Reviews of The Hide
Wildlife sightings and reviews
37 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Hide and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Sep-2018, 12 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at The Hide.
Mr & Mrs K
Maidstone
"The Hide review"
4 nights Arrived 1 Nov 2015
"Our third visit in the last seven years.
A very well run operation with good flexibility in offering choice to guests. They have two hides for close encounters with the wildlife. A big feature is a large pan in front of the main facilities which brings the wildlife almost into your room.
Having experienced many lodges and camps over many trips to Africa this pan with its size and location is probably the best front door waterhole/pan view we have come across. We visited at a good time of year when the wildlife was having to use the watering facilities as there had not been rain for several months and so there were only a few locations available for drinking. There will be times of the year when the availability of more natural water holes appear after rainfall and the game will stretch out over a wider area.
Rooms are typical of many camps.
Food is varied and of a good standard. (See also our previous comments on Kaingo Camp) .
Whilst The Hide has some "concessionary territory" where it can go off road much of the daily trips on the game drives is in the National Park area and there are restrictions on how much it is possible to stray away from the main tracks.
Nevertheless game viewing opportunities were good at this time of year." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 7n in Zambia
A very well run operation with good flexibility in offering choice to guests. They have two hides for close encounters with the wildlife. A big feature is a large pan in front of the main facilities which brings the wildlife almost into your room.
Having experienced many lodges and camps over many trips to Africa this pan with its size and location is probably the best front door waterhole/pan view we have come across. We visited at a good time of year when the wildlife was having to use the watering facilities as there had not been rain for several months and so there were only a few locations available for drinking. There will be times of the year when the availability of more natural water holes appear after rainfall and the game will stretch out over a wider area.
Rooms are typical of many camps.
Food is varied and of a good standard. (See also our previous comments on Kaingo Camp) .
Whilst The Hide has some "concessionary territory" where it can go off road much of the daily trips on the game drives is in the National Park area and there are restrictions on how much it is possible to stray away from the main tracks.
Nevertheless game viewing opportunities were good at this time of year." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 7n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr K
New York
"The Hide review"
2 nights Arrived 7 Oct 2015
"Very nice camp. The coffee delivered with the morning wake-up call was a great touch. Rooms excellent. A lot of elephant activity at waterhole each night. Definite advantages of a family-run camp.
The camp is adjacent to the Vic. Falls - Bulawayo railway line. Heard trains early each morning.
Disappointing lack of predators at time of visit." See all these reviews: 15n in Zimbabwe
The camp is adjacent to the Vic. Falls - Bulawayo railway line. Heard trains early each morning.
Disappointing lack of predators at time of visit." See all these reviews: 15n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr M& Ms S
Derby
"The Hide review"
2 nights Arrived 8 Jun 2015
"Nicely located within easy reach of various heavily frequented waterholes.
There is a train track along the boundary of the Hide's concession so you don't feel quite as isolated and away from civilisation as you might do in other camps.
Our guide Nicholas was great - very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. The night drives were a lot of fun too and gave us a chance to see some of the nocturnal creatures.
Staff were friendly, food was very good.
Tents are comfortable, with both indoor and outdoor showers.
It's lovely to watch animals come to drink at the waterhole right outside your accommodation. Being able to watch the elephants from the underground hide was an amazing experience - drinking water only a few metres away from you." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
There is a train track along the boundary of the Hide's concession so you don't feel quite as isolated and away from civilisation as you might do in other camps.
Our guide Nicholas was great - very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. The night drives were a lot of fun too and gave us a chance to see some of the nocturnal creatures.
Staff were friendly, food was very good.
Tents are comfortable, with both indoor and outdoor showers.
It's lovely to watch animals come to drink at the waterhole right outside your accommodation. Being able to watch the elephants from the underground hide was an amazing experience - drinking water only a few metres away from you." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr E & Mrs H
Botswana
"The Hide review"
3 nights Arrived 4 Mar 2015
"We arrived at The Hide in time for tea. It is a splendid safari lodge. The facilities are excellent and likewise the food. A particularly nice touch was the fact that the managers, Ian and his wife Leanne, as well as the guides, took their meals with the guests.
As with Changa, we had a first class guide, Daffie. Although it was the wet season (in fact not very wet this year) there were plenty of animals, and again beautiful birds, in evidence. Many elephants came to The Hide's water hole on two of our three evenings (the third one being a full moon night, and not many animals were seen altogether). Other memorable encounters which we had were one and a half hours spent with two male lions one afternoon, observing a cape buffalo from close up, and successfully tracking down a cheetah and her juvenile offspring.
Wonderful! Also, The Hide's underground observation room, about 50 yards away from the main building made for a unique, albeit very safe, close encounter with a male elephant bull - an experience we shall never forget." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
As with Changa, we had a first class guide, Daffie. Although it was the wet season (in fact not very wet this year) there were plenty of animals, and again beautiful birds, in evidence. Many elephants came to The Hide's water hole on two of our three evenings (the third one being a full moon night, and not many animals were seen altogether). Other memorable encounters which we had were one and a half hours spent with two male lions one afternoon, observing a cape buffalo from close up, and successfully tracking down a cheetah and her juvenile offspring.
Wonderful! Also, The Hide's underground observation room, about 50 yards away from the main building made for a unique, albeit very safe, close encounter with a male elephant bull - an experience we shall never forget." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Co Durham
"Painted Dogs at the hidd"
3 nights Arrived 7 Oct 2014
"An excellent lodge in a superb location, this is one of the best places we have stayed, i only have 1 criticism; sometimes it can seem a tad too formal, but do not lat that put you off.
In 1 memorable morning we saw a pack of 17 wild dogs, 250 buffallo, and 100 Elephants; all from the Hide it'self." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
In 1 memorable morning we saw a pack of 17 wild dogs, 250 buffallo, and 100 Elephants; all from the Hide it'self." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr J
Guildford
"The Hide review"
3 nights Arrived 19 Aug 2014
"Location next to waterhole gives wonderful and very close access to game. Staff friendly and very helpful, AMAZING food, brilliant guide.
Family of 5 and stayed at Tom’s Little Hide....loved it !!" See all these reviews: 5n in Mozambique; 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Family of 5 and stayed at Tom’s Little Hide....loved it !!" See all these reviews: 5n in Mozambique; 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr R
Somerset
"The Hide review"
4 nights Arrived 26 May 2014
"The best part of our holiday.
The service and attention we had could not be faulted.
The game viewing was well planned and varied the guide knowledgeable and helpful.
Food is good and plentiful and surprisingly varied you don't go hungry.
One of the few places we would go back to our stay was too short!
I saw all the game I expected even a glimpse of the wild/coloured dogs." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Zambia
The service and attention we had could not be faulted.
The game viewing was well planned and varied the guide knowledgeable and helpful.
Food is good and plentiful and surprisingly varied you don't go hungry.
One of the few places we would go back to our stay was too short!
I saw all the game I expected even a glimpse of the wild/coloured dogs." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
The A family
Florida
"Amazing Safari at the Hide"
3 nights Arrived 4 Apr 2014
"Our Safari at the Hide was by far the highlight of our entire time in Africa. The property is absolutely beautiful. We stayed at Tom's Little Hide, and it is just wonderful. There are three large bedroom areas with beautiful indoor and outdoor showers, bath tubs, beds…there is even a plunge pool outside on the deck.
The service was 5 star. Ian and Leanne took excellent care of all our needs, large and small. They really went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. They also have daily laundry included and an area for wifi.
The food was amazing, the best we had in Africa by far. We had private dinning in Tom's Little Hide, the dining room was great, they served breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, whatever we wanted. We also really enjoyed having dinner at main camp with everyone else. It was so nice to chat with the others and have a social evening.
Our guide, Mark Friend, was just incredible. He is so knowledgable about everything in the bush, from the smallest plant life to the largest animals (and how to handle a herd of buffalo standing a few feet from the jeep!). He is also very kind, funny and accommodating to all of our questions and needs (and there were many from the 6 of us!). We went on early morning hikes, late night drives, and everything in between. We saw so many amazing animals and enjoyed drinks and snacks at the watering hole at sunset with herds of zebra, giraffe and elephants. It was just beautiful.
They really take safety seriously and we appreciate that.
We want to come back to Zimbabwe just to go to the Hide - but for a longer stay next time." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
The service was 5 star. Ian and Leanne took excellent care of all our needs, large and small. They really went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. They also have daily laundry included and an area for wifi.
The food was amazing, the best we had in Africa by far. We had private dinning in Tom's Little Hide, the dining room was great, they served breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, whatever we wanted. We also really enjoyed having dinner at main camp with everyone else. It was so nice to chat with the others and have a social evening.
Our guide, Mark Friend, was just incredible. He is so knowledgable about everything in the bush, from the smallest plant life to the largest animals (and how to handle a herd of buffalo standing a few feet from the jeep!). He is also very kind, funny and accommodating to all of our questions and needs (and there were many from the 6 of us!). We went on early morning hikes, late night drives, and everything in between. We saw so many amazing animals and enjoyed drinks and snacks at the watering hole at sunset with herds of zebra, giraffe and elephants. It was just beautiful.
They really take safety seriously and we appreciate that.
We want to come back to Zimbabwe just to go to the Hide - but for a longer stay next time." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Bucks.
"Perfect camp"
3 nights Arrived 3 Nov 2013
"From the moment we arrived we were made to feel more than welcome.
The guides were fantastic and their knowledge made such a difference to our understanding of wildlife. Nothing was too much trouble for them.
We chose to have very full days to get the maximum from our visit and it all worked out extremely well, but others could spend the time enjoying wildlife at the waterhole." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
The guides were fantastic and their knowledge made such a difference to our understanding of wildlife. Nothing was too much trouble for them.
We chose to have very full days to get the maximum from our visit and it all worked out extremely well, but others could spend the time enjoying wildlife at the waterhole." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Maidstone
"The Hide review"
5 nights Arrived 13 Oct 2013
"We have visited previously and looked forward to our return - they did not disappoint.
Over more than twenty years we have travelled extensively to southern Africa on safari and in certain locations have found camps or lodges to which we keep returning. The Hide falls into that category.
We feel that the Hide benefits from the ownership being a privately/family owned operation and we were made to feel "at home" and the organisation of the events for the day is very relaxed and personalised.
The location in terms of the view from the main facility is one of the best we have met and it is possible (at the right time of year) to virtually stay at the camp and watch all the animals come to you. The waterhole in front of the camp is large and well frequented and provides excellent photographic opportunities.
We consider the Hide to be very good value and look forward to a return soon." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
Over more than twenty years we have travelled extensively to southern Africa on safari and in certain locations have found camps or lodges to which we keep returning. The Hide falls into that category.
We feel that the Hide benefits from the ownership being a privately/family owned operation and we were made to feel "at home" and the organisation of the events for the day is very relaxed and personalised.
The location in terms of the view from the main facility is one of the best we have met and it is possible (at the right time of year) to virtually stay at the camp and watch all the animals come to you. The waterhole in front of the camp is large and well frequented and provides excellent photographic opportunities.
We consider the Hide to be very good value and look forward to a return soon." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Holiday styles & special interests in Zimbabwe
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zimbabwe.
Other lodges in Hwange National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.