Nehimba Safari Lodge

Highlights

• Private 43,500-acre concession in remote northern Hwange National Park
• Productive waterhole frequented by herds of hundreds of elephants in the dry season
• Famous elephant-hunting lions on a concession that allows off-road game viewing
• Game drives, walking safaris and night drives led by Zimbabwe's apprenticeship-trained Professional Guides
• Nine raised canvas-under-thatch suites with slipper baths, outdoor showers and private waterhole-view balconies

You Should Know

• Children under seven are admitted only by special arrangement, with a compulsory private vehicle, guide and separate dining
• Children aged 12 to 16 must share with an adult; under-12s must share with an adult
• In green season (January to April, November to December) children 16 and under sharing with an adult stay free, minimum two-night stay
• In high season (May to October) children 16 and under sharing pay 30% of the adult sharing rate
• Hwange National Park entry fees are charged separately at US$20 per person per day

The Details

Location

Nehimba occupies an exclusive 43,500-acre slice of northern Hwange National Park, sitting on the edge of the mopane woodlands where they meet the Kalahari sandveld to the west. Hwange itself covers more than 5,650 square miles of wilderness, larger than the Serengeti, and receives a fraction of the visitor traffic, so most game drives are run without seeing another vehicle.

Access is by a one-hour light-aircraft charter from Victoria Falls to Shumba Airstrip, followed by a 20-minute transfer into camp. Shumba is open year-round. An alternative routing flies into Hwange Main Airport with a two- to two-and-a-half-hour game drive into camp.

Accommodation

The lodge has nine raised canvas-under-thatch safari suites positioned around a productive waterhole. The mix is two family suites (one king and two three-quarter beds), one large honeymoon suite (king and day bed), four doubles with king beds, and two twins. Each suite has its own en-suite slipper bath, an adjoining outdoor shower, ceiling or standing fan, electronic safe, mosquito nets, coffee and tea facilities, and a private balcony with an uninterrupted view of the waterhole. Maximum guest capacity is 23. Up to two children may share a tent with an adult.

Dining

Meals are served on the open-air deck of the main lodge overlooking the waterhole, or out in the bush. Sundowners move around the concession, with the favourite spot being Nehimba Seeps, an open clay-pan where wildlife have dug for water for centuries. There is a small swimming pool by the main deck for guests who can reach it before the elephants do.

Activities

Days at Nehimba are tailor-made rather than scheduled. Game drives run in specially modified open 4x4 vehicles built for photography, exploring an area that holds the full spectrum of Hwange's wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and hyena. The local pride of elephant-hunting lions is a particular drawcard. Walking safaris are led by Zimbabwe's Professional Guides, who serve apprenticeships of five to ten years and rank among the most highly qualified in Africa. Night drives operate on the private concession, and excursions include visits to Nehimba Seeps and Mandavu Dam.

Price Includes

• Accommodation in a safari suite
• All meals daily
• Soft drinks, beers, wines and local spirits
• Daily laundry (weather dependent)
• Wi-Fi in the main lodge area
• Guided game activities including game drives, walking safaris, night drives and all-day excursions
• Return road transfers to and from Shumba Airstrip