Things to do in Zimbabwe

Enjoy views of the plain from your bath at Somalisa Camp

A bath here means appreciating endless views across the plain from your copper slipper tub…

By Dophas Tshaba

African Bush Camps Guide

Hwange National Park is often called the ‘land of the giants’ because of its large elephant herds, and they come to drink at our water holes, just metres away from the viewing deck. Somalisa Camp is set under an acacia grove under these beautiful trees that the elephants love.

The camp’s ethos is centred on conservation and our guests play a part in this. Somalisa must be one of the only camps where guests feel guilty if they don’t take a shower or bath. A solar-powered farm and water purity system means we can recyle 80 per cent of the water used. The more you shower the more you give back to the animals. We were recently awarded the first gold Green Tourism Certification in Zimbabwe.

Somalisa offers a very authentic style of luxury. A bath here means appreciating endless views across the plain from your copper slipper tub. Our sailcloth ‘tents’ include a battery charging station, a wood-burning fireplace and a private viewing deck and décor includes lots of natural wood and colourful kudhinda fabrics, which are hand painted or screen printed. We offer plenty for children too, including nature walks and cooking lessons, such as making their own pizzas.

The camp is in a private concession at the heart of the park, with access to a vast open savannah. On our safaris guests can expect to see hundreds of elephants, prides of lion, impala, kudu, zebra, giraffe, antelope and even leopard and cheetah. This morning we saw one of our lions with her two beautiful six-week-old cubs.

I’m happiest when I’m guiding and showing guests our incredible wildlife but a favourite part of my day is the evening, around the campfire, when we chat with our visitors about the wildlife we’ve seen and the guides share stories about the African bush.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Unsurpassed Zimbabwe
by Daniel Heatly

Length13 Days

Price range£9,495 - £14,895pp

Alfred & Dophas Tshaba

Dophas started working for African Bush Camps in 2010 as a casual labourer before joining the camp team, first as a pot washer in the kitchen before venturing front of house as a member of the waiting staff. His desire to learn saw him becoming a camp host at a number of the ABC camps whilst undertaking his guiding studies. He has since completed his guide training and is one of our guiding team at Somalisa.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Adele, who's travelled extensively in Zimbabwe. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember – the ranger who can show you the best game viewing and fishing spots on the Zambezi, the guide who’ll introduce you to ‘moonbows’ at Victoria Falls and the locals who’ll share their dinner with you.

Adele Jones

Africa Travel Expert for Alfred&

Adele has been travelling for 21 years, with plenty of time in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. As a keen wildlife enthusiast she is fascinated by seeing wild animals in their natural environment, as well as understanding how landscape and topography drive their behavioural patterns. Her experience in Africa got off to a memorable start, with a sighting of a wild dog pack within 10-minutes of landing on her first ever safari trip!
Cloud Magondo

Professional Guide at Nyamatusi Camp

Cloud joined African Bush Camps after five years of experience working as a professional river guide. He has also recently achieved his Professional Guide licence, a highly regarded achievement within the safari industry. His passions are canoeing, star gazing, animal behaviour and birds while also recognising the importance of the smaller things like insects and flora. As a guide who canoes the Zambezi, he has plenty of respect for the resident hippo and crocodiles.
Mark Butcher

Managing Director of Imvelo Safari Lodges

Mark Butcher is an eco-tourism professional with a passion for linking local communities directly to wildlife conservation. In the 80s, he was a ranger for the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife and later, the Provincial Wildlife Officer in the Matabeleland North Province adjacent to Hwange National Park. Mark is now the Managing Director of Imvelo Safari Lodges, a selection of properties that directly benefit disenfranchised communities around Hwange.
Tich Tandi

Sales and marketing manager at Wild Horizons, Alfred&’s partner in Zimbabwe

During more than three decades in the hospitality industry, Tich Tandi has been everything from a waiter to a tours coordinator in a five-star hotel. Originally from Rusape in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, he now works for Wild Horizons in Victoria Falls as part of the sales and marketing team, a role he thoroughly enjoys.
Jane Msamba

Deputy General Manager, Ilala Lodge Hotel

Born in Zimbabwe, Jane began working with Ilala Lodge Hotel as a senior cashier in 1995. She has worked her way through the ranks from Junior Tours Consultant to Tours Manager and this year took up the role of Deputy General Manager of the hotel. Happily married with three children, Jane has recently become a proud grandmother. She lives in Victoria Falls with her husband and the couple is passionate about wildlife.
Francis Nyabadza

Guide at Wild Horizons, Alfred&’s partner in Zimbabwe

Francis Nyabadza grew up hearing the roar of the Victoria Falls, and familiarity has done nothing to diminish his sense of awe every time he takes guests to experience this natural wonder for themselves – something he’s been doing for Wild Horizons since 1997. When not at the Falls, his favourite place to take visitors is the village that hosts the company’s Meet the People cultural activity.