Somalisa Camp sits on an acacia island at the edge of the Kennedy Vlei floodplain, deep inside a private concession in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. Seven canvas tents look out over a waterhole where elephant herds gather within metres of the deck. The camp developed that waterhole for the animals themselves, the elephants that pass through in search of water through the long dry season.
Behind the tents, camelthorn trees hold the island together
Being inside a private concession rather than the open park changes everything. There is no public road traffic here, and the floodplain in front of camp works as a magnet for game, so much of the viewing happens without ever leaving the deck. Behind the tents, camelthorn trees hold the island together, casting shade across savannah that runs unbroken to the horizon.
Beks Ndlovu grew up in a village on the edge of Hwange, and trained as a professional guide. He built Somalisa in 2006 as the first camp in what became African Bush Camps, and it remains the company’s founding property. His guiding background still runs through what the camp is known for: the reading of tracks, the small details, and the ecology behind the big sightings.
Glass wood-burners take the edge off cold winter mornings
The design is unashamedly classic. Canvas sailcloth is stretched over teak decks, copper slipper baths and hand-forged metal sit within, and Zimbabwean Kudhinda fabric runs through the interiors. Glass wood-burners take the edge off cold winter mornings, while overhead fans handle the summer heat. It is elegant without ever pulling attention from the plains beyond the gauze doors.
Game drives run morning and afternoon in open 4×4 vehicles, across both the private concession and the wider park, and the concession status opens up ground the public reserve cannot. Night drives head out after dark, when smaller nocturnal species become active, and walking safaris go on foot with armed, qualified guides. Log-pile hides at nearby waterholes bring the camera down to eye level as game moves in close. Birding is strong across Hwange, where more than 400 recorded species draw steady interest through the year.
The Kennedy Vlei and the concession around it sit in prime game country. Herds of buffalo, sable, roan, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe move through, and the predator presence is strong, with lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog all working the plains. Elephants remain the constant. Large herds walk through camp and past the tents through the dry months, and the waterhole below the main deck keeps them close from first light to last.
Night drives head out after dark, when smaller nocturnal species become active
Somalisa holds a Gold Green Tourism Certification, awarded early in Zimbabwe’s adoption of the standard, and the camp lives up to it. It runs entirely on solar power, and a water purification system recycles around 80 percent of what it uses. The kitchen draws its produce from local farmers, cutting the distance food travels and putting income into the surrounding communities. Meals lean gourmet, drawing on European, Far Eastern and African influences, and they are served communally with the guides, at a long table in the open-sided mess, around the boma fire, or under the stars.
Days settle into a rhythm of drives, walks and long stretches on the deck. Coffee arrives through a butler’s hatch in the tent before an early start, and afternoons might be spent by the pool while elephants drink and bathe close by. A bookable sleep-out, a treehouse retreat overlooking a separate waterhole a short drive from camp, adds a night under open sky. Charter flights from Victoria Falls reach Manga Airstrip in around 45 minutes, followed by a 30-minute game drive to camp.
accommodation
Seven luxury sail tents, each raised on a teak deck with gauze sliding doors opening to a private viewing veranda. Interiors hold a king bed, sitting area and writing desk, with a glass wood-burning fireplace and overhead fan. En-suite bathrooms feature double vanities, a copper slipper bath, and both indoor and outdoor showers.
activities
Morning and afternoon game drives run across the concession and wider Hwange National Park. As a private concession, Somalisa also offers night drives and guided walking safaris on foot, both restricted in the public park. Log-pile photographic hides, birding across 400-plus species, and cultural visits to nearby communities round out the experience.
conservation
Work runs through the African Bush Camps Foundation. Near Hwange, this supports Mambanje Primary School with classroom renovations, solar power, boreholes and a nutrition programme, alongside the Mambanje Community Garden and the Thandanani Sewing Group in Dete, whose crafts are sold in camp. The foundation also funds research into lion, wild dog and elephant populations.
Get in touch and let’s start the conversation. An initial consultation helps us understand what you’re looking for, whether that’s specific experiences, luxury touches, or marking a special occasion, and from there we’ll guide you through what’s possible so you can decide if we’re the right fit.
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You fly into Victoria Falls, the main gateway for Hwange, then connect by light aircraft to a Hwange airstrip, from where the camp collects you for the transfer across the concession. A road transfer is also possible, but the flight is quicker and easier, and we arrange the connections either way.
The charter is shared, with the departure set the day before once the airline fixes its routing, and luggage is soft bags of around 20kg per person including hand luggage, which we confirm before you pack. If you would rather not wait on the shared routing, we can arrange a private charter instead, typically a Cessna Caravan or Pilatus PC-12, flown direct to the strip at your own time. We time the flight to your arrival at Victoria Falls so the day joins up.
Yes, it carries a seasonal malaria risk and is not malaria-free. The risk is lowest in the dry winter months from June to October, the best time for game viewing, and higher in the wet green season from November to April.
Advice can change from year to year, so please check the current position with a travel clinic or your doctor before you travel, take antimalarials if they recommend them, and cover up against bites after dark.
Dry-season mornings in Hwange from June to August are cold, sometimes close to freezing on an early drive, so bring warm layers, a hat and gloves for dawn, and light clothing to change into as the day warms. The camp has wood-burners for cold mornings and fans for the heat.
From September the days grow hot, with October the hottest, so pack light, breathable, neutral-coloured clothing and strong sun protection for a late-season trip. Use a soft bag for the light aircraft rather than a hard suitcase.
Very likely in the dry season. The camp sits on an acacia island beside a waterhole it developed to draw them in, and through the dry months from about July to October elephant herds come to drink within a few metres of the deck, so a good deal of the game viewing happens without leaving camp.
As the green season arrives from December, the rains spread the animals out and the numbers at the waterhole ease, with the focus turning to birds and newborns. Whenever you come, the pool and lounge look onto the same plain, so there is usually something moving in front of camp.
The camp takes children aged twelve and over. If you are travelling with younger children, its sister camp on the same concession is set up for families, and we can point you there instead.
Guided walking safaris are for ages sixteen and over for safety. Tell us the ages of your children when you enquire and we will find the right camp for your family.
No, there is no wifi and no mobile signal at the camp, which keeps a satellite phone for emergencies. It is a genuine off-grid stay, so plan to be offline while you are there.
Most guests find the disconnection is part of the appeal, a few days with nothing to answer to but the waterhole. If you need to stay reachable for a real reason, tell us before you travel and we will explain the options.
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our approach
Every journey starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision before we start planning.
Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape something that is considered, personal, and expertly delivered.
