About Nehimba Lodge
Set within mopane woodland overlooking a large waterhole, Nehimba Lodge occupies a private concession to ...
... the north-west of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. From here, you can explore this isolated area with a guide, either by vehicle or on foot.
A high-quality operation in Hwange National Park, Nehimba offers fantastic value for money in a wildlife-rich, remote area of the park, especially when combined with its sister camps. The accommodation is comfortable, and the lodge offers a perfect base from which to explore the park, or to relax and let the wildlife come to you in the dry season.
Our view
A high-quality operation in Hwange National Park, Nehimba offers fantastic value for money in a wildlife-rich, remote area of the park, especially when combined with its sister camps. The accommodation is comfortable, and the lodge offers a perfect base from which to explore the park, or to relax and let the wildlife come to you in the dry season.
Accommodation
9 thatched chalets
Children
Best for 12+
Open
March to December
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Private activities
Traveller reviews of Nehimba Lodge
8 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 29 Sep 2023, 3 nights
"Nehimba Lodge Elephant paradise"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 21 Sep 2019, 3 nights
"Great elephant experience"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 24 Jul 2019, 4 nights
"Comfortable lodge inattractive setting"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 13 Nov 2018, 3 nights
"Fantastic Nehimba"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 13 Sep 2018, 2 nights
"Nehimba Lodge review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 25 Oct 2017, 3 nights
"Full of rustic charm in a wilderness setting"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 21 Sep 2017, 3 nights
"Something special"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 25 Aug 2016, 3 nights
"A once in a lifetime experience"
Overall rating: Excellent








Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the safaris. See our 8 pictures and 1 videos of Nehimba Lodge to get the candid view.
View galleryNehimba Lodge: Our full report
Set within mopane woodland overlooking a large waterhole, Nehimba Lodge occupies a private concession to ...
... the north-west of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. From here, you can explore this isolated area with a guide, either by vehicle or on foot.
Originally privately owned under the same name, Nehimba is now owned and run by one of Zimbabwe's fastest-growing safari companies, Imvelo Safari Lodges. In addition to a couple of properties in Victoria Falls, Nehimba has three sister camps in or around Hwange National Park: Bomani Tented Lodge, Camelthorn and Jozibanini.
Central to Nehimba is a thatched main area, an L-shaped open-fronted building that looks out over the waterhole. Here you'll find an open plan bar and a couple of comfortable lounge areas, as well as a large dining table where meals are normally taken as a group.
A few steps lead you down to a sundeck, and below that to a sparkling swimming pool that brings welcome relief during the hot summer months. It’s not just guests who benefit: the local elephant population much prefers drinking the clean water in the pool to that found in the waterhole just a few metres away. In fact, during the dry season the elephants make such frequent use of the pool that it is all but off limits to guests – but that’s a small price to pay for such close and reliable encounters. When we dropped in for lunch in November 2017 we were joined by at least seven elephants drinking from the pool, and a constant procession of them coming and going from the waterhole beyond.
Nehimba Lodge has nine thatched chalets raised on stilts, four on one side of the main area, and three on the other, but all with views over the waterhole. All – including two two-bedroom family suites and a honeymoon suite – have half canvas, half wooden walls and glass windows, giving a more solid feel than at a traditional tented camp. Inside you’ll find twin or double beds, along with a fan, tea-making facilities and a Nespresso machine.
The en-suite bathrooms boast a high-backed bath and an outdoor (but no indoor) shower, as well as a washbasin and toilet, storage unit, and a couple of cosy robes.
The game viewing in this region of Hwange National Park is superb during the dry season (June–October), when you can see some fantastic wildlife, as well as the elephants lion, cheetah and sable are known to frequent the area around the lodge. As one of the only reliable water sources for miles around, it attracts plenty of animals, such that the area around the lodge was fairly bleak when we visited, due to elephant damage.
Game drives and walking safaris offer more active ways to see the wildlife and explore the area, and a chance to visit Nehimba's own hide, as well as local attractions such as the Nehimba Seep, Mandavu Dam and the Mtoa Ruins. Walking safaris are conducted with one of Zimbabwe’s professional guides, who is resident here, offering the exciting opportunity to approach wildlife on foot, and learn basic tracking skills. Game drives are conducted either by the the same guide, or by one of the camp's learner guides. Don't let the tag “learner” fool you, though; Zimbabwe's learners are as good as, and often better than, many fully qualified guides elsewhere in southern and eastern Africa.
Geographics
- Location
- Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Ideal length of stay
- We'd recommend a stay of three nights at Nehimba.
- Directions
- Nehimba can be accessed by road in a 3–4-hour transfer from Victoria Falls. Alternatively, a transfer by light aircraft will take around 45 minutes from Victoria Falls, followed by a 1–1½-hour game drive from Hwange Main Camp to the lodge.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We’ve always found the food here to be of a high standard as we have come to expect from all Imvelo properties. Although we didn’t stay at the lodge on our most recent visit, in November 2017, we did have time to enjoy lunch.
For breakfast guests can choose from a selection of cereal, fruit, cold meat and cheese, as well as freshly baked bread and muffins. Hot breakfasts can also be cooked to order.
At lunch, in the company of several of Hwange’s elephants, we enjoyed a very tasty chicken curry served in a poppadum, with rice and an Asian slaw.
Dinner is usually a delicious three-course meal. On a previous visit we had butternut ravioli to start, followed by roast pork with sweet potato gratin and vegetables, and peach pudding for dessert. - Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Private dinners can sometimes be arranged on request.
- Drinks included
- Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits, and a selection of South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- The lodge does not accept children under the age of seven.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Nehimba accepts children of seven years and older.
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- Nehimba has two two-bedroom family chalets, and a swimming pool.
- Generally recommended for children
- Nehimba caters well to family groups, but it has a fairly mature atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on safari, so we would recommend it for older, relatively mature children.
- Notes
- The camp is unfenced and is frequently visited by large, wild animals, so children need to be closely supervised by a parent or guardian.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Nehimba Lodge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Nehimba Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

100% success

100% success

100% success

100% success

100% success

100% success

80% success

60% success

40% success

40% success

25% success

20% success

0% success

0% success

0% success

0% success

0% success

0% success

0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The generator runs from an hour before guests wake up until 10.00am, and later in the day from 4.00pm until everyone has gone to bed.
- Communications
- There is free WiFi throughout the lodge.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio in camp.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Each chalet at Nehimba has an ample supply of water. The showers are plumbed and there are flushing toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a first aid kit on site and the guides are first aid trained. There is a doctor at Hwange Main Camp or Hwange Town.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- After sunset, guests are accompanied to and from their tents by a guide.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers and buckets of sand around camp.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Included (even delicates which often have to be hand washed by travellers in Zimbabwe).
- Money
- There are electronic safes in the chalets.
- Accepted payment on location
- Everything is included during your stay at Nehimba so there is no need to pay for anything at the lodge – and thus no card or cash payment facilities.
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Nehimba Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Nehimba Lodge.
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.

Hwange Bush Camp
Hwange Bush Camp is a small seasonal camp offering comfortable tents, great food, and superb guiding, and is often used by exclusive groups.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.

Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National Park.

Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.

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.

Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush camp experience.

Daka Camp
One of the most remote camps in Hwange National Park, Daka Camp, like the smaller Daka Expeditions, sits almost on the border with Botswana.

Tum Tum
The Tum Tum Treehouses are due to open in late 2025. Details on this exciting development are still scarce, so watch this space.

Camp Chitubu
Nestled in the rugged north of Hwange National Park, the unpretentious yet comfortable Camp Chitubu has a strong focus on excellent guiding.

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.
When to go to Hwange National Park
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Nehimba Lodge in Hwange National Park
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Zimbabwe in January
January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.
While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.
The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.
- Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
- Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
- Species such as impala drop their young
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
- Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps
Our view
A time to avoid if possible
Weather in January
Zimbabwe in February
February remains well within Zimbabwe’s rainy season. Although total rainfall drops, relatively short thunderstorms can still be expected most afternoons. On the plus side, there is a greater chance of some sunshine in-between.
Much of the country remains waterlogged, closing access to Mana Pools and severely restricting walking safaris in other parks. While game drives and canoeing remain an option, the abundance of water disperses animals, and thick grass can make it difficult to spot larger species, but birding remains excellent. Conversely, this is a great time of year to view the landscape, and is excellent for photographers. Sporadic cloud cover and clear air can make for some spectacular sunsets too, particularly over Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River where the reflections off the water add to the beauty.
- Generally wet with frequent thunderstorms & hot humid days
- Poor wildlife viewing due to dispersed animals & thick bush
- Clear air, green landscapes & exceptional sunsets
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
- Very few visitors & low rates at camps that are open
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in February
Zimbabwe in March
March is the final month of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, when the rains start to trail off and sunny days become the norm. However, some days the clouds can still build, breaking into thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Mana Pools remains closed throughout the month but the majority of camps in Hwange, Matusadona and Gonarezhou remain open. Here, the landscape is green and alive, with migrant species of birds taking advantage of the abundant insect life. Larger animals remain elusive though, and walking safaris remain restricted.
By this time of year, the rains have normally trickled down to the Zambezi River and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts to increase, but without kicking up too much spray to obscure the views.
- Last month of the rainy season: hot, humid days with occasional storms
- Lush vegetation means good birding, but poor game viewing
- Views of the Victoria Falls improve
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
- Open camps have few visitors & low rates
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Zimbabwe in April
April marks the end of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and the end of summer. Clear skies are the norm, with just the occasional shower. Temperatures start to drop, failing to reach 30ºC most days and dropping down to around 10ºC at night.
As the rain fades the landscape starts to dry out. While the vegetation remains thick and green, the soil in Mana Pools dries enough for camps to open, and the only camps to remain closed are the most remote bushcamps in Hwange. Although viewing of larger animals remains tricky, the improved weather starts to draw back visitors, as do prices significantly below those in the peak season.
The Zambezi River and flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its highest, although large amounts of spray diminish views of the waterfall itself.
- Transitional period, with much lower rainfall & falling temperatures
- Wildlife is still dispersed & hard to see, but sightings improving
- Views of the Victoria Falls often obscured by spray
- Camps in Mana Pools open
- Visitors start to return & camps increase their rates
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in April
Zimbabwe in May
The first month in the dry season, May is also Zimbabwe’s first month of winter. If the rains are particularly late in a given year, you may catch the odd shower, but you can expect clear and sunny days the majority of the time. While it’s warm in the daytime, temperatures drop to single digits at night, so bring a warm jumper and gloves for early morning drives.
With the rain having cleared the air, the sky is bright blue, and it’s the best time of year for photography.
Even the most remote camps in Zimbabwe are now open. With the lack of rainfall, vegetation dies back significantly, and seasonal rivers return to sand. Not only does this open up the possibility of walking safaris, but wildlife viewing becomes much more reliable.
- Start of the dry season, with milder days and cold nights
- Game viewing significantly improves as vegetation dies back
- Vegetation starts to turn from green to brown
- Best time for photography with crystal clear air
- Visitors start to return; all camps open & rates increasing
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in May
Zimbabwe in June
During June you can virtually be guaranteed of dry and sunny days, although temperatures continue to drop, and can get close to freezing at night in Hwange National Park. Jumpers, jackets and gloves are strongly recommended for early mornings and evenings.
The opportunities for wildlife viewing improve throughout the month as the landscape rapidly dries, and the animals start to gather on the banks of the Zambezi River and around Hwange’s waterholes.
Water levels in the Zambezi River start to drop, reducing the amount of spray kicked up at the Victoria Falls and greatly improving visibility, but still allowing a full curtain of water to cascade over the edge.
- Middle of winter, with night-time temperatures close to freezing
- Game viewing significantly improves throughout the month
- Views of the Victoria Falls are at their best
- Noticeable increase in visitor numbers
- Camps considerably more expensive
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in June
Zimbabwe in July
July sits in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. Although it’s warm at midday, temperatures are generally cold and in Hwange it’s been known to drop below freezing at night, with the lower-altitude Mana Pools feeling a bit warmer.
With wildlife clustering around the few remaining waterholes, sparse vegetation, and some of the best views of the Victoria Falls, this is one of the most popular times to travel, with camps charging peak season rates to reflect this. That said, visitor numbers to the country in general remain low, and outside of the Victoria Falls it’s rare for any areas to feel crowded.
- Middle of the dry season with almost no chance of rain
- Clear sunny days, but very cold nights
- Wildlife viewing good; game drives and walking safaris unrestricted
- Views of the Victoria Falls at their best
- Camps charging peak season rates
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in July
Zimbabwe in August
While August is the end of winter and temperatures are starting to creep up, mornings and nights are still cold, and game drives in open vehicles can feel particularly chilly. Well into the dry season, the landscapes will have mostly transformed from green to brown and wildlife viewing in Zimbabwe’s national parks is approaching its best. Due to dust kicked up into the atmosphere and smoke from bush fires you may start to notice a haze on the horizon, but this doesn’t significantly impact photography.
August is one of the most expensive months, and the pleasant weather and decent game viewing attracts lots of visitors. While the national parks rarely feel crowded, Victoria Falls accommodation can sell out a year in advance.
- Warm, sunny days but cold mornings & nights; almost no chance of rain
- Wildlife viewing nearly at its best
- Landscape turns brown, & an atmospheric haze develops
- All camps charging peak season rates
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Zimbabwe in September
Temperatures in September rarely drop below 15ºC, but are yet to reach the oppressive highs of summer. It will normally have been five months since the last drop of rain, so antelope and elephants cluster around whatever water remains, with predators never too far away.
The landscape is very brown, and the haze building on the horizon takes some of the colour out of the sky, so while animal subjects are plentiful, the background is not ideal for photography.
The combination of incredible wildlife viewing, hot and sunny weather, and cheaper flights outside of the school holidays make this the most popular time of year to travel, and availability at the camps can become limited up to a year in advance.
- The best month for weather, with a pleasantly warm temperature range
- One of the best months for game viewing
- Victoria Falls starting to dry but still impressive on Zimbabwean side
- All camps are charging peak season rates
- Most popular time to travel, & space can be limited
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Zimbabwe in October
October is the last month of the dry season with little chance of rain but building humidity. While the higher elevation of Hwange National Park limits temperatures to the 30s Celsius, they can easily top 40ºC in Mana Pools.
With little vegetation or water, wildlife is drawn to the few remaining water sources and viewing is at its best; visitors who brave the heat can be rewarded with some exceptional sightings, although haze in the air diminishes photos. Maximum visibility and dense wildlife concentrations can also make for very rewarding walking safaris, although the heat can make them uncomfortable.
Water levels in the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls drop significantly, and large stretches of the waterfall are a dry cliff-face – although it never dries completely. Camp rates remain at their peak, but visitor numbers drop as people avoid the heat.
- Last month of the dry season; very hot with building humidity
- Wildlife viewing at its very best
- Dust & smoke in the air diminish photographic opportunities
- Victoria Falls starting to look very dry
- Camp rates remain at their peak
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Zimbabwe in November
November is a transitionary period, with high temperatures and humidity. While they can’t be predicted with any precision, the first rains normally arrive halfway through the month, in the form of thunderstorms lasting a few hours each day.
Early November is a popular time to travel as the camps drop their rates, so if you’re lucky you can get peak-season game viewing at low-season rates. This is a gamble though as if the rains do arrive, animals are no longer limited to a few dangerous waterholes and will disperse into the bush. While all the camps in Mana Pools intend to remain open, the rains can make the airstrips unusable so you may find yourself moved to a different park, a risk that increases through the month.
- Typically the start of the rains in Zimbabwe
- Temperatures & humidity levels remain high
- Wildlife viewing rapidly diminishes as the rains arrive
- Camps remain open, but risk early closure in Mana Pools
- Much cheaper time to travel as camps drop their rates
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Zimbabwe in December
By December the rainy season has begun in earnest; this is one of the wettest months in Zimbabwe, with heavy thunderstorms most afternoons and occasionally continuous rain for a couple of days. While temperatures start to cool down the high levels of humidity can make the heat feel more oppressive.
With the rains comes an explosion of green growth, and the dust and smoke are washed out of the air. The resulting scenery – with the occasional bright blue skies – can be fantastic for photographers. Thick vegetation and plentiful water makes viewing of larger animals tricky, but with migratory species arriving the birding is at its best.
All camps in Mana Pools and the remote Hwange camps close, with those remaining open charging their lowest rates.
- One of the wettest months in Zimbabwe
- High temperatures & levels of humidity
- Wildlife viewing poor, but birding good
- Lush green landscapes & clear air; great for landscape photography
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in December

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