Reviews of Hwange Bush Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
31 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Hwange Bush Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Aug-2018, 20 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Hwange Bush Camp.
Lion
95% success
Leopard
21% success
Cheetah
37% success
Wild dog
20% success
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
95% success
Zebra
95% success
Hippo
75% success
Roan antelope
74% success
Buffalo
65% success
Spotted Hyena
44% success
Sable antelope
35% success
Eland
11% success
Oryx
6% success
Brown Hyena
5% success
Wildebeest
5% success
Aardvark
0% success
Black Rhino
0% success
Pangolin
0% success
Mr & Mrs R
Kingston
"Great stay at Hwange Bush Camp"
3 nights Arrived 30 Aug 2018
"We stayed 3 nights at Hwange Bush Camp in late August, the first of 3 camps on our safari, and we would certainly return. We enjoyed our stay and would recommend it for anyone not wanting what we call "luxury". Our Camp Manager was Anna, congenial and efficient.
We stayed in Tent 6, which I think was the farthest from the main area. Small covered seating area just outside the entrance to the tent, bucket shower (3 1/2 minutes long, which we found to be plenty), running cold water at the sink and a flush toilet. The water was fine to drink and we did so throughout our stay. In fact if the camp could figure out how to avoid using the small plastic bottles of water for guests, that would be great (maybe refillable metal bottles?).
The meals are all cooked over an open fire and were very enjoyable. Lunch and dinner were served buffet style in the dining tent. Breakfast around the fire before the game drive.
On the morning game drives we seemed to travel quite a distance before seeing any animals and we found the jeep was not quite as comfortable as some others we have been in. We sat in the front row and there was no bar to hold onto and my feet didn't reach the floor. But it did not stop us from enjoying the sightings: giraffes, elephants galore having mudbaths and drinking, 12 wild dogs resting, lions, kudu, impala, hippos, steenbok, rock hyrax, banded mongoose. In this more remote area of the park, the animals may be less habituated to the vehicles so we didn't always get as close to them as at other camps.
Spike was our guide and he is extremely knowledgeable and descriptive, of course. On one late afternoon walk from camp we sat to watch elephants at a water source, this was really special. We also saw a leopard, from a distance-we had been watching an elephant and suddenly the leopard ran off from under a bush nearby.
We found that the length of the morning drives was less dependent on a fixed time than in some other camps, ie. on one day we did not return to camp until 3 pm. Although we did have a snack at 1 pm that time, it was a rather long day for us, although it was certainly productive in terms of sightings. A trade off! And that is the day we did the walk to see the elephants as our late afternoon activity, which was a welcome alternative to another drive.
Thank you Spike, Anna, Beth and Jean. I apologize for not remembering everyone's names." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
We stayed in Tent 6, which I think was the farthest from the main area. Small covered seating area just outside the entrance to the tent, bucket shower (3 1/2 minutes long, which we found to be plenty), running cold water at the sink and a flush toilet. The water was fine to drink and we did so throughout our stay. In fact if the camp could figure out how to avoid using the small plastic bottles of water for guests, that would be great (maybe refillable metal bottles?).
The meals are all cooked over an open fire and were very enjoyable. Lunch and dinner were served buffet style in the dining tent. Breakfast around the fire before the game drive.
On the morning game drives we seemed to travel quite a distance before seeing any animals and we found the jeep was not quite as comfortable as some others we have been in. We sat in the front row and there was no bar to hold onto and my feet didn't reach the floor. But it did not stop us from enjoying the sightings: giraffes, elephants galore having mudbaths and drinking, 12 wild dogs resting, lions, kudu, impala, hippos, steenbok, rock hyrax, banded mongoose. In this more remote area of the park, the animals may be less habituated to the vehicles so we didn't always get as close to them as at other camps.
Spike was our guide and he is extremely knowledgeable and descriptive, of course. On one late afternoon walk from camp we sat to watch elephants at a water source, this was really special. We also saw a leopard, from a distance-we had been watching an elephant and suddenly the leopard ran off from under a bush nearby.
We found that the length of the morning drives was less dependent on a fixed time than in some other camps, ie. on one day we did not return to camp until 3 pm. Although we did have a snack at 1 pm that time, it was a rather long day for us, although it was certainly productive in terms of sightings. A trade off! And that is the day we did the walk to see the elephants as our late afternoon activity, which was a welcome alternative to another drive.
Thank you Spike, Anna, Beth and Jean. I apologize for not remembering everyone's names." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
5 sightings
Mrs M
Japan
"Awsome experience"
3 nights Arrived 1 May 2018
"Hwange Bush Camp is smaller than Camp Hwange and I really like this rustic camp. Each room has comfortable beds and very large bathroom.
I always enjoyed meals with other guests, camp staffs and guides. I love this familiar atmoshere.
My guide was Julian. On the way to the camp, I had my first experience to touch a Python. We tracked lions on foot but didn't find them, but on my third day , finally we saw the lion, "Vusi", with 4 females and 2 cubs.
I would definately stay there again." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
I always enjoyed meals with other guests, camp staffs and guides. I love this familiar atmoshere.
My guide was Julian. On the way to the camp, I had my first experience to touch a Python. We tracked lions on foot but didn't find them, but on my third day , finally we saw the lion, "Vusi", with 4 females and 2 cubs.
I would definately stay there again." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Peter & Olga
France
"From Hwange Mobile to Hwange Bush Camp ."
4 nights Arrived 6 Nov 2017
"Hwange Bush Camp is the new semi-permanent home of the previous Hwange mobile camp. We have enjoyed the mobile camp on our previous visits to Hwange and were interested to see how the Bush Camp compares. We were pleased to find that it is excellent.
There are six large tents - similar to those used on the "luxury" mobile safari, but with an extended toilet and shower area at the rear. It is all very spacious and comfortable. The lounge and dining areas are very well appointed - and of course the food is good and the guiding excellent.
Bush Camp is located in the Robins Camp section of Hwange which is much quieter with fewer vehicles than other parts of Hwange. Game viewing was excellent - we clocked up 20 lions on one day. It is nice to have the flexibility to stay out all day if one wants and to combine walking with driving. We were pleased to meet up again with Andrew Dalzell who has guided us on all of our previous trips to Hwange. Andrew is an amazing guide and every day with him is a rewarding experience." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 8n in Zimbabwe; 1n in Botswana
There are six large tents - similar to those used on the "luxury" mobile safari, but with an extended toilet and shower area at the rear. It is all very spacious and comfortable. The lounge and dining areas are very well appointed - and of course the food is good and the guiding excellent.
Bush Camp is located in the Robins Camp section of Hwange which is much quieter with fewer vehicles than other parts of Hwange. Game viewing was excellent - we clocked up 20 lions on one day. It is nice to have the flexibility to stay out all day if one wants and to combine walking with driving. We were pleased to meet up again with Andrew Dalzell who has guided us on all of our previous trips to Hwange. Andrew is an amazing guide and every day with him is a rewarding experience." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 8n in Zimbabwe; 1n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs & Mr S
Yorkshire
"A wonderful experience"
3 nights Arrived 13 Oct 2017
"We were slightly apprehensive about going to the Bush Camp after the luxury of Somalisa Expeditions and in retrospect it would have been better to have visited this camp first as it could not possibly live up to the amazing hospitality and setting of Somalisa. Saying that, once we settled in we really enjoyed the Bush Camp. The food there was delicious, probably the best of all the camps, which is amazing considering the limited cooking facilities.
They also produced the most imaginative vegetarian meals, which were much appreciated. Another surprise to us all was the care and attention that went into setting the table for dinner. Lucky went to astonishing lengths to produce beautiful table settings which even included napkins modelled as giraffes. All very impressive in a bush camp.
There is no waterhole at this camp but the night noises and animal visitors make up for this. We frequently heard lions quite close to camp and one evening the staff has to chase away a hyena.
The time spent on game drives can be quite tiring. Up at 5.15am for a quick breakfast and out by 6am. A break on route for a drink and biscuit at around 11am was much needed. Although the homemade biscuits are delicious, maybe something more substantial is required at this point as we didn't return to camp until 1pm with lunch at 1.30pm. After a delicious lunch we had a short rest before going out again at 4pm until 6.30pm. Dinner at 8pm then bed. This regime may it suit everyone but for 2/3 days it is worth it.
The animals in this area of the park are less used to being observed and are therefore quite skittish and more difficult to find. The advantage of this though is you do not share the experience with others, which makes it more special? Our guide, Andrew was very experienced and along with Felix the tracker, they made a formidable spotting and tracking team. We not only went on game drives but also tracked lions on foot as well as elephants. We were keen to see hippo so Andrew took us to a section of river one evening where we had our sundowner watching them. It was a magical experience, particularly as we were the only ones there.
Don't be put off by the bucket showers it's not as bad as it sounds. A canvas bag on the outside of the tent is filled with warm water when you request it. You then turn on a tap in the shower as normal and water appears through a shower head. There is ample water for 2 showers.
We were so pleased that we stopped at this camp." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 5n in Namibia
They also produced the most imaginative vegetarian meals, which were much appreciated. Another surprise to us all was the care and attention that went into setting the table for dinner. Lucky went to astonishing lengths to produce beautiful table settings which even included napkins modelled as giraffes. All very impressive in a bush camp.
There is no waterhole at this camp but the night noises and animal visitors make up for this. We frequently heard lions quite close to camp and one evening the staff has to chase away a hyena.
The time spent on game drives can be quite tiring. Up at 5.15am for a quick breakfast and out by 6am. A break on route for a drink and biscuit at around 11am was much needed. Although the homemade biscuits are delicious, maybe something more substantial is required at this point as we didn't return to camp until 1pm with lunch at 1.30pm. After a delicious lunch we had a short rest before going out again at 4pm until 6.30pm. Dinner at 8pm then bed. This regime may it suit everyone but for 2/3 days it is worth it.
The animals in this area of the park are less used to being observed and are therefore quite skittish and more difficult to find. The advantage of this though is you do not share the experience with others, which makes it more special? Our guide, Andrew was very experienced and along with Felix the tracker, they made a formidable spotting and tracking team. We not only went on game drives but also tracked lions on foot as well as elephants. We were keen to see hippo so Andrew took us to a section of river one evening where we had our sundowner watching them. It was a magical experience, particularly as we were the only ones there.
Don't be put off by the bucket showers it's not as bad as it sounds. A canvas bag on the outside of the tent is filled with warm water when you request it. You then turn on a tap in the shower as normal and water appears through a shower head. There is ample water for 2 showers.
We were so pleased that we stopped at this camp." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 5n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mrs R
Ewing
"Fantastic Guide at Hwange Bush Camp!"
3 nights Arrived 14 Sep 2017
"Spike was our guide at Hwange Bush Camp. He was a wealth of knowledge and was constantly sharing information and experiences with us.
This was an "Eat, Sleep, Safari" adventure! We woke up at 5:15 for coffee or tea around the campfire. Off to an early morning safari and watch the sunrise. We came back to a full breakfast ready for us. Then we went on a 3 hour safari and returned to a beautiful lunch spread. Given an hour or two in the afternoon to rest, we ventured out for another 3 hour safari, returning to dinner. There were six in our group which made it very comfortable in the jeep so we could easily take lots of pictures.
Spike found so many animals that we would not have seen on our own. The walking safaris were phenomenal ! We were able to get up close to photograph and observe the behavior of many animals.
The staff washed our clothes and had them neatly folded and returned to us in the afternoon. They took care of our tents and prepared the hot water for our showers. The food was delicious! Kelvin is a fantastic chef working very hard behind the scenes! I want to thank Spike, Sean, Lucky, Kelvin, and there is one more member of the staff in which I can not remember his name.
It was the best safari ever!" See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe
This was an "Eat, Sleep, Safari" adventure! We woke up at 5:15 for coffee or tea around the campfire. Off to an early morning safari and watch the sunrise. We came back to a full breakfast ready for us. Then we went on a 3 hour safari and returned to a beautiful lunch spread. Given an hour or two in the afternoon to rest, we ventured out for another 3 hour safari, returning to dinner. There were six in our group which made it very comfortable in the jeep so we could easily take lots of pictures.
Spike found so many animals that we would not have seen on our own. The walking safaris were phenomenal ! We were able to get up close to photograph and observe the behavior of many animals.
The staff washed our clothes and had them neatly folded and returned to us in the afternoon. They took care of our tents and prepared the hot water for our showers. The food was delicious! Kelvin is a fantastic chef working very hard behind the scenes! I want to thank Spike, Sean, Lucky, Kelvin, and there is one more member of the staff in which I can not remember his name.
It was the best safari ever!" See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Miss A
Dubai
"A wilder safari"
3 nights Arrived 13 Jun 2017
"Lots to do on this side of the Hwange National Park. It is wilder, has many natural springs and pans. Landscape is beautiful filled with mopane trees complemented by the water bodies.
Night game drives are not allowed here as the Bush Camp is not in a concession area. For some reason, it was harder to track animals on foot. Friendly staff and great food." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
Night game drives are not allowed here as the Bush Camp is not in a concession area. For some reason, it was harder to track animals on foot. Friendly staff and great food." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Peter & Olga
France
"Hwange Mobile Camp review"
10 nights Arrived 30 Oct 2015
"This was our third safari with Hwange Mobile and it really is excellent. Excellent in every way - guiding, accommodation, food all outstanding. This time we camped in three different sites and all were excellent and different."
See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe; 8n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Peacocks/LC
USA
"Luxury Mobile Tented Hwange & Andrew Dalzell"
6 nights Arrived 28 Aug 2012
"This was our second safari to Zimbabwe. Our guide, Andrew Dalzell, who we met in 2011 at Mana Pools, was so exceptional that we asked Claire Scott of Expert Africa to create a week long Mobile Safari that was flexible enough to let Andrew create a series of unique wildlife experiences. He met us at Hwange Main Camp and over the next six days we had one of the most fascinating and exciting times of our lives. Some highlights:
* Walking with Andrew and his 60+ year old tracker, Felix then encountering elephants in a close thicket!
That got the blood pumping!
Hundreds of elephant come to Hwange this time of year.
* Two male lion brothers and their lionesses with four cubs at a fresh elephant kill;
* Sighting 3 rare Oryx, a magnificent desert antelope that Andrew had never encountered in 26 years of guiding.
To see such an experienced pro get so excited over a fresh discovery was a treat.
* A day hike searching for a male lion -- following Felix's uncanny tracking skill over rock and through brush.
After a day of searching, Felix spotted him looking down at us from a rocky hide and we were able to track
the nomadic male's progress through our binoculars.
Having never attempted mobile tenting before, we were a little apprehensive, but Andrew and the three man crew from Kazuma Trails delivered. The tents were excellent, the en suite feature made my spouse and me comfortable, the food was as good or better than we had at more expensive camps last year. Frankly, you expect something to go wrong, but the crew delivered safety, comfort and a unique experience that we'd recommend to others without reservation." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Zimbabwe
* Walking with Andrew and his 60+ year old tracker, Felix then encountering elephants in a close thicket!
That got the blood pumping!
Hundreds of elephant come to Hwange this time of year.
* Two male lion brothers and their lionesses with four cubs at a fresh elephant kill;
* Sighting 3 rare Oryx, a magnificent desert antelope that Andrew had never encountered in 26 years of guiding.
To see such an experienced pro get so excited over a fresh discovery was a treat.
* A day hike searching for a male lion -- following Felix's uncanny tracking skill over rock and through brush.
After a day of searching, Felix spotted him looking down at us from a rocky hide and we were able to track
the nomadic male's progress through our binoculars.
Having never attempted mobile tenting before, we were a little apprehensive, but Andrew and the three man crew from Kazuma Trails delivered. The tents were excellent, the en suite feature made my spouse and me comfortable, the food was as good or better than we had at more expensive camps last year. Frankly, you expect something to go wrong, but the crew delivered safety, comfort and a unique experience that we'd recommend to others without reservation." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
N family
Netherlands
"Fantastic safari at Hwange mobile camp"
3 nights Arrived 2 Aug 2012
"This safari was excellent on all points: nice balance between the game drives, the walks & the time spent in the hide; great guide, knowledgeable, opinionated, entertaining and a really nice person; plenty of wild life to see.
We got upgraded to a luxurious safari, which means that the comfort, food & service at the camp were perfect. The very small isolated camp & the long walks really lead to a very intimate experience with the bush.
For us it was a perfect safari!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
We got upgraded to a luxurious safari, which means that the comfort, food & service at the camp were perfect. The very small isolated camp & the long walks really lead to a very intimate experience with the bush.
For us it was a perfect safari!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
The G family
Finchley
"Lukozi Mobile Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 31 Jul 2011
"This was without doubt the highlight of our time in Hwange. We were with the intrepid David Carson who is the man to hang out with if you want the real safari experience.
We stayed in luxury tents but you don't go on mobile safari for the facilities, which were top notch anyway ,but for the walking and the tracking and the really being in the wild. Dave is full of energy and real passion for this place and its wildness and his enthusiasm can't help but rub off on you. We had a really exciting and fun time as we spent much of it either driving off road or walking in the bush.
We went on foot tracking Elephant in a dry river bed, got close to a large herd of Buffalo, watched a pod of Hippos from a safe distance as they drank by the waters edge and sat it out in our open jeep for a few hours as the sunset while a pride of young lion surrounded us getting close enough to check the tyres!
I would do it all again tomorrow and our two boys loved it as they got a real taste of adventure with African ground beneath their feet. It does help to be young of heart, adventurous of spirit and in o.k shape if you are going to choose this sort of experience but it beats sitting by a pool any day." See all these reviews: 14n in Zimbabwe
We stayed in luxury tents but you don't go on mobile safari for the facilities, which were top notch anyway ,but for the walking and the tracking and the really being in the wild. Dave is full of energy and real passion for this place and its wildness and his enthusiasm can't help but rub off on you. We had a really exciting and fun time as we spent much of it either driving off road or walking in the bush.
We went on foot tracking Elephant in a dry river bed, got close to a large herd of Buffalo, watched a pod of Hippos from a safe distance as they drank by the waters edge and sat it out in our open jeep for a few hours as the sunset while a pride of young lion surrounded us getting close enough to check the tyres!
I would do it all again tomorrow and our two boys loved it as they got a real taste of adventure with African ground beneath their feet. It does help to be young of heart, adventurous of spirit and in o.k shape if you are going to choose this sort of experience but it beats sitting by a pool any day." See all these reviews: 14n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
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.
Camp Hwange
Overlooking a waterhole in a remote part of Hwange National Park, Camp Hwange offers great guiding in a pristine wilderness at reasonable prices.
Somalisa Camp
Somalisa is a luxurious, yet remote, safari camp in Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
The Hide
Located in a small, private concession, The Hide is a relaxed and comfortable camp offering submerged hides and great family accommodation.
Little Makalolo Camp
Tucked away in Hwange National Park overlooking a waterhole, Little Makalolo Camp combines top guiding with excellent wildlife watching.
Somalisa Expeditions
A simple but stylish camp, Somalisa Expeditions sits in the heart of Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
Davison's Camp
Within the Linkwasha Concession, Davison's Camp offers superb value for money, morning walking safaris and spot-lit drives after dark.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba is a comfortable, good-value camp in a remote area of Hwange National Park, teeming with wildlife.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Bomani is a down-to-earth lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Verney's Camp
Verney's Camp is one of the newest offerings in Hwange, located in the wildlife rich, open landscape in the south-eastern section of the park.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National Park.
Khulu Bush Camp
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu Bush Camp features a waterhole popular with wildlife, especially elephants and offers excellent value for money.
Jozibanini Camp
Remote and rugged, Jozibanini is one of the most remote camps in Zimabwe's largest National Park. Stay here for a real wilderness experience.
Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.
Ivory Lodge
Just outside Hwange National Park, the small Ivory Lodge is a great place to see large herds of elephant as well as smaller plains game.
Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush amp experience.
Sable Valley Lodge
Set on the 12km Dete Vlei, the recently upgraded and family-friendly Sable Valley sits in a private reserve within easy reach of Hwange National Park.
Daka Camp
One of the more remote camps in Hwange National Park, Deka Camp sits almost on the border with Botswana.
Stimela Star
The Stimela Star is a luxury overnight train that starts in Victoria Falls before making it's way down to Hwange National Park where you can start your safari.
Elephant's Eye
In a private concession just outside Hwange National Park, the comfortable Elephant's Eye overlooks a pan and waterholes.
Khulu's Retreat
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu's Retreat is an exclusive private villa and is a great place to spoil yourself on a safari in Zimbabwe.
