath cooling thatch and overlooks one of the natural waterholes that make this part of Hwange National Park special. Founded in 2010 and full renovated in 2024, Camp Hwange’s location is ideal. This private concession in the central part of Hwange lies between the rugged mopane woodlands and their kopjes to the north and the sandy soil teak forests to the south-west; it’s location here on the open savannah means that game viewing is as diverse as its habitat types.
We stayed 3 nights with a group of friends in October.
Although the early rains chased off some of the game, we saw more than we could have imagined. 4 types of cat (including mating lions and 3 x male lions in camp), dozens of elephant, hyena in camp, long list of antelope and unique birding.
The guides were very knowledgeable, friendly and a pleasure to be around. The camp is cool, comfortable and well laid out, overlooking a water pan where the game is plentiful day and night.
Can’t wait to go back!
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had planned a trip to Africa for 2020 but due to covid we rescheduled it to 2021. My husband and I had been on safari before and could not wait to share it with our kids who are between the ages of 15 and 21. We were initially booked at the Hwange Bush Camp but were upgraded to Camp Hwange. We had extremely high expectations for our experience and they were exceeded. From the flight into the bush on Wilderness Air to the flight back out, the service was top notch. From the time we arrived and every game drive arrival thereafter, there were staff members to greet us at the entrance and take our drink orders. We were at the camp for 4 nights and two of the nights, we were the only guests. Leighann and Anna and Julia, and Bongani were so friendly. The guides, Moses, Washington, Chonga all headed by the boss man himself, Dave Carson, were the best guides we have had. We saw so much game, cheetah, lions, hyenas, jackals, porcupines, elephants, giraffe and loads of birds. What we really appreciated is that unlike most safari lodges where there is a very early AM drive and an evening drive, Camp Hwange lets us choose how much time we would like to spend out on drives. We were lucky to have found a dead elephant that attracted all types of predators, vulture, jackal, hyenas and lions. One night, we were able to have an early dinner then head back out to the Riots of Carcasstown. We were there until midnight just videotaping the conflict between hyena and lion for the dead elephant. It was amazing. Dave knew so much and we loved tracking on foot as well as driving all over the park. I do not believe there is any other lodge out there that offers more of an authentic experience. This is not the place to come if you just want to "tick:" off the big 5 and move on. The food was tremendous. My family can be quite picky at times and they devoured their meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We have two kids with tree nut allergies and the staff already knew this and made sure there were no nuts in our food. The desserts at tea time before our afternoon/evening game drive were always yummy and we always had sundowners packed while out in the park. The kids mentioned that the love pizza and guess what was on the menu for lunch the next day? Yup, Pizza. And it was awesome. Accommodations include 8 lovely suites with twin or king beds and en suite bathroom. The porches all look out onto the waterhole where cape buffalo, elephant, impala, come to drink during the day. We are already planning on returning to Zim and maybe trying the mobile safaris in Botswana but only if we can coerce David Carson to be our guide. Thank you to all at Camp Hwange for such a once in a lifetime experience. You were without a doubt the highlight of our African trip.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:All of the rooms are excellent. No down sides to any of them.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert met us at the airfield and immediately the excitement began with many small and large animal sightings, with the best a pack of lions enjoying a fresh kill antelope.
At the camp we were greeted by the staff, everyone is on first name basis, Anna checked us in, we got settled, and off we went on an afternoon sunset ride enjoying a cocktail while watching the sunset and lions consuming their meal.
The guides and trackers were top notch; Zimbabwe has the best guides in Africa and Moses, our guide, was excellent. He is a leader with extensive training, experience, and knowledge. Washington, and Timothy our trackers, both excellent and on the path to becoming guide. Their tracking skills were on display and were impressive. They tracked a black Rhino for many kilometers, but a wind change and a herd of breeding elephants prevented a sighting. We enjoyed the excitement of two close elephant approach walks; to see elephants up close and personal and watch and hear them eat was special.
The accommodations were excellent. The “tents”/rooms are large, the bed and bedding comfortable, and mosquito netting prevents annoyances while sleeping. The openness of the tent brings the outside in and, for us, that just what we want while on Safari.
Sample Daily Routine Up at 5:00 Light breakfast Leave at 6:00 Safari until about 12:30 (with a break for coffee/tea and snacks) Lunch Afternoon/Evening Safari from ~3 - ~7 with sundowner cocktails Dinner at ~7:30 Relax at the fire, marvel at the stars, and enjoy the conversation Escorted back to our quarters after dark
We liked the communal dining at the large table because there is opportunity to get to know the staff, guides, trackers, and other guests. After the dinner meal, it was time to enjoy the fire and stars. There were lots of stars.
We appreciate their laundry service, so do not bring much clothes because they provide laundry service except for undergarments. The humidity was 2% which meant undergarments dried very fast, under an hour.
Recommend sturdy soled shoes such as a hiking shoe because we found our walking and running shoes did not provide the desired support for a 5-7 mile bush walk.
Everything about Camp Hwange is excellent; the people, accommodations, food, knowledge, location, setting, etc. were excellent. Put Hwange and Camp Hwange on your list of must visit locations,
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had originally booked to go to Camp Hwange in September 2020 but like many others had to cancel our plans due to the covid pandemic and were so excited that we were finally going.
We’ve been lucky enough to go on safari before and had chosen to go to Zimbabwe as they specialise in walking safaris and have the best trained guides because of the very comprehensive training they have to do. Having the right guides makes such a difference to the experience and we weren’t let down. Our guide Moses was excellent, and we were also joined by one of their learner guides, Savannah who is clearly determined to be the best female guide in Zimbabwe and I’m sure she will be.
In the mornings we were also joined by Chunka, one of the trackers in the camp. We’d said we were interested in seeing rhino, though we knew the chances were small, and thanks to Chunka’s expert knowledge we had an amazing 5 hour trek learning how to follow the tracks but unfortunately due to the changing wind direction we got close but never quite caught up.
We did have a close encounter on foot when we were able to get within about 15 – 20 metres of four bull elephants and it was an amazing feeling to be sat on the ground watching them and they didn’t seem to know we were there.
As the camp is in a concession they can do evening drives on the way back to camp after a sundowner, and we had great sightings of serval, civet, jackal and masses of spring hare, which seem more like mini kangaroos then hares. We even had a wonderful sighting of a serval in the middle of the afternoon one day and this was the first place we have seen one. On one of the evening drives, we also saw three lion cubs which hadn’t been seen for several days. Moses had feared they might have been killed as a new male had come into the area, but we found them alive and well with their mother and her sister.
Hwange is famous for elephants, and we could see why as we saw so many, families with young calves and even big groups of bull elephants. Sundowners were often by one of the water holes and watching a constant stream of elephants come down to drink as the sun sets is a breath-taking sight.
The camp is lovely, the rooms and central area all face towards a waterhole so you can have great sightings without even leaving camp. One evening we had a whole herd of buffalo in the camp. We were at the camp for 5 nights and for the first 3 we were the only guests, so we had a great time getting to know Shayne the camp manager, Mani her assistant, as well as finding out more about Moses and Savannah. All of the staff at the camp are very helpful and friendly, the food was lovely and with such great guides and sightings our trip to Camp Hwange was a wonderful experience and we came away with many amazing memories.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camp Hwange, located within Hwange National Park, is an excellent safari camp right in front of a large man-made waterhole that attracts numerous and various animal, hence offering an excellent view. The eight thatched bungalows are spacious and decorated with great taste while the common area, where the meals are served, is large and very comfortable. The Camp has also a swimming pool that seems however to be used more by the elephants for drinking than by humans to cool down!
The service is very attentive and efficient and all the staff go the extra mile for the guests' well-being.
The only aspect of the camp that is not at par with the rest is the food, which is plenty but fairly basic.
The location within the Hwange National Park offers the chance of vey good game drives that the Camp organise both in the morning and in the afternoon, with even more animals to be seen in the wild.
Overall, and excellent experience and highly recommended!
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Another small well run camp the type I like. The rooms are large , charging points & safe , plenty of hot water & shower gel etc. stunning views over the pan from each room. Food excellent & the evening dinner setting lovely , you all eat together, Guides great & they have the most fabulous pride of lions. Superb condition spent hours watching them & their cubs. Walking safari’s very interesting. Wherever you are in the camp there is a view over the pan . Think by now a new airstrip will be open which is closer than Giraffe Springs . If you are visiting Hwange park try this camp you won’t be disappointed
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Camp Hwange, General Manager at Camp Hwange - Wild Expeditions Africa
Responded 26 Sept 2024
thank you Lola008, thrilled you enjoyed it. it is just the kind of camp we like too ;-) and, yes, the new airstrip just 15 minutes from camp makes a huge difference to access. thank you for visiting us!
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We have just returned from spending 4 days at this fabulous camp. Picked up from Giraffe Springs by Conn and Colleen, the safari started before we even got to the camp! Our room was very comfy. All the rooms gave a fabulous view over the pan to see animals all the time. The food is superb; a self service buffet which suited us perfectly. The staff are all fabulous. Peter was our daily guide and driver. He has a great knowledge of the animals we saw and was great fun.Leanne , Colleen and Charmaine ensured we had all we required during our stay and created a wonderful relaxed atmosphere in the camp. The rest of the guys, Eric, James, Conn and Savannah are all fabulous; we had great evenings together around the campfire. Thanks to them all for a most memorable trip! Alistair and Caroline.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spent most of my life traveling the globe, but I'm not sure I can say enough about our amazing visit to Camp Hwange! To say it exceeded my expectations would be an understatement. Gemma, Benj and all the staff were warm and hospitable. It felt like meeting back up with old friends right off the bat. I was traveling with a friend, and we arrived at camp just after the group left for the afternoon safari excursion, and Gemma encouraged us to relax in camp and enjoy our sundowner at the pool, and it was the BEST, especially after a long day of travel! Having the elephants come up to the pool and keep us company while we enjoyed our G&Ts and snacks as the sunset was so relaxing. I would recommend anyone that has an afternoon they feel they can spare to spend it doing this. Of course, our time with our guide Ray was exceptional as well! He was so knowledgable and of course we saw so many beautiful animals and birds all throughout the park. The lions were close in and there were new cubs as well which we were able to observe daily. The lioness would come frequently to camp to eat (there was an elephant that unfortunately passed in camp on our second day) which gave us all an opportunity to watch both predators and scavengers vie for their share of the meal. Our 'jeepmates' were lovely people, and we all had a good time together. Meals were wonderful, all of the guides were friendly and kind and were often up for hanging out and telling stories and sharing their knowledge of the bush. Our room was comfortable, clean and well stocked. The entire camp had just undergone a facelift, including adding the pool and an airstrip only 15 minutes away, so it was both rustic (which is what we wanted) and comfy. Perfect, actually! I thought that this trip would be my "once-in-a-lifetime" excursion, but I plan to return to Camp Hwange and again enjoy the beauty and hospitality of this lovely place and its people. I'm sure there are more luxurious camps for those that need that, but for a true experience and an 'at home' feel, I doubt you can beat this place!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
During our honeymoon, we decided to go on a safari at Camp Hwange. They recommended it on the travel agency, but what we lived there was even better than expected. It was a lifetime experience -with all the letters-, where the knowledge of the guides, their passion for work and for teaching us things about wild animals and their hospitality left us totally in love with the safari. In fact, the whole team went out of their way for introducing us to the wildlife of the national park and for make the most of our stay.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Before sunrise and after sunset is cold, so bring coat clothes.
They also lend you some blankets...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We landed at Giraffe springs, the drive to the camp takes 1h15 mins over a very poor dirt road.
Our guide Blade took us on 2 daily game drives and connected really well with our family. Sightings are mostly seeing elephant herds at water holes but also prides of lions. On one morning we were very lucky to spend an hour with a playful pride of lion cubs.
We staid out until 7:30 pm on the evening game drive, also allowing us to ride in the 'night' and discover other animals.
Blade listened to our preferences and organised a walking safari, which offered a nice break from the game drives.
The tents are quite comfortable, nothing too luxurious but everything you need for a comfortable stay is present. The food is good as well.
The staff does a great job in taking care of the guests.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Camp Hwange, General Manager at Camp Hwange - Wild Expeditions Africa
Responded 26 Sept 2024
thank you Onthemove 201107. we appreciate the review. you'll be delighted to know that the new airstrip is operational and is only a 15 minute drive from camp on far more comfortable roads. and there are new cubs in the lion pride you saw.
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Good Day
Thank you for contacting us. We do not have credit card facilities at the camp. Our rate includes all meals, drinks, activities, medical evacuation and laundry. We do have a gift shop that accepts cash.
I hope I have managed to answer your query.
Kr
Leanne
good Day
I have send 3 previous answers to you but clearly they have not been well received.
To book Camp Hwange, please email me on the email address that appears on our website.
thanks
Leanne for Camp Hwange
There are more places to choose from in the Hwange National Park area.
LOCATION
ZimbabweMatabeleland North ProvinceHwange National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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