Reviews of Camp Hwange

"Really comfortable “tents” that overlooked the camp’s own waterhole which was huge, but alas no animal activity around it at all. Had some great drives around the NP and the camp’s own concession. The resident denning Jackal with cubs was a real treat.

Evening sun downers were spent around some of the local pans watching elephants come and go. I don’t think we will ever forget the 100+ elephants that gathered around Masuma dam on our final evening.

Food was excellent, especially evening meals around the long table, where lively conversations ensued.

The guiding was first class. Our guide, George, was really enthusiastic and took us on a walk to take a look at a leopard kill that had been taken over by very noisy hyenas. We watched the hyenas from beyond some rocks until a lioness boldly came barging into the scene and it was time to retreat back to the vehicle. A very up close and personal encounter which was very exciting.

Night drives were extremely productive with serval and honey badger sightings on more than one occasion.

There was a lovely atmosphere to this camp, everyone was very friendly and helpful, i.e. we experienced a problem with a couple who were birders, we mentioned it to our guide and the problem was rectified immediately and without any bad feelings.

We really enjoyed our stay here." See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe

"Very good game viewing and excellent guiding. The camp is up-to-date and well-run. We would have preferred to have one guide for the 3 days (we had a different one each of the 3 days and felt a little like spare parts to be added on to other groups)
Travel to and from the camp by road was long and tedious compared to some of the excellent flights we had between other camps." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"We had an excellent time at Camp Hwange and were impressed by the standard of Walking Guiding having ecperience this in other countries where it was good but not as good as this." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe

"I think a great mistake has been made re our reservations at Camp Hwange for 3 nights. This was to be our last safari before leaving Southern Africa perhaps for the last visit we will ever make. You originally had offered us something for $500/nite/person and we said it was too much . You then said you would find a more reasonable rate but came up with the same price but a different camp. We never paid this much but thought it would be like the top lodge in Sabi Sands so we decided to treat ourselves. Now here we are and I tell you at the most this is a $200/nite/person. It has wonderful food, very nice staff and knowledgeable guides. But…..the camp itself is pretty average. For instance no tub, , no pool, they Said they would do laundry but not underwear!!! There is a waterhole but it is not lighted and there is no glass on the windows facing the hole just screen so you cant look out at night. The tent room and bathroom were average. We stayed at a top lodge in Nambiti a private game park just outside of Ladysmith and it cost $200 per night per room! It was top notch. 4 star, called Nambiti Plains. I could name others as well.
Now let us get to the game. ….We took two 5 hour drives and saw 3 impala and 2 jackels and some nice birds. When asked about lions they said the pride left almost a year ago and they have one male and two female somewhere. We did a walking tracking for 2 hours which was wonderful but no lion. When asked about Rhino they told us the Rhino are off limits to visitors. When asked about elephants they told us there is a bull elephant that we spent hours trying to find to no avail. When asked about Wildebeasts we were told they are at the other end of the park. An on and on and on. We were told it is hard to spot game because of the tall grass but in the last three weeks we have been to three game parks and all had tall grass and we saw many animals.
The worst part was it was cold and rainy. Everyone had to eat in three layers of clothes and a fleece. The firepit was outside but it was raining.there was no source of heat inside the boma so we couldn't sit in the lounge and relax and talk. There was no source of heat in our room so the only way we could get warm was to go to bed! Finally on the last night we suggested to the staff that they pull down the canvas to close off the open spaces. That cut the wind and cold a bit but meant we couldn't look out.
We do want to say the staff was wonderful, the food excellent and the guides great! Also, I understand we can't control the weather or the animals.I just went on in the above paragraphs to tell you how it was. I guess the big issue here is how much we paid for average accommodations. Everything I said above was just to tell you how it was. Even if weather etc was perfect the rate is way too high. It is possible that Zimbabwe is more expensive that South Africa or Kenya or Tanzania but not this much. Hopefully, it was an honest mistake and there will be a refund.
I do want to reiterate that staff, food, guides were all outstanding. On the last night the manager even gave us hot water bottles for our bed. also, the walking trips were great.
I do hope we can settle this to everyone's satisfaction We will be back in the US in 2 days.
One other thing. When in vic Falls we met several people who stayed at Little Mokoro (sp?) and because it was off season they were given 1/2 price !! Plus they saw huge prides of lion, Wildebeast, elephant etc." See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe

"We were picked up as we had been told and enjoyed a great ride (game drive) all the way to the Camp. Our guide, Dharmesh, is surely one of the best as he gave constant comments on every animal or bird that we saw. Lunch was quite tasty, and we enjoyed watching animals at the pan where we ate.

What a wonderful experience we had at Camp Hwange. The staff were waiting to welcome us as we drove to the main lodge, and a refreshing glass of juice was handed to us as soon as we left the truck. The lodge and surrounding area was very neat and clean. Our chalet was so very comfortable and also quite clean. The shower with hot water was welcome at the end of each day. The mosquito netting was dropped while we were gone--we were never bothered by mosquitos.

Dinners were varied and always good as were the lunches when we stayed out all day. We felt like we were receiving a college education with all the information Dharmesh gave us. We learned so much from him. He explained what might happen and what our behavior needed to be. He knew where the animals were usually found so we saw many each day--we have no complaints about experience with him or Camp Hwange. We highly recommend Camp Hwange!!!" See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe

"Camp Hwange was my first ever Safari experience and was utterly magical. Zimbabwe is such an amazing country and Camp Hwange is the perfect setting. The Camp is beautiful and I cannot fault the place.

Wildlife was sublime (you may not necesaarily tick off "the big 5) but what you do get is a much more authentic game watching trip with far fewer people. We barely saw another soul. The guides are incredibly knowledgable and you get to do "walking safari." Getting out of the jeep is liberating. You can analyse footprints and then go and track elephants (for example). You feel almost intrepid and it's amazing to get so close to the animals and they don't know you are there.

In terms of food, I can honestly say it was excellent. Not a bad meal. The accomdation is also perfect. Would recommend this place to the most discerning of clients." See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe

"Fantastic location with excellent guides. We particularly enjoyed a full day out visiting different locations which included a walk and lunch cooked al fresco.

Knowledgeable guides give so much to the whole safari experience. We even managed to pack in an additional early morning safari on the day of our departure which was unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable and to add to the pleasure, there was a full English before we departed!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa

"We spent three wonderful days at Camp Hwange in October. The lodge was fantastic, the rooms comfortable and open, and absolutely loved the view over the watering hole from the shower. The staff were great, and the food was arguably the best we'd had amongst all our lodge stays.

In terms of guiding, Julian and Washington were simply exceptional. It didn't feel like a tickbox trip at all, and we found ourselves in front of a scene for an hour or more many times, be it Goose with the lionesses or the about 70 elephants having a mudbath in the moonlight. The walks and drives were always interesting, engaging and very educational.

Camp Hwange was a brilliant experience, and we can't wait to go back." See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe

"Put together hours spent with passionate knowledgeable guides following and viewing a very wide variety of game with a charming and very hospitable dining room and relaxation lodge and you have the recipe for delighted guests.

The individual chalets were far from sparse, as they were described in one write up, and this camp is bound to be very successful." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe

"You drive for about 1.5 hours from Vic Falls airport to Hwange national park entrance, only comment is you do drive through an open cast coal mine for about ten minutes which isn't a problem but a bit of an eye opener as the lorries spill a lot of dust which unnecessarily pollutes the nearby bush, why not put a cover on the load and problem solved ?

Met by Stephen our guide for the tour and in my opinion the best most helpful guy you could want.....say no more!

After a long drive/safari we arrived at Camp Hwange. The open air dining room bar and lounge are really lovely nicely furnished and well thought. There was a camp fire to the front and ahead of this a large watering hole with resident hippos, excellent. Dinner was delightful, all guests and guides present which we liked as we could hear others stories and swap ideas for the next day. The staff were fantastic and we loved the table design they clearly spent time creating and was much appreciated thanks.

It was our first safari so not sure what to expect, more seasoned veterans we met said the game is not abundant here but they thought this added to the thrill when you did encounter game. Each drive we did whilst quiet for long periods was always eventful in the end. By the end of each day we had seen enough game to satisfy us at least and can include Lions, Baboons, Buffalo, Giraffe, numerous antelope species, vultures etc in our sightings. We also got a fleeting view of a leopard. The big thing is elephant ! loads of elephants ! This was the best thing for us just observing dozens of different herds all over the watering holes and bush was fantastic.

Our room was great, a large tent like structure very nicely done with lovely bedding and mossy net, big open shower and everything you needed. Just one thing is it could really do with a mini bar so you can have a cold drink when you return to the room. The single thermos flask they leave in your room doesn't do it for me although I know this may not be possible due to power supply but it would be great for spoiled travellers.

All in all a very nice stay just what we had hoped for and compared to many others not too deadly cost wise." See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe