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Somalisa Camp

ZIMBABWE

7 rooms
Ages 12+
Pool
En suite
Bar
Solar Power
  • Maximum 14 people
  • Fireplace in room
  • Solar power
  • In-room charging facilities
  • Private deck
  • Elephant Pool
  • Fan in room
  • Guide tent

Additional Information

  • Airstrip to camp - 30 mins
  • Closest airstrip - Manga
  • Closest international airport - Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
  • Kids under 16 yrs to accompany adults when they leave camp. Adults cannot go for their excursions and leave the kids in camp with guides/staff.
  • Children under 6 yrs are not permitted on game drives with other guests, parents are to book a private vehicle.
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Three-time Award-Winning Tented Camp in the Heart of Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe’s Leading Tented Safari Camp – World Travel Awards 2019, 2020 & 2021

Somalisa provides guests with breathtaking views of the golden savannah plains of Hwange. A place where, one moment you are sipping on your gin and tonic listening to the distant baritone roar of a lion coalition on the hunt and the next, you are gazing over at a congregation of elephants mere meters away, peacefully sharing a sundowner with you. Hwange National Park is a land of contrasts from dense teak and acacia forest to vast open savannah, offering guests an exhibition of raw and diverse Africa. Somalisa Camp enjoys pride of place as our first-ever Hwange safari lodge.  It was built by our owner, Beks Ndlovu and is home to the quintessential African Bush Camps experience. Tucked away under the dappled shade of an Acacia grove, along the edge of an ancient seasonal floodplain.

Our intimate bush camp is perfect for a relaxing Hwange safari with friends and loved ones. The elegant style is infused by natural wood and organic features of the bush. Kudhinda, the Zimbabwean national material, is thoughtfully paired with modern decor influences creating an authentic contemporary African style. A full solar power farm and water purity system allow the camp to recycle 80% water used, Somalisa Camp leads the way in eco-friendly safari accommodation. It has been awarded the first GOLD Green Tourism Certification in Zimbabwe. Our seven tastefully furnished sailcloth tents are set on a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park. This is where you will find nature and luxury seamlessly entwined. Your guest tent is replete with modern appointments such as a fan, a battery charging station, wood-burning fireplace and private viewing deck. Your bathroom, worthy of a special mention, is inspired by the romance of yesteryear, boasts an indoor and outdoor bathroom and features a copper slipper-style bathtub and endless views across the vast plains beyond. 

Explore legendary Hwange National Park through a variety of pursuits while staying at Somalisa Camp. Activities include walking safaris, game drives, birding and cultural visits. All are included in your stay and led by our qualified and passionate guides. These natural storytellers enlighten our guests by sharing their wonder and wisdom of the African bush with them. 

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Includes & Excludes

Included in Rates:

  • Accommodation
  • All meals
  • Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, except premium imported spirits and champagne
  • Laundry
  • Morning & afternoon game drives, walking safaris, Hwange Main Camp village visits, Mambanje Village visit (private vehicle required at associated costs for Mambanje Village Visit).

Excluded from Rates:

  • Visa Fees
  • International / Regional Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Staff Gratuities
  • Conservation levies

Activities

  • Game Drives

    Game drives are what gets us up in the morning in the African bush, they’re a great avenue for exploring the land in a safe and exciting way.

  • Walking Safaris

    Buckle up your boots and take a step into the intricate world of nature. Explore the wonders of the natural world with African soil crunching beneath your feet.

  • Bird Watching

    Hwange National Park offers some of Zimbabwe’s best birding. Delight in the call of the racket-tailed roller or the kori bustard.

  • Cultural Visits

    Working together with the communities located in the areas surrounding where we operate gives locals an opportunity to be self-sustainable.

Wildlife

Wildlife sightings include elephant, kudu, sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species.

Recent wildlife sightings

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Suggested Itineraries

  • 8 nights
    Authentic Zimbabwe
    USD 4910
    per person sharing

    Our Authentic Zimbabwe safari has been especially curated for the traveller in search of exceptional wildlife experiences, breathtaking landscapes and experiencing the rich cultural heritage of the people in this majestic country.

  • 8 nights
    Luxury Zimbabwe
    USD 4900
    per person sharing

    Experience a luxurious Zimbabwe safari like no other. Tailored to a variety of different wildlife experiences from the wildly luxurious to the wildly adventurous.

  • 6 nights Kanga Camp Mana Pools Zimbabwe African Bush Camps Safari Tented Camp Main Dining with Kanga Pan
    Authentic Mana Pools
    USD 4050
    per person sharing

    Discover the magic of Mana Pools National Park on a 6-night authentic African safari adventure at our Zambezi expedition and Kanga camps.

     

Reviews

  • What an amazing experience we had on our first visit to Zimbabwe! Our stay at Somalisa Camp was beyond our greatest expectations! The entire staff was so warm, friendly, courteous, and helpful with all our questions and requests! Our guide, Bee, was wonderful – so knowledgeable and patient! He made sure we were able to see such a variety of wildlife and beautiful scenery! The sunsets were absolutely breathtaking!

    The O’Learys via TripAdvisor

  • Don’t hesitate. Pack your bags, get your camera ready and be prepared for an experience you will never forget. Firstly, the staff were all excellent, our guide Calvet knowledgeable and patient with us ‘first timers’ and everyone else above and beyond. Made it fun for us. Party of four and celebrated our wedding anniversary (41 years) in style. Many thanks to all.

    Eraytay via TripAdvisor

  • Wow. I knew I wanted to go to Somalisa Camp after seeing pictures of people lounging very close to them at a watering hole. Even though I knew beforehand that this was a possibility, I didn’t grasp how incredibly powerful this experience would be. To watch wave after wave of families of elephants, cresting the hill and waiting their turn to come to drink seemed like a very well choreographed Disney movie! But it happened day after day and never got old.

    Wans2travel via TripAdvisor

  • Our first safari and we could not have had a better welcome. African Bush Camps delivered on all fronts. Comfort, knowledge, warmth, dedication to conservation all rolled into creating a memorable experience.

    Beemerlass via TripAdvisor

Our Local Foundation Projects

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Manbanje Community Garden

Food security and access to healthy food and produce are major challenges faced by communities surrounding our camps. The Mambanje community is located near the Hwange National Park border. This community has about 160 households in the community. The scarcity of food in this community has a massive impact on the livelihoods of the communities with many struggling to feed their families.

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Thandanani Sewing group

Thandanani, which means “love each other,” is a local sewing group run by women in the community of Dete, in Hwange. They make beautiful African print placemats, bags, robes, travel wallets, and clothes. Everything they make is unique and made with love. Items are for sale at the ABC trading post in our camp.

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Mambanje Primary School

Dete is a rural township located near the Hwange National Park Main Camp area and a 2.5-hour drive from the African Bush Camps Somalisa Concession. The Mambanje community is a remote village comprising 160 families. Challenges faced by this community include lack of running water, no power, no network, and poor road infrastructure in the area.