Reviews of The Hide
Wildlife sightings and reviews
34 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Hide and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
43% success
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43% success
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"The Hide: Excellent Camp"
"The Hide review"
Very knowledgeable guide, Daffy (sorry for the spelling !). Greatly helped improve our bird recognition.
We were lucky enough to see lions, cheetahs and sable here, all great sightings.
We had a very relaxing and enjoyable stay here. Everyone made sure we were very well looked after.
The actual hide by the waterhole is a real bonus.
Slight drawback from the train noise at night, but it didn't really bother us." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
Tents - very nicely furnished with very delightful outside shower
Staff very efficient and welcoming in most cases
Food was really good with some great inventive combinations
Our guide was very good but not convinced the ability was consistent." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
"Just right at the end of our trip"
It is very comfortable, the food is excellent and the location overlooking the waterhole very good. The staff are very welcoming and Leanne in particular went out of her way to ensure that our stay was a great experience. A special mention to Jo who bravely dealt with the scorpion that crawled into Annes trouser pocket!!! I would also commend the Lodge for arranging for the Leopard to visit the waterhole on our first evening there!
The pace is a little slower than the other two lodges which suited us as by this time on the trip we were beginning to feel the early mornings and long days. The guiding is of a good standard, however this is a less intense experience than other Lodges we visited and it would be disappointing if this was the only Lodge experienced in this amazing National Park." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
"Deserves its high reputation"
One night the security guard knocked on our door to tell us to come out and get a glimpse of three honey badgers that were drinking from a water bowl next-door. We thought that was extremely thoughtful of him and seeing those honey badgers was a highlight.
We liked our guide, Fortune, who, among other things, got us the best cheetah sighting we have had in five trips to Africa." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
"High marks for The Hide"
The Hide is an extremely well managed camp, one of the best in our experience. Meals are high quality with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables: we especially liked the fact that one evening the main course was traditional Zambian fare. The bar is well-stocked. The rooms are comfortable and the communal areas a delight, looking out onto a waterhole which attracts a wide range of animals. The highlight is the hide itself which puts one (underground) just feet away from elephants coming to drink.
There is a three activities per day rhythm to the camp (unusual in our experience), with a morning post-breakfast drive, an afternoon drive or walk and a post-dinner night drive on The Hide's concession. We found this balance to be very appealing.
Our guide, Ngozi, was excellent, personable and with a nice (again unusual) touch of stopping the vehicle and getting out of his seat to turn to his passengers when he had something important/lengthy to say about what we were seeing. He also was able to balance nicely the different interests among his passengers.
We were lucky enough to have good lion sightings on our first two days (including Jericho, former comrade-in-arms of the more well-known Cecil); super elephant and buffalo; serval, black-backed jackal, lesser genet and a whole host of herbivores. Best of all, perhaps, an aardvark. We also logged 84 bird species even though we diluted our usual birding focus for this trip: these included Secretary Bird, Kori Bustard, Ground-Hornbill, Ostrich with chicks, Pearl-spotted Owlet and a range of smaller raptors.
We can thoroughly recommend the Hide to first-time and experienced safari-goers alike." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
A very well run operation with good flexibility in offering choice to guests. They have two hides for close encounters with the wildlife. A big feature is a large pan in front of the main facilities which brings the wildlife almost into your room.
Having experienced many lodges and camps over many trips to Africa this pan with its size and location is probably the best front door waterhole/pan view we have come across. We visited at a good time of year when the wildlife was having to use the watering facilities as there had not been rain for several months and so there were only a few locations available for drinking. There will be times of the year when the availability of more natural water holes appear after rainfall and the game will stretch out over a wider area.
Rooms are typical of many camps.
Food is varied and of a good standard. (See also our previous comments on Kaingo Camp) .
Whilst The Hide has some "concessionary territory" where it can go off road much of the daily trips on the game drives is in the National Park area and there are restrictions on how much it is possible to stray away from the main tracks.
Nevertheless game viewing opportunities were good at this time of year." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 8n in Zambia
"The Hide review"
The camp is adjacent to the Vic. Falls - Bulawayo railway line. Heard trains early each morning.
Disappointing lack of predators at time of visit." See all these reviews: 15n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
There is a train track along the boundary of the Hide's concession so you don't feel quite as isolated and away from civilisation as you might do in other camps.
Our guide Nicholas was great - very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. The night drives were a lot of fun too and gave us a chance to see some of the nocturnal creatures.
Staff were friendly, food was very good.
Tents are comfortable, with both indoor and outdoor showers.
It's lovely to watch animals come to drink at the waterhole right outside your accommodation. Being able to watch the elephants from the underground hide was an amazing experience - drinking water only a few metres away from you." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
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