On a private concession along the Kennedy Vlei Line, an ancient fossil river system running through Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Somalisa Expeditions gathers six Meru-style tents above a seasonal floodplain. From the main deck the view falls to a waterhole, and it is here that the day turns, because the waterhole below the main deck draws elephant herds within metres of the guests who watch them. They come through the daylight hours to drink and mud-bathe, close enough to hear.
the waterhole below the main deck draws elephant herds within metres
Being on a private concession rather than the general park changes what a day can hold, opening the way to night drives and walking safaris that Hwange’s public roads do not allow. The pool and lounge face the same open plain, so the game viewing never quite stops, and the moments arrive unbidden: baby elephants breaking into a run for the water while the adults close around them in a protective circle. This is canvas, campfires and elephants, not architectural statement pieces.
Fewer vehicles share the Kennedy Vlei and Somalisa Pans than the public park roads, and that quiet is the point, letting a sighting be given time rather than rushed. Guides here run night drives and lead walking safaris across the Kalahari sands, both restricted in the general national park, where the daytime drives keep to designated roads and the herds are watched from a distance.
Guides here run night drives and lead walking safaris across the Kalahari sands
Elephants dominate, but the vlei holds far more. Buffalo, zebra, giraffe and the horned company of kudu, sable and roan move across the plains, trailed by the lion, leopard and hyena that follow the herds, while wild dog appear with the seasons and the birdlife runs rich along the vlei edge. Best of all, photography hides sit close to the water, putting the game at eye level and the camera exactly where it wants to be.
Beks Ndlovu, a Zimbabwean professional guide, built the first Somalisa camp in Hwange and grew it into a wider safari operation across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Somalisa Expeditions came later, within the same concession, conceived as a smaller and more rustic counterpart to that original camp, plainer in register throughout, six tents against the flagship’s seven. Canvas-walled and raised on wooden platforms, the tents run to dark polished floors and earthy ochre and green tones, furnished in Zimbabwean craftsmanship rather than statement fixtures, each with an en-suite bathroom of flushing toilet and hot shower and a private veranda facing the bush. The effect sits closer to the early tented expeditions than to a design lodge.
Six tents produce a house-party rhythm. Dinners are served communally around a large hardwood table, lunch on the deck above the pans, and breakfast often around the campfire in the boma, with wood smoke on the cold morning air. The cooking is homestyle bush food, done well in a remote setting, and guides and managers join guests at the fire to compare the day’s sightings. Power comes from solar with generator back-up, and charging facilities sit in the main area.
The effect sits closer to the early tented expeditions than to a design lodge
Access is by light aircraft to Manga Airstrip, roughly a 45-minute flight from Victoria Falls, then a game-drive transfer into the concession. Nights bring the full sound of the vlei, hyena and distant lion, frogs and cicadas, with only canvas and wooden shower walls between the guest and the dark, and a resident elephant known to the camp sometimes wanders through to feed. Children under 16 are not permitted on walking safaris, though shorter nature walks near camp can be arranged, and the camp suits older children and adults who want close wildlife and strong guiding over polish.
accommodation
Six Meru-style canvas tents rise on wooden platforms, each with an en-suite bathroom of flushing toilet, washbasin and hot shower, a fan, mosquito-netted beds, and a private veranda that faces the floodplain and waterhole. The furnishings are dark wood in earthy ochre and green tones, plainer in register than the flagship camp.
activities
Days move to morning and afternoon game drives across the Kennedy Vlei and Somalisa Pans, with night drives and guided walking safaris both possible here because the camp operates within a private concession rather than the general park. Birding along the vlei, photography hides near water, and pre-arranged full-day visits to a local village complete the range.
conservation
A nightly per-guest levy funds the African Bush Camps Foundation, which runs education and community programmes around Hwange. Named projects include the Mambanje community garden and solar borehole, the Thandanani Sewing Group in Dete, and the Mambanje Lion Guardian Programme. The camp runs on solar power with generator back-up.
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 usual gateway for Hwange, then take a light aircraft to a Hwange airstrip, where the camp meets you for the transfer to its site on the Kennedy Vlei Line. A road transfer is possible too, and we set up whichever route works best for your trip.
The charter flights are shared and the exact departure is fixed the day before once the airline sets its routing, with luggage limited to soft bags of around 20kg per person including hand luggage. If you would rather not share, we can arrange a private charter into Hwange, typically a Cessna Caravan or Pilatus PC-12, departing when you are ready. We time the flight to your arrival at Victoria Falls so there is no waiting around.
Yes, Hwange carries a seasonal malaria risk, so it is not malaria-free. The risk is lowest in the dry winter from June to October, which is also the prime game-viewing season, and higher in the wet months from November to April.
We suggest confirming the current advice with a travel clinic or your doctor before you travel, taking antimalarials if they recommend them, and covering up against bites after dark.
The dry-season mornings from June to August are cold in Hwange, occasionally near freezing on an open vehicle, so bring warm layers for dawn and light clothing for the warmth of the day. From September it turns hot, October most of all.
Light, breathable clothing in neutral colours, a warm top for early starts, a hat and good sun protection will see you through. Pack into a soft bag, as the light aircraft into camp cannot take hard suitcases.
In the dry season, often without leaving your seat. The main deck and pool look onto a waterhole, and through the dry months from about July to October elephant herds come through the day to drink and wallow in the mud, near enough that you hear them.
As the green season arrives from December, the rains draw the game away from the waterhole and the numbers ease, with the birding and the newborns coming to the fore. The camp keeps its focus on that plain in front of the deck, so quiet stretches of watching are part of the day.
The camp takes children aged twelve and over. For younger children, a family-focused camp on the same concession is the better choice, and we can arrange that instead.
Walking safaris are for ages sixteen and over. Tell us your children's ages and we will make sure the camp suits your family.
No, there is no wifi at the camp and the mobile signal here is very limited or absent. This is a deliberately simple, off-grid camp of tents and campfires.
Plan to be offline for your stay, which suits the pared-back style of the place. If you need to stay reachable while you are away, tell us before you travel and we will advise on what is realistic.
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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.
