Reviews of Camp Hwange
(96%) From 70 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Full on in many ways
Camp Hwange chosen as the safari add on to our Namibia tour , because of easy flight from Windhoek to Vic Falls, land access to Hwange NP, and varied activities at camp, with emphasis on 'walking' and night drives possible. These also distinguish S Luangwa where we have been 8 times over 30 years.
Soon became clear that Hwange walking differed markedly from rest of Africa previously experienced. As soon as a big five animal spotted, or tracks found, this became a tracking and then stalking exercise , with the intention of getting as close as possible , without intentionally creating a hazardous encounter. This evolution from hunting was striking, with considerable discussion over dinner about firearms, particularly with NRA supporting Americans. All the guides supported trophy hunting for cash as the only way to support conservation.
Our guide, a white Zimbabwean, working freelance was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of of the bush and animals.
found there. He was very keen to please and did suggest varying the usual timetable with a full day out, and a couple of long walks initially 'nature' ones but reverting to stalking if the opportunity arose. The normal timetable was simple breakfast at 05.30, leave at 6.00, return for lunch at ca 12.30. Tea at 4.00 leave at 4.30 with spotlight from dusk till 7.30 with dinner finishing about 9.00. We felt that this did not give enough private time but given the meal times difficult to circumvent. However nobody would complain they weren't getting their moneysworth.
The extreme dryness encompassing Southern Africa this year showed in the reliance of all animals on the few water holes and damned lakes or a couple of natural spring areas. Even the ones accessible from the cam p were up to 20km apart, so it involved considerable travel between sites where animals were prolific.
It should be noted that the transfer from Vic Falls to Camp Hwange took 4.5 hours.of which 2.5 were in the park. A long time if people were coming straight out after a flight.
Description of camp as comfortable but not luxurious absolutely accurate ,food very good. Suited us very well.
Lots of wildlife around Camp Hwange
We saw an amazing amount of wildlife. Andy was an excellent guide. He accommodated us to the best of his ability, including a fruitless half day attempt to spot a rhino.
He was knowledgeable and experienced. When they talk about the great guiding in Zimbabwe, Andy is what they mean.
Couldn't be happier with the time spent at Camp Hwange. We saw it all except for a cheetah, and rhino. Enjoyed listening to the animals around the watering hole at night.
I highly recommend Camp Hwange.
Camp Hwangi - excellent walking safari ....
Guides (Mike and Dean) were both excellent but we noted that they were freelance and neither would have been there for the following weeks' guests.
The managers were on holiday whilst we were there so can not comment but thought all the staff that we did meet were quite exceptional even to the point that when clothes went to the laundry with forgotten $$ in the pocket - the money was returned immediately.
Highlights:-
Sundowner at a distant waterhole - watching hundreds of elephants & buffalo. Evening candle light dinner in the bush.
Walking safari with guide Dean. Watching the lion cubs play with guide Mike & thanks for the wonderful photos he took.
Return drive to gate with Washington - he had amazing detection skills!
Lowlights:-
Not facing a permanent waterhole that was described as pumped year round - it has almost dried up so this restricted the animals we would expect to see from our room.
Indemnity Form: strangely worded - maybe we should have been warned of this before hand! Curious to know how legally enforceable this document is?
e.g. 'This exception from liability shall apply even where injury, harm or loss referred above is caused by the negligence of any of the parties'.
The drive from Victoria Falls to Camp Hwange took longer than expected - almost five hours rather than three.
Camp Hwange review
I loved this camp, the guides were incredible, the rooms beautiful and the food delicious. We loved tracking lions on foot and were lucky enough to see a cheetah, leopard and hyena. Actually I enjoyed seeing the hares and mongoose almost more, the animals that you don't necessarily know about.
Read more about the whole safariFantastic camp, great location
This camp was our final location for our first trip to Zimbabwe and it didn’t disappoint in any way. The accommodation is first class, extremely comfortable with a small veranda overlooking a watering hole just in front of the main camp area.
The hot water is supplied from solar panels and was more than adequate for showers although you need to be prepared for a bit of wait after turning on the hot tap before the water actually gets warm.
The food supplied during our 4 night stay was excellent with all the guests sitting around a large table along with the owners and guides which we felt was a big improvement over the previous camp, Little Makalolo. It made for a much more interesting and entertaining evening.
Our guides during our stay were Spike and Adam and they provided us with a wealth of information and stories during the guided walks and game drives. You need to wrap up warm for the morning drives out to the areas where the walking started as it was quite cold while we were there, it was their winter after all. Again elephants were the predominant wildlife we came across but we also saw eland, waterbuck, roan, giraffe and a pride of lions with a buffalo kill. Well done to Adam for getting us close to the two males and one of the cubs.
Big thanks to David, Julian, Spike, Adam and Ruth for making our stay such a memorable one. Would love to go back in the drier part of the season, the game viewing must be out of this world!
Camp Hwange review
Camp Hwange is a very special camp with staff who really care and understand about the park and the animals, one highlight and there were many was being woken by our great guide Washington at 5am to see a lion which was about 1km from camp.
Also I had a bad reaction to Malaria tablets and Spike thankfully immediately recognised the symptoms he and the rest of the staff helped me to carry on and enjoy our stay - I am extremely grateful to them all.
WOW! THE Place for walking Safaris!
Camp Hwange, thats an absolut stunning Camp by itself.
But the Guiding there is absolutely phenomenal. You're walking, but you're walking just upon an Elepant Bull in heat. Sitting in the tall Grass and watching these fantastic animals, just a few meters away. Wonderfull experience and completely different in terms of walking, what I have had experienced before.
Thanks to Julian and Adam the Guides! Also a big thank to Ashley and the team in the kitchen. The food was of a very high quality and especially the Lunch was one of the best in Africa so far. In terms of Game, I've saw definitely more in the Southern Part of the Park this time of the Season. But according to a lot of peoples, during the dry season, this must be the place.
Wonderfull place and definatly worth to come back in the dry season as the guiding and walking and the hosting is 5 stars!
Feeling part of the safari family
It's hard to imagine a more in-depth safari experience than Camp Hwange. For a start, it's extremely remote, and the transfer from Vic Falls alone is somewhat of an adventure.
From our first afternoon, we were taken out on varied and exciting safaris with their extremely knowledgeable team. Mostly these revolved around a couple of lion groups, but then with diversions according to what other animals (or tracks) were spotted. The wildlife viewing was exceptional - up close with a huge variety of animals including a leopard that had taken up residence not far from the camp.
Meals were very well catered, and eaten communally, giving a great opportunity to meet other guests and share stories. It's no wonder that some people come back repeatedly to Hwange.
Camp Hwange review
We have visited Camp Hwange several times in previous years - but only passing through with the mobile safari. This was our first overnight and it met all expectations. Definitely a place to visit again.
Read more about the whole safariCamp Hwange review
Over recent years we have been to several lodges and camps to the south east of Main Camp and now we decided to explore the area north and west of the Park where the terrain is more varied than we had experienced previously. This led us to select Camp Hwange. It proved to be an excellent choice.
Their emphasis is very much on providing a full experience,
We do not go on guided walks which is one of their regular features, but concentrate on game driving on which we can comment. Game drives last more or less as long as you want from 3 or 4 hours up to 6 hours and if required a whole day with packed lunches ( you can even discuss your meal requirements with management). Note: there are formal toilet facilities at one or two sites you may pass by during the day.
Camp Hwange offers good flexibility and a full day of activity if you want.
They have a large area of "concession" where they can search for animals plus the formal waterholes and pans which are located in National Park area and which we found provided good scenic backgrounds for photography. Rooms and food are typical of this type of camp and we would rate as good.
This was our first visit and we would hope to return again in the near future.
