Khulu Bush Camp: Our full report
Khulu Bush Camp, formerly Khulu Ivory Lodge, is small and relatively simple, without being rustic.
Less expensive than some of Hwange's camps, it is situated in the Sikumi Forest Reserve adjacent to Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. The camp overlooks a waterhole, which in the dry season is frequented by large herds of elephant – which also enjoy drinking from the camp's pool.Khulu Bush Camp shares a private reserve with its sister camps: the larger and more established Ivory Lodge, a private villa, Khulu's Retreat and the newest addition, Sable Valley Lodge. All the properties benefit from the flexibility of being in a private concession while still having easy access to the national park.
Khulu Bush Camp has just nine tented chalets, each elevated on stilts and reached via steps onto a private, shaded deck, where a couple of high directors' chairs look down towards the waterhole.
Glass doors secured with a latch (primarily to deter monkeys and baboons) open to reveal very comfortable twin beds that can be converted into a king-size bed, and a small seating area. Mosquito nets curtain the beds at night, electric blankets are provided in the colder months, and a wall-mounted fan helps airflow on warmer days – as do mesh windows, whose canvas flaps can be opened or closed as preferred. There's also a minibar which is filled on request and a tea- and coffee-making station complete with Nespresso machine. While the rooms are nicely designed, when we visited in July 2023 we felt that they would benefit from additional storage for luggage and a little more lighting.
At the rear of each tent, the en-suite bathroom has his and hers basins and both inside and outside showers. The flush toilet is separated by a partition. Hairdryers, cotton robes and a selection of toiletries come as standard. Tents 1 and 9 also come with an outdoor bath, making them perfect for honeymoon couples or those looking for something a little extra during their stay.
Khulu's main area is an airy, open-plan thatched building which overlooks the camp's plunge pool and the waterhole beyond. The décor is tasteful, with locally sourced furniture and ornaments. As well as a comfortable seating area, with a small selection of reference books, you'll find a long dining table where communal evening meals are taken. On our stays and visits, we have found the staff at Khulu very attentive and the whole camp felt relaxed but efficient. There is usually a member of staff around to serve you from the camp's well-stocked fridge and drinks cabinet, but if not, guests are welcome to help themselves.
A few steps lead down from the pool deck to the camp's firepit, which is at ground level and closer to the waterhole, so a great spot from which to enjoy wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
Guests arriving at camp may be surprised to find the plunge pool looking rather dirty. This seemed somewhat out of character with the rest of the camp, but as we sat eating our lunch on the deck, the mystery was solved. Several elephants appeared from the surrounding bush, bypassed the waterhole, and headed straight for a drink at Khulu's pool. The next morning the mess had been cleaned up and the pool was full and sparkling again, although it wasn't long before the elephants re-emerged and proceeded to reclaim it as their own. Since our last stay the pool has been upgraded and attempts made to keep the elephants at the waterhole, although we remain unsure how effective these changes have been,
Activities at Khulu include morning and afternoon guided game drives, both within the Sikumi Forest Reserve and into Hwange National Park. For those staying more than a couple of nights, a full-day sortie into the park is well worth considering. Guided walking safaris are also available, and we recommend you try this activity at least once. Afternoon game drives tend to stick to the reserve, allowing for a spotlit night drive back to camp, which is not allowed within the national park. Spotlit night drives after dinner are also an option on request – although these may not be possible after the rains, when the bush is at its thickest, or during the coldest months (June–August).
On a previous visit, we were very impressed by the knowledge of our guide and his experience of the bush. One morning we walked through some relatively thick vegetation, finding elephant along the way, and we always had confidence in his ability. He was also a charismatic and entertaining host and we very much enjoyed spending time with him.
The team behind Khulu are proud of their conservation and community activities and can arrange visits to local projects, including a care home, a school and a clinic.
Guests at Khulu Bush Camp can also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Trust, which is not far from camp. They are doing some great rehabilitation work with wild dog that is well worth supporting, and we can thoroughly recommend a visit.
Looking to the future, we understand that there are plans to build a sleep-out platform on the reserve and to offer massages and other wellness treatments, both of which will be shared with Ivory Lodge and Sable Valley Lodge. As soon as we know more, we will add further information.
Our view
Khulu Bush Camp is owned and run by a small, efficient and committed team. With easy access to Hwange National Park as well as the flexibility afforded by its location on a private concession, it's a great base from which to explore. The tented chalets are comfortable and generally well appointed, the guiding is very good, and the setting spectacular; in terms of value for money there are very few better options in the Hwange region.
Zimbabwe expert
Geographics
- Location
- Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Ideal length of stay
- A three-night stay at Khulu Bush Camp is ideal, although you could easily spend four nights here, or perhaps combine two here with another safari camp within Hwange National Park.
For some diversity, a stay here combines really well with its sister camp, Amalinda Lodge, in the fascinating Matobo Hills area. - Directions
- Khulu Bush Camp is only a couple of kilometres off the main Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road, so the easiest access is by road transfer: from Victoria Falls (2hr 30min) or Bulawayo (4hr 30min). It's also possible to fly in, with Hwange Airport only 8km away.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Although we didn’t have a chance to stay or eat here when we visited in 2023, over several previous stays, including most recently in November 2017, the food at Khulu Bush Camp has been of a very good and hearty standard. We understand that with advanced notice most dietary requirements can be catered for.
Breakfast is typically a buffet with a wonderful selection of cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit, cold meats, cheeses, muffins and biscuits. Eggs are cooked to order and come with a choice of sausages, bacon, tomato, beans, onions and toast. It's quite an informal and flexible set up; we ate out on the deck, watching the seemingly ever-present elephants drink from the pool!
We didn't have time for lunch on our last visit, but on previous occasions we have enjoyed a sizeable portion of spaghetti carbonara with a Greek salad, and a T-bone steak with potato wedges and beetroot and apple coleslaw, rounded off by strawberry ice cream: delicious, if a little heavy in the heat of the day.
Our dinner was a traditional braai (barbecue) of beef fillet, boerewors and chicken served with roasted vegtables, pap and relish. Dessert was a cappuccino brownie. More typically, dinner is a three-course meal; during a previous visit we enjoyed Moroccan lamb, couscous and grilled vegetables, preceded by a salmon stack entrée, and rounded off by chocolate mousse. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not possible, but private dining can be set up on your deck on request for a special occasion.
- Drinks included
- Soft drinks, bottled water, spirits, local beers and a selection of wines (usually South African) are included. Imported wines and spirits and champagne cost extra – and may need to be requested in advance.
Both bottled and filtered water is available in the tented chalets.
With the aim of limiting waste and recycling where possible, each guest is given a re-usable glass bottle of cold filtered water instead of plastic bottles.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Khulu Bush Camp does not accept children under the age of 12 unless the entire camp is booked on an exclusive basis.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under 12.
- Special activities & services
- None. Sharing the same concession, Ivory Lodge and Sable Valley Lodge both accept children of all ages. These properties are fenced, so they are much better suited to families with young children.
- Equipment
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- Khulu is a very open camp with dangerous wildlife passing through frequently. As such, younger children are not permitted to stay.
- Notes
- For safety reasons, children of all ages should be supervised at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Khulu Bush Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Khulu Bush Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
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50% success
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50% success
0% success
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator available in the event of a power cut. Each room has charging points that take South African-type plugs, with three large round pins.
- Communications
- There is patchy cellphone reception at Khulu and WiFi is available in the main area.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Flush toilets and hot and cold running water are available throughout.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a clinic at Hwange Main Camp and the management staff and guides at Khulu are first-aid trained. A medical air-rescue service (MARS) covering Hwange is available in the event of an emergency.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- As is the norm in safari camps where dangerous wildlife is around, all guests are walked between their tents and the main area after dark. Air horns are provided in the chalets to attract attention in the event of an emergency.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the chalets and in the main area.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A complimentary laundry service is provided.
- Money
- There is a safe in each of the rooms as and a larger safe in the main area too.
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted, as are US dollars, South African rand, British pounds and euros.
Other lodges in Hwange National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Camp Hwange
Overlooking a waterhole in a remote part of Hwange National Park, Camp Hwange offers great guiding in a pristine wilderness at reasonable prices.
Somalisa Camp
Somalisa is a luxurious, yet remote, safari camp in Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
The Hide
Located in a small, private concession, The Hide is a relaxed and comfortable camp offering submerged hides and great family accommodation.
Hwange Bush Camp
Hwange Bush Camp is a small seasonal camp offering comfortable tents, great food, and superb guiding, and is often used by exclusive groups.
Little Makalolo Camp
Tucked away in Hwange National Park overlooking a waterhole, Little Makalolo Camp combines top guiding with excellent wildlife watching.
Somalisa Expeditions
A simple but stylish camp, Somalisa Expeditions sits in the heart of Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
Davison's Camp
Within the Linkwasha Concession, Davison's Camp offers superb value for money, morning walking safaris and spot-lit drives after dark.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba is a comfortable, good-value camp in a remote area of Hwange National Park, teeming with wildlife.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Bomani is a down-to-earth lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Verney's Camp
Verney's Camp is one of the newest offerings in Hwange, located in the wildlife rich, open landscape in the south-eastern section of the park.
Jozibanini Camp
Remote and rugged, Jozibanini is one of the most remote camps in Zimabwe's largest National Park. Stay here for a real wilderness experience.
Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National Park.
Ivory Lodge
Just outside Hwange National Park, the small Ivory Lodge is a great place to see large herds of elephant as well as smaller plains game.
Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Sable Valley Lodge
Set on the 12km Dete Vlei, the recently upgraded and family-friendly Sable Valley sits in a private reserve within easy reach of Hwange National Park.
Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush amp experience.
Daka Camp
One of the more remote camps in Hwange National Park, Deka Camp sits almost on the border with Botswana.
Stimela Star
The Stimela Star is a luxury overnight train that starts in Victoria Falls before making it's way down to Hwange National Park where you can start your safari.
Camp Chitubu
Camp Chitubu is a comfortable, unpretentious camp nestled in the rugged hills of northern Hwange. The focus here is on top-quality guiding.
Khulu's Retreat
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu's Retreat is an exclusive private villa and is a great place to spoil yourself on a safari in Zimbabwe.
Elephant's Eye
In a private concession just outside Hwange National Park, the comfortable Elephant's Eye overlooks a pan and waterholes.
